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Bass Failure On a Gig (Poll)
- Thread starter Smallmouth_Bass
- Start date
So at last check, the poll has the "never had a bass fail at a gig" option at 53% (if you add in the carrots option).
So basically, flip a coin?
*I think its probably only fair to count half the carrots
I once had 2 consecutive gigs at the same venue and on the second night had battery failure before the gig. Just went down the street and got a new battery. Other than that I have never had a bass issue or required a 2nd bass.
I've never had a bass fail, though I've had two amps blow up on me during a gig. Too many pedal/cabal/battery failures to count.
Never had a bass fail at a gig. Had jacks go out, amp quit, brand new cord quit and had a nut break at practice, but never failed at a gig. It knows it's important.
I voted “no failure” & I’ve taken a backup bass And amp on every gig within the last (15) years. Before that, I just took a backup bass cause 2 amps was unheard of in my circle. Pretty lucky or not whichever way you look at it
I had that happen during a rehearsal once and had no fuse to replace it with. Luckily we were having a “couple” of Lowenbraus, so I peeled some of the foil off the neck of the bottle and I was back in business. That was before I knew better!!
So basically, flip a coin?
*I think its probably only fair to count half the carrots
Well, it goes to show that right off the bat, over 50% of people haven't had a failure. If you consider the rate at which the failures occur - many people saying 1-3 times over the course of decades - then the odds are really low and it sounds like most equipment is very reliable. That is not to say it isn't a good idea to have a backup bass.
If I was hired to play on a cruise ship, or anywhere else that would preclude me from obtaining a replacement, I'd take a spare bass; and probably never need it, because I fastidiously maintain my gear. I find it incredulous that 16% of players have had a battery fail and not have access to replace it. What type of bass was this?
Fatal failures did not happen. But yesterday, Cobain's tribute was played, and at some point three people from the crowd fell onto the stage on my pedalboard, and the sound of the bass disappeared in the middle of the song. I did not stop playing, but I thought that the pedals or the commutation were damaged. When these people returned to the jumping crowd, I looked at the pedalboard and realized that with their bodies they turned off all the pedals and turned on only the tuner in the mute mode and the bass synthesizer. I sighed with relief when I turned off the unnecessary pedals and turned on the right pedals, and the sound of my bass was heard again.
Over the years, it's been a much higher rate of issues with cars/vans than gear (thinking about other band members as well) despite the usual things like kick drum pedals coming apart, the odd broken drum head, guitar amp tube and, of course, broken guitar strings beyond counting. Still, if I'm driving I'll usually take a spare - but I've done tours where space was enough of a concern that I've gone a month with just one bass.
To me, any failure that can't be fixed in five minutes or less is inexcusable _if_ you are making money with your instrument. That means replacing a broken string, dead battery or faulty cable doesn't count -- but a broken instrument or dead amplifier does count. (Okay, you can probably work around a dead amp by DI'ing into the PA if you have a DI pedal, but you'll have trouble hearing yourself play.)
For a gigging bassist, the ideal take-along would be: primary and backup bass; primary and backup amp head, each with its own power cord (they can serve as each other's spare); two speaker cabinets, each capable of providing adequate stage volume (the need not be identical -- a 4x10 and a 1x15 would be fine, for example) and capable of impedance-matching with either head individually or combined; a spare set of strings; several spare picks, if you use them; spare instrument and speaker cables; a heavy-duty power extension cord, just in case you need a few feet more to your amp; a string winder and pliers with side cutter; fuses; and a spare tuner. Add batteries if you play an active bass, plus either batteries or a spare AC power supply for any pedals. A truly anal-retentive sort might even include a second pedalboard, but I'd just patch around any dead pedal and play on.
Spare strings even if you've just changed them? You bet. I once got a set of strings (a very reputable and popular brand) with a broken core in the E string. If that can happen in manufacture _and_ get past quality-control inspection, it can happen during a gig.
I realize that's a lot to carry along, but some of the items can stay in the van or trailer until/unless you need them. (I'd have both speaker cabs on stage and in use, plugged into my primary amp, but that's personal preference.) You might even want to put some of the spare items (cables, batteries) into a second gig bag that keeps them separate from the items you're more likely to need quickly.
I don't gig these days, so I can get away with just one of each item; but in my long-ago youth with a band (a guitarist back then) I tried to have spares available even on non-paying gigs because it seemed like the "professional" thing to do. Never had an amp or cab failure back then -- I was lucky -- and this was years before electronic tuners or effects pedals were common, but more than once I needed an extra cable, string or handful of picks. I don't think the term "gig bag" had been invented yet, but I had one!
For a gigging bassist, the ideal take-along would be: primary and backup bass; primary and backup amp head, each with its own power cord (they can serve as each other's spare); two speaker cabinets, each capable of providing adequate stage volume (the need not be identical -- a 4x10 and a 1x15 would be fine, for example) and capable of impedance-matching with either head individually or combined; a spare set of strings; several spare picks, if you use them; spare instrument and speaker cables; a heavy-duty power extension cord, just in case you need a few feet more to your amp; a string winder and pliers with side cutter; fuses; and a spare tuner. Add batteries if you play an active bass, plus either batteries or a spare AC power supply for any pedals. A truly anal-retentive sort might even include a second pedalboard, but I'd just patch around any dead pedal and play on.
Spare strings even if you've just changed them? You bet. I once got a set of strings (a very reputable and popular brand) with a broken core in the E string. If that can happen in manufacture _and_ get past quality-control inspection, it can happen during a gig.
I realize that's a lot to carry along, but some of the items can stay in the van or trailer until/unless you need them. (I'd have both speaker cabs on stage and in use, plugged into my primary amp, but that's personal preference.) You might even want to put some of the spare items (cables, batteries) into a second gig bag that keeps them separate from the items you're more likely to need quickly.
I don't gig these days, so I can get away with just one of each item; but in my long-ago youth with a band (a guitarist back then) I tried to have spares available even on non-paying gigs because it seemed like the "professional" thing to do. Never had an amp or cab failure back then -- I was lucky -- and this was years before electronic tuners or effects pedals were common, but more than once I needed an extra cable, string or handful of picks. I don't think the term "gig bag" had been invented yet, but I had one!
I have spent equal time gigging with passive and active basses (over 25 years with each) and I've never had either type fail on me during a gig. Never broken a string either.
The closest I've come to an instrument based problem was when the end of my leather strap snapped as I was walking on stage. Fortunately the guitarist had a spare, so I did the gig with the bass under my chin!!
I've carried a spare strap ever since.
The closest I've come to an instrument based problem was when the end of my leather strap snapped as I was walking on stage. Fortunately the guitarist had a spare, so I did the gig with the bass under my chin!!
I've carried a spare strap ever since.
Batteries died. Had replacements nearby so not too much of a disaster. Now I test them before every gig and any doubt I replace.
Broke a low B in the first set. Didn't have a spare so I limped through the rest of the show. Always have a spare now.
Broke a low B in the first set. Didn't have a spare so I limped through the rest of the show. Always have a spare now.
I once had the screws in the A string saddle on my 1972 Precision bass suddenly unwind within seconds leaving the A string flopping around mid song. I had to continue using my 1969 Jazz bass. Not a bad spare bass at all! To be honest, it was probably the worst Precision to come out of the Fender factory. I bought it "new" in 1976 when I was 18 and after that episode I fitted it with an original Badass bridge. After decades of mods, ( much to the neck ) it is a 5 string fretless (with a high c ) and plays like a dream!
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Was setting up my rig inside an event tent and leaned my Fender Jazz fiver against the tent wall ( didn't bring a guitar stand ) .A gust of wind hit the tent which dumped my bass on the tent floor breaking the B string machine head off!!! Discovered the tuning peg was made of chrome colored plastic! Pulled off the B string and played it like a 4 - finishing the gig with out a problem. Was amazed that Fender uses plastic machine heads. My guess is to eliminate neck dive,or they want to cut costs.
Bought it used: USA , Active Noiseless pups, guessing it was made around '98 . Tuner was hallow chrome plastic! Not sure of exact model, was made in Corona California is all I can tell you.
