breaking a string live

[Zooberwerx]

Isn't this a Berklee exercise where they remove a single string to see how quickly you can re-navigate the fingerboard? I can do it in a half-assed fashion and survive til the end of the chart but I have my plan B in a stand, tuned and ready-to-go. Last string I broke was some POS Dean Markley cryo something-or-another.

Riis

 

[Pimpernel Smith]

I remember McCartney having his older Hofner as a back up, leaning against the drum riser, back in his Beatles days. Just in case.

 

[Major Seven]

I remember McCartney having his older Hofner as a back up, leaning against the drum riser, back in his Beatles days. Just in case.

Wasn't one of those the one that was stolen and just re-found this year?

 

[Bassdirty]

Hello all, tomorrow I have an interesting gig in a very well know venue in Paris (France).
Usually I **never** ask myself : do I need a second bass, do I need another pack of strings.
Never bring a second bass, never break a strings, I'm not touring, I only play from time to time live.

Does it happen to some of you sometimes.
I have Labella FS Flat 5 strings 125 -45

Is it supersitition, stress, control freak crisis, or just plain good sense ?

txs
pablo

Everything WOULDA been fine. BUT, now that you've said it outloud?.. You may be in trouble.


I always have a spare bass with me, JIC. In the past, I dunno.. 27ish + years, never "needed" one.



I'd say (as many have said), Definitely bring extra strings.

If it's a "Higher Profile"/Pro gig, then I'd say bring a Backup Bass.

(People have different definitions of what a "High/Higher Profile Gig" is. I'll just define it as: A gig where you can't afford ANY unprofessionalism, even for a minute, without some kind of Undesirable Ramifications for you / the band / People involved etc.). {Versus Playing in the drummer's Mom's Backyard}


ALSO, even if you DO bring a backup, STILL bring extra strings.

 

[Pimpernel Smith]

Wasn't one of those the one that was stolen and just re-found this year?

Yes, it was. His "Cavern bass" he had refinished and was seen in the Revolution video. Later, during his Wings band days, it was stolen from a van packed with their equipment. Only recently was it found, properly identified, and reconditioned by Hofner.

 

[Yahboy]

Hello all, tomorrow I have an interesting gig in a very well know venue in Paris (France).
Usually I **never** ask myself : do I need a second bass, do I need another pack of strings.
Never bring a second bass, never break a strings, I'm not touring, I only play from time to time live.

Does it happen to some of you sometimes.
I have Labella FS Flat 5 strings 125 -45

Is it supersitition, stress, control freak crisis, or just plain good sense ?

txs
pablo

It could be good if you didn't have gorilla hand.....

 

[Major Seven]

It will because you asked.

 

[BassicJazzy]

Isn't this a Berklee exercise where they remove a single string to see how quickly you can re-navigate the fingerboard? I can do it in a half-assed fashion and survive til the end of the chart but I have my plan B in a stand, tuned and ready-to-go. Last string I broke was some POS Dean Markley cryo something-or-another.

Riis

Sounds like they just mess with you, take bets on who will crack and smash the bass first?

I remember my mother and older sister taking guitar lessons in the 60's. My sister was good, my mother was string-impaired. When my sister tried to show her how to finger something my mother got up and smashed the guitar on the floor. I came out of my room just in time to see that. "Hey Mom, what was that piece you just played, it sounded epic!"

 

[micguy]

I have never broken a string on a gig, but I always have a spare set (and the tools I need to change them) with me. At the end of last year, I played the biggest (audience wise) gig of my life, and I brought a backup bass.

I have spares for almost all the cables in my rig. The cables I don't have spares for are those that a standard 1/4" inch or xlr cable (which are in abundance in all the places I play) can cover.