Do you bring a backup bass to gigs?

[HiEnd Basses]

Two P Basses. Standard tune and Drop D.

 

[vmabus]

Only on paid gigs.

 

[McG]

Definitely a bad situation. Did it end up being a truss rod issue?
What was the result?

The bass was fine. It was just the string's nylon core failing in the heat. That was it for the Acousticores for me. I have GHS Brite Flats on now and like the tone even more.

The result was no break in the action and learning that taking an extra gig bags worth of gear makes any worries go away, even if I never need a backup again.

PS; I always listen to my wife... immediately.

Me too

PS: Smart guys marry women who are smarter then they are.

I was a C student and only made it through 1 1/2 years of college. She was a straight A student and college dean's list. Cute too. I got lucky

 

[DreadyDiggs]

Yea, I've started to bring two. My Spirit isn't exactly new, lol, and I do want to be prepared for even the rarest of occasions. So, in the event of no bass coming from my bass, I have another bass.

 

[Aidenn7]

haven't gigged for a long ass time.. but I have three of the same G bass and soon a couple P basses on top of my first P-bass.. if I gigged.. I'd have another head and couple cabs.. bigger then my accugroove 110

 

[kittywithabanjo]

I had a spector that broke an a string at least once a week could never solve the issue. It's easy to change a string but that's a bit disruptive to a set so I would rather just have a spare then change the string on a break

 

[bassinplace]

I haven't played any gigs in a while, but no, I never do. Now that you mention it though, I probably should.

 

[mongo2]

I had a spector that broke an a string at least once a week could never solve the issue. It's easy to change a string but that's a bit disruptive to a set so I would rather just have a spare then change the string on a break

Why bother with the Spector at all? Why not just use your "backup"bass from the start?

 

[RRDieselbass]

I broke a D string once in the 80's on the second song of a set at a prestigious L.A. Club. Brand new strings, no reason it should have broken. Ever since then I always bring a back up bass.

 

[kittywithabanjo]

The sound fit the gig better and I did have a string deal at the time I did end up replacing it after many attempts to solve the issue

 

[jerry]

Nope!

 

[tfer]

I'm curious where the cut-off is for important vs non-important gigs?

Whenever our band is being advertised as performing, it's an important gig. Failing to be prepared is (IMO) a sign of not caring about the quality of product that you are presenting. That could cost us work in the future, and that means losing $1200-1500 a night.

That is unacceptable. Hauling our gear isn't an issue - we have a trailer and trucks to haul it. It takes a single extra trip during load in and out to put a bass on a stand, and put it back in the trailer.

Replacing a string is a fine activity during a set break; not so much as the band is hitting the third chorus of the song...

 

[mongo2]

The sound fit the gig better

Got it, but that only lasts until the string breaks, then you're on the backup anyway until you can replace the string.

 

[JimmyM]

I used to bring backups, but it's so rare that I have a problem these days that I don't even bother most of the time anymore. I know there are some people who think that's wrong of me. You would be shocked at how little I care

 

[mongo2]

I'm curious where the cut-off is for important vs non-important gigs?

Whenever our band is being advertised as performing, it's an important gig. Failing to be prepared is (IMO) a sign of not caring about the quality of product that you are presenting. That could cost us work in the future, and that means losing $1200-1500 a night.

That is unacceptable. Hauling our gear isn't an issue - we have a trailer and trucks to haul it. It takes a single extra trip during load in and out to put a bass on a stand, and put it back in the trailer.

Replacing a string is a fine activity during a set break; not so much as the band is hitting the third chorus of the song...

Curious...I've never had an instrument or string failure in over 40 years of gigs. How many such failures have you had?

However, back in the early '70s I was in the second row when Larry Taylor broke the G string on his P bass while playing with John Mayall, so I know it can happen.

 

[Dan Bass]

I've always only owned one bass at a time, and I've never needed a spare at a gig (knock on wood).

Spare cables, strings, batteries, etc... YES!

Thank you, me too, accept I own 2 Basses but never bring 2 to a gig. I've been a Bassist for 32 years and never ever had one fail on me, ever and I've owned 8 Basses in my life. I also do my own work on all my Basses, build, modify, upgrade, do all the electrical. Even on a new one I buy I take it apart and put it back together checking everything to make sure it works perfect.

 

[tfer]

Curious...I've never had an instrument or string failure in over 40 years of gigs. How many such failures have you had?

However, back in the early '70s I was in the second row when Larry Taylor broke the G string on his P bass while playing with John Mayall, so I know it can happen.

I've had one string break.

But the frequency doesn't matter: the possibility does.

 

[chuck3]

For many gigs I play both electric active 5er and an upright, so I figure I always have the other if there's a problem with one. It's happened.

If I don't have that type of gig, I bring a passive 4. Pretty hard for anything to go wrong with a passive 4, although I guess it does happen.

 

[mongo2]

I've had one string break.

But the frequency doesn't matter: the possibility does.

The possibility also exists that you'll also break a string with the first note played on your backup...Maybe carry a second spare?...But then a string could break on that one too...and on...and on...

...Just kidding

 

[JimmyM]

Do you bring a second car to your gigs in case your car breaks, too?