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Do you bring a backup bass to gigs?
- Thread starter therealting
- Start date
In many years of gigging from garages to arenas, I've often brought all of these from your list *AND* had to use them, some many times - extra cables, strings (including for guitarists), picks (for guitarists), straps (yes, for guitarists), strap buttons, a spare amp head, DI box, a soldering iron and solder, tool box, hex wrench set, batteries, duct tape, tooth picks, potentiometers, output jacks, extension cords.
Add microphone, folding music stand, folding guitar/bass stand, drum tuning key and kick pedal to that list. Also a lighter, earplugs, flashlight and various batteries. A lot of musicians owe me a lot of favors for bailing them out. I can count on one hand the times *I* needed that stuff.
When having to transport it myself, I've brought a backup bass a few times and needed one never. I've had to bail out other bassists on bills a couple of times, because they were too clueless to maintain their gear or made the mistake of using strap "locks" (especially Schaller). I've also attended hundreds of gigs, most of them with bassists involved, and observed a bass issue exactly once. Dude had an active bass and no backup battery - a maintenance issue. He had no battery, and when one was leant to him he had no way to open the battery cover (needed a screwdriver).
A hand truck with cab and amp and bag with all of the above is easy to push around as a one-trip carry with a bass in a gig bag on your back. Nearly impossible as a single trip with two basses. Two basses in a double bag on your back, maybe. Gets heavy, and you've got to either clutter the stage with unnecessary "backup" gear or leave it backstage and risk it being liberated by someone. It's not necessary me, and I like to be self-reliant and do it all in one carry whenever possible. Not beating my chest, just adding perspective. Couldn't care less what others do.
Cabs blown - yes. Many. Amps blown, yes again many. All of them were new-ish "boutique" brands too, never a simple lead sled from decades ago with smoke and dried beer coating the innards.
Good post. You reinforced my simple point--everyone knows and admits stuff happens. 38 years of public performance, I've had a bass fail (broken string or worse) three times. Pretty low odds, sure, but each time I had a bass fail, it was in a high-profile situation where dicking around fixing my bass mid-performance was completely unacceptable, came with fairly serious negative consequences, and I am forever glad I had another bass taking up a few inches of stage space that I could switch for the broken bass in under ten seconds.
Again, anyone who plays gigs where having a backup within arm's reach and mere seconds away is not a priority, and anyone who can get away with the bass dropping out for the couple of minutes it takes to change a string (or even longer for more dire failures), good on you mate. I've never had or afforded myself that luxury.
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Agreed. It "can" happen, so it's like any form of insurance and ultimately a choice. Sorry to read that you've been burned by some bad luck.
Luckily for high-profile stuff I haven't had to move or watch over my own gear, which is why I stressed "when having to transport it myself". If the nice men with the headsets want to carry stuff around, I'm happy to give them stuff to carry while I keep close watch over the catering.
Luckily for high-profile stuff I haven't had to move or watch over my own gear, which is why I stressed "when having to transport it myself". If the nice men with the headsets want to carry stuff around, I'm happy to give them stuff to carry while I keep close watch over the catering.
I always bring a backup. It hangs on a string swing attached to my cab, so at least it doesn't take up much stage space. Most people probably don't even notice it hanging there.
I do use a double gig bag to carry both basses at one time.
Edited to add: I answered that I bring a matching pair, but that isn't quite right. I bought a less expensive bass to be my backup and modded it to be as similar as possible to my main bass. If I have to switch quickly on stage, I want close to the same sound/output so neither I nor the sound guy has to fiddle with eq too drastically.
I do use a double gig bag to carry both basses at one time.
Edited to add: I answered that I bring a matching pair, but that isn't quite right. I bought a less expensive bass to be my backup and modded it to be as similar as possible to my main bass. If I have to switch quickly on stage, I want close to the same sound/output so neither I nor the sound guy has to fiddle with eq too drastically.
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I see to bring a backup, but that's just another bass to keep an eye on and it's more likely that it will walk than I will need it.
I just started this year. Realized my basses are 20 -24 years old and all active.
Played for years with only one.
Played for years with only one.
I almost always bring a backup, usually a fairly low-cost one. I don't bring it to two clubs that are literally within two miles of my house, as I figure I could run home and grab one real quick if necessary.
I've never needed the backup, but I did have a problem where an electric guitar developed a fractured nut and I had to play the rest of the gig with five strings. After that, I've always packed a spare.
I've never needed the backup, but I did have a problem where an electric guitar developed a fractured nut and I had to play the rest of the gig with five strings. After that, I've always packed a spare.
Backup bass, backup amp, backup pants.
I've never needed the 2nd bass, or amp, but had a lead singer/harp player split out the rear of his pants 2 songs into the first set. After 3 or 4 more tunes, his GF shows up with a new pair of pants, and we do an instrumental while he changed.
I've never needed the 2nd bass, or amp, but had a lead singer/harp player split out the rear of his pants 2 songs into the first set. After 3 or 4 more tunes, his GF shows up with a new pair of pants, and we do an instrumental while he changed.
What an interesting story! Backup Pants would be a perfect name for my new band! Thanks!
No. The only time I bring two basses is when I'm required to play both upright and electric on the same gig.
In the extremely unlikely event that something would go wrong with either one, I can play jazz on an electric or disco on an upright...
I can make it work. No big deal.
