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Do You Bring A Backup Bass To Gigs?

Do You Bring A Backup Bass To Gigs?

  • Yes, always

    Votes: 213 45.3%

  • No, never

    Votes: 124 26.4%

  • Sometimes, it depends on the band and venue

    Votes: 115 24.5%

  • Who has the money for a second bass when you need a continuous supply of carrots?

    Votes: 18 3.8%
  • Total voters
    470
#181
By profession I am moderately familiar with managing risk. Having problems with a bass at a gig has a probability that is not zero. But like so many other situations where risk needs to be assessed, when it comes to backup basses and gigs people more often than not rely exclusively on their own experiences. That is pretty much always a bad idea unless you've already had a number of bad experiences that have taught you to cover all your bases.

I have had a lot of dealings with companies who have had monumentally bad experiences. Let's just say that self-experience rating is at the top of the list of their fatal mistakes.
 
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#182
DigitalMan said:
By profession I am moderately familiar with managing risk. Having problems with a bass at a gig has a probability that is not zero. But like so many other situations where risk needs to be assessed, when it comes to backup basses and gigs people more often than not rely exclusively on their own experiences. That is pretty much always a bad idea unless you've already had a number of bad experiences that have taught you to cover all your bases.

I have had a lot of dealings with companies who have had monumentally bad experiences. Let's just say that self-experience rating is at the top of the list of their fatal mistakes.
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I'm also experienced with risk management in my work. I know the risk, and I've decided it is worth the chance after 40 years of gigging without an incident. I may be wrong some day, but that is why they call it risk assessment. The risk is assessed then a decision is made if the costs vs. risk make it worth spending the money (or in this case making the effort) to abate that risk. You may come to a different conclusion for you, but it doesn't mean my conclusion is wrong for me. Because of my health gigging is getting very hard for me. Carrying gear is a big issue (as is standing for long periods with a bass on my shoulder), so I made the decision that I will take no more than I have to, understanding that there are risks involved. The only other option is to quit gigging and I'm not ready to do that yet.
 
#184
Showdown said:
I'm also experienced with risk management in my work. I know the risk, and I've decided it is worth the chance after 40 years of gigging without an incident. I may be wrong some day, but that is why they call it risk assessment. The risk is assessed then a decision is made if the costs vs. risk make it worth spending the money (or in this case making the effort) to abate that risk. You may come to a different conclusion for you, but it doesn't mean my conclusion is wrong for me. Because of my health gigging is getting very hard for me. Carrying gear is a big issue (as is standing for long periods with a bass on my shoulder), so I made the decision that I will take no more than I have to, understanding that there are risks involved. The only other option is to quit gigging and I'm not ready to do that yet.
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As a bass player you are making decisions for your bandmates, whoever is paying the bills, and your audience. To me that's far more presumptive than the confines of our friendly conversation here. The other side of risk is consequence. If the consequence of being unable to continue with a performance isn't enough to sway you, then all the words I can fit into a post won't do any good either.
 
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#185
DigitalMan said:
As a bass player you are making decisions for your bandmates, whoever is paying the bills, and your audience. To me that's far more presumptive than the confines of our friendly conversation here. The other side of risk is consequence. If the consequence of being unable to continue with a performance isn't enough to sway you, then all the words I can fit into a post won't do any good either.
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1. The bandleader only brings one guitar, so I think he is fine with it. They are bar gigs, not brain surgery. My car could break down on the way to the gig, or I could have a heart attack or something, which would ruin the gig just as much. There are always risks in life. None of us can 100% guarantee that we will make the gig.

2. As you know, you don't do risk assessment to eliminate all risks. On the contrary, you do risk assessments to decide which risks are worth taking steps to abate and which aren't.
 
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#186
Showdown said:
1. The bandleader only brings one guitar, so I think he is fine with it. They are bar gigs, not brain surgery. My car could break down on the way to the gig, or I could have a heart attack or something, which would ruin the gig just as much. There are always risks in life. None of us can 100% guarantee that we will make the gig.

2. As you know, you don't do risk assessment to eliminate all risks. On the contrary, you do risk assessments to decide which risks are worth taking steps to abate and which aren't.
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I hear what you're saying, but it's a scattershot argument.

A broken car can be circumvented somewhat easily by a taxi or Uber. A heart attack is far more significant than making one more trip to the car to carry in a 12 pound gig bag. Missing a gig in a bar falls somewhere in between the two. And if your bandleader jumped off a bridge...
 
#187
DigitalMan said:
I hear what you're saying, but it's a scattershot argument.

A broken car can be circumvented somewhat easily by a taxi or Uber. A heart attack is far more significant than making one more trip to the car to carry in a 12 pound gig bag. Missing a gig in a bar falls somewhere in between the two. And if your bandleader jumped off a bridge...
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In 40 years of gigging I haven't missed one gig, and I have only been late to one (about 10 minutes, due to unforeseen Honolulu traffic nightmares). One of my former bandmates said I'm the most reliable musician on the island. I think I'm doing all right.

As far as one more trip to the car, here that can mean walking blocks, because that is the nearest parking. If I can't get it on my cart for one trip it isn't coming. Even for practice. the only available parking where I rehearse is street parking in downtown Honolulu - which is always hard to find.
 
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#188
Showdown said:
In 40 years of gigging I haven't missed one gig, and I have only been late to one (about 10 minutes, due to unforeseen Honolulu traffic nightmares). One of my former bandmates said I'm the most reliable musician on the island. I think I'm doing all right.

As far as one more trip to the car, here that can mean walking blocks, because that is the nearest parking. If I can't get it on my cart for one trip it isn't coming.
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I realize you are making an informed decision. Statistically you are probably right and will never miss a note. Actually, that is until I deceived you into tempting fate with Murphy's law. Not statistically sound, but every bit as real. It's like the broadcaster "shutout" curse. :D
 
#189
DigitalMan said:
I realize you are making an informed decision. Statistically you are probably right and will never miss a note. Actually, that is until I deceived you into tempting fate with Murphy's law. Not statistically sound, but every bit as real. It's like the broadcaster "shutout" curse. :D
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When I was younger, a post like that would have really snapped me back into line due to the paranoia it would induce.

These days, not so much.
 
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#191
All this condescending language. I think I'm melting over here.

It's not about "risk elimination," as if that's even possible. It's about practical and realistic ways toward "risk reduction." In other words, you do what you can, and you can't reasonably be held accountable for acts of God or Mother Nature outside your control.

Practically and realistically speaking, you can't put a spare vehicle in your gig bag. Once the heart attack begins, it's pretty much game over for the day. To be blunt, those arguments and comparisons insult even the average intelligence.

If a club expected me to roll my rig and gear several city blocks to get to the door, for what a typical club gig pays, I'd not be playing that club. Few in my city would be so stupid. We'd just as soon stay home and jam to get our kicks. That's ridiculous. Any club on earth has the ability to make it easier for people to load stuff in and out. I believe in the USA we call it "load only" temporary parking, and it exists at every business I've laid eyes on in dozens of states. Don't tell me the beer man, with thousands of pounds of product to deliver, has to roll all that beer several blocks.

The saddest thing about this thread is the dishonesty. The most honest replies are along the lines of, "Yeah I know I should, but I don't want to." Just say it, don't defend it, and keep rubbing that rabbit's foot or whatever you're doing. Because the practical reasons for having a spare bass, and what it can do for you in an emergency, far outweigh all the half-baked far-fetched excuses for not having one. I have much more respect for posters who say they are just lazy, or immune to fate or bad luck, or prefer living on the edge, or physically can't bring a spare.

I'm also re-thinking the whole "these gigs I play don't really matter" mentality. Not only is that just an awful sentiment on the surface, to think that any audience or talent buyer can be that easily dismissed, but it defies the "you never know who may be listening to you" work ethic (McCartney). I once booked one of the best-paying royal weddings of my life...after playing a casual back yard barbeque the couple had attended.

You never know who may be watching and listening, and if momentum means anything to your performance and reputation, you do what you can within reason to ensure it.
 
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#193
Yep! Typically I'll leave one in its case unless I need it. May bring it out last set just to change things up.

Double L.jpg

rig.jpeg
 
#194
Showdown said:
That was a lot of words to tell me I'm dumb and dishonest. One sentence would have been enough.
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So the beer guy at the bars you play does roll cases of beer from several city blocks away?

Man, I hope your bar gigs pay a lot better than mine - because if I had to lug my gear that far... I agree with electracoyote. I'd not be playing that club. Hope they provide the PA also.
 
#198
aborgman said:
So the beer guy at the bars you play does roll cases of beer from several city blocks away?

Man, I hope your bar gigs pay a lot better than mine - because if I had to lug my gear that far... I agree with electracoyote. I'd not be playing that club. Hope they provide the PA also.
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You must never play in urban areas.

In Waikiki, where parking can cost you $25-30, you have to know which garages (very few) will give you a flat rate - usually $10-15 dollars. Sometimes those are blocks away. You can look for street parking (better come very early because you'll be circling for hours), but that is likely blocks away. If you are lucky there is a loading zone - that is still not that close to the bar by the time you walk all the way through the hotel. The Hard Rock Cafe does give you up to 4 free spaces - a block away. There is a similar situation in Chinatown where there are a lot of bars and not much parking - and some of the bars are on a street that doesn't allow cars, only buses.

And pay? If you are playing bar gigs to make money here you will be very disappointed because you'll barely cover your gas and parking and have a little left over. You have to do it for the love of playing gigs.
 
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