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Do You Bring A Backup Bass To Gigs?
- Thread starter Smallmouth_Bass
- Start date
If I'm out of town I carry pretty much extra everything, but if it's local I quit doing it because in all my time playing local I've had exactly two breakdowns and both times I've been lucky enough to still be ready on time. I've been fortunate enough to have never had my vehicle pillaged but I know enough other folks who have that it's a real possibility so I quit loading my ride down with duplicate stuff when I'm close to home. IME, it's mostly amps that lay down at the wrong time, so I tend to carry two heads most anywhere, but they will both be in separate 2U cases, or these days a small waterproof box.
Speaking strictly to basses, most of what I'm using today are parts basses I've assembled myself so I know they are sound, that the solder joints are good, etc. In short, I'm confident they will hold up under normal wear and tear. I also keep a close eye on my bass when it's out in the wild, and always pick a spot where no one has to get too close to get on or off the stage. The only time I go anywhere without a stand is my brother's place. He's got a couple of those multi stands that knock down to suitcase size and there's usually an open spot, otherwise it is strictly on me to have a stand, and use it. But yea, after never needing one I just quit carrying a backup bass locally.
I know that every day I don't have a breakdown only puts me one day closer to that event, but the same is true for a vehicle break-in so I rolls the dice and takes my chances local then run the risk out of town.
Speaking strictly to basses, most of what I'm using today are parts basses I've assembled myself so I know they are sound, that the solder joints are good, etc. In short, I'm confident they will hold up under normal wear and tear. I also keep a close eye on my bass when it's out in the wild, and always pick a spot where no one has to get too close to get on or off the stage. The only time I go anywhere without a stand is my brother's place. He's got a couple of those multi stands that knock down to suitcase size and there's usually an open spot, otherwise it is strictly on me to have a stand, and use it. But yea, after never needing one I just quit carrying a backup bass locally.
I know that every day I don't have a breakdown only puts me one day closer to that event, but the same is true for a vehicle break-in so I rolls the dice and takes my chances local then run the risk out of town.
Yup. Gemini. 2 bottled waters.
2 bananas. 2 clip on tuners.
2 instrument cables. Only 1 rig, but always the Sansamp in event of catastrophe.
2 bananas. 2 clip on tuners.
2 instrument cables. Only 1 rig, but always the Sansamp in event of catastrophe.
It probably doesn't show up on drummer & keyboard forums either. I've worked with two drummers that broke their bass drum heads on the gig. One found a large cardboard box and cut a circle out of it the size of the head. It worked great as a replacement!
A few weeks ago the keyboard player's expensive keyboard started acting up. He had no spare. I suppose he could carry a cheap spare.
When I gigged every weekend, I only had 1 bass. 
Of course now that I have several, I would choose a couple that would fit the music I was going to be playing, so I voted yes.
Of course now that I have several, I would choose a couple that would fit the music I was going to be playing, so I voted yes.
I bring a back up to gigs, and I even bring one to rehearsals. No one would appreciate me stopping and busting out the soldering iron or string winder if lightning happens to strike. And it does strike. If it strikes me (which it has), I'll be damned if it's going to hold up my show.
I'd haul an extra vehicle if it was realistic and practical, but it's not. IME, hauling an extra bass around is much more easy and realistic, to the point that it's a pretty silly comparison.
I'd haul an extra vehicle if it was realistic and practical, but it's not. IME, hauling an extra bass around is much more easy and realistic, to the point that it's a pretty silly comparison.
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My keyboard players carry a spare cheap student keyboard with 64 full-sized keys and just enough voices to get us through the gig if the main keyboard blows up. Got it for $20.00 on Craig's List, and it takes up very little space in the van. We also carry a spare small tube combo amp in case one of the guitar players loses his main amp.
The gigs I play, no one wants to hear excuses. We cover our butts to the extent realistically possible.
I always bring a backup, but usually just to spend extra time pretending to tune before a show so I don't have to talk to anyone.
If I played out- I would cause Murphy's Law! if I'm using my American P. I'd fix up my Japanese 70's P bass knockoff as a back up. lol if it was a crappy pack the Japanese bass would be the main and I'd hide the American P. unless the Japanese quit. I'd prolly just sing. never show people the good stuff. I'd hide my pedals and amp, too. then just go thru an Ibanez FZ-7(Broken Speaker) direct into a country man. it'd be horrible. but funny lol
Not anymore. I used to, but now I play passive Ps mostly and there isn't much to go wrong with them. I've never broken a string in 40 years of playing, so I don't need a backup for that reason.
Yeah, but it's probably psyche. I also have carry a GK micro head in my backpack, which did save my butt one night. 
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