In general, I try and bring backups for just about everything with the exception of a cab. But, as you double bass players have noted, it is not always practical to have a backup of everything.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Do You Bring A Backup Bass To Gigs?
- Thread starter Smallmouth_Bass
- Start date
I always do just for a "in case of emergency" but it stays on the rack during the gig generally. I started to abandon this practice because we gigged for 6+ years without ever truly needing it. Decided one gig to skip it cause it was hot and I was too lazy to carry something else.... that was the first time in 18+ years of playing I broke a string. Luckily I had an extra set of strings and changed it quickly, but needless to say I'm back to always carrying a second cause... ya know, life happens.
Seeings how most bar owners hate "dead air" in between tunes, I believe that bringing a spare bass is a necessity. String breakage on basses are rare, but they certainly do happen.
I don't understand why someone wouldn't bring two, given that they own more than one. It doesn't take that much effort to leave a bass in the car or offstage or something. It's also kind of law to have a DI ready to go at any given time and for about $100 you get permanent live sound insurance, assuming a PA is involved.
I often have to bring 2 basses if the band tunes down for some songs--Quicker to switch basses than retune in the middle of a set. For those gigs I don't bring a third as a backup 
.
For "1-bass" gigs I still bring a backup, and I did need it once when my main bass's input jack went squirrely. (I'm a jobber, so there would be no forgiveness if there was a problem and I didn't bring a backup! I bring a backup amp as well.)
If stage space is tight I leave backups in the car. The Backup is usually a good-sounding cheapie since, as someone already said, it can be hard to keep an eye on 2 basses.
. For "1-bass" gigs I still bring a backup, and I did need it once when my main bass's input jack went squirrely. (I'm a jobber, so there would be no forgiveness if there was a problem and I didn't bring a backup! I bring a backup amp as well.)
If stage space is tight I leave backups in the car. The Backup is usually a good-sounding cheapie since, as someone already said, it can be hard to keep an eye on 2 basses.
I do not take a second bass to gigs for the simple reason that all of my gigs are within one mile of my house so I don't know what my answer to the poll should be.
As you describe it, no I don't have a backup.
On stage with me, I have a fretted 6er, a fretless 5 and an EUB. but, I have in the past used the others basses as a quick replacement when something has gone wrong.
Most uncomfortable situation was when we were about to open our second set one night, and a cable died in my pedal board. That eliminated the 6er and the fretless.
I grabbed my upright and started the opening tune: Stuck in the Middle by Steelers Wheels...
Played the entire set on upright until I had a chance at the next set break to replace the cable.
On stage with me, I have a fretted 6er, a fretless 5 and an EUB. but, I have in the past used the others basses as a quick replacement when something has gone wrong.
Most uncomfortable situation was when we were about to open our second set one night, and a cable died in my pedal board. That eliminated the 6er and the fretless.
I grabbed my upright and started the opening tune: Stuck in the Middle by Steelers Wheels...
Played the entire set on upright until I had a chance at the next set break to replace the cable.
Every show. Years ago I broke three strings on my RIC in a 1 hour set. THREE! That was the one show I didn't bring a back up. when the first string broke, I changed it between songs quickly with my spare set...same string broke in the next song. Switched that out and a song or two later another string popped. By that time the bass player from the band before us came running on stage and gave me his bass to finish the set.
It's never happened again. Not sure if I bought from a bad batch of strings from RIC or what. I haven't lost a string on it since. It's funny now, but it was maddening in the moment.
Since that day, I always have two with me.
It's never happened again. Not sure if I bought from a bad batch of strings from RIC or what. I haven't lost a string on it since. It's funny now, but it was maddening in the moment.
Since that day, I always have two with me.
I most always have a second bass for playing songs in the set list that require different tunings or configurations (number of strings etc.) so if one failed I have a back up that can be modified and utilized to suit my needs.
I always do. I never needed it untill the guitarist and the singer did the PA setup and left cables laying on the ground while still coiled and I tripped on one of the vertical coilings and fell bass first on the ground.
Excrement occurs. Be prepared.
YMMV
Ken R
Excrement occurs. Be prepared.
YMMV
Ken R
I always have one but have rarely needed it. I bring it with the intention of using it on a few songs; however, I rarely switch basses so usually my number two sits in a stand on the side of the stage. Kind of sad actually.
I keep new strings on all my basses. If the strings start going dead on a bass mid set I will grab my backup.
I keep new strings on all my basses. If the strings start going dead on a bass mid set I will grab my backup.
- Jun 6, 2012
- 4,837
- 6,859
- Disclosures
- I don't wait 30 minutes after eating, to go swimming.
My band plays in at least three. I play fivers and transpose.
- Jun 6, 2012
- 4,837
- 6,859
- Disclosures
- I don't wait 30 minutes after eating, to go swimming.
I play several songs on fretless which functions fine as a backup so I always have at least two basses at every show.
Yes - always! I started using a double gig bag many years ago, so I can't even remember the last time I brought only one bass to a gig.
- Jun 6, 2012
- 4,837
- 6,859
- Disclosures
- I don't wait 30 minutes after eating, to go swimming.
When i gigged regularly, I always had a backup. And ideally that instrument would be as close to being a clone of the main instrument as possible. For me, swapping-out an instrument mid-song for one with drastically different output and tone is almost as problematic as not having a backup.
Also I've seen and experienced enough onstage equipment failures to be cautious. I can clearly remember the face of this one guy... local band opening for big national at the cool club in town... Fella was clearly panicking, face dripping with sweat, as he changed a string onstage, while his bandmates occasionally shot him the side eye. No fun.
Also I've seen and experienced enough onstage equipment failures to be cautious. I can clearly remember the face of this one guy... local band opening for big national at the cool club in town... Fella was clearly panicking, face dripping with sweat, as he changed a string onstage, while his bandmates occasionally shot him the side eye. No fun.
Last edited:
voted sometimes, but it's practically always. i've had to switch due to failure, but not often.
