Always bring one, only very rarely have to switch.
Best have one and not need it than need one and not have it.
Best have one and not need it than need one and not have it.
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Do you need a backup bass.
- Thread starter pica
- Start date
When I was going out of town to play I took 2 basses (and amp heads) but around town i had confidence in my gear lasting for a four set night and was never disappointed. I once went to a job where amps were provided and the amp provided was DOA. I wound up playing through a guitar amp. It worked but not as good as a proper amp.
The one time I needed one, it was entirely self-inflicted.
Several years ago, the band I was in did a two-night gig at a club. We left most of our gear set up, but I took my main bass home with me because I didn't want to leave that in the club. And since it was really cold, I took my bass inside when I got home. The next night I returned to the club... and realized just as I was parking my car that I had forgotten my bass at home (a 45 minute drive away, and not nearly enough time to go get it). I got that unpleasant panic-induced adrenaline jolt, then I remembered I had brought two basses the night before. "Please let it not be stolen, please let it not be stolen, please let it not be stolen..."
Backup bass to the rescue!
Several years ago, the band I was in did a two-night gig at a club. We left most of our gear set up, but I took my main bass home with me because I didn't want to leave that in the club. And since it was really cold, I took my bass inside when I got home. The next night I returned to the club... and realized just as I was parking my car that I had forgotten my bass at home (a 45 minute drive away, and not nearly enough time to go get it). I got that unpleasant panic-induced adrenaline jolt, then I remembered I had brought two basses the night before. "Please let it not be stolen, please let it not be stolen, please let it not be stolen..."
Backup bass to the rescue!
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
Been playing 40 years, never had a problem. When I can, I leave a backup in the car.
I often double on keys, so if worse came to worse, I could finish playing bass on them.
I often double on keys, so if worse came to worse, I could finish playing bass on them.
A busted string or a one and only battery going flat aren't the only reasons. I'll play my jazz for 75% of the show, but I bring my Yamaha BB5000 because it flat out gets a worlds apart different tone that marries with some of our set. I'm even contemplating getting a 2nd Jazz 5 as a backup to bring along. But yeah, sometimes it's because the other bass gets a tone.
I bring a back up bass every gig. I never did until I was playing a run of out of town shows and the singer accidentally knocked my bass off over and it broke a tuning peg. Trying to find a replacement tuning peg for a MM in a small ski town on a weekend is pretty close to impossible. I played the next 2 shows/6 sets with a broken G tuner on my MM Stingray 5 and I couldn’t play that string. That was over a decade ago.
Bud, if that ever happens again and you're in a bind? A set of pliers will do the trick. It's cheap and nasty but you'll get 'er tuned.
I've been playing electric bass since 1977, plus various other instruments. Over my entire "career" I can count my gear failures on one hand:
* Electric bass, battery ran out on homemade active preamp at rehearsal. Modded the bass back to passive.
* A couple of amp head problems, once a broken power switch, another time, amp cut out. It was second hand and quite road worn when I got it. Not a GK. Goodbye amp.
* Tailgut broke on my cello. Replaced with modern nylon tailgut.
* Cable issues, always had spares.
We learn from experience. I either eliminate the causes of failure, or bring a spare. I tend to play pretty basic gear, but I pay close attention to quality. A small bag of spares lives permanently in my car. I throw my electric in the car for upright bass gigs when it's more than a few miles out of town, but my electric basses have been 100% reliable.
Outside of amplified music, very few musicians bring spares. On the other hand, starting with my very first cello lesson, part of learning "the traditional way" is how to maintain the instrument and check it for problems that can be fixed or adjusted before something gets ruined. There are a few things that are notorious for breaking, such as violin E strings
* Electric bass, battery ran out on homemade active preamp at rehearsal. Modded the bass back to passive.
* A couple of amp head problems, once a broken power switch, another time, amp cut out. It was second hand and quite road worn when I got it. Not a GK. Goodbye amp.
* Tailgut broke on my cello. Replaced with modern nylon tailgut.
* Cable issues, always had spares.
We learn from experience. I either eliminate the causes of failure, or bring a spare. I tend to play pretty basic gear, but I pay close attention to quality. A small bag of spares lives permanently in my car. I throw my electric in the car for upright bass gigs when it's more than a few miles out of town, but my electric basses have been 100% reliable.
Outside of amplified music, very few musicians bring spares. On the other hand, starting with my very first cello lesson, part of learning "the traditional way" is how to maintain the instrument and check it for problems that can be fixed or adjusted before something gets ruined. There are a few things that are notorious for breaking, such as violin E strings
I was going to say no but then remembered a gig we did about an hour away from our home base probably 12 years ago . I had a Peavey TL-5 and brought an SX Jazz 5 for a backup . During soundcheck the TL-5 started cutting out and making loud popping noises . Luckily it didn't blow any of the horn drivers in the PA or hurt my amp . Also the crowd hadn't showed up yet . I switched to my SX and did the gig with that , sounded great . Turned out the output jack on the bass went bad and as a barrel type jack it couldn't be fixed without replacing it . So I vote yes .
Am I the only one who rarely ever needs it, but always has two spare cables, patches, some strings (old and boiled, haha), picks, a flashlight, wrenches, batteries, screw drivers, batteries etc tucked away whenever I go out? Anyone else ever been *that* embarrassed by a malfunction early on?
Do you need a spare tire (or patch kit)?
I know the answer for me.
I know the answer for me.
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I've been gigging almost 50 years, never brought a backup bass. It's good to know your way around the neck though in case you break a string.
I didn’t think I did…until I did. And I was glad that it was set up and ready to go. When you have 45 mins (or less) to make an impression, every second counts.
It literally takes me less than a minute to pack my backup bass with my other gear. Never needed it, but the peace of mind is worth the 47 seconds of additional load in time.
Depends on how often you play and how long your playing for. A 30 min set once a week? No. 2+ hour gig every other night or so? I'd say yes!
Although I never had a backup (no cash) , I can see how it would be a comfort. I was lucky. My Pbasses always delivered. Same can be said for amps. I was lucky. A budget backup bass and amp head would be awesome - I just couldn’t afford it when I was playing out (or I simply hoped my luck would hold out - and it did).
Good luck with whatever route you take.
Good luck with whatever route you take.
