Do you need a backup bass.

[AgostoMortal]

No you don't unless it's a huge production where you have a bass or stage tech taking care of that.
Knowing and maintaining your instrument well is very important and having the tools to fix the most common problems on a gig should be enough.

 

[Whale guy]

If you carry an umbrella, then you know that it won't rain.

 

[Tim Grant]

The one time I didn't bring a back up bass the input jack in my main bass died while on stage. Since then I have always brought and 2nd bass.

 

[Artman]

With my current steady gigging band, I already switch basses at least a couple of times a night anyway, so any one of my basses can be a backup for any of the others. Again, better to be ready for anything than to be the unprofessional one causing a problem.

 

[HolmeBass]

Do I need a backup bass? No, thanks, I already have one. Bring it to every gig.

You break a string 10 mins into the set, is it better to stop and restring the bass, or just pull out the backup, check tune, and rock on? The backup bass has proved very useful a number of times.

And what if your output jack fails? Or a tuning key gets sheared off when your bass takes a plunge? Or God forbid, the headstock snaps off when it falls over? A backup is a good idea.

 

[HolmeBass]

Just remember OP, everyone who is posting, “I never bring a backup bass and I’ve never needed one!” Is really saying, “I’ve never needed one YET.”

And one great, important gig in the future they just might.

 

[Loudart]

So my question is do you need a backup bass. I realize during a show a string may break or a battery may go dead but have you ever actually had to change basses during a show and for what reason.

You want a second one for your hands. You need to keep your hands used to more than one bass.

 

[jerry]

Just remember OP, everyone who is posting, “I never bring a backup bass and I’ve never needed one!” Is really saying, “I’ve never needed one YET.”

And one great, important gig in the future they just might.

I knocked on wood when I posted I only bring one.

 

[HolmeBass]

I knocked on wood when I posted I only bring one.

I wish you all the luck in the world, for whatever that’s worth.

 

[2F/2F]

In over 33 years of playing bass, I have never taken a backup. I have needed one three times...but not having one didn't ruin the gig in any of those cases. I would rather not have taken two basses to every gig I have ever played, than to have had a backup bass to turn to at those three gigs. Also, I am positive that if I had taken a backup to all or most of my gigs, I would have lost several to theft.

 

[JimmyM]

I don;t worry about that stuff so much anymore. I've done so many gigs with one bass out of necessity that it's become a way of life these days.

 

[JFScheck]

Absolutely - our instruments are material objects that with mechanical components that wear, pots, jacks, capacitors…

As a professional we need to be ready for the unexpected as the show must go on as seamless as possible, if when the unexpected happens…

 

[Rip Van Dan]

So my question is do you need a backup bass. I realize during a show a string may break or a battery may go dead but have you ever actually had to change basses during a show and for what reason.

I have two basses, a 4-string and a 5-string. I bought the 5-string back in 2009 and that was the first time I had 2 basses. For the 44-years prior to that I only had the one bass and never needed a back up. I don't take the 5-string to gigs now because my 4-string '82 Jazz with maple neck sounds better and the groups I play in don't do any songs that need a 5-string. In the 12-years since I bought my 5-string I haven't needed a back up either.

I do carry an extra set of strings in case something breaks and an instrument cord in case my wireless dies. But I've never needed a back-up bass and don't plan to bring one along in the future.

 

[CenTexThumper]

Sometimes I just feel the urge. Very seldom do I feel the need.

 

[Manticore]

About 25 years ago, on a tight stage, the drummer knocked my bass off the stand climbing back behind his kit and the D string tuner broke when it hit the edge of the bass drum. Easy fix, no big deal...after the gig. I didn't have a spare "because space was tight." That was the last time I did not have a spare as playing the remainder of the gig with no D string kinda sucked. I learned: if you care, you prepare.

 

[Deleted member 261632]

Yes, just the peace of mind in case you need it.

 

[Fun Size Nick]

I don;t worry about that stuff so much anymore. I've done so many gigs with one bass out of necessity that it's become a way of life these days.

Agreed. As a big city, public transport using musician I just roll my eyes at these discussions. It's incredibly rare to see anyone bringing two of any instrument here, and life goes on.

 

[ashtray]

I always brought a backup bass. I did need to use the backup maybe 2x out of 50 gigs.

In one case my main bass’s output jack started to crackle. No good - in came the backup! Another time I think I broke a string.

That said, depending on the room and the rig I brought, the main bass I planned to play might not sound right - and then I can grab my backup bass to see if that’s better. I know I’ve played a few gigs with my backup bass instead of the one I thought I’d play bc during sound check the backup just sounded or cut through better.

 

[ProfessorWoland]

For the local clubs and smaller gigs no.
For bigger venues yes.
To eliminate the danger of battery drainage, a bass with active/passive circuit makes sense. Sandbergs are great in that way.

 

[ashtray]

Agreed. As a big city, public transport using musician I just roll my eyes at these discussions. It's incredibly rare to see anyone bringing two of any instrument here, and life goes on.

In that case, absolutely I’d be a 1-bass guy! But in the suburbs when you can load your car with gear, you can bring extra cables, backup amp, and a second bass. So it definitely depends on the circumstances you are working within.

They do have double gig bags though, that fit two basses.

 

[Naigewron]

I will always bring a backup bass when playing local gigs, simply because I like having the extra insurance, and it's no extra hassle to bring one along.

For fly gigs, or other gigs where available gear space is really limited, I have no real issue just bringing one bass.

You never know what might happen. In my drumming days, I had a catastrophic snare mechanism failure at a gig. No backup, no help on hand, so I had to play half a set with the snares disengaged. This was a fly gig, so I wouldn't have had a backup there anyway, but after that I became a big believer of being as prepared as I could possibly be for any point of failure (within reason).