I wouldn't like to ask this and I wouldn't like to be asked.
I might offer, but that is different, imv.
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Do you need a backup bass.
- Thread starter pica
- Start date
I wouldn't like to ask this and I wouldn't like to be asked.
I might offer, but that is different, imv.
I've been contributing to and reading this thread and I don't understand the hesitation to bring the tools necessary to ensure a professional job is done.
Do chefs have only one frying pan?
Do barbers have only one pair of scissors?
You get the point. Whether you want to argue basses or rigs, if you spend enough time in the business and you put enough use/wear-and-tear on your equipment, things aren't made to last forever, anymore.
Yeah ... "quality wood ... quality components ..." I get that, but even the highest quality items can wear out/down.
I used to lug an Acoustic B200H and a B115 cabinet with a BOSS GT-1B, and a minimum TWO basses in the back seat of my 2005 Nissan Sentra and I still had room to give the drummer (with minimal extras) a lift.
Did it take me a little longer to load-in and load-out? Of course. Did I ever let my band or the venue down? NEVER.
Do chefs have only one frying pan?
Do barbers have only one pair of scissors?
You get the point. Whether you want to argue basses or rigs, if you spend enough time in the business and you put enough use/wear-and-tear on your equipment, things aren't made to last forever, anymore.
Yeah ... "quality wood ... quality components ..." I get that, but even the highest quality items can wear out/down.
I used to lug an Acoustic B200H and a B115 cabinet with a BOSS GT-1B, and a minimum TWO basses in the back seat of my 2005 Nissan Sentra and I still had room to give the drummer (with minimal extras) a lift.
Did it take me a little longer to load-in and load-out? Of course. Did I ever let my band or the venue down? NEVER.
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
Tonight I'll practice with the bass I bought (used) back in 1983. It's never let me down in all that time.
Only when you need one. Having a second or 3rd bass while performing for sonic texture is fun. Stuff happens though. On my first gig post lockdown a split coil pickup-half pop out during a tune. Guess what I didn't have? A back up.
My guitar player knocked my bass over .headstock hit floor g string tuner broke right off. Broke strings many times , i always bring 2.
Eh, if I have a crackup, I have a crackup. If it's my very first gig with someone I'll bring two, or if I know that a certain bass really enhances someone I'm working with but nobody else. But otherwise, not a biggie.
I have played too many gigs where someone else needed backup, but only a couple where I did.
Because of this, it's always better to have some sort of "Plan B." There aren't many options for fixing the issue at 12:30a on a Saturday night.
Extra cables, a DI, etc... is really easy. Bringing 2 basses is as well.
Because of this, it's always better to have some sort of "Plan B." There aren't many options for fixing the issue at 12:30a on a Saturday night.
Extra cables, a DI, etc... is really easy. Bringing 2 basses is as well.
For years I only had one bass, my XL2 and played 2-3 gigs with it every week. I was religious about changing batteries, checking it over the day before every gig, having spare strings (and double balls are faster to change) sitting on top of the amp, extra cables and a DI into the desk as backup. The last was easy as I owned the PA. Never had a need for a backup, but it always bothered me especially as if I need 12ch of amplification, there were always at least 2ch unused in the rack, so 14 total, spare mics and cables all ready for quick use if needed. The PA was checked before each use and loaded in/out carefully, cables rolled correctly etc as my wife was a stickler for being professional and a show going off without a technical hitch. She or Sara would have taken over and played a bass line if needed, but they were mainly concerned with the PA falling over than the XL2 failing.
Today, I would bring 2, the 6 I play and my 5 string Woodberger as it's small and light. Of course spare strings, cables, DI etc are present and able to be quickly accessed.
Today, I would bring 2, the 6 I play and my 5 string Woodberger as it's small and light. Of course spare strings, cables, DI etc are present and able to be quickly accessed.
If I was being paid--I would have backup.
the only time anything happened was when I only had one bass.
It was at church--so not being paid.
We ran through the songs before the service & all went well, but when we went to run through one again I had no sound.
(Turns out a wire came loose)
So I sat that service out (It was Good Friday)--it felt odd.
I borrowed a bass for the Sunday
and got my bass repaired that week.
Nw I have two--but I bring one to church.
However it is active preamp--so I bring extra batteries.
Although one year we did a church camp & I was playing guitar--I brought an electric & an acoustic.
I used both, but if one broke--I would have used the other.
I also brought 2 amps--good thing--one wasn't working (But that turned out to be my error.)
There wasn't time to investigate things, so I changed amps.
the only time anything happened was when I only had one bass.
It was at church--so not being paid.
We ran through the songs before the service & all went well, but when we went to run through one again I had no sound.
(Turns out a wire came loose)
So I sat that service out (It was Good Friday)--it felt odd.
I borrowed a bass for the Sunday
and got my bass repaired that week.
Nw I have two--but I bring one to church.
However it is active preamp--so I bring extra batteries.
Although one year we did a church camp & I was playing guitar--I brought an electric & an acoustic.
I used both, but if one broke--I would have used the other.
I also brought 2 amps--good thing--one wasn't working (But that turned out to be my error.)
There wasn't time to investigate things, so I changed amps.
I have only owned 1 bass at a time. Never had a backup.
In the 43 years I have been playing and gigging, I have never broken a string or had a problem with my bass, so luckily never needed a backup.
I play quite hard too: fingerstyle.
The key is to service your bass to keep it in tip top condition and change the f***ing strings regularly!!!!
In the 43 years I have been playing and gigging, I have never broken a string or had a problem with my bass, so luckily never needed a backup.
I play quite hard too: fingerstyle.
The key is to service your bass to keep it in tip top condition and change the f***ing strings regularly!!!!
Yes. I always have a backup. I've had a tuner break mid-song. Wiring went bad once, too. It's just good insurance to have another bass with me.
I have needed backups for broken strings and a broken tuner (when a drunk audience member knocked it over).
Had that exact thing happen to me. He said: "I just wanted to check it out!"
I asked if it would be cool if I just wanted to "check his lady out"?
All about cost vs benefit.
The "cost" in my case is tossing a second gig bag over my shoulder as I head out the door, and piling two basses not one in the back of my pickup truck. That's a pretty trivial price for me.
If I were taking the subway or flying to a gig, that would be a whole different equation. The extra hassle of trying to lug a second bass in that scenario would very likely outweigh the variety and redundancy I enjoy so painlessly when I drive.
The "cost" in my case is tossing a second gig bag over my shoulder as I head out the door, and piling two basses not one in the back of my pickup truck. That's a pretty trivial price for me.
If I were taking the subway or flying to a gig, that would be a whole different equation. The extra hassle of trying to lug a second bass in that scenario would very likely outweigh the variety and redundancy I enjoy so painlessly when I drive.
I literally NEVER brought a back up bass for 30 years. I did, however, always have an extra set of strings (usually the last set I had on the bass before I changed strings). I figured if I broke a string it could be changed fairly quickly and then on with the show. And then it occurred to me if something catastrophic happens to my bass in the first song, such as a cracked nut, electrical short, someone steps on my cable and yanks the jack out of my bass, etc. the show is over! I always have a beater bass ready to go. Luckily, none of these things have ever occurred and the back up bass has never come out of it's case.
It is a funny question - back in the early 70's when I started playing no one that I knew had more than 1 bass anyway. So no back up. . . . . .
Opinions are strong, but I only play passive basses - so no batteries. And I have never in 50 years had to change basses cuz something went wrong - so I feel lucky.
The correct answer to me - is do what feels right to you. I once in a while carry 2, both P basses - one Maple board and one Rosewood board. But that is for another reason.
But a Boy Scout is always prepared - please read the above post by "NYBassPlayer". Good post.
Opinions are strong, but I only play passive basses - so no batteries. And I have never in 50 years had to change basses cuz something went wrong - so I feel lucky.
The correct answer to me - is do what feels right to you. I once in a while carry 2, both P basses - one Maple board and one Rosewood board. But that is for another reason.
But a Boy Scout is always prepared - please read the above post by "NYBassPlayer". Good post.
To each their own, but this nails it. It is far better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.
