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 need a backup bass.
- Thread starter pica
- Start date
I remember needing a back up once. Luckily the BL's house was close by so his wife went to get a terrible cheapie for me to use.
I did bring a back up fretted bass to the first few gigs I did on unlined fretless. Just to keep the nerves in check I suppose. The back up was never needed
However, Now that I am retired to the mountains with gigs far away from home, I have brought back ups just in case.
I did bring a back up fretted bass to the first few gigs I did on unlined fretless. Just to keep the nerves in check I suppose. The back up was never needed
However, Now that I am retired to the mountains with gigs far away from home, I have brought back ups just in case.
Here's the same answer I've given the sixteen thousand times this has been already asked: no, for me. I've needed a backup bass exactly zero times in 35 years of playing gigs. However, do bring tools, extra strings and extra batteries if your bass needs those. Clearly everyone has different opinions on this, so no one needs to both trying to argue with me or explain why I need one. As far as the OP goes, he can make his own decision.
I've never needed a backup bass ever. In my first band there were two instances where the guitarists could have used backup guitars though if that counts for anything. I also had a friend who managed to break acoustic guitar strings constantly. At his first show ever he broke a string and grabbed his backup guitar, and it's a good thing I was restringing the first guitar for him because he broke a string on the backup too.
I've been in both camps over the years.
I can remember periods where a brought a fretted and fretless, or one tuned standard and another tuned Eb, and considered myself covered for a failure.
As I got more spendy fancy over time, I started going for two basses that were either identical or very close in terms of configuration and set up.
For most of my work these days, it's two Peavey Cirrus fivers, identical in every way except for the finishes. They are both lookers, so sometimes I'll switch out (when time permits) just for kicks and to change up the look. When I play four-bangers, I'm less picky about how similar they are, but scale length, electronics, and string choices are usually pretty close for consistency.
Last edited:
By the time Tab starting playing again.
The bass player had changed a string, replaced a battery, fixed a loose solder, and drank a beer... Ladies and gentlemen, that's how you do it with no stinking backup bass.
Last edited:
No bass player in any band I've ever played in has brought a backup bass to a gig, ever. I brought a backup bass to my last gig, because I had recently assembled the bass, and didn't trust my own construction. I always bring strings, a pair of long-nose pliers, some electrical tape, a screwdriver, etc., but seldom bring a backup. Generally speaking, I think that the reason that God gave us brains and mouths is to tell jokes if someone breaks a string or something.
That said, I'll probably continue to bring a couple of basses to gigs, just because I have them, and because most of my basses have no monitary value, so it's no big deal to bring them to gigs. A backup could be any old bass that you can afford and that can tune up. I don't bring a backup amp, though. If mine goes down, I'm depending on the kindness of strangers, or going direct. If I were to go on tour, I might get one of those 200 watt micro heads.
That said, I'll probably continue to bring a couple of basses to gigs, just because I have them, and because most of my basses have no monitary value, so it's no big deal to bring them to gigs. A backup could be any old bass that you can afford and that can tune up. I don't bring a backup amp, though. If mine goes down, I'm depending on the kindness of strangers, or going direct. If I were to go on tour, I might get one of those 200 watt micro heads.
Last edited:
Same. Output jack loosened-up and lost ground. Woke the crowd up though . . .
Regardless of the topic in a thread, I always drool a little and give you a Like when you post pictures of that bowling ball L-2500.
I always, always bring a spare bass, because I've needed it before (only once). But I would have been dead in the water without it. I also bring a spare amp. Never needed it, yet, but have loaned it to the guitarist before, and it saved the show. Also bring spare guitar cables, extension cords, batteries (guitarist needed one), and guitar strap (loaned to a guitarist before). I always use (or bring) 2 cabs, because I had a NEW 1 x 15" go bad (humming loudly) the second time I played out with it. So I just used the other cab by itself and stayed in the game. Yeah, it's a lot of crap to bring, but it can save your backside.
Playing live years ago and my G string broke. It sliced my hand. Wiped the blood off the bass and wrapped my hand with the rag I used to wipe down the strings. Removed the broken string, retuned and finished the set. Now I bring along a backup bass and a tool bag with all kinds of spares (plus bandages).
YMMV. Though I've had some, backup-deployment scenarios are infrequent enough, I wouldn't own two highly similar basses or amps, just to make that quick change more seamless.
I've been surprised by what can be achieved in the heat of the moment. One time my old Traynor Bass Mate head started cutting out in the middle of a concert and I swapped in my Markbass LMII without the BL even noticing!
I have found that when I am in a tight spot, availability absolutely trumps consistency. My upright bass will suffice as backup for the electric & vice versa. Whatever I can limp through (or to) the show on is infinitely better than nothing.
Broke a string without a spare once, never gigged without a spare bass since. Needed it maybe 3 times in 30 years and totally worth the trouble.
