Do you need a backup bass.

[Geddaric]

How quick can you change a string....or....
How good are you at adapting to any single string breaking?

 

[mikeswals]

I always bring two, same models.

Luckily I've never broken a string, however for a couple of decades my only failure was a broken jack wire on a passive P bass, so grabbed my J since the song was already started.

Then within the last year & half I was playing an overnight weekend way out of town. After the first set break was over, drummer starts counting in the next set, I look down and notice one of my strap button screws has backed out most of the way. Quickly grabbed the backup and jumped in.

 

[theduke1]

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.

Thank you my friend
Your likes are greatly appreciated
Duke

 

[LBS-bass]

I can change a string or battery much faster than I can get to my car and retrieve a bass from the trunk, take it out and tune it up. Not sure what purpose it serves to bring a backup if you're one of the people who leaves it in the car. I get that it's better than having to drive home, but it's going to disrupt the performance. I think if I did bring one routinely, I would also have it set up and ready to go unless there was really no space for it.

 

[Jefenator]

How quick can you change a string....or....
How good are you at adapting to any single string breaking?

I used to be able to finish the set without the G.
When one of the middle strings breaks, that is exponentially more awkward to try & play through - at least for me!

I haven't worked up my string changing speed. (Haven't broken a single string onstage since I cut way back on slapping & popping 20 years ago.) It is pretty impressive what some guitarists can do!

 

[gidbass]

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.

If you gig, you need a backup...everything...

At least enough to keep playing to finish the gig.

 

[Orpheus55]

I never bring a backup; last month, my trusty Sting Precision suddenly started losing volume (bad pot). I got through the gig--barely--and now keep a beater in my truck cab "just in case."

 

[mdogs]

In 42 years I have broken exactly 1 string and that was at home. In 41 years of gigging I have never needed a backup. In 40 years of gigging, I have only not brought a backup the first couple of years when I only had 1. Since then, I don't leave home without a backup.

 

[moreblues]

Yes absolutely...at least 2...1 is probably all you should really need...but I was burned once years ago...it all worked out just fine but I swore ...never again! But that is just me

 

[Nomad5]

Very rare to have an issue, but a tuner broke (D string) on my Stingray last Friday night after the second song! Luckily I always have a spare bass hiding back stage or in my car, so all was fine. I'm using the experience as a good excuse to install a D-Tuner

 

[Ric5]

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.

since I have 15 I usually take at least 2 and usually 3 basses to play out.

 

[bassbrad]

It has been ages since I have "needed" a back up bass but I do often like to have a selection of feels or tones so may take more than 1 bass with me.

 

[lokikallas]

Yes. Always. Only needed it once when a battery cut out mid song. I was up and running in 30 seconds. Now I mostly bring 2 with 1 in E flat, but the idea is the other bass could be re-tuned quickly in case of string break or something.

 

[MrLenny1]

Never needed to use a back up bass
and broke only 1 string in 30 years.
It is good insurance if you need it
on a high profile gig.

 

[Slevage]

I do theater type shows where there is no time to do a minor repair or string change.
I usually have a DB or EUB and a BG, so I can cover a mishap. Classical selections on a BG are not the same, but it’s better than nothing. For shows that require all DB, my Squier P5 sits nearby in the case.
I could have it running in about 2 to 3 minutes. For shows that require all BG, my backup is nearby.

 

[Swerve]

I only own 1 bass so no backup for me.

Luckily in 20 years of gigging I've never broken a string or had a bass malfunction. Once had an amp crap-out but was able to get through it with just house sound.

If I were a touring musician or playing high profile shows I'd definitely have a backup bass and amp just in case.

 

[Keger Jupti]

As a former US Marine my motto is; "Two is one, one is none."

I appreciate your service! Thank you, sir!

 

[TN WOODMAN]

I always like having 3 basses or guitars or a combination going into any situation. If that’s not enough it’s just not my day or night.

 

[sethlow3]

I didn’t usually need one, but when I did, boy was I upset that I had to track one down.
It’s a good practice to always have one really if you gig a lot.

One time I thought the bass jack became faulty and it actually ended up being that the sound woman unable to figure out how to take a massive amount of bass out of the monitors. The monitors blared and distorted until she figured it out an hour later.

Another time the strap lock yanked the button completely off of the bass after many years of playing it while I was on stage at a gig.

Battery died during a gig once.

 

[Bob_Ross]

have you ever actually had to change basses during a show and for what reason.

47 years of gigging professionally and I have still never "had" to change basses during a show.

...which doesn't mean I'm so arrogant as to think it doesn't/couldn't happen, so for the truly important gigs -- live television, time-crunched recording sessions on someone else's dime, high-profile venues or functions where there's zero tolerance for delay -- I do bring a backup.

But I've never had to use it, and I honestly am willing to take the risk and not bring a backup to probably 80-90% of the gigs I do.