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Do you take a back up bass to gigs?

Biggbass

Biggbass

Dec 14, 2011
5,629
7,961
Planet Earth
#1
Tonight is the debut gig of the new band I've been rehearsing with for the past six months. I've always taken just the one bass to gigs. But today I packed a 2nd bass and stand in the truck. I guess I just want to be sure I've got it all covered.
Just wondering how many of us keep a 2nd bass on the stand for back up.
 
#4
Nope....I doubt my bass is going to break during a set...extra strings and cables, thats it..I cant say I have ever seen someones bass crap out on stage, I know it could happen but still not worth the extra crap to lug around. Why not take an extra amp and cab also, seem like those 2 would brake down before your guitar. where does it end?
 
#7
Always.

I will admit that, in 35 years of performing, I've only had a bass malfunction on stage twice. Once was a string break, and I guess I could have held up the show while I changed it (as frustrating and unprofessional as some feel that to be), the second time the output jack failed (no quick easy fix for that one).

I was exceedingly glad I had a backup both times.

You never know when your number will come up. It's worth the small price of hauling along a backup.
 
#8
I take a 4 & 5 string so I guess that would be yes. But I take two for different reason, they both have a different sound. In over 20 years I have never had a bass fail. Broken string yes, but no electronic or structural issues. If you do take one back-up I wouldn't leave it in my truck during the gig.
 
#9
I also bring a second bass. You never know...someone could accidentally knock your bass over (while on a stand) and crack the neck / break the string nut / damage a solder joint. Chances are slim that this will happen (if you're careful), but it makes sense to prepare for contingencies (and protect your good reputation).
 
#12
I have no car, and often am forced to bring what I can carry with me to a gig. So backups of all the super-essentials is easy (strings, power supplies, cables, etc) but an extra amp or bass is usually not an option. If I can get someone with a car to help move my stuff, then I'll bring spares of whatever I possess/can reasonably fit in the vehicle!
 
#14
I didn't for about 8 moonths of gigging, then broke an A and an E at practice, and a low B at a gig and decided I'd damned well better start.

For me, the second bass is pure backup; my primary is a custom UVA Thor, and my backup is a Korean 5-String Spector (which both both quite similar sounds despite the difference in expense/quality, go figure). I have the 5 just in case my primary blows a battery or a string. It's a little more inconvenient, having to carry the two, but worth it.
 
#17
I definitely bring one. Sometimes I have two basses on stage, especially if I need to use my '64 EO-0 for "Sunshine of Your Love". Then I have my backup on stage.

I sincerely doubt that my Genz-Benz Shuttle 6.0 will ever fail during a performance, but I do have a compact Hartke head I usually put in the car "just 'cause".
 

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