I would discourage covering your band-mates backs gear wise, why? because they will slowly begin to rely on you completely for their gear back-ups etc, It's much much much better if each individual band member worries about his own gear. Trust me on this one.
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Do you take a back up bass to gigs?
- Thread starter Biggbass
- Start date
I would discourage covering your band-mates backs gear wise, why? because they will slowly begin to rely on you completely for their gear back-ups etc, It's much much much better if each individual band member worries about his own gear. Trust me on this one.
Always, both bass and amp. The backup amp has come in handy a number of times, the backup bass only once for a broken string, about 6 weeks ago!
So you've heard this stuff from someone before? I should have known.
Take care, Preacher!
Wow! Gettin' heated...
I think a backup bass is a great idea. Even if you don't play it, or don't have a second bass, it gives you a reason to expel some major GAS
I think a backup bass is a great idea. Even if you don't play it, or don't have a second bass, it gives you a reason to expel some major GAS
Depends on the gig. Some are just friendly, low profile type gigs and the band can take a few minutes for a string swap. Others are high profile and require that I grab the spare between songs and get going quickly. I usually have a feel for the situation.
Bob
Bob
Quote:
Originally Posted by Marginal Tom View Post
I bring two basses, two cabs, two heads, extra cables and strings, duct tape and tools to every gig. I've also got picks, guitar strings, drumsticks and a DI in my gear bag in case one of my bandmates has a problem. I may be paranoid, but I'm a firm believer in Murphy's Law.
I would discourage covering your band-mates backs gear wise, why? because they will slowly begin to rely on you completely for their gear back-ups etc, It's much much much better if each individual band member worries about his own gear. Trust me on this one.
This is good advice. I used to bring extra stuff for the bandmates who I knew would need it. Then one day I said,
screw it..if they don't have it then that's just tough. And I stopped being their baby sitter. They learned fast.
Originally Posted by Marginal Tom View Post
I bring two basses, two cabs, two heads, extra cables and strings, duct tape and tools to every gig. I've also got picks, guitar strings, drumsticks and a DI in my gear bag in case one of my bandmates has a problem. I may be paranoid, but I'm a firm believer in Murphy's Law.
I would discourage covering your band-mates backs gear wise, why? because they will slowly begin to rely on you completely for their gear back-ups etc, It's much much much better if each individual band member worries about his own gear. Trust me on this one.
This is good advice. I used to bring extra stuff for the bandmates who I knew would need it. Then one day I said,
screw it..if they don't have it then that's just tough. And I stopped being their baby sitter. They learned fast.
I've taken two basses to every gig. Mostly to have one as an alternate tuning, but it's there for a backup just in case
I prefer to bring a second instrument, just in case anything happens - I play at bars and pubs mostly without stages, so there's usually a drunk or two that stumble into our gear when we're having a break or whatnot. Beer sloshing everywhere too... you know the deal.
But I get that it can be difficult to bring a second bass to the gig. If I can't for logistical reasons, I don't stress to much. But I'm planning on getting one of these so that I can always bring two:
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It's the Mono M80 dual bass gig bag. Mono stuff is a bit pricier than the gig bags many basses come with, but it is really well made and highly protective. This one fits two basses... It might be a bit heavier but at least it's just one bag instead of two.
But I get that it can be difficult to bring a second bass to the gig. If I can't for logistical reasons, I don't stress to much. But I'm planning on getting one of these so that I can always bring two:
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It's the Mono M80 dual bass gig bag. Mono stuff is a bit pricier than the gig bags many basses come with, but it is really well made and highly protective. This one fits two basses... It might be a bit heavier but at least it's just one bag instead of two.
Loud gigs people dancin where we play 2hr plus non-stop sets: yes always. Tend to break strings when get overexcited on Crossroads and Boom Boom. Don't much like the stinkeye I get from the band and crowd while they watch me changing strings
Mellow gigs, not usually-don't break strings from actin like idiot...
Mellow gigs, not usually-don't break strings from actin like idiot...
Not on a stand, but in a gigbag on stage.
My main bass is a 5string fretless.
My back up is a 4string fretted tuned in drop D. I also use it for one song specifically because of its tuning.
There is another song we're starting to play where I switch instruments with our guitarist.
I tune it back up to standard for her.
Hope she can handle the 4string fretless once I get it set up. At least it has lines for her.
More often than not I bring a backup. But not always.
And recently one of those "not always" situations burned me. Playing a gig with two other bands. 3 songs into the set, no sound. Amp / cab are fine. Pull out backup cables, still no dice. Gotta be the bass. I have no backup so I just borrow one from one of the other bands right? Nope - the guy in one of the bands is a lefty, the other band has no bass player. My night was over. It ended up just being a broken wire at the jack.
I try to bring a backup every time now. And with my new SVT Micro VR I'll probably start bringing a backup head too!
And recently one of those "not always" situations burned me. Playing a gig with two other bands. 3 songs into the set, no sound. Amp / cab are fine. Pull out backup cables, still no dice. Gotta be the bass. I have no backup so I just borrow one from one of the other bands right? Nope - the guy in one of the bands is a lefty, the other band has no bass player. My night was over. It ended up just being a broken wire at the jack.
I try to bring a backup every time now. And with my new SVT Micro VR I'll probably start bringing a backup head too!
This happend to me Saturday in DC. And I don't bang on my basses.
Straplock screw came right out. Thankfully I inspect my bass before every set. Checked the screw, and it pulled right out- I'm very lucky it didn't happen while playing. I had no backup, so the last set was sitting down, which Carvin BB76's really aren't made for, as I discovered.
In 35 years, I've never even broken a string, but in the past 2 months I've had a head go out and now a bass malfunction.
I now have a power amp, a head and a pre-amp along with a spare DI to go into the PA if I need to, and am browsing for a back-up bass. I have an old Ibby SR500 that I was going to sell, but will be bringing for now on. Hate that bass, but it's better than nothing.
I really does only take once, even if you've been gigging for 10 years...
I usually take 3 basses, until recently I had been bringing a Peavey Dynabass, but now I'm bringing a T40 in it's place. I also bring a Douglas WOB826 and a defretted Ibanez GSR200
No. No extra amp or cab either. Extra cables, 9 volt batteries, extension cord. I do bring my VT bass deluxe along, so if something goes wrong I can at least go through the house PA.
Once in awhile I'll take two basses, but it's not for back-up as much as it's just because I want to play both of them. It's a thing in my mind. I can never decide which I like best ('87 Jazz Bass Special and '01 MIA Jazz Bass), and I always switch around at home. But, usually I just choose one before leaving the house for a gig. I have extra strings and cords. I've never worried too much my basses letting me down. They never have in the last 24 years of gigging with them--not that they couldn't, though. The only string that ever broke was an OEM right after purchase. I play easy, so I don't worry. Played a ton of high profile gigs with just one bass.
Now, that thing about having a back-up amp deserves some attention, though, and I'm working on it. I'd like another micro amp nearby in case my LMIII craps. I will have some money in about eight months that I inherited from my brother who just died. But for now it's tied up in probate. Gimme about eight months.
Now, that thing about having a back-up amp deserves some attention, though, and I'm working on it. I'd like another micro amp nearby in case my LMIII craps. I will have some money in about eight months that I inherited from my brother who just died. But for now it's tied up in probate. Gimme about eight months.
