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Do you take a back up bass to gigs?
- Thread starter Biggbass
- Start date
Once in a while I bring a second bass. But I hate switching in the middle of a gig, and when I bring a second bass, I feel forced to use it because it's there. I used to bring two to most gigs, even used to fly with two, but I can't remember the last time I had a problem on a gig, so I bring only one to most gigs now. I bring a spare pack of strings, though. Haven't broken one in years, but I'm prepared. Some people might consider that unprofessional, yet here I am.
I hope things continue to work out - I have this vision of soldering something in the middle of a show, lol.
While all gigs are "important", gigs may be different.
Playing "background" jazz at a hotel lobby, piano and saxophone might do a ballad while the bass player changes a broken string. Playing for a crowd of 10.000, you'll probably have a roadie hand you another bass. So I go with "it depends on what type of gig".
I go to rehearsals by bike and even have gone to gigs by bike, carrying one bass on my back. No backup here.
Once an artist asked me to carry a backup bass but changed opinion when he found out he had to pay for excess baggage on the plane... so again, no backup. Sometimes that decision isn't up to you.
Playing "background" jazz at a hotel lobby, piano and saxophone might do a ballad while the bass player changes a broken string. Playing for a crowd of 10.000, you'll probably have a roadie hand you another bass. So I go with "it depends on what type of gig".
I go to rehearsals by bike and even have gone to gigs by bike, carrying one bass on my back. No backup here.
Once an artist asked me to carry a backup bass but changed opinion when he found out he had to pay for excess baggage on the plane... so again, no backup. Sometimes that decision isn't up to you.
i have one bass... one amp ...
my financial situation dictates this fact ...
luckily my band is booking more gigs ... more gigs means more gear
. I have my contingency plan all picked out!
my financial situation dictates this fact ...
luckily my band is booking more gigs ... more gigs means more gear
. I have my contingency plan all picked out!
I always bring a backup bass though it usually stays on the stand all night. I also bring a backup head. As a pro wedding photographer for over 20 years one thing I learned is always bring a backup and hope you don't have to use it!
I have been playing for 38 years and never brought a backup bass to a show until I saw one of my vocalists accidentally kick over the guitar players axe and snap the head stock off of it. After that I saw the wisdom of carrying a spare bass. There are some things that can happen at a show that you just can't fix on the spot.
Was it a Gibson?
I saw a similar event but even before that my policy has always been that my bass is either on me or in its gigbag or case. I never did stands, it's just more crap to load in and out.
Jimmy, those of us who know you would never call you unprofessional.
In this scenario, I would call you "most fortunate."
If and when your one and only bass malfunctions and you get the stink eye from your feature performer, band, audience, or venue manager, then I will call you unprofessional.
Here's hoping that good fortune continues!
Well our debut gig went great. Full house audience. Tight 20 song set. Encore and standing ovation. No wheels came off the wagon. And I didn't need the back up bass. But it did look good sitting on the stand. Yeah!
The most realistic possible answer: what possible justification is there for NOT bringing a backup bass?
The only one I can think of is that you don't own a second bass.
The only one I can think of is that you don't own a second bass.
Not a Backup but I always carry two basses... The Hofner for Beatle tunes and the Fender P for everything else... 
so I have to carry a pair of guitar stands and cables... I have been playing bass for 20 years and I have never break a Bass string... never! 
cheers!
so I have to carry a pair of guitar stands and cables... I have been playing bass for 20 years and I have never break a Bass string... never! cheers!
Not on a stand, but in a case near the stage.
Need it or not, it’s not a waste because it makes me feel better knowing it’s there.
Also a DI backup.
Need it or not, it’s not a waste because it makes me feel better knowing it’s there.
Also a DI backup.
I don't bring a back-up bass to gigs. For some bands I used to play in, I'd bring two sometimes for different songs (one fretted, one fretless). For my current situation, I either play the whole gig on fretted or on fretless.
I usually have batteries, extra cable, strings, picks (for guitar player), allen wrench set, and sometimes a set of guitar strings (again, not for me).
I usually have batteries, extra cable, strings, picks (for guitar player), allen wrench set, and sometimes a set of guitar strings (again, not for me).
That happened to our old guitarist during a soundcheck once. One of the sound crew guys was trying to be a pit crew, ran up onstage really quick, adjusted a mic, and ran off and knocked over his guitar and busted off the headstock. Then he claimed he didn't do it when about 5 people, including me, saw him do it. So the promoter took him to Guitar Center and let him pick out a guitar for the night. In typical schnorrer fashion, he picks out the most expensive Strat in the store brand new out of the case.
Not enough room for transportation. I cant fit in a second bass is my car with the rest of my bands gear in it too. Some others have mentioned travelling by bike, also not easy to carry a second bass.
Sensible approach.
I used to bring extra strings when I played rounds, tried to slap and used stock string trees.
These I don't use string trees on my 4 strings (though I may pick up some roller string trees in the future), and I use flats (and I don't slap/pop anymore...was never good at it anyways).
But I always have tools in my Gig bag and two basses on stage.
What happens if your backup bass breaks, too? I think you should bring at least 5 basses to every gig in case your backups break. Yeah, you guys think I'm goofing on you, but think about it...what happens if a light truss falls on your two basses and takes them both out? The more you bring, the more you'll have a chance of one working in that scenario. Actually, you should bring at least 10 if you want to do it right, but 5 is acceptable.
Hmmm maybe I'll leave a third bass in my car trunk in case a Southwest Airline pilot falls asleep....
