Gigging the good stuff?

[Jhansbass]

In my opinion if you don't gig with the good stuff then there is no point in even buying it, if you want to make your chances better I would suggest getting insurance on it, that's what I did

 

[lavmonga]

Yes. Go with your best. I've been on tour, in sketchy bars, etc. NEVER, I repeat, NEVER let it out of your line of sight unless it's with someone you trust... even then.

+1 I gig my favorites, which are probably the best, but I keep an eye on them all night. If I have a car with me, I try to put them in the trunk afterwards, out of sight.

 

[elgranluis]

Dont take anything that you wouldnt forgive yourself for losing (sentimental value-wise)

On the other hand, if you would take a what you consider to be a big $$ loss if your bass was damaged or stolen, it means that you should have not bought it in the first place.

 

[BurningSkies]

I gig my nicest bass 99% of the time. The additional 1% (like a parole party or the like) I bring my old Fender instead. Its good in a fight and will break bones before it gets scratched.

 

[Rob L]

Gig your good stuff. That is why we buy it, to play and enjoy. Hopefully we can take care or investments that make us happy..

 

[mpdd]

after reflecting on this, i think my newish sb-2 gets used for the simple fact that i don't want any of the surprises i sometimes get with the 30 year old basses when i open the case like relief shifts, sticky neck, or suddenly buzzy frets

 

[Korladis]

I didn't buy my Rickenbacker to keep it at home in its case. I bought it to play.

 

[Simon Langley]

See my avatar. That's my prized Alembic Essence. I play it out all the time. I love it and it sounds great. It has many dings, all caused by me. It never leaves my sight. It is the last thing into the venue and the first thing out. Play your bass, you'll be glad you did. That's why you bought it. Treat yourself right and it even better and it won't let you down. Why own a Ferrari if you are just gonna keep it in the garage. Take it out and let em gawk at your sweet axe.

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

Why would I buy gear to not play out? I am far from a session professional, so it wouldn't be a wise investment to buy studio instruments.

Also, don't sweat it too hard, if somebody is going to steal an American Fender they are going to steal a Squier.

 

[lexington125]

Security is decent at most places now...cant imagine how that could happen, they'd have too get past the bouncers surely?!

consensus will be difficult when we are dealing with such different situations. The last club I played at in my previous band, the bouncer was a well known heroin dealer. I have no doubt that he would take a nice bass in trade for a gram of dope. (and then swear that he has never seen a bass guitar in this club) Those of you who are surprised that some of us think twice before bringing pre-CBS fenders into dive bars; maybe you haven't been to the wrong side of the tracks in a long while? Opportunities to play music in front of live audiences span a wide range of circumstances. And don't judge, I once played a silly cover band gig at a Four Seasons; the dope bar was a much better gig.

 

[Filkarri]

I always gig with my best stuff. Why spend the money if nobody gets to hear it? Our band policy was always that our gear was just never left unattended. At least one of us would always hang out by it before our and after our set and by the van while we were loading out. We never leave our stuff in the van unattended. Never had anything stolen.

 

[Simon Langley]

Dont take anything that you wouldnt forgive yourself for losing (sentimental value-wise)

On the other hand, if you would take a what you consider to be a big $$ loss if your bass was damaged or stolen, it means that you should have not bought it in the first place.

Best advice in the thread. I would never take my old 69 EB-0 to a gig. Just means too much to me and its worth a lot less than the Alembic. And, like all Gibsons, is prone to headstock breaks which it currently does not have.

 

[Korladis]

See my avatar. That's my prized Alembic Essence. I play it out all the time. I love it and it sounds great. It has many dings, all caused by me. It never leaves my sight. It is the last thing into the venue and the first thing out. Play your bass, you'll be glad you did. That's why you bought it. Treat yourself right and it even better and it won't let you down. Why own a Ferrari if you are just gonna keep it in the garage. Take it out and let em gawk at your sweet axe.

See, I've always taken my basses out of the car and into the venue first, and out of the venue and into the car last. I guess to me the venue usually seems like a safer place for my instruments than the car does.

 

[jj4001]

I've had this question on my mind, too.

I had '75 Gibson Grabber stolen from me the first time I went on tour. As bad as that sucked, I was grateful they left behind my '80 Ric 4001, since it is my one true love.

I've since retired the 4001 because of its sentimental value (and desperate need of a re-fret!) and have been gigging an '86 4003 for the last two years. A couple of months ago, I bought a Squier VM Precision with the intention of using it at festivals, rainy outdoor gigs, sketchy neighborhood bars, traveling and needing to leave gear in a vehicle unattended, etc, etc.

It hasn't happened.

Still, I can't help but bring the 4003 to all my gigs. I love the Squier P so much that it gets all my practice time and the Ric only gets played out in public these days.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

The only basses I can imagine not gigging would be vintage basses. After all, they aren't making anymore 1957 P-basses or 1961 Jazzes. I might feel the same way about a bass made by a deceased luthier like a Minniefield.

As for any other bass, if I can afford to buy it I can afford to play it.

 

[IronLung1986]

an american P needs to be gigged. that's what they're for! you're probably feeling super protective of it because it's new, and that's fine. at the gig, just make sure you're either wearing it, holding it in a case, or driving home with it in the back seat. this will reduce the chance of treachery to near zero.

 

[jj4001]

See, I've always taken my basses out of the car and into the venue first, and out of the venue and into the car last. I guess to me the venue usually seems like a safer place for my instruments than the car does.

Totally agree. I do the same. If someone is gonna actually put the effort into stealing my ridiculously heavy amps and cabs, God bless them. I'll be damned if I'm gonna leave my bass in a vehicle to be stolen while I'm lugging the heavy stuff around.

 

[Korladis]

Totally agree. I do the same. If someone is gonna actually put the effort into stealing my ridiculously heavy amps and cabs, God bless them. I'll be damned if I'm gonna leave my bass in a vehicle to be stolen while I'm lugging the heavy stuff around.

Yeah, my bass is the most expensive piece of gear and also the easiest to make off with. For me it goes basses, then amp and/or pedalboard and other gear, and then the cab dead last. It's not that my cab isn't nice; it is. But it also weighs about 160 or so pounds. If someone does steal it, I'd be confused and somewhat impressed.

 

[sensei_steve]

I host an open mike. As such, i dont bring by best equiment. I bought a nice yamaha rx-170 for guests to play. Unfortunately, i am liking the rx-170, it turns out to be a very nice playable bass guitar.
I keep an fdeck high pass filter in front of my backline bass combo amp. Its so funny watching my guest bass players trying to eq the sound of their 5 string basses, such that they might blow my provided backline amp! They have in the past blown my speakers.
I personally play a nice fender p-bass or sterling bass and put it away when i am not playing. I sometimes i play the yamaha rx-170, because i like it.
sensei steve

 

[Jim Carr]

I host an open mike...I keep an fdeck high pass filter in front of my backline bass combo amp. It's so funny watching my guest bass players trying to eq the sound of their 5 string basses...

How do you keep them plugged into the HPF?