Gigging with 1 bass or multiple bass's?

[descendent22]

I don't gig do to not being in a band currently but besides being a collector, when it comes to gigs or writing I have my # 1 and # 2. The reason at be is because I have one for standard tuning and one for half step down tuning. That's just my personal preference and the way I do things. But there are bassist out there that use many throughout a gig, I mean 5 different basses I've seen. If there are any of you that read this thread can you explain your reasons for using that many? And also their are bassist that use 1'bass no matter what. Can you bassist explain your reasons for it as it's the point of this thread. AND ALSO IF YOU CAN LIST/SHOW YOUR WORK HORSES..

 

[Jools4001]

I use two basses when playing live. Like you, I have one tuned standard and one a half step down...we play the first 8 tunes of our second set tuned down a half step because that's the tuning that the original bands that we cover used (Thin Lizzy, G 'n' R etc.)

Once we've finished that part of the set, it's a whole lot easier just picking up your standard tuned bass again than re-tuning (our guitarists also have a downtuned guitar). It's also easier to have a bass that is set up for half step down tuning rather than putting up with lower string tension and fret buzz caused by a truss rod that's now applying more back-bow than needed. I use my GB Rumour 5 as my 'standard' bass and either my Ric 4001 or Epi T-bird Pro V as my detuned one.

 

[s0c9]

I have/use a single 5-string BTB.
If we play a song a 1/2 step down, I simply move down the neck, or if the patterns fall off the end of neck, I utilize the low B and move the pattern higher up to the 5th fret area.
If you have a 5 or 6 string bass, never understood the need for a 2nd that is de-tuned a 1/2 step.

 

[hrodbert696]

I used to play a couple of different basses at a gig: would ask the singer to arrange the setlist so the songs I wanted to play with #1 would be in one set and the songs for #2 in the other.
Now I don't bother - I still bring a second bass as a backup just in case something happens, but I'll stick to one for the night. Not like I have a roadie to hand them off to or anything, and I don't like being the one holding up the show while I switch out and check tuning. If you're playing an arena show with a stage crew and all, that's one thing. No one cares at a bar gig.

Not basses, but one time I played at an open mic. There was a house band, and the house band's guitarist had two entire racks with about 14 guitars lined up, filling up stage left. Not for open mic guests to pick from, either - just for him. For an open mic! That was insane.

 

[twinjet]

I used to gig with two basses. Changing in between tunes became a hassle, so I stopped. I play extended range, so no need for a second bass and if I start gigging again I'll keep my backup around, but no more switching.

Below I list my basses:

Schecter Stiletto Custom 6

Spoiler

Ibanez SR305F

Spoiler

MIM Fender Jazz Bass

Spoiler

 

[WayneP]

Those guys using 5-10 basses at a gig must be big-time touring types. I can’t imagine a club stage big enough to have room for that many basses!

I’ve occasionally used two basses at a gig. My main is a 5-string, but I’ll switch out to fretless if we were playing songs that called for one. Even though I primarily play 5-string, my favorite is my custom 4-string. So, of we’re doing a song or two that doesn't need the B string, I’m tickled pink because it gives me an excuse to break out the 4-string.

Also, the custom 4-string has some insane sustain in the middle of the first octave of the G-string, and none of my other basses do. So if we’re doing a song that calls for a sustained note up there, I’ll switch out to the 4-string.

Here’s a picture of the “family.” Left to right:
2006 Pedulla Thunderbuzz fretless (Bubinga top), 1994 Allen Breaux Boogie Man, 2007 Pedulla Thunderbass (Cocobolo top), Schecter Stiletto Studio fretless, 1999 Tobias Classic (AAAAA quilt maple top)

​

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt


Administrator, Pedulla Club #45
Administrator, Tobias Club #133
Fretless Club #943
Big Cabs Club #23
My Basses
Pedulla Club #45

 

[mpdd]

i always play the L2000, but i bring the LB100 just in case, because it's got the same neck profile and same type of strings, however the output is a lot lower

 

[Geri O]

Some guys play situations where one bass covers everything. Others may need multiple basses for various reasons.

With my church playing, either a Jazz or a Precision covers everything.

When this same church does "acoustic-based" services, they like the fretless, even though it really doesn't resemble an upright at all. I don't think that what they are looking for, but whatever...

With my little jazz group, I use my Jazz V and a fretless Jazz V

With the female country artist I play with, I use the Jazz V exclusively because (A) she likes the sound of it, and (B) she likes its color (the Fender Blue offered on the AM STD line) and the blue tortoise-shell pick guard. Hey, she signs the checks (well, her Dad, actually, but what the hey...). I could easily do this gig with the Precision, but again, she.....

The local studio I do some work at prefers the Precision. It really is a good-sounding P bass...

At home, my go-to bass is the Jazz, although I try to work out on the fretless a couple of days a week at least.

I use the same transmitter for all of them so all the basses have active preamps with internal trim pots so I can make them all the (mostly) same level.

I'm the kind of player that, for better or worse, the particular instrument and its tonal character doesn't define my playing. I do that. So no matter what instrument someone may prefer, it's still all me.

 

[aglide]

I've been using both a 62 AVRI Precision with flats (my "funk machine") and a more modern active America Deluxe Jazz Bass with Marcus Miller rounds, basically for anything that requires slapping. I'm pretty sure I could use EQ and pedals to get the Jazz to emulate the Precision, but I just can't let go of the old school P bass with flats. It's a comfort/feel thing.

 

[seanm]

I usually bring two basses, but on is just for backup. I never comes out of the case.

I have, in the past, brought one bass in standard and one in drop D. But it was a hassle switching. If I had to do that again I would use a hipshot tuner.

 

[descendent22]

I never have thought switching bass's has been a hassle at all..I have a stand behind my rig with my other bass ready to do.. All I have to do is switch one for the other and plug in.. Literly takes 20 seconds... You guys should think of stage setup for the best easiest convenient way for you to switch

 

[Jools4001]

I have/use a single 5-string BTB.
If we play a song a 1/2 step down, I simply move down the neck, or if the patterns fall off the end of neck, I utilize the low B and move the pattern higher up to the 5th fret area.
If you have a 5 or 6 string bass, never understood the need for a 2nd that is de-tuned a 1/2 step.

Take a standard tuned 5 string and play along to Slash's "World on Fire"... It can be done, of course, but it is far more of a challenge in terms of fingering and damping if you have to go for the Eb on the fourth fret of the B instead of bouncing off the open Eb. Even if you get your fingers around it, it will not have the same tonality.

That's one of the songs we cover. It's not the most difficult bass line you'll ever hear, but it is quite challenging. The most challenging aspect is that it doubles the guitar line and seldom pauses for breath...if you're not locked in tight with the drums and guitars it turns into a trainwreck fast, one stumble and it's nearly impossible to recover without it being glaringly obvious. Far easier to play on a bass tuned to Eb/D#, so why make life more difficult than it needs to be (especially when I have to sing backing vox as well)?

We're not constantly changing over instruments either, we start the second set downtuned, play a block of 8 or so songs then change back to standard for the rest of the night. So it's far simpler to have your spare bass downtuned and ready to retune to standard if anything goes wrong with your main bass.

 

[descendent22]

Take a standard tuned 5 string and play along to Slash's "World on Fire"... It can be done, of course, but it is far more of a challenge in terms of fingering and damping if you have to go for the Eb on the fourth fret of the B instead of bouncing off the open Eb. Even if you get your fingers around it, it will not have the same tonality.

That's one of the songs we cover. It's not the most difficult bass line you'll ever hear, but it is quite challenging. The most challenging aspect is that it doubles the guitar line and seldom pauses for breath...if you're not locked in tight with the drums and guitars it turns into a trainwreck fast, one stumble and it's nearly impossible to recover without it being glaringly obvious. Far easier to play on a bass tuned to Eb/D#, so why make life more difficult than it needs to be (especially when I have to sing backing vox as well)?

We're not constantly changing over instruments either, we start the second set downtuned, play a block of 8 or so songs then change back to standard for the rest of the night. So it's far simpler to have your spare bass downtuned and ready to retune to standard if anything goes wrong with your main bass.

I respect 5 strings but I'll never own one. I like the traditional 4 string and I'm a traditional player

 

[FrenchBassQC]

I never have thought switching bass's has been a hassle at all..I have a stand behind my rig with my other bass ready to do.. All I have to do is switch one for the other and plug in.. Literly takes 20 seconds... You guys should think of stage setup for the best easiest convenient way for you to switch

I do the same but both are plugged in and I just press on the A/B switch.

 

[cchorney]

I bring 2 basses to every gig. Both get put on the stage rack and get tuned up, but only one gets played during the show. The other is there as backup. I've never needed it, so far.

Main bass is a Bongo 4HH, backup is a Geddy Lee.

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[SnL]

At the last gig. Crappy pic. We do a few acoustic songs. To me, acoustic guitars=acoustic bass. That Th500 loves that cheapo Michael Kelly, btw. We also do some nice sappy jazzy tunes. The EUB slides are crucial in those, I think. For everything else, the P.
A Morley ABC keeps switching under 10 seconds.
The Aguilar gs112's have been "verticalized" (aka reoriented badges) to reduce footprint and make room for everyone ...

 

[tshapiro]

23 years ago I bought a Fender Jazz Special and slapped EMG's in it. It was the best sounding bass I ever heard so it's the only one I ever played....

Til last month when I played a Fender Jazz American Deluxe. It sounded better so that's my new only bass

 

[Chad Michael]

One fretted (Pedulla ET5)

One fretless (either the Ibanez GWB or the Lightwave Saber C, 5)

Haven't gigged in quite some time, but will always bring one fretted and one fretless.

 

[Winterglo]

Go ahead. Take just one bass. Your dancin' with the devil when you only bring one. You MUST have a back up, anything can happen.

 

[SnL]

Go ahead. Take just one bass. Your dancin' with the devil when you only bring one. You MUST have a back up, anything can happen.

If you own more than one, take an extra. Everytime. We don't drive without insurance because you just never know when some idiot is going to run a red light. I don't take multiples just for the sound options. If the P craps out, I'll be peeved but I'll still be able to finish the show.