Double Bass How hot is too hot?

[Jason Hollar]

How hot is too hot for you to take out your double bass?

First day of summer here in PA and under that intense heat dome! Outdoor patio jazz trio gig this evening. High of 95 degrees in the forecast, heat index over 100. Humidity rising.

I’ve already decided I’m bringing the trusty Fender w/flatwounds instead because I just can’t deal with wrestling the big bass for three hours.

What’s your limit?

Does weather like this and sauna hot cars (until AC kicks in) keep you from bringing out your nice bass?

TB approved answer in advance: Get a beater plywood bass lol

 

[AGCurry]

First day of summer here in PA and under that intense heat dome! Outdoor patio jazz trio gig this evening. High of 95 degrees in the forecast, heat index over 100. Humidity rising.

I'm concerned as much for myself as for the bass. That's too hot for a three-hour gig, unless there's a nice breeze or some electric fans. And of course, gotta be out of the sun.

 

[BobKay]

Well...I live in southwest Florida. So, outdoor gigs at 90 degrees "actual" and 100 degrees "feels like," are very common. I've done a bunch, but always on a covered stage or under a canopy of some kind. Never had an issue with any bass - hybrid or full ply. I agree that there is more risk to the player than to the instrument. Also, I always use a fan.

But now that I'm 76, I don't want to play outside unless it's in the Nov - Dec - Jan months. Those months are great.

 

[Scott Lynch]

It’s not so much the heat, but as Andy already mentioned, direct sunlight is the biggest concern IMO. If the bass itself feels hot to the touch, that’s the danger zone. I’d be reluctant to bring a carved instrument out in that situation. Ply bass or slab would be a safer bet.

Also - sunscreen and hydration.

 

[Inky13]

Playing inside a planetarium tonight. AC of course. Saturday outside. Might string up the beater but the bridge is bent like a politician.

 

[Ketbass]

One more reason I have a EUB. I played a bunch of these hot gigs. One place said, “Yeah it’s covered.” Meaning the audience was under a covered roof. The players baking in the sun. That was last time a took my hybrid to any outdoor gig in the summer.

 

[Sam Reese]

How hot is too hot for you to take out your double bass?
What’s your limit?
Does weather like this and sauna hot cars (until AC kicks in) keep you from bringing out your nice bass?

I enjoy this weather for playing outdoor gigs, but the sunshine can be more murderous on me than my Upton SuperSwing Laminate. I love some shade/cover, but when faced with full-on sunshine on the top of my bass, I'll often play tilted away so that it doesn't pound so hard on my beautiful blonde. I do not play my solid wood Czech Flatback in adverse conditions (summer/winter/rain), but will always consider my Upton SSL.

 

[james condino]

I was thinking about the same thing two days ago, so I decided to bring my ALCOA aluminum bass. Zero problems at the gig and a bonus. On the way home, I stopped to meet some friends at a restaurant and left the bass inside the car on a 90 degree day in the direct sunshine for 2 1/2 hours. It was definitely very hot, but zero issues with the bass. My other wooden basses would have been destroyed....ALCOA for the win!

 

[AGCurry]

I was thinking about the same thing two days ago, so I decided to bring my ALCOA aluminum bass. Zero problems at the gig and a bonus. On the way home, I stopped to meet some friends at a restaurant and left the bass inside the car on a 90 degree day in the direct sunshine for 2 1/2 hours. It was definitely very hot, but zero issues with the bass. My other wooden basses would have been destroyed....ALCOA for the win!

And if you have a problem with an abusive audience member, you can just turn the bass to reflect the sunlight directly into his eyes. Double win!

 

[james condino]

If you only knew how much truth there is in that on the days I take my polished one out.

 

[turf3]

Instead of a round back (convex) or flat, on that aluminum bass you need a conCAVE back, so you could do the Archimedes-setting-the-ships-on-fire routine if you get a heckler!

 

[the_Ryan]

As long as I’m getting paid decently, there is no temperature that is too hot. As long as I’ve applied sunscreen and am drinking lots of water I can usually get through hot outdoor gigs pretty well.

I’ve thankfully very rarely had to play outdoor gigs in the late Fall or Winter and I find those to be much more miserable due to my fingers getting cold and stiffening up.

 

[SAlcott]

Too hot for me, too hot for any of my basses.

 

[james condino]

As long as I’m getting paid decently, there is no temperature that is too hot. As long as I’ve applied sunscreen and am drinking lots of water I can usually get through hot outdoor gigs pretty well.

I’ve thankfully very rarely had to play outdoor gigs in the late Fall or Winter and I find those to be much more miserable due to my fingers getting cold and stiffening up.

There is a limit on both ends. I've played gigs where the neck flew off my bass into the crowd; another time in Baja the fingerboard glue released.

Winter gigs at ski resorts are even stranger. Things get really cold, but they usually have those giant 711 propane heaters for the band so at ground level the bass is freezing, but you have to be careful that the scroll does not catch on fire. I had an outside gig last December in Boone where by the end of the night, the air temp was 37 degrees. I brought a different ALCOA that night and the aluminum neck was painfully cold. I basically refused to play anywhere but in first position where I had it warmed up. That was part of the influence for my new convertable ALCOA with a wooden neck.

Weather like we have now is the perfect time for a little cold weather jamming flashback from the summit of Mt. Adams:

 

[Inky13]

I left the bass in the garage last night. A bit cooler than the house.

 

[sean_on_bass]

I've taken the big bass out in upper nineties heat a handful of times. Knock on wood, no issues, except for my own body crapping out pretty hard after the gig. I've began taking a fan to these types of gigs, it really helps. plus copious amounts of water. I use either my plywood or hybrid bass; if i owned a fully carved i might opt to leave that at home.

 

[Jason Hollar]

I’m glad I brought the Fender Thursday. It was partially shaded when we arrived but the paver stones were still cookin’ from all the sun all day. It was a great night musically but I got whacked not being acclimated to the heat.

 

[Alexis Duntov]

I’m glad I brought the Fender Thursday. It was partially shaded when we arrived but the paver stones were still cookin’ from all the sun all day. It was a great night musically but I got whacked not being acclimated to the heat.

I canceled a gig on the sidewalk tonight. And it’s close to a park and in a relatively high altitude of Brooklyn. But I’m 52 and I get faint in this heat. I have another gig Monday in Central Park from 5-7PM. I may bring the Fender….

 

[Jason Hollar]

53 here and it ain’t getting any easier!

Fortunately tonight I’ve got a jazz & pop hit on electric bass at an indoor reception event (old
Mansion with ok AC but all windows & doors open for ambiance lol)

Keep safe and hydrated!

 

[John Chambliss]

Learn to say "no". But if you have to, stay in the shade; dip a bandana in ice cold water, ring it out, and place around your neck - repeat many times.