As soon as I can, got my new Tony Franklin fretless last month and took it out that night to a gig and played it half the night, no one said anything so my chops must have still been alright
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- Oct 18, 2012
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- Endorsing Artist: Fender, Spector, Ampeg, Curt Mangan, Nordstrand Pickups, Korg , Conquest Sound
I would usually run it through a practice first if it were a major departure from the bass I normally use with a given gig.
Same day on many occasions. I recall picking up a Rob Allen 5-string fretless and taking it straight to a Steely Jam gig, using it on a couple of tunes (Steely Dan tunes of course, since it is a tribute band).
Probably the highest stress was taking a 6-string out on a gig right after getting it and never having gigged (or really woodshedded much) on a 6'er. But live music is about being on the tightrope, might as well go without a net...
This is the 3rd gig in a week right after getting the 6'er
Probably the highest stress was taking a 6-string out on a gig right after getting it and never having gigged (or really woodshedded much) on a 6'er. But live music is about being on the tightrope, might as well go without a net...
This is the 3rd gig in a week right after getting the 6'er
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If it's set up to my liking, no reason to wait! I only play passive basses these days, and it's usually a P or a J of some kind, so not too many "unknowns" to worry about.
I'll play it at home for about a week to make sure i like the setup and there are no surprises waiting to pop up. Then i take it to a practice. If all goes well, then it will make it to the stage.
So I'm the outlier here. I build my basses, and like to break in strings before a gig. Plus there are always a few tweaks to do on a new bass. So, in my case, a week or more.
After playing only 4 string fretless for 6 years, I got a fretted 5 and gigged it the same day.
Quite possibly not the best decision...
Quite possibly not the best decision...
I always get mine setup immediately, then straight to the gig, beyotch! make me some monah!
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Next day. I don't like to practice the day of a gig, so I need a day to make sure it works and is setup ok.
Counting on playability I'm fine with same day. I purchased an 80's Ibanez on TB got it the day of a gig. Strung her up with some DRs then played her that night. Worked great.
I would probably offer to play a free gig that day just for a chance to gig the new bass as quickly as possible.
It took me three months before I gigged my new fretless. But I had never had a fretless before so it had more to do with confidence in intonation than being concerned about dinging or other issues. Had I been an experienced fretless player I would have played it live immediately.
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