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How Many Basses at the Live Gig?
- Thread starter bmusic
- Start date
I agree on one 5-string fretless but I use an Ibanez SRF705 with Thomastik flats (best strings I’ve ever used) and maybe my Yamaha BBG5S with Rotosounds if I need a slap bass (love the Ibanez but not good for slap). For gigs with acoustic instruments, I use my hollow body Ibanez SRH505F.Bring the Fretless Fivestring P with Half-Rounds and you are done.
(Picture only peripherally related, because PJ and I don't know 'bout them Strings.)
View attachment 4816767
4x basses for a gig is way too much imo.
You'll make the sound engineer life very complicated if you keep switching instruments.
You'll make the sound engineer life very complicated if you keep switching instruments.
I’m about to jinx myself, but I have never brought a backup and find one bass works fine. I always pack an extra set of strings even though I don’t think I’ve ever broken a bass string…. Ever.
On guitar I bring a backup but I’ll rarely use it - a Floyd Rose trem is impossible to quickly change a string and puts the whole guitar out of tune if a string breaks.
I prefer to keep it simple and carry less gear to a gig. There’s less opportunity to damage something, have it get stolen, or forget it at the venue. And as everyone else said - I dial in a tone I like, set and forget it.
On guitar I bring a backup but I’ll rarely use it - a Floyd Rose trem is impossible to quickly change a string and puts the whole guitar out of tune if a string breaks.
I prefer to keep it simple and carry less gear to a gig. There’s less opportunity to damage something, have it get stolen, or forget it at the venue. And as everyone else said - I dial in a tone I like, set and forget it.
I bring 2 only because the one time I brought just one I had a problem and my sound cut out. It ended up being a minor problem but I'd rather be safe. It doesn't look bad on stage either.
1 or 2 max, if only one then an extra set of strings is a must! I totally agree with all the sentiment about driving sound person nuts, and generally no one except the player will even notice
Same here. I often bring just one bass. If my primary bass is active I'll sometimes bring a passive P/J as a backup in case I have battery or electronics or noise problems with my active bass. I do carry a set of strings in the highly-unlikely chance I break one - I never have broken a bass string, but it's a holdover from my guitar-playing days.
I would bring three. We play a lot of tuned down Sabbath tunes along with other 70's classic rock, so I have two Identical short scale Jags in different tunings. I also bring my shorty P-bass with flats as a back up for either one of those, or for any especially "slidey" song that we might be playing on a given night. But, that's just me. Two basses, one primary and one back up should be enough for anybody. The audience doesn't care about the perfect bass tone, just the punch in the chest. Playing all the right notes at the right time is far more important. A little pocket sized solid state bass head in your gig bag is not a bad idea either.
90% of the time 1 upright. Depending upon how I feel, I may throw in an electric bass, usually my Ibanez, just to have as a spare. 99% of the time I play the upright in our acoustic rock/folk show, but sometimes things happen, so I was glad I had a backup on Tuesday night, because my pickup on the upright started adding a clicking noise to the PA, so I had to switch.
I use a Digitech Drop pedal for those 1/2, whole, 1-1/2 step down tunings. I also have a Hipshot Extender key on my E string on my main P-bass that lets me jump into drop-D with a flick of the lever.
I used to bring two, my Modulus Q5 and my Ibanez SR05 fretless.
But I'd get bass players coming up at the end of the gig, looking at the Q5 and saying "Oh ! It's got frets !! It sounded like a fretless".
Must've been the way I played it.
So ... I started leaving the fretless at home unless there was a number with definite Glides in it.
But I'd get bass players coming up at the end of the gig, looking at the Q5 and saying "Oh ! It's got frets !! It sounded like a fretless".
Must've been the way I played it.
So ... I started leaving the fretless at home unless there was a number with definite Glides in it.
No more than 2. One the main player, one as backup cause face it, you can break a string or (if active) batteries can die (unless you put in a fresh on prior to each session/gig). Cold hard fact is the audience can care less about you switching basses for each song, unless you're shooting fireworks out of it. Bottom line is to keep the show flowing.
I usually bring three for a gig. A Jazz with round wounds, a fretless and a P with flats. There are a couple tunes we play that absolutely demand fretless.
Outside of those couple tunes, the jazz with rounds and P with flats covers all the sonic bases I'll need in my bands, and I rarely switch between them--I'll pick whichever one sounds/feels best at soundcheck and generally I'll stick with that for the gig, sometimes switching it up at set break.
Outside of those couple tunes, the jazz with rounds and P with flats covers all the sonic bases I'll need in my bands, and I rarely switch between them--I'll pick whichever one sounds/feels best at soundcheck and generally I'll stick with that for the gig, sometimes switching it up at set break.
If playing 4 or even 10 basses is enjoyable and workable, go for it. It's your gig.
I always take my two parts-basses. They are set up to be as close to identical as possible in terms of strings, scale, and tone. I just like playing them both and only change out at a break. That's my gig.
I always take my two parts-basses. They are set up to be as close to identical as possible in terms of strings, scale, and tone. I just like playing them both and only change out at a break. That's my gig.
Agree with a lot that said they bring 2 for having a backup - have had that need come up once. I also intentionally bring 2 for different tones - PJ and a Stingray for material that needs more punch.
Two. One to play and one to fall back on if #1 fails for some reason. #1 and #2 are both American Deluxe Jazz basses with their own particular sounds but close enough to make the sound guy happy if the need to change arises.
THIS. The only people who care/pay attention to what bass you are playing are other bassists!!
Every so often I've had a non-musician comment on the appearance of my bass, but your point is taken regarding tone.
That said: most of us aren't getting rich off of our hobby, so I completely understand doing what we can to make the gig more enjoyable for ourselves even when the audience doesn't notice. I personally wouldn't bring four basses (too much effort for me), but if that makes the gig more fun for the OP, then good for him.
Back in the day (90's), I'd take 2... one 5-string for standard tuning sets, one 4-string for drop D sets. These days.... three with a fretless added.
