How Many Basses at the Live Gig?

[Timmah]

As most people have said- one to play, and another for backup. Sometimes if I’m not feeling it, the backup becomes the one to play. But I do try to avoid bass switches between songs. Makes me self conscious.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

I’m mostly a recording hobbyist, but a songwriter I respect asked me to play an extended set with him, and I jumped in. I’m having a great time woodshedding the material. Feeling some rare musical fulfillment.

First few times running through the material, I was on my go-to P with flats, but pretty quickly one tune started to beg for the fretless. So I got that locked in; sounds good.

And then another—90’s R&B vibe in A-flat—really wanted the 5-string with rounds. Done.

Last night, as I was packing up the 3 basses for today’s rehearsal, I thought “Am I insane?” I want to get the perfect sound for each song, but am I going to look ridiculous up there? Like I’m in an 18-song flex all about myself?

It was shortly after that thought that I decided to refresh myself on something real quick and, with the P packed up, I just grabbed the Mustang off the wall and…smh…now I need to have that sound (Mustang, La Bellas, foam mute) on this one song.

Is 4 basses over 18 songs a ridiculous look? Will I hate myself at the end of the night—or more specifically, will my 55-year-old back hate me? For you guys, what’s the most basses you would bring to a gig?

Always 2. Seldom need both, but enjoy changing it up. Also for security knowing I have a reserve "just in case"

 

[Fynn]

I’m mostly a recording hobbyist, but a songwriter I respect asked me to play an extended set with him, and I jumped in. I’m having a great time woodshedding the material. Feeling some rare musical fulfillment.

First few times running through the material, I was on my go-to P with flats, but pretty quickly one tune started to beg for the fretless. So I got that locked in; sounds good.

And then another—90’s R&B vibe in A-flat—really wanted the 5-string with rounds. Done.

Last night, as I was packing up the 3 basses for today’s rehearsal, I thought “Am I insane?” I want to get the perfect sound for each song, but am I going to look ridiculous up there? Like I’m in an 18-song flex all about myself?

It was shortly after that thought that I decided to refresh myself on something real quick and, with the P packed up, I just grabbed the Mustang off the wall and…smh…now I need to have that sound (Mustang, La Bellas, foam mute) on this one song.

Is 4 basses over 18 songs a ridiculous look? Will I hate myself at the end of the night—or more specifically, will my 55-year-old back hate me? For you guys, what’s the most basses you would bring to a gig?

Disclaimer: I've only read the first sentence of your last paragraph. I'm just really lazy atm

Yes, 4 basses for 18 songs looks ridiculous. Atleast that's what I would think if I were in the audience. But I tend to also be very judgemental. I wouldn't say anything, but I would definitely think weird of you.
I have one bass for any gig. We play 50 songs a show, +-10. And some spare strings. There's just no point in trying to get a different tone for each song. Would also make mixing a living nightmare for the audio guy.

 

[DiabolicLow B]

Unless you can change basses in a couple of seconds I wouldn't bother, the audience will appreciate it.

 

[Auspuff]

I’m mostly a recording hobbyist, but a songwriter I respect asked me to play an extended set with him, and I jumped in. I’m having a great time woodshedding the material. Feeling some rare musical fulfillment.

First few times running through the material, I was on my go-to P with flats, but pretty quickly one tune started to beg for the fretless. So I got that locked in; sounds good.

And then another—90’s R&B vibe in A-flat—really wanted the 5-string with rounds. Done.

Last night, as I was packing up the 3 basses for today’s rehearsal, I thought “Am I insane?” I want to get the perfect sound for each song, but am I going to look ridiculous up there? Like I’m in an 18-song flex all about myself?

It was shortly after that thought that I decided to refresh myself on something real quick and, with the P packed up, I just grabbed the Mustang off the wall and…smh…now I need to have that sound (Mustang, La Bellas, foam mute) on this one song.

Is 4 basses over 18 songs a ridiculous look? Will I hate myself at the end of the night—or more specifically, will my 55-year-old back hate me? For you guys, what’s the most basses you would bring to a gig?

Played with only one, for decades.

Now, I take two.

 

[Viggo51]

Taking two tonight, 3 hour show. Both PJ5 with Labella flats one as a backup, you never know…

 

[5StringBlues]

1 if I have extra strings, 2 if I don't.

 

[chris_b]

I bring two basses to every gig, but I play one. The other is just a backup.

Non of the bass players in any band I've seen in the last 50 years, from Fleetwood Mac to Little Feat and from The Crusaders to Cream, have used more than 1 bass on a gig.

Playing in front of an audience isn't about reproducing the sound of the record, it's about getting the audience to dance and sing and have a great time.

 

[JakobT]

This...

I bring 2. Main and backup. The ONLY time I didn't bring two (a one hour plug and play gig, band 3 of 4), the nut broke the first time i hit the D string (I string BEAD). Made it through the show but it was weird.

Never again....

(yes, I am tempted to say it. however ....)

If you hadn’t brought two basses all those other times, you would have been fine.

 

[Lowbrow]

2

 

[B-Mac]

I bring two basses to every gig, but I play one. The other is just a backup.

Non of the bass players in any band I've seen in the last 50 years, from Fleetwood Mac to Little Feat and from The Crusaders to Cream, have used more than 1 bass on a gig.

Playing in front of an audience isn't about reproducing the sound of the record, it's about getting the audience to dance and sing and have a great time.

I saw Hot Tuna last December and Jack had two of his signature basses and he played both of them. Pelham Blue for first set and then a red one for second set after 20 minute break. Just sayin’

 

[SteveC]

Main bass.
Backup bass.

I’d like to use more for the “perfect sound/feel” for every song, but that can ruin the flow so for now I’m just playing one bass. Maybe a change at set break. Maybe not.

 

[Pings Bass]

5-string and fretless. Nobody but you cares what kind of strings. Roll off your tone and palm mute if you want thump.

Switching instruments between songs can really interrupt the flow of a set. That flow is infinitely more important than having the "correctly" nuanced tone (that only you will notice).

 

[Polfuste]

2 basses. The main one to play all the gig, and the second one as backup only. At this day, my backup saved me one time, when the screw of my strap button suddenly broke during a tune. Since this day, i won't go to a gig without a backup bass.

 

[Ekulati]

I went to see a Grammy nominated artist recently whose band I was in back in the day. In chatting with her bass player I mentioned I always see him with one and only one bass, whether on the road or in studio photos. He said, "Yeah I only bring one bass. It is what it is" or something to that effect.

Similarly, I played for decades only with one bass. Now I'm a wimp, for some gigs I bring a spare.

 

[ERIC31]

2 basses. My number 1 and number 2 for backup because sh*t happens. I’d never take 4 basses unless I was a rock star with roadies. I don’t like hauling a bunch of gear so I keep it simple.

 

[BoesPronounBass]

Two basses - a 5-string and a 4-string, and play both because the 4 is lighter to wear and easier for S&P for me. My changes are well integrated into the set so I play 5-string on more than I NEED it for. Also, I'm well acquainted to the differences in tone and settings for each - to me that is a must or you are likely to not be happy with how the mix sounds (even then ensure you've got your sound guys on board). Everyone should do what is good for them for sure, but to me anymore than 2 would be really hard to remember the output and tone differences in a way that it wouldn't disrupt position in the mix. And by having 2, I have a back-up as noted.

 

[Snert]

On the other side of the equation is you are a guest performer for this song writer. If this is a show case for his material. The spotlight should be on him and his music. In this case, I would want to be as inconspicuous as possible.

Playing in front of an audience isn't about reproducing the sound of the record, it's about getting the audience to dance and sing and have a great time.

Both of these sum up the thread for me.

Next gig; main 6 plus my Hohner 5 (Steinberger Spirit style) with the Hohner as a backup just in case as it's small and takes up almost no space. I can swap into that in a few seconds if there is a technical issue.

I also take spare strings, cables and batteries and check everything the morning before a gig, just to make sure it's perfect and time to fix if need be. This is about being prepared and professional both for myself and in your (OPs) case for the guy you're playing with. An equipment failure looks bad for him too.

 

[DivisionLocal]

I’m mostly a recording hobbyist, but a songwriter I respect asked me to play an extended set with him, and I jumped in. I’m having a great time woodshedding the material. Feeling some rare musical fulfillment.

First few times running through the material, I was on my go-to P with flats, but pretty quickly one tune started to beg for the fretless. So I got that locked in; sounds good.

And then another—90’s R&B vibe in A-flat—really wanted the 5-string with rounds. Done.

Last night, as I was packing up the 3 basses for today’s rehearsal, I thought “Am I insane?” I want to get the perfect sound for each song, but am I going to look ridiculous up there? Like I’m in an 18-song flex all about myself?

It was shortly after that thought that I decided to refresh myself on something real quick and, with the P packed up, I just grabbed the Mustang off the wall and…smh…now I need to have that sound (Mustang, La Bellas, foam mute) on this one song.

Is 4 basses over 18 songs a ridiculous look? Will I hate myself at the end of the night—or more specifically, will my 55-year-old back hate me? For you guys, what’s the most basses you would bring to a gig?

No, not at all. It just means that you care about getting a specific sound. I really enjoy that kind of thing, TBH. Having multiple guitars can adds a great deal to a live performance, as long as they are chosen carefully and fit the song.

That said, I'm speaking from the perspective of a spectator only. I can't speak to your back issues. That seems deserving of serious consideration. Maybe winnow it down to two?

 

[Mohawk]

I sometimes bring a spare but have never needed it. There are lots of tone variation in the 5 string Lakland 55-94 pickups but the significant tone changes come from pedals and style of playing for each song. Other than fret-less or if recording I think the type of bass and strings are lost in the mix to most live crowd individuals.