How Many Basses at the Live Gig?

[bass.slinger]

Usually one - two at most (fretted and fretless). I also have never needed a backup in 37 years of playing.

 

[TBird1958]

Wise words from someone here quite a few years back now "One equals none, two equals one". No one wants to watch you change a bass string.
Personally I've broken Es As and D strings playing live so I always bring a spare.

 

[HelpImaRock]

I bring two basses but only use one. I never use the backup. Next gig has stairs. I'm only bringing one. Famous last words and all, but I think it'll be ok. I never see other bassists bring a backup.

 

[Woofer]

Two. The one I'm playing, and a backup.

 

[Mohawk]

One and a backup. Set right in the mix, lock in with the drummer and play the right notes…Your “tone” will be just right. The audience is not listening the tonal differences of the bass you are playing from one song to the next.

This is generally true, unless you crank into a synth as I occasionally do. Lol. But in that case the bass tone is no longer a factor at all.

 

[J-Mags]

If I'm feeling vulnerable I'll bring a backup. That's about it.

 

[shadven]

2

 

[rashrader]

I’ve never put more than one bass in the car.

You can take as many as you’d like. Perhaps 42? Eventually you’ll start to find what works best for you. Until then…. Cheers.

 

[ctmullins]

Usually two. Occasionally three. Never just one; that’s asking for trouble.

I usually have a five-string and a four-string with a detuner. Some songs need the low B string. Some songs need the drop-D tuning. The rest of the songs can be done on either.

 

[rufus.K]

2.
No more

 

[Liam Wald]

Not sure what you mean mate. Only a bit confused because I have only played live gigs. Would like to think that I can play gigs after I am dead. But that is not likely.
Oh, but then to your point of question. I only take my favorite ride.
My favorite ride is the bass that I have been playing 2-4 hours a day for the last week or two so it is highly unlikely that something will go wrong with it at a three hour gig.
I trust my gear because I know it.

 

[BtaylorTheRogue]

Always two there are; no more, no less. A main and a backup. Unless I only take one, I guess...

 

[Manticore]

Precisely two. One to play, the other to play if the one you brought to play can't be played.

 

[Mastermold]

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?

Bring whatever you think works best. I've usually limited myself to two basses but that's just for pragmatic purposes, not for the music.

 

[gazzatriumph]

I only bring one but should probably bring a back up. Most our gigs are half an hour away so figured if it packs I'm my wife could pop another over.

 

[Jogobass]

For me the process of picking a bass starts with the first rehearsal. Am I gonna do this band with my fretless or my fretted bass? I had one band where I played the fretless on all songs but one that required slapping. After one gig with 2 basses I ended up just playing the slap song on the fretless.

 

[cnltb]

Usually one does it. I've never needed a backup instrument.

 

[DanielSkilberg]

I only own one bass. A Sandberg TM5 with rounds. So thats what I bring. And spare strings and batteries in case of. I have never had a string break though in 32 years of playing. If I want it to sound more like flats on a song I just bring down the treble and mute with my left hand and/or play towards the neck.

 

[Richard I]

One, especially if I ain't going to get paid. And it's the 5 strings if there's even only one bar during the whole set that needs the fifth string.
Two if I'm brave or I'll have VERY particular needs, I've never been in need of a "backup" bass (what could go wrong? At that very point, it would be more useful to have a backup amplifier, rather than a backup bass)

I choose the bass that covers the most of the set, and then I bring it live. Amp + hands are way relevant in the tone chase.

 

[lbbc]

Since I've gone passive and short scale...
I only bring one.