I'm starting a 7-week contract this summer, playing between 3-4 half hour sets a night six nights a week. I'm planning to bring two basses - one primary and one backup. Am I being overly cautious? I know several do gigs like this on a regular basis. How many basses do you bring to the gig?
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I typically bring 2 basses but leave the backup in my van unless the stage is large.
I also bring a spare cabinet, power amp and 2 monitors.
There have been multiple occasions when someone else has something go out.
I also bring a spare cabinet, power amp and 2 monitors.
There have been multiple occasions when someone else has something go out.
I take 2. In 55 years of gigging, I've never needed it, but I still bring 2.
I normally don't bring backup to small-time shows, but for a contract like this I would have a backup on stage, tuned up and ready to go. Leaving the backup in the car doesn't make any sense to me because if something goes wrong it's still a major set disruptor to go and get the backup bass.
I bring 2, a P and a J. But I don't consider one a backup. I will use both. I usually like to begin the evening with the Precision and go to the Jazz later.
Two. Period. Always. Dual gig bag makes it stupid simple to do. There are zero good reasons for not having a backup. Zero. You can buy a gig worthy bass for a hunnerd bucks. Sticking it in the vehicle and then in the corner of the stage takes little to no effort. Anything can happen.
It's super quick and easy to go back and edit your post to add a poll question. That will give you a quick (more accurate) snapshot of the data.
It's super quick and easy to go back and edit your post to add a poll question. That will give you a quick (more accurate) snapshot of the data.
As was said already, always 2. Usually play both just because I have them and not necessarily because I needed the backup due to an emergency.
two as a matter of course. for certain local gigs, i've taken one (it's rare that i've done that!) and i've been mostly lucky on those.
for what you describe = two! good luck on your steady!
+1
I don't understand this attitude of "Nothing can happen that I can't fix."
Nobody ever needed a backup until they did.
I "typically" bring 2. Last gig I brought 1. After 40 years of not having problems I broke a string and had to gut it out without a d string.
The word "typically" is now being replaced by the word always.
The word "typically" is now being replaced by the word always.
I have to admit, I've been gigging on bass for over 25 years, and in all that time I don't think I've ever brought more than one bass to a gig. I've only ever witnessed one case of bass guitar failure, and that was because the owner failed to bring a spare battery for his active bass, so really operator error rather than instrument breakdown.
Now that I've said this, of course, something will fail on my bass at my next gig. </superstitiouswhome?>
Now that I've said this, of course, something will fail on my bass at my next gig. </superstitiouswhome?>
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
For a gig like this, I would bring a backup. You don't want to be running around and screw up the contract.
This could have been a good poll.
2. I own a backup, I see no particularly good reason not to at least have it in the car just in case.
I have a Steinberger Spirit that lives in the trunk of my car. It’s so small (and nondescript, in its black cloth bag) that it’s practically unnoticeable, and certainly no magnet for thieves.
It’s good for three things:
You can pick them up for under $300 on eBay. Totally worth it, both in unmissed opportunities and in peace of mind.
It’s good for three things:
A backup bass. I don’t have to remember to bring one, or keep an eye on it, or load it in and out.
A spontaneous bass. Sometimes playing opportunities arise when I don’t have the logistical option of bringing an instrument beforehand: impromptu jams, dropping by an open mic, etc.
A practice bass. I tossed an old iRig and a set of folding headphones into the bag, making it completely up for practice sessions anywhere—traveling, stuck in traffic, staying at a friend’s, etc. Zero excuses not to practice!
Yeah, it’s a cheap Steinberger, but that still means it’s a neck-through that stays stable through temperature changes, and no protruding parts to bang up. I’ve forgotten about it for more than six months, then pulled it out and found only a few strings fractionally out of tune. Passive pickups, so no batteries to go bad.
You can pick them up for under $300 on eBay. Totally worth it, both in unmissed opportunities and in peace of mind.
For what you describe, two. It's a no brainer. And not in the truck, that does you no good. Have it within reach. By the time you go out and get the bass, you've killed the half-hour set.
My experience, as well. I think any brief, unpaid or low-paid bar gig is not really backup worthy, I know I'm in the minority here when I say that, but after 40 years with zero failures it seems a bit of overkill to bring a backup to that sort of show. Of course, in my day, nobody ever even thought to bring a backup anything and everyone just kept their gear in working condition; this backup idea is much more a modern concept.
However, if you're getting paid good money to work in a highly professional environment, I think it's well worth the effort for the peace of mind it will bring. And, as some have mentioned, if you can incorporate both basses into your regular show, so much the better.
