Yeah, if you're going to the trouble to bring it, have it out of its case, in tune, and on a stand. Otherwise you're going to defeat the purpose if you actually need it. And yep, I don't leave anything I bring to a show out of sight unless there's a locked green room.
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I have never brought more than one and I don't think I ever would unless I had to switch between standard and Eb often. Then I could have one tuned for each scenario.
I gigged with one bass for many years but now I bring two to every gig. My dingwall is my main bass. My Mexican fender jazz is the backup. I like to have a backup just in case because I’ve had some minor issues the most common being output jacks failing at least a half dozen times over 20 years of gigging and I don’t want to let the fans or my band mates down. I think anyone who plays paying gigs should have a backup. It’s just part of being professional in my opinion. Doesn’t have to be anything fancy, just something to finish the gig with. I went with the Mexican jazz as a backup because it’s affordable and super reliable (totally passive so no batteries and less parts to worry about but it’s not so cheap that parts like the tuners are sketchy)
We all share a big stand onstage. Means I have to walk across the stage to switch but i rarely switch and feel much better about my basses being on the big stand than the little Tripod style that are easier to knock over
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Usually two.....but coming up gig.....three. one tuned down whole step (4 stringer, old Charvel for that 80s vibe). two tuned down 1/2 step (main player and backup both 5ers). Two amp heads too...
Usually one. Your seven week contract - will you be away for those seven weeks or is it local? If you're away from home base, I'd take two. The backup probably wouldn't be a high end bass since it likely won't have the same level of security as when it's at home.
I always brought two for any paid gig and both were on stage ready to go if needed. Whether it was a dingy pub, a wedding gig or a club... if I couldn’t swap them within 10 seconds and continuing the song/set then there’s not much point having a spare in my mind!
Even on the tiniest stage never had a problem placing them on stage with me!
Even on the tiniest stage never had a problem placing them on stage with me!
- Jun 6, 2012
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Seriously. Two or three fretted (depending on the gig) and a fretless.
I have a lot of basses that I really like and I like to play 'em out.
Thanks to the fine advise offered here, I take 2 - 1 primary and one backup. Even in my short time of gigging I've had to use the backup (strap pin pulled out). Was able to fix the primary between sets, but I would have delayed the start of the show if I hadn't had the backup.
Luckily, I run FOH so I don't need double amps, but I do have a backup of everything I need to gig (cables, DI, mic, strings, batteries, etc). Not everything is equal in quality to my primary gear, but the show could continue.
Luckily, I run FOH so I don't need double amps, but I do have a backup of everything I need to gig (cables, DI, mic, strings, batteries, etc). Not everything is equal in quality to my primary gear, but the show could continue.
It was originally going to be quasi-local - about a 90 minute drive - but my wife just took a new job which puts the contract 4 hours away from the new house. I'm also assessing which tools I'll need to keep with me that would normally just sit in my tool box.
