2. My main player and a back up which I leave stashed in the car. Unless weather won’t permit that. Then it’s on stage. I can always run to the car real quick. I’ve brough 1 bass a few times though. But always a passive PBass. Any actives and you never really know. Better to be safe than sorry I always say.
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I'd bring all that crap if I was touring, otherwise I draw the line at a Guitool (screwdrivers and allen wrenches), a spare string set, 9V batteries and fuses.
It doesn't take me 15 minutes to change a broken string, which BTW has only happened to me exactly once in 38 years.
Once I had to refit the bridge on my DB after it collapsed twice on a gig. The band just kept going, as they should. Luckily the soundpost didn't fall over
Usually one for regular church gigs, but two for choir concerts, and two for all other non-church gigs along with backup amp.
I also have the church gigs, and one of the two locations we play has a rack of church-owned guitars/basses, so I'll just bring one bass with me. The other is a shared building, so nothing stashed there, so I'll bring my backup then.
Though, since it's church, I would have time to make any repairs while the pastor is preaching, or between services, so I do keep a toolkit (and soldering iron) in the car.
Though, since it's church, I would have time to make any repairs while the pastor is preaching, or between services, so I do keep a toolkit (and soldering iron) in the car.
Depending on the gig, I used 1-3 basses. I tend to put extra effort into work and think subtle nuance is important, but I also agree with work smarter not harder. The two philosophies are not mutually exclusive, but sometimes at odds.
The instruments I used most over a 20+ year professional period were:
1. 6-string fretted electric bass [series 1 Yamaha TRB6P]
2. 4-string acoustic upright bass (bowed/pizz) [various]
3. 6-string electric upright (pizz) [NS Design US Series]
My last touring rig consisted of an Ashley MX508 rack mixer, QSC stereo power amp, and an Eden D210XLT. I also had a D410XLT and GK 700RB/112 combo if I need to go smaller or larger.
Broke a string once, in 1976, playing 7 nights a week and sometimes days too.
Just don’t see the need for a backup. Will tote a fretless if I can get away with not bringing the upright(plus my regular player).
Never had a problem, just lucky I guess
Just don’t see the need for a backup. Will tote a fretless if I can get away with not bringing the upright(plus my regular player).
Never had a problem, just lucky I guess
- Sep 14, 2009
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I voted "1" meaning "1 piece per kind I need that night":
1 double bass (most of the time, these days), or
1 double bass + 1 fretted, or
1 fretted + 1 fretless.
Few times I went to a gig carrying double bass, fretless and fretted, but usually I try to reduce the effort by carrying only what I really need for that particular gig.
1 double bass (most of the time, these days), or
1 double bass + 1 fretted, or
1 fretted + 1 fretless.
Few times I went to a gig carrying double bass, fretless and fretted, but usually I try to reduce the effort by carrying only what I really need for that particular gig.
If you don't have it, get a bass with an active/ passive switch or add one. My new P elite has it and it really removes the anxiety of battery failure.
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I bring 2 but one is a backup, one is intended to work all night. Just sometimes it doesn’t work out that way.
You're right of course. I already have a G&L L2500 with an active and passive switch, I just never take it along. I really should I guess, just never do.
I did have an active bass fail once on a gig, but it wasn't the battery. Some kind of "op amp" went bad.
I'm usually only bring 1. Lots to choose from but as of late ive been playing mostly originals in clubs with other bands and with the gear all mixed up its enough of a job to keep track of my essentials. I also value packing light. That being said I'm having a bass built to hopefully function as a kind of multi-tool to get the tones of the three styles of bass I use most.
Gigging forever and always brought two. Mainly to have a back up, but also to change things up from time to time.
About a year ago, I left the second one in the car (I usually bring it in), and wouldn't you know it, plugged my jazz in and the neck pup was dead. First time in 30+ years I needed my backup, but glad I didn't get complacent.
Gotta have a backup.
About a year ago, I left the second one in the car (I usually bring it in), and wouldn't you know it, plugged my jazz in and the neck pup was dead. First time in 30+ years I needed my backup, but glad I didn't get complacent.
Gotta have a backup.
