How many basses do you take to a gig?

[Fine Cut]

i always take 2, my P bass and my VM jazz. i bring them both not as much because i need a backup, but more because i use them both equally

 

[4Mal]

I like having both flat's & rounds available so typically a pair of J's. If I get brave enough to start using the Fretless in public, then maybe that one will replace the one with flats. I want to carry smaller - not larger ...

 

[ronster91]

The most I have ever brought was 2 4-strings.

 

[51m0n]

1 bass

I've only ever broken a string once at a gig, and that was my own fault for not swapping out an old set.

I always take care of any issues however minor as soon as they show up and before they could threaten a gig.

 

[T-MOST]

ONE!

 

[Willy2911]

Usually 2, but sometimes I will take my acoustic, depending on gig

 

[bobbybass85]

Usually take 2... unless the drummer is bringing all 7 toms, both kicks, 3 snares and 2 hi-hats. At that point I bring whatever I want on stage lol

 

[Eilif]

I bring two.

In my previous two bands, it was a real asset to have a 4 string passive, and a 5 string frettless active bass. Now in my country band, and I only really need one, but I still like to be prepared. Even for short 45 minute gigs, I like to have a backup. If it's a long gig, I somtimes like to mix it up a bit, even if I'm the only one who notices the difference in tone.

 

[thesteve]

I bring one...

largely because I only own one.

 

[jimmy rocket]

Dos. A 4 banger and a 5

 

[bggeezer]

2...one to play and one spare.

I used to take only one till i kept breaking strings (nut problem)

ironically since i started taking two i've never had a problem...but you never know...

In my last band (a pink floyd tribute), i used to drop d tune down the spare for 'brick in wall' and then tune it back up during the break.

 

[SteveC]

I take and use one. No backup. Never needed one - so now I will...

 

[Kraken]

at least 2, and they are both tuned different, although I will occasionally have another around 'in case' something goes wrong with one of mine, someone from another band has their only bass fail first song into their set, stuff like that.

Boy Scout Motto "Be Prepared" stuck with me since I was 7

 

[Lazylion]

For the vast majority of gigs over 35 years, I've only brought one. Broke a string once, in 1980, it would have been nice to have had a spare bass, or even a spare string! Had to rush out to a nearby club and buy a string from that band's bassist. I've been carrying spare strings ever since, and never needed one. Once in a while I get a paranoid premonition, and I'll bring a second bass, and I might even use it, but I've never needed it, except for that one time in '80.

Lately in my originals band, I've been bringing two, one tuned standard, and one tuned DGCF. My cousin writes songs with cool but insanely difficult riffs, and one song in particular benefits from having a big fat low D at critical moments, and also from the fact that I can actually play the main riff consistently on a bass tuned in D. We arrange the set list so that I swap basses while my brother is switching between acoustic & electric guitars. Luckily, most of our tunes I can play on either bass.

 

[Mr-Wunderful]

I take 2 for out of town gigs. Usually just take one one locally if I know the other bands we're playing with. I always have spare strings. When I get a second SB1 I'll be stringing it with flats so I'll always have 2 even locally.

 

[Kgoodrich]

I'm lazy. I only take one.

+1

 

[MakiSupaStar]

I take two. No pretension. Good common sense, in case something, somehow happens with one, it's always good to have a backup. And they're so easy to carry, why not take a second, if you have it???

+1. Two. Even if it stays in the car or off stage, I bring two. You never know what might happen. I've got a dodgy strap lock on my warwick that I'm worried about. I'll bring my SX Jazz boob bass for back up.

 

[primussucks_79]

I always have a 5-string and a 4-string.... i use the 4 for a lot of funk and slap and a 5 for everything else

 

[buzzbass]

+1. Two. Even if it stays in the car or off stage, I bring two. You never know what might happen. I've got a dodgy strap lock on my warwick that I'm worried about. I'll bring my SX Jazz boob bass for back up.

Maki, contact Dana B. Goods about that strap lock and they'll send you a new one. They've done it a couple of times for me over the years. The inlaid ones have a tendency to wear and enlarge over time.

 

[john_g]

These days I would take 3 (1 main standard tuned Jazz, my VM fretless I use on a few songs, and one that I am going to throw flats on for more thumpy stuff) If I had a 5 string too I would probably take 4. Im not trying to be pretentious, being a cover band requires different tones.

I do recommend that if you can to take more than 1...

This was years ago but we were at the biggest gig I ever was a part of. Industry showcase with major record labels there, MTV news, press coverage, the works. I set my bass on a stand and went to tweak some things a few minutes before going on. All I remember hearing was something similar to that El Cabong cartoon when my bass fell face first off the stage! Nothing was broken but it was totally out of tune and I had to hand it off to a friend that was helping to tune it in time. What a nightmare that was!