For me personally, I've had multiple catastrophies at gigs, so I always bring a backup bass with me, and I've just got into the habit of bringing a toolkit, extra strings, extra cables, and anything else that could prove useful in a tight squeeze. You never know what's going to happen between your place and the venue. Or during a gig for that matter.
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How many basses do you take to a gig?
- Thread starter Busker
- Start date
Usually only 1, sometimes 2. Always have both on stage with me so backup doesn't "walk away". Have never needed backup ever.
I have always taken 2 but, knock on wood, the backup has never been used. I think that it is somewhat irresponsible NOT to have a backup on hand especially if you already own more than one bass. What if something goes horribly wrong?!
To me it is like not having an extra set of strings... I actually carry extra guitar strings too... just in case my guitarist needs them!
Ox.
To me it is like not having an extra set of strings... I actually carry extra guitar strings too... just in case my guitarist needs them!
Ox.
I always just took one.
I toured with one.
Sure, I had to use some other bands crappy backups sometimes (twice to be exact, which is very few considering the amount of shows I played) due to string breakage, yeah, I used to be pretty tough.
Every tour I was ever a part of had a friendly band along and we would split equipment anyway. We were each others backups.
I toured with one.
Sure, I had to use some other bands crappy backups sometimes (twice to be exact, which is very few considering the amount of shows I played) due to string breakage, yeah, I used to be pretty tough.
Every tour I was ever a part of had a friendly band along and we would split equipment anyway. We were each others backups.
Well, I guess if you play with other guys then it would be cool to bring just one. I never have. We play 4 hour shows with no other bands. I would lend my bass to someone if they needed it as long as they weren't a total jackhole.
Ox.
I do the 'pick a p-bass and go to the show' deal (lately my orange one wins that contest). I've never had a bass failure (knocking on wood desk). Amps, however, tend to be evil to me.
I wouldn't take a known questionable instrument or amp to a show. I can make due with begged/borrowed/stolen equipment, though. Denber is friendly enough that I could almost always get by with borrowed gear. My worst case is that I'll have to use a DI and crank the bass in the monitors.
I wouldn't take a known questionable instrument or amp to a show. I can make due with begged/borrowed/stolen equipment, though. Denber is friendly enough that I could almost always get by with borrowed gear. My worst case is that I'll have to use a DI and crank the bass in the monitors.
I always bring 2 basses, one 4 string & one 5 string. I could play the entire gig with the 5, but it's a lot easier to play slap/chords on the 4 string. I always bring a stand and to switch basses takes about 5 seconds.
I've had my share of disasters at gigs as well (strings breaking, batteries dying, input jacks not working etc.) to know to come well prepared for anything and everything. I make sure I always have a fresh battery, screwdriver w spare batteries, wire cutters, extra strings etc.
Better safe than sorry.
I've had my share of disasters at gigs as well (strings breaking, batteries dying, input jacks not working etc.) to know to come well prepared for anything and everything. I make sure I always have a fresh battery, screwdriver w spare batteries, wire cutters, extra strings etc.
Better safe than sorry.
I bring two. I like to use similar basses on my gigs just in case something does go wrong, its not that big a deal.
I usually bring a pair of Precisions (a fretted and a fretless) and swap them out for different songs.
However if the gig does not call for fretless at all, I'll usually bring a pair of fretted P basses. When I do its usually my 08 P-bass thats my main bass as its very aggressive and full sounding with GHS Precision Flats. When people hear it without seeing it, its usually mistaken for a Jazz bass with the treble rolled off. I personally think it sounds closer to Stuart Zender's Precision when he played with Jamiroquai on Runaway. (I think it was him at least, unless I'm wrong on that one [Abbey Road version])
I rarely bring any of my jazzes out since two of them are fretless and I find that the output from my fretted J isn't "hot" enough.
I usually bring a pair of Precisions (a fretted and a fretless) and swap them out for different songs.
However if the gig does not call for fretless at all, I'll usually bring a pair of fretted P basses. When I do its usually my 08 P-bass thats my main bass as its very aggressive and full sounding with GHS Precision Flats. When people hear it without seeing it, its usually mistaken for a Jazz bass with the treble rolled off. I personally think it sounds closer to Stuart Zender's Precision when he played with Jamiroquai on Runaway. (I think it was him at least, unless I'm wrong on that one [Abbey Road version])
I rarely bring any of my jazzes out since two of them are fretless and I find that the output from my fretted J isn't "hot" enough.
I can think of at least four times where my habit of bringing a backup bass was the difference between the show going on and the show coming to an early end.
I usually bring my main 6 and back it up with my other 6. Occasionally I'll bring my 5 to mix things up a bit which works fine since I lean on the B string more than the C.
But, I *like* having more than one bass on hand, and I always end up playing them both over the course of the night. Different basses make me feel like playing different things.
If you own several basses that you enjoy playing and you actually use them, there's nothing wrong with bringing more than one to a show.
I usually bring my main 6 and back it up with my other 6. Occasionally I'll bring my 5 to mix things up a bit which works fine since I lean on the B string more than the C.
But, I *like* having more than one bass on hand, and I always end up playing them both over the course of the night. Different basses make me feel like playing different things.
If you own several basses that you enjoy playing and you actually use them, there's nothing wrong with bringing more than one to a show.
I take one, and don't even play all the notes on it.
How often have you suddenly needed a backup on a gig? If it's once or never, could you play the fretless in a pinch when you'd normally play a fretted? If so, there's your backup.
How often have you suddenly needed a backup on a gig? If it's once or never, could you play the fretless in a pinch when you'd normally play a fretted? If so, there's your backup.
Exact reason for only having one onstage and visable. Our guitarist always has an extra guitar and every drunk wants to sit in with you, ok in a small bar setting when there is no one to entertain bur not great for keeping people dancing.
Only 1 for small gigs (mostly what I do). 2 if it's for a large venue/crowd. I make sure that before every gig that my bass is mechanically and electrically sound. I always bring a small set of tools in my gig bag just in case (haven't needed them yet). Always bring spare strings.
It depends. If you have "your" sound with one, then you generally don't need more. If your band does lots of different stuff, you might want to mix it up some. If you record, the engineer might have a preference on what you bring (most of them don't want actives and oftentimes you bring every bass you have and they might even have one or two they'd rather record).
- Mar 1, 2005
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- Endorsing Artist: Crook Custom Guitars
2 is the minimum. Which 2 depends on which band, what material, etc. Always 5's, as that's all I have gigged with since around 1999 or so.
For a long time I only took one. Hey, I can play a set with three strings if I have too (and I have)! I did start to worry a little bit, though, when I started using a Fender Jazz 5-string with an active preamp that had no "emergency" bypass switch.
Recently, I found an cheap Ibanez 4-string on Craigslist for $60, put it in a gig bag I already had, and now keep it in the van "just in case."
Can't see the need to carry around more than two basses.
Recently, I found an cheap Ibanez 4-string on Craigslist for $60, put it in a gig bag I already had, and now keep it in the van "just in case."
Can't see the need to carry around more than two basses.
One. I believe in quality gear & good maintenance. I don't spare money when I buy my basses - that's why I have just 2. They're both completely reliable.
Regarding broken strings; I play with fingers with an occassional slap. I usually buy new strings before going to the studio - broke a string just once, and it wasn't during the gig.
Regarding broken strings; I play with fingers with an occassional slap. I usually buy new strings before going to the studio - broke a string just once, and it wasn't during the gig.
