How many Basses Does Everbody bring to a gig?

[SanDiegoHarry]

Usually just one unless the gig calls for me to swap between fretted and fretless.

 

[Siggy]

I always bring a backup. I don't always get it out but it's there "just in case".

 

[Slough Feg Bass]

I usually only take one bass.
However, if it is a high profile gig or a very well paying gig, then yes, I will bring a backup just in case.

 

[vin*tone]

I sometimes bring both my upright and P bass.

 

[Salicete]

2 unless a 5-string will be needed, then 3.

 

[Mosstone]

Two... Sometimes one... Mostly one.

I've never broken a string or needed a backup at a gig. One time my Rickenbacker crapped out at an open jam, but another kind soul offered me his modded Squier PJ to play. He must have thought I was a gear snob or something, because he was almost apologetic about it being a Squier and was quick to let me know that he had tricked it out. I didnt care. That bass sounded and played great... I would say, it sounded immeasurably better than my Rickenbacker at that moment. But I digress.

Unless I'm traveling far away from home, or I just want to play a particular bass on a few songs, I'll just bring one bass. Other than the above incident, I've never had bass failure (amp failure, yeah, but not bass failure). I play finger-style, so I don't even know how to break a string and if I ever felt sketchy about the electronics, I wouldn't even bring it. But I do my own mods/wiring on all my basses, and I haven't let me down yet.

 

[Papa Walsh]

I bring what I think I'll need for the show, always the Jazz and occasionally the EUB or the active 5 string tenor.

I understand the desire to have a back up instrument, for years I always brought a back up bass. Honestly though, things were different then, I was playing an active five string and didn't take the precautions I take now (even still I only had issues twice, one time a broken string and one time a failing battery). Now I change my strings every two weeks and my main bass is a passive four banger with a professional set up, so there isn't a lot that can go wrong there.

In the end, for me its about removing variables that would require the need for a back up bass in the first place, If I'm taking out any of my basses I make sure that they're set up well with relatively fresh strings and new batteries if applicable.

 

[Bodeanly]

Two basses per gig: Standard 4 with flats and a BEAD with rounds.

 

[TinIndian]

I always bring two. A 4 string and a 5 string. A good third of our setlist requires a 5 string but I always have a back up. Never leave anything to chance.

 

[Kirk Bryant]

I've been taking 2 to all gigs for about 30 years. I had broken strings on gigs before without a backup. But usually carried strings with me. Then one time I actually broke TWO strings in one night and had the same backup strings with the G missing! I vowed then and there to never be unprepared again. So I started carrying both an extra bass and strings. It was a problem with the bridge saddle that I got fixed but I kept the habit. I've only broken a couple of strings on the job since then. But I still carry 2, 99.999% of the time. Just the other day I only took my RW P and I had a nagging feeling something was wrong all night. Haha Normaly it's a 5 and a 4 string.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

Well, the question is in the title - how many?

I have joined a band, but we're not yet gigging, and my past experience has been on guitar. Normally for me on guitar I take at least 2, sometimes 3, to a gig. Mostly to have one for backup in case a string breaks - I'm very much a one instrument, this is my tone kinda guy. On bass, even more so - I dial in my sweet spot and sound like me, and depend on technique to make required tonal changes and fit the song. Also, my band is pretty straight ahead hard rock, so I don't need a wide palette so much as a good solid tone.

Having said that, I have finally found the bass that gives me everything I want. I'm trying to figure out if I need to justify going out and finding another that will serve no real purpose other than being a backup instrument at gigs in case of catastrophic failure. Or, if it's just for backup, do I just bring along my previous number one, a very solid MIM standard P, for backup? If I sell the P I can get more goodies for my rig....

So, do you gig without a backup? Your thoughts on the matter?

2 sometimes 3. Main, backup, and Fretless if needed.

 

[BurnOut]

I understand the guitarist way you're looking at this. Back when I did that, it usually involved Floyd Rose and a broke string meant, You're Out

 

[EdwardofHuncote]

Two, always.

 

[Gluvhand]

2.

 

[Manticore]

I always bring at least two. The last time I needed more than one was the last time I only brought one...carry a spare!!!

 

[Colinos5]

TB is the only place I've ever come across people saying 'No way I'm letting somebody touch my bass.' Hope i don't get on a bill and need one with one of these guys bands

Present!

A few years ago someone asked if he could borrow my brand new Sandberg California. Now there's a dent in my bass which reminds me every time that I shouldn't trust others with my bass. I'm scarred man. Years of saving for a beautiful bass just to have it damaged within 3 weeks after purchase.

 

[DenisLM]

Typically one, but sometimes 3 ( a 4 string, a 6 string and the Chapman Stick).
Also I always carry the old strings in the case/bag of every single instrument I own. In this way the strings are already "molded" to the bass and is a easy and fast swap. I did in on stage twice in 16 years and several times in rehearsals.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Generally one bass. Almost anything that goes wrong with a four string fretted bolt on neck passive bass can be fixed. Never had one go down in 35 years. On occasion a second if I am in the mood, and don't have to bring an amp. I like to travel light.

 

[brianrost]

I used to bring a backup bass and even a backup amp but nothing ever broke down. So I stopped doing it.

 

[godofthunder59]

At the very least two, I always have a back up.