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How many Basses Does Everbody bring to a gig?

#41
Funny this thread pops up again. A few weeks ago, I needed my backup bass because the jack on my Warwick Streamer Stage I failed: it started sending intermittent but very nasty popping thru my rig.

I suspect that someone (maybe me?!) stepped on or tripped over the instrument cable when it was connected to the bass, thus damaging the jack. Whatever. I just put down the Warwick and finished the gig with my RB5; very minimal inconvenience caused to me, my bandmates, and the audience.
 
#42
The only one I have: Sadowsky jazz 4 string. Even when my other Sadowsky PJ4 is done, I'd still only bring one.

The only time I bring two of an instrument is when I'm playing guitar: one for backup in case a string breaks, sending the floating tremelo into heat and the guitar out of tune.
 
#43
Tonight we played at this tiny bar, and I usually bring 2 or 3 basses, but this time I was in a hurry and only brought the MIM jazz because the last time I brought my Stingray, something in that place caused the tweeter protection light to come on in my cabinet, along with that terrible squeel sound. (it may be neon signs?)

I open the case of the jazz, and something doesnt look right, and its because the d string is broken at the bridge saddle.

My friend drove to our lead guitarist's house and brought back "his" Stingray, but until then I just limped along on 3 strings.

I will always bring 2 from now on and have an extra set of strings too.
 
#44
One to rehearsal and two to a gig. I play 2 4s, but hopefully that will change soon. When I get my 6, I'm still going to bring one of the 4s to gigs. Especially if its close quarters. I'm not going to want the new baby get scratched. Which makes me think I may get a cheaper 5 as a backup. Descisions, descisions...
 
#45
Depends on how easy it is to get to the gig and also what kind of place the venue is. Ideally two - my Sei 6 string and my Hohner B2A - but if it's not easy to get to or there's not going to be much space, just the Sei.

It's a headless model, so a broken string is no big deal - I make sure I carry spare strings (and a battery for the electronics) though, just in case.

Wulf
 
#53
Originally posted by john turner
depends on what songs i'm doing. i always need a fretted and a fretless, and i like to have a backup for each just to be prepared. sometimes i need to bring two fretteds, since they have different tunings, depending on the songs we do.
Click to expand...
That's about 6 basses:
2 fretted in tuning A
2 fretted in tuning B
2 fretless.

WOW!!!!!!

I'd love to see your band play!!!!:)
 
#54
in a perfect world, I'd only drag one to rehearsal and to the shows, but I learned early how many things can go wrong. except for extreme situations I bring 2 basses to gigs. they're either a fretted and a fretless or 2 fretted, depending on the band and the set list.

main axe these days is my fretted Conklin 8. main backup is my GT-7 with a low F# instead of a high F natural.

from the low end,


Stew
 
#55
i bring my Steinberger 5 string Spirit Serie as a back up to the gig. My main bass is my Squier Jazz bass 2002 model sunburst.
For rehearsals i bring 1 bass : my squier jazz.
My Steinberger is GREAT but prefer the LOOK
of the JAzz bass esp. on stage.
:D
 
#56
one to rehearsal, two to almost all gigs (unless they're small gigs)

for jazz gigs i bring my upright and an electric, for other gigs i bring both electrics. i can't imagine flying without a backup - i've repeatedly broken UPRIGHT strings, not to mention electric strings.

when i get a 4 string electric i'll be bringing all 3 electrics to phat phunktion and bon pantalon gigs - i'd like to have the 4 as a fretted backup/slap machine.

if i had an electric upright i'd bring it to BP gigs as well :D
 
#57
Originally posted by Nino-Brown
That's about 6 basses:
2 fretted in tuning A
2 fretted in tuning B
2 fretless.

WOW!!!!!!

I'd love to see your band play!!!!:)
Click to expand...

lol. well, i try to keep it down to 4. i have two double gig bags, so that makes things convenient. if something flakes on one of the fretteds, regardless of tuning, i can struggle through with the other one, usually.

in the past i have brought the doubleneck to shows to use as a catch all backup. depends on the gig, too. if it's not going to be a very attended show, like 1 am on a thursday :eek: :D, i might not bring _everything_ that i would bring on a more exposed show.
 
#60
None! :eek:

That'll be because I haven't actually had a proper gig on bass before! :eek:

Almost all of the gigs I've ever done have been on piano. And generally, I've not brought any more than one piano. Actually, once I brought two - my digital piano, and my Rhodes :cool:

Funnily enough, I ended up using neither, as it turned out the venue had a grand! :) Which is *always* preferable (yes, even to a Rhodes).

As regards the bass - the issue of not having a gig should be rectified, as I've just agreed to join a Jazz/Funk/Fusion-ish band as the bass player! :cool:

And I'll only bring one bass to gigs & rehearsals, being that I only have one bass that I actually play.
 

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