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How many Basses Does Everbody bring to a gig?

#583
My pack-for-the-gig routine includes plugging into an amp and doing a quick function check, and testing the battery since I use active basses. I only bring one bass, but I always have a spare set of strings and some fresh batteries in the gig bag. My run bag is fulla stuff: spare Speakon cables, spare guitar cord, several XLR cables, spare tuner, spare ear plugs, spare mic, some basic tools, a flashlight, AC extension cord, surge protector, gaffer's tape...
 
#584
two........i also bring two amps (in case my primary fails)....I also bring an Emergency Idiot Bag: in it are extra bass strings, extra guitar strings, picks ( i dont use picks), drumsticks, a drum key, soldering iron/solder, tape, and other assorted stuff
 
#585
I've only ever brought one to a gig even though I own 4. I guess I am truly a man of convenience. I just don't want to carry that much stuff! If I got a really nice gig bag that held two basses I then might take two but would still be more than likely to just use one for the entire gig.
 
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#588
catcauphonic said:
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 :laugh:
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This. We always play on bills with other bands. More often than not we know the bands, so sharing gear isn't a big deal with anyone. On two occasions I've let touring bands use my bass after our opening set. That's almost unheard of in the TB world, but there are a lot of things that only happen on TB and not in the real life.
 
#589
Aahzz said:
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?
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I only own one bass. It has proven itself to be incredibly reliable. I've never needed a backup, even when I brought one. That doesn't mean I won't ever need one, but, I'm confident enough to only bring my one amp and bass.
 
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#591
On very rare occasions I bring both an upright and a bass guitar when the gig calls for both, so I suppose if one failed I could finish the gig with the other (with some adjustments to my playing, obviously). If it's a bass guitar only gig, I just bring one + a pack of strings. I've never had a string break or any other technical problems on any gig.
 
#592
2 If I have room and the time. its always the band before you that needs to borrow gear. So instead of being the guy that says "no take a hike you cant sweat all over my strings and crap up my fretboard before I go on.", I bring a beater bass as a backup/loaner. Mostly the loaner, though.

extra strings are all you'll really need, and I'm not sure I've ever broken a bass string.
 
#594
How many bass I bring can hinge on two points:

stock-photo-fishes-tench-roach-bass-catch-in-old-retro-rusty-bucket-112818577.jpg

how many I caught that day, and how many people are coming for dinner
 
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#598
I bring 2. One I'll play the other is a spare. For the longest time the main player was my P. But I'm embarrassed to admit lately I use my Hamer 2TEK Cruise in quite a few rooms. So that comes along as the spare most nights and ends up being played more than one might expect. I'm sure my 75 J will come back into favor at some point. The Hamer will probably be the ready and waiting spare.
 
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#600
Used to be only one.
Been playing for 25 years and NEVER broke a string. Then it happened, fortunately 5 minutes from my home. My bandmate filled the time with an audience participation version of Piano Man and I was back in no time to pick up the rest of the set. Crowd never knew.....but now I carry two.
 
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