How many Basses Does Everbody bring to a gig?

[beaglesandbass]

2 basses and my gig bag which contains miscellaneous stuff for gigs.

 

[catcauphonic]

Ususally just my 5'er with a pack of precut strings.

That's genius!

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.

Oof, sorry for your pain I try to treat other people's things even better than my own

 

[KohanMike]

It's so interesting to me how a post comes up specifically about something I was thinking about. Just yesterday I thought about bringing more than one bass to a gig, mainly for different songs, and as a back up. I've only been playing bass (uke) for about two years and never had a problem, but ya never know, so I'm thinking of making up a tree using a small fold away photo light stand I have and three clamp-on hangers.

 

[TomB]

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.

...been there. Have had bridges come apart (I know), several strings break, jacks go wonky, strap pins come loose, and (one time) a headstock was broken. So I bring 2.

 

[9mmMike]

Since my original answer of 2 (back in 2013), I still take two. I cannot recall ever needing the spare but I usually alternate them from set to set anyway.

 

[rufus.K]

1


I've had this bite me once in 15 years.

 

[shadven]

2 Fenders ('65 P, '68 Telecaster Bass a my no. 1) for one set gigs. I'll add a Gibson Thunderbird if I play more than 1 set.

 

[ubernator]

Usually 2, but if there are different tunings, I might bring 3 or 4.

I have broken several strings over the years.

 

[BassikLee]

Two

 

[Mdrummey]

I always bring two. My second bass is fretless so it's not only a backup but another option all together.

 

[interp]

I bring one bass. The only time I've ever broken a string was on a gig in 1968.

 

[gfaulkner]

Depends on the gig and space available.When I do bring two,one has flats and the other round wounds.

 

[ahc]

 

[Stevorebob]

Still two, but now one is tuned a half-step down, so I play both.

 

[Dale Griffith]

For 33 years I only HAD 1 bass and never had a problem. I've never even broken a string (although I have always carried a spare set). I now have 8 basses but still only take one to a gig.

I think I'm much more likely to have a problem with an amp or cab. I currently use an amp and 2 cabs, but also take a lightweight class D amp as a spare. So far I haven't needed it.

I've played off and on in bands since the late '60s and have never had an equipment failure onstage. I guess I'm both very lucky---and overdue.

 

[phillybass101]

2. Same for bass heads. Murphy is a busy Cat. Your thread reminded me of when I took one bass to the Gig and the drummer was getting ready to count off the first song. All my strings were dead flat against the fretboard. I had a flood in my crib and the recovery specialists had all kinds of machines running to dry things up. My neck had shifted. With very little time I took my string height adjustment wrench and tweaked the saddles until I could at least play the bass. When I took it to my tech to get fixed he just started cracking up. It wasn't too funny at the time all I could think was just let me get through this gig without my neck blowing up and apart

 

[socialleper]

I bring 2 basses.
One tuned CGCF and one tuned BEAD.
Back when we played in DADG and B I could use one 5 string. Then the guitarist got a wild hair and I started using two basses.

 

[georgiagoodie]

(2) for gigs
(1) for rehearsals

 

[bassbenj]

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.

Dude, a man just has to learn that life is better if you have certain things you just don't loan out. These include: Expensive instruments (some would say ANY instruments), your motorcycles, and your Significant Other. And that ESPECIALLY goes for loaning them to other musicians! YMMV.

 

[bassbenj]

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

Same here. If they are both on stage it is typically a fretted-fretless pair. But even if I'm only using one bass I always have some kind of backup within grabable distance during a break in case some disaster strikes.