I will never gig without a backup ever again...

[Bass Ape]

Last weekend right before the beginning of our show I bent down to put my set list on the ground.
I felt and heard a crack and without warning my black dress pants split all the way from the bottom of the zipper to the belt in the back. Thank god I was wearing a suit jacket and black underwear. Needless to say, I played with my back close to the Ampeg fridge the entire set and did not turn around once.
I will bring backup pants from now on, unfortunately I will still only be able to being one bass to most shows.

I would rather split my pants at a gig than have equipment go down, lol.

kick that punk rock party up a notch!

 

[2saddleslab]

Last weekend right before the beginning of our show I bent down to put my set list on the ground.
I felt and heard a crack and without warning my black dress pants split all the way from the bottom of the zipper to the belt in the back. Thank god I was wearing a suit jacket and black underwear. Needless to say, I played with my back close to the Ampeg fridge the entire set and did not turn around once.
I will bring backup pants from now on, unfortunately I will still only be able to being one bass to most shows.

Somewhat similar story as I bent down to plug something in during setup I heard zzzzzzzzzzzzz. I felt the horror of what I suspected was a huge rip on my backside. Turns out it was just my rear end rubbing against a music stand. Crisis averted.

Since we play some songs 1/2 step down & some standard I always bring 2 basses. Nice to have a builtin backup.

 

[WI Short Scaler]

No, but have contingencies in place to go direct to our PA if needed.

After one incident over 20 years ago I always carry 2 basses to gigs.

Aside from that. I carry a cable in case of issues with my wireless. I bought a red cable to separate it from all the normal black one and the one time I had an issue it was a quick grab and plug in, carry on.

I also carry a direct box in case of a failure on my Rumble 100. Haven't had to use that yet but it's there and had our guitarist buy one as well.

And a small bag of tools in case something else breaks. I've used that on stands and our guitarist's input jack.

And our guitarist always brings the small mixer we use at practice in case of a breakdown with the main mixer. Extra mics and cables always on hand.

I'm covered for most things except PA speakers as of now.

 

[WRM]

Only one I ever heard of smoking like that.

Here's one from a video posted in a different thread - note the "poorly repaired" comment (and disregard most of the other technical "explanation/advice" in there):

 

[Jim C]

I've always been more sensitive to an amp failure and almost always have a spare (did need it once).
But never thought I'd need a backup to a Fender bass. I need to rethink this...

 

[BlueTalon]

Yikes!

We’ve all seen overdriven speakers catch fire, but I can’t remember seeing an amp going up in smoke like that!

I haven't. Sounds like fun, if it's not something essential for a gig.

 

[Mildew Jones]

I'm a double bagger, always bring 2 basses to the gig. Haven't had to use the 2nd due to issues, but ever since I had a P-bass die on me mid gig and acquired a 2nd bass I've always brought 2.
MJ

 

[Fuzzbass]

In 4 decades I've only needed backup a half-dozen times. Worst examples:

• Early gig with my new 1983 Music Man Cutlass. The nut broke, sending the E string flopping off the side of the neck
• Jack went bad on my new-to-me Warwick Streamer Stage 1 fiver

Neither were field-repairable. Backups saved the show.



P.S. I also break a string about once per decade. Yeah, a string can be replaced, but it's unprofessional to bring the show to a screeching halt while the string is changed -- and I believe it's also unprofessional to limp along on a missing string until the end of the set. Guitarists typically switch to a different guitar when they break a string, and bassists should too.

 

[FRoss6788]

In 4 decades I've only needed backup a half-dozen times. Worst examples:

• Early gig with my new 1983 Music Man Cutlass. The nut broke, sending the E string flopping off the side of the neck
• Jack went bad on my new-to-me Warwick Streamer Stage 1 fiver

Neither were field-repairable. Backups saved the show.



P.S. I also break a string about once per decade. Yeah, a string can be replaced, but it's unprofessional to bring the show to a screeching halt while the string is changed -- and I believe it's also unprofessional to limp along on a missing string until the end of the set. Guitarists typically switch to a different guitar when they break a string, and bassists should too.

Yep.

Thinking you're going to do ANY string change or repair in the middle of a gig and be invited back or have a reputation as a professional is delusional.

 

[Geri O]

I haven't. Sounds like fun, if it's not something essential for a gig.

Oh, it’s fun until the owner/boss comes into the shop the next morning and smells burned paper and glue and starts asking questions….

 

[JC BASS 91]

Shipment notification for replacement tuners came in today. Maybe they will arrive before the gig this Saturday. If not, I will pick two of my other basses to go to that gig. Guess we will wait and see.

 

[mikeswals]

Do You bring an extra amp?

Every venue with PA will also have DI boxes. In the event of an amp failure, a quick swap over to only a DI box shouldn't take more than 1 to 2 minutes.

 

[foothilla]

Yep.

Thinking you're going to do ANY string change or repair in the middle of a gig and be invited back or have a reputation as a professional is delusional.

Someone should've told that to Michael Hedges (3:30 mark, fearless string change)

 

[TheArchitect]

Someone should've told that to Michael Hedges (3:30 mark, fearless string change)

When you reach that level, sure. For us mortals, no

 

[Fuzzbass]

Do You bring an extra amp?

Micro amps are awesome as backup. I don't usually bring it into the venue, but it's in my SUV should something go wrong with my primary amp (which might also be a micro).

 

[Bill Whitehurst]

I believe Forrest Gump predicted such a thing might happen.

Murphy too.

 

[JC BASS 91]

Two of the four new tuners arrived today and I got them installed. Found that the plastic washers on all four (where the adjustment meets the tuner body) have broken. The one on the detuner is the worst of the lot. Fortunately, the other two tuners are scheduled to arrive tomorrow and I can get this bass back in the rotation.

In other news, my dual gig bag is scheduled for delivery on Saturday. Hopefully it will arrive in time for me to throw my basses in it before our gig.

 

[Geddyfleaharris]

I have always, always, always brought 2 basses. If there is limited stage room, then the second bass stays in its case offstage. But it is there.

The only time I have not brought 2 was December 2022. We were doing a 2-set, semi-acoustic gig, 5 minutes from my house.

 

[JC BASS 91]

This bass was my savior at that gig. It was a pretty sweet little bass.

 

[Remguy]

I plan on having myself cloned, in case *I* break down during a gig...