Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
- Disclosures
- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Multiple basses - Do you use several live?
- Thread starter walknbluez
- Start date
Yep. Sad but true.
If you think it makes a difference to you and the band, then by all means do it.
I used to try and get the tone for every song, but now I just try to get my tone and play it. I have a nice bass and a nice amp and play through a nice PA. I sound like me, with a couple variations but I do that with EQ, Blend, and right hand placement.
If I were in a "tribute" bad or something big time I might try hard to match up, but for my local cover band and jazz quartet gigs in a small rural community, I get by just fine with my Sadowsky bass and Genz Benz amp.
rockstarbassist
Inactive
I use two-
my 4 string tuned CGCF, and my 5 tuned ACGCF (low G is just too much). Both are Spectors and have relatively the same output, although one is 9V P/J and the other is 18V DCs, but I don't have to up or down the volume for either which is good.
I'm looking to get an 18V NS4 so I can more consistent tone and volume live, but the PJ is just so dang nasty when I want some grind, it's hard to put down.
I play 3 songs on the 4, then 5 on the 5, and then 3 on the 4 to close the show. Simple, easy.
In my old cover band we had 3 sets, and used the same tunings for each set, so I used 3 basses, one for each tuning. Still pretty easy.
my 4 string tuned CGCF, and my 5 tuned ACGCF (low G is just too much). Both are Spectors and have relatively the same output, although one is 9V P/J and the other is 18V DCs, but I don't have to up or down the volume for either which is good.
I'm looking to get an 18V NS4 so I can more consistent tone and volume live, but the PJ is just so dang nasty when I want some grind, it's hard to put down.
I play 3 songs on the 4, then 5 on the 5, and then 3 on the 4 to close the show. Simple, easy.
In my old cover band we had 3 sets, and used the same tunings for each set, so I used 3 basses, one for each tuning. Still pretty easy.
I bring a bass tuned down to Eb, for a couple of songs that we play down a half step.
Its a pain.
Its a pain.
I need a 5 string for two songs in my cover band, P with flats for everything else.
We try to keep the momentum going, with as little dead time between songs as possible, so switching was a little awkward. I had them arrange the two songs at the end of the set.
Bright Lights - Matchbox 20 has a piano intro, so I can swap basses during the intro, when that's done, launch into Hard to handle and then break time.
We try to keep the momentum going, with as little dead time between songs as possible, so switching was a little awkward. I had them arrange the two songs at the end of the set.
Bright Lights - Matchbox 20 has a piano intro, so I can swap basses during the intro, when that's done, launch into Hard to handle and then break time.
rockstarbassist
Inactive
I will say that yes, with one set and minimal breaks it's a little difficult. We made our set and arranged the tunes where my frontman says a little deal and what's up to the crowd and then closes down the show both times I switch my ax. Course it takes me maybe, 15-30 seconds max to do this.
Most shows I just use one, but I started playing with a tribute band where one of the sets is always in drop-d. I'm a 5-string guy mainly, but will use a 4-string for the drop set.
I almost always bring a backup bass, but it usually gets tuned up before the show and stays on a stand or in its case for the rest of the night.
I almost always bring a backup bass, but it usually gets tuned up before the show and stays on a stand or in its case for the rest of the night.
Not for tonal reasons, but I bring 2 basses to gigs because our cover band's song list includes songs with 4 different tunings.
Luckily, in 2 years so far, I have not been caught with the wrong tuning for a song.
Now, our lead singer/rhythm guitarist, that's a different story. Talk about a train wreck. He starts a song off in standard tuning (supposed to be 1/2 step down), I adjust my playing up a half step (it was an easy 4 chord song), but lead guitarist doesn't adjust and is expecting singer to retune. I'm trying to tell lead guitarist to play up a 1/2 step, because singer is oblivious to what's going on. Finally about half way through the first verse we are all in the same key, but getting there sure sounded like a hot mess.
Luckily, in 2 years so far, I have not been caught with the wrong tuning for a song.
Now, our lead singer/rhythm guitarist, that's a different story. Talk about a train wreck. He starts a song off in standard tuning (supposed to be 1/2 step down), I adjust my playing up a half step (it was an easy 4 chord song), but lead guitarist doesn't adjust and is expecting singer to retune. I'm trying to tell lead guitarist to play up a 1/2 step, because singer is oblivious to what's going on. Finally about half way through the first verse we are all in the same key, but getting there sure sounded like a hot mess.
I'm usually having a Jazz, a P and a fretless P when I'm playing gigs. I use the fretless for 1 or 2 songs, the Jazz for softer tunes and the P for the rest of it. I like to give all of my basses the same amount of love and attension. Maby it's a bit corny. I don't know. They are like children to me =)
I have never changed basses during a show. I have (30 years) always brought more than 1 bass to a show, just in case, but I tend to only play one. My sound is dialed in for one bass and it just doesn't work overly well to switch basses and change all my settings for a different bass.
I bring 2-3 depending on the set size. Two 5 strings and a fretless 4 string. I have some songs dedicated to the fretless that I could play on the fretted 5's but I can't do the reverse because of I need the B string for few songs. Plus I suck at slapping and strumming a fretless My two 5 strings have such different tonal qualities I like to play them for different songs too. The Warwick gets the really aggressive technical stuff and the Lakland get's the more straight up rockin' and classic funky tunes.
I do mostly weddings gigs, so, I'll bring a fretless 5 for the "dinner set", and then switch over to the fretted 5 for the dance/R&B stuff.
W/ original material, I almost always stick with fretless for gigs or recording.
W/ original material, I almost always stick with fretless for gigs or recording.
The only time I use more than one bass on a gig is when I play DB and slab on the same show, which only happens about twice a year. When I do that, I run 2 separate rigs- my AI combo for DB and my GK1001rbII for slab. Both go direct to the mix from the XLR out.
So there you go- bring a rig for every bass.
So there you go- bring a rig for every bass.
I typically choose the bass I think best fits the set. Sometimes it's a P, sometimes a five string (my TL-Five), but generally I go with the one that seems to work for the majority of the songs.
About the only exception where I take two, is if there's a song that needs to be fretless.
I played a set last weekend and carried two basses, one was the fretless the other was my P-Bass.
About the only exception where I take two, is if there's a song that needs to be fretless.
I played a set last weekend and carried two basses, one was the fretless the other was my P-Bass.
I've pretty much decided after rehearsal last night that I'm going to use only one bass. I played the P on the songs I was using the jazz for and it sounded really good. I had a good tone dialed in and so if I can dial that in at the show, I should be good to go.
Cool thread. I just got a Fender Jazz and found it sounded better to me on several of the songs we do so I brought it to a gig last Saturday and made two switches during the set. Like I've read in this thread, I was probably the only one who noticed the change in sound and it was a bit of a hassle switching. I didn't slow anyone down since our guitarist likes to BS between most songs.
Going forward I'll probably pack both basses but only use one.
Going forward I'll probably pack both basses but only use one.
fretted/fretless. bring both in one double gig bag.
usually use both. sometimes dont. like having the options.
usually use both. sometimes dont. like having the options.
I usually bring two to a gig, my G&L L2000 and L2500. I would use the L2500 for the whole gig but it is HEAVY! (and I went and fractured two of my vertebrae several months ago so it really affects me after too long)
We cover a bunch of songs that were originally recorded with a 5er so I like to use it on those but Ive been trying to switch it out for the 4 banger as soon as I can without disrupting the show. Sometimes its no problem and other times we are trying to keep things rolling and I dont get a chance.
And there are a few songs that I could use my fretless on but I have attempted that yet.
We cover a bunch of songs that were originally recorded with a 5er so I like to use it on those but Ive been trying to switch it out for the 4 banger as soon as I can without disrupting the show. Sometimes its no problem and other times we are trying to keep things rolling and I dont get a chance.
And there are a few songs that I could use my fretless on but I have attempted that yet.
if it is something that is important to you...do it, but at the very least warn the soundman...especially if you are recording. if it isn't the kind of soundman where a warning will make a difference...or if there is not a chance to get a soundcheck with each then you are running the risk of having some unusable audio from recordings and even certain songs where your fans will tell you that your sound was messed up.
a single instrument is also better if it doesn't affect your playing. how you perform is the bottom line and if switching instruments will give you a better night of playing then do it...if it will cause stress or issues scrap it.
i've found that when i was younger or image conscious about playing then switching instruments always seemed like a cool idea and a way to look the part. as i've gotten older and playing has become more about the music and performance i've gravitated towards simple and traveling light. to each his/her own...do what ya gotta do for a great gig.
a single instrument is also better if it doesn't affect your playing. how you perform is the bottom line and if switching instruments will give you a better night of playing then do it...if it will cause stress or issues scrap it.
i've found that when i was younger or image conscious about playing then switching instruments always seemed like a cool idea and a way to look the part. as i've gotten older and playing has become more about the music and performance i've gravitated towards simple and traveling light. to each his/her own...do what ya gotta do for a great gig.
