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Not bringing a spare: lesson learned

jimc

jimc

Sep 17, 2002
902
149
71
New Carsmell, CA
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#1
So this past weekend my band was playing an outdoor gig. I knew temps were probably going to be triple digits. I usually bring a spare bass but, because I don't like leaving a spare back stage when there are multiple bands and, because I don't like leaving a bass in my car when it's really hot, I decided to just take one bass.

It's a passive Nordy PJ5 and has been rock solid since I got it a couple of years ago or so.

So we're playing 5:30 to 7pm and the stage is facing directly into the sun. We're all sweating like pigs, drinking gallons of water etc. When I hear my bass cut out on a note. I'm using a wireless, battery should be good, but decide between songs to go to my backup cord.

As I pull the wireless cord out, the hex-nut from the input socket falls out, I try to plug in my cord but the socket pushes up into the body.

I left my tool bag in my car which we had to move a fair ways from stage, now I'm really sweating! The sound crew loan me a screwdriver and needle nosed pliers, the band is still onstage and start jamming on a song without me. I manage to reach the input with the pliers and get it re-installed in about 5 minutes. Now I'm all bent out of shape and it takes a couple of songs to get my head straight.

So, for all of you that don't think a spare bass is a smart idea, believe me, I won't get caught again!
 
#3
Tough story, but it looks like you pulled through it.

I'm a firm believer in having a back up. Way back when the Ibanez 7 string guitars first showed up, I had everything set up and good to go when I started loading up my truck. Get to the gig and open the case, and the bridge was sitting at a 45 degree angle. So to get through the set, I grabbed one of my 6 strings and had to transpose on the fly for about half of our set.

Always bring a back up! I also carry a leather duffle bag full of the "emergency essentials" like extra cables, strings, batteries, and tools, among other odds and ends.

Depending on your main, a Squier or Rondo, might make for a down and dirty back up. Having a $100 you don't have to worry about is a nice thing to have.


Good on you for working through it and finishing off the set.
 
#4
I had never thought of it until the guitarist in my last band suggested it. Since then I've had a pair of basses with me for gigs always. Back in my young and stupid days I didn't have a second bass and busted a string mid performance ended up having to finish the set with a guitar...it was brutal.
 
#5
Only brought a backup once for some Smithfield, NC metal fest or something. Only reason is I was afraid I'd break a string on my main. I didn't but at another show I did break a string near the end of a song and didn't have a backup. Did bring some extra strings with me though and while I was frantically changing the string onstage the 2 singers decided to put me in the spotlight, embarrass the heck out of me and give me pure hell for all of about 45 seconds. Luckily the adrenaline was kicking into high gear and all was forgotten after about a minute. Metal bands and fans are kewl like that.
 
#7
+1 to always having a spare. I have never needed one yet, but when (not if) I do, it'll be there.
Also, MAINTENANCE! Take care of your instrument! Take a look for loose/missing srews, nuts, check your strap buttons(!), damaged parts etc. I always give my bass a once over when I change strings, (which is about once a week). An ounce of prevention...
 
#9
Man, Im gald you were able to pull that thing out of the cavity and keep going. Talk about sweating! Especially in that heat, sheeesh. Yeah, I just picked up a Squier VM jaguar and I will definitely be taking it with me as a back-up/primary bass. Point is, I will always have 2 basses with me at all times when playing. Ive gigged quite a bit w/o a back-up, but now that I have another bass that can actually hang with the band, there is no reason why I shouldnt have a spare.
 
#16
Back in November played a show at a local venue, in our third song of 10 I broke my low E string. We play in drop C#/Db and what fun that was playing the show without the string. I couldn't get my head in the gig, didn't move around like I normally do. Now I carry an extra bass everywhere, not going through that again.
 
#18
I ALWAYS bring 2(sometimes 3) except for 1 gig we were private-jetted to and space was limited. Even then, Murphy showed up and my neck/action needed adjusting in my hotel room the night before the gig(yes, tools go in the case with the bass!).
Normally one bass is chosen from a few here that are VERY light in case we do a 4 hour set with no break.....helps the left shoulder to grab the lighter bass.
 
#19
I never carry a backup bass because I don't have one. I keep spare strings pre-snipped to my scale length ready to go on in my case.

Last show I snapped a string and had it repaired in under two minutes. Good thing our singer is a comedian and can just start riffing if something goes wrong.

If anything more serious happened I'd be stuffed.
 
#20
Same thing happened to me. We went to start our 3rd set and I went to plug in my wireless into my bass, as I went to push in the cable, I noticed the jack was no where to be found. The nut had fallen off when I picked up the bass and the jack fell in. So I shrugged, grabbed my back-up and went on. Fixed it after the show. Always brig a backup.
 

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