Question about switching between different basses during a gig

[Steven Ayres]

For some gigs I'll bring two basses for different styles, for example an upright for straightahead and a five-string slab for Latin for big band, or fretted and fretless on an R&B gig. Nothing so subtle as a P/J changeup, I don't see the point in that (isn't that what tone controls are for?).

 

[rtslinger]

I have two basses used at our shows one has flats the other rounds the song list is geared to the one with flats starting the gig
and I switch over to rounds for sets two and three returning to flats for the final set of the night. Unless there is a issue with one of the basses this is the norm for me.

 

[Scottkarch]

Seems like a huge hassle for very little return.

As I said... for me I enjoy switching basses, getting them all into rotation each year. I'd rather bring 3 basses and no amp than 1 bass and 1 amp. I personally find bringing any amp larger than a combo or any amp at all "a huge hassle for very little return". To each his own..... Although I do agree switching basses that sound completely different can throw off the mix very easily. Even if I play them all, I don't switch back and forth... I kinda rotate through the night and they each get played once.

 

[Scottkarch]

Odds are good when you change basses the sound man will "correct" the FOH to get the sound he likes anyway.

Admittedly there was one show where I brought 3 of the exact same basses. one Red, one Black , one White.
More or less just to have fun with it. I asked my wife if they sounded any different to her.... her response... "You changed basses?"

HA! I love it. Unless its the 12 string, unless they are watching me, they don't really notice me changing basses. But I have fun with it... as long as it doesnt get in the way of the show, me having more fun makes it worth it for me. Just don't expect anyone to notice how the different basses fit into the song... let alone even notice you changed basses.... or that you play bass and not guitar.

 

[lfmn16]

Truth . Although I find it easier slapping my 4 string than my 5-er....so in a way, they might not be noticing it but they are getting a better played song. (Stevie Wonder/RHCP Hybrid of Higher Ground)

Good point. Not to say that there aren't legit reasons, but based on what I've seen in clubs, it's usually just because the player wants to; not that there's anything wrong with that!

 

[lowfreqgeek]

I will sometimes switch fretted/fretless, or to upright during a set, but more often I just use the fretless for the entire set and get more "fretless-y" on tunes that benefit from that. I might swap basses between sets if I'm doing 3 or 4 sets, depending on the shape of each set. One of my bands does a lot of mellow stuff during the dinner sets, and then gets louder toward the last set, which goes over well.

Tonight I'm playing a Christmas CD release concert and I used multiple basses on the CD, so I'll do the same in the concert. However, I'm only using an Epiphone Jack Casady through a SansAmp/Xotic BB (with a pick, no less) for the rockin' out, and a very clean/modern Warmoth Gecko 5 through an MXR M81/TC Electronic Flashback for the rest of the more pop-oriented songs, which will have multiple layers of keys, strings, etc. I played a lot of fretless on the album, but opted against that tonight. The TC Flashback will be used for a solo piece I'll play/improvise on the Gecko.

I do spend a lot of time and effort choosing the right bass for the job, so what I'll use on a pure country gig is generally not what I'll use on a jazz gig, or on a Rock gig. Generally...

I'll also add that if it's just a bar/patio/casino gig, nothing really matters all that much. If I'm doing a real honest-to-goodness concert, then anything goes. I've done many shows where the artist had specific requests for specific songs and worked that into their show. That's usually in broad categories like "upright", "fretless", and "P-bass".

 

[peterpalmieri]

I recently saw Stu Allen and Mars Hotel, and the bass player rotated between four basses each set. Each one sounded great for the chosen song. I've always been a Primary/Backup kind of player. I'm wondering now if I should switch between basses at a gig, and how to determine which bass is the right fit, or if it really makes any difference at all (other than flash/style points). My primary bass is a Fender AmStd Precision and backup is AmStd Jazz. I play in a six-piece rock band, so I pretty much don't go higher than the ninth fret or I just get lost in the mix.

This is the classic “solution looking for a problem”. Why complicate things keep using the bass you prefer until it no longer fits the song. You never expressed that problem just that switching would be fun because other people do it.

Move on.

 

[Wasnex]

I recently saw Stu Allen and Mars Hotel, and the bass player rotated between four basses each set. Each one sounded great for the chosen song. I've always been a Primary/Backup kind of player. I'm wondering now if I should switch between basses at a gig, and how to determine which bass is the right fit, or if it really makes any difference at all (other than flash/style points). My primary bass is a Fender AmStd Precision and backup is AmStd Jazz. I play in a six-piece rock band, so I pretty much don't go higher than the ninth fret or I just get lost in the mix.

I used to switch between 6-string electric, 6-string electric upright (EUB), and string bass during big band shows. Each of these instruments had a unique voice and our repertoire was extremely varied. I might play the electric for a smooth jazz piece that involved slapping. The EUB sounded like a fretless electric, except it had a lot stronger fundamental because it had the scale of an string bass. I used this for more modern jazz, fusiony material, and some ballads. The string bass had the thump. I used it for jazz standards that were played in a more traditional style. I could have done the entire show on any one of these instruments, but, IMHO, some of the songs would have sounded a little weird. If I had to limit myself to two instruments in this band, I would have dropped the EUB.

To facilitate quick changes and minimize hassle for the audio tech I used an Ashley MX508 rack mixer. I plugged the basses into Shure A95U line matching transformers so I could use the mic inputs; then used the line/mic switch on the channels as a mute switch. The rackmixer drove a power amp and sent a line level signal to FOH.

 

[skyline_01]

My band plays mostly original music with some covers mixed in. On original gigs I switch between fretted and fretless because our latest album has a few songs recorded with fretless and I'm trying to match the "vibe" of the song, if you will. I use a Radial Big Shot I/O to switch between them on the fly and it works out seamlessly -- one press of the footswitch and I'm good to go, with volume levels matched between basses. If we're doing an all-cover gig I usually bring one bass because it's easier. I should probably bring a backup but I like to live on the edge...

 

[stingray78]

None of the bands I am with would rearrange their set list to minimize the number of bass switches, and rightfully so. More often than not I don't have enough time between songs to switch anyway. In addition, many of my gigs are fly gigs. As a result, I only bring one 5-string 99% of the time. Unless I am doing the rare cover gig where I have to play some Chic/Bernard Edwards tunes; I refuse to play those on anything but my pre-EB Stingray .

 

[Jebberz]

Switch back and forth between Bass VIsh Gretsch and my regular Jag in gigs, usually once a set. Some songs are funnyer to play with the VI, some are not fun to play with the VI, most does not matters, so I build the setlist accordingly. I choose songs with basssless intro or with no bass at all to do the switch so the pacing of the show is unaffected. I set-up the pickup heigts of both basses so the output level is fairly the same,the comp and the preamp does the rest of the job nicely, so I dont harrass the soundman (if any) when I change.

 

[JES]

You probably don't need to change, and even though I have more than one bass, during a show I prefer to change sounds in other ways (effects, tone control, foam under bridge, etc).

BUT in one band for awhile I was switching between a Kala U-Bass for more acoustic numbers and a P-style bass for more rock songs. The sound was quite different and the visual difference was big enough to generate some visual interest for the audience, based on stuff people told me.

My takeaway was that switching was more about show than sound, even though the u-bass sounds very different.

 

[InhumanResource]

I recently saw Stu Allen and Mars Hotel, and the bass player rotated between four basses each set. Each one sounded great for the chosen song. I've always been a Primary/Backup kind of player. I'm wondering now if I should switch between basses at a gig, and how to determine which bass is the right fit, or if it really makes any difference at all (other than flash/style points). My primary bass is a Fender AmStd Precision and backup is AmStd Jazz. I play in a six-piece rock band, so I pretty much don't go higher than the ninth fret or I just get lost in the mix.

Only if people are buying tickets to see YOU. If you are entertaining a crowd like at a bar or summer event then it is just self indulgent and only serves to big down your set. Nobody cares what the bass tone is except you.

 

[MrLenny1]

Well, if you had a guitar tech & roadie that would be nice.

 

[silvertone]

I live in SF, play in several bands (including a six piece called Fog Swamp) and am a big fan of Stu Allen and Mars Hotel as well as the band it emulates! -)>

I typically use three basses at gigs (sometimes 4).

My main go-to is a Modulus Q5 - love the B string with it's fat bottom and piano-like tones.
When the Swamp does Meters or Meters Style funk I love to play my Deluxe J bass,
When we do spacey ballads I whip out the Mod Bassstar Fretless with it's potato chip thin carbon fiber neck.
On the rare occasion when we do some acoustic stuff I'll bust out with my Guild Jumbo Junior, and if there is enough time and stage space, I have played my vintage Kay C-1 Upright.

Each has it's place in the music I play - but I don't quite get why a bassist emulating Phil Lesh would need 4 basses except to have his own idea of fun - which is not a bad thing!

My tool for ease of switching is a Felix, by Grace Designs - a stereo, EQ, Pre and flexible, 2 channel switching device with a boost and mute switch. I'll typically have 2 basses plugged in and if a third is employed, I just hit the mute button, due a quick switch and I'm off to the race......

 

[Bassheart365]

I'm trying to get more proficient on my Ken Smith 6 string. So I'll bring it to gigs, along with my KS 5, and play a set or two with the 6. Same output levels so no issues there. And I don't change mid-set.

 

[spade2you]

I used to gig with 2-3 basses. That and an amp is a bit much. I switched to a fretted and a fretless. I'd like to get a headless 6 string so I can either grab my Rob Allen short scale fretless or Cliff Bordwell headless fretless 6 and put both in a nice double guitar bag.

 

[Ric5]

You have to go Full Geddy. Here is the list of basses you need to bring to your next gig:

• 1972 Fender Jazz Bass (Black) My Number One
• 1972 Fender Jazz Bass (Blonde)
• Fender Jazz Bass (Surf Green Custom Shop)
• Fender Jazz Bass (Trans Red Custom Shop)
• 1960 Fender Jazz Bass (Fiesta Red)
• 1962 Fender Jazz Bass (Sea Foam Green)
• 1963 Fender Jazz Bass (Black with matching headstock)
• 1964 Fender Jazz Bass (Lake Placid Blue with matching headstock)
• 1964 Fender Jazz Bass (Sonic Blue with matching headstock)
• 1965 Fender Jazz Bass (White)
• 1966 Fender Jazz Bass (Shoreline Gold with matching headstock)
• 1966 Fender Jazz Bass (Fiesta Red with matching headstock)
• 1957 Gibson EB-1 (Walnut)
• 1964 Gibson Thunderbird IV (Sunburst)
• 1964 Epiphone Embassy (Cherry)
• 1967 Gibson Thunderbird II (Polaris White)
• 1959 Fender Precision Bass (Olympic White) with matching headstock
• 1965 Fender Precision Bass (Burgundy Mist)
• 1968 Fender Telecaster Bass (Paisley)
• 1967 Rickenbacker Model 3261 (FireGlo)
• 1968 Rickenbacker Model 4001 (BurgundyGlo)
• 1977 Rickenbacker Model 4001 (JetGlo)
• 1975 Rickenbacker Model 4080/12 (JetGlo)
• 1978 Rickenbacker Model 4080/12 (FireGlo)
• 1961 Hofner Solid Body 2 Pickup (Cherry Red)
• 1992 Zematis Bass (Black with engraved metal front)

(Geddy Lee's Basses used on the R40 Tour - yes he played all of them at each show)

I love it when Geddy plays all of those basses … that makes a lot of work for the bass tech. But also the bass tech had some fun because on different nights he would rotate the basses differently.

It is a shame the Wal bass was not part of that rotation.

 

[diegom]

You can if you want to, but I doubt anyone in the audience will notice the difference. Not saying you shouldn't, but IMHO it would be strictly for you.

I agree, but I would expand a bit more.
Most of the audience would probably not notice the difference in tone between several instruments, BUT!!!, if a certain instrument makes YOU play a certain way, different from other instruments, that's a difference the audience will appreciate.
So, as usual, it depends...

IMHO, YMMV, $0.02

Diego

 

[Ric5]

I used to gig with 2-3 basses.

That is my norm …

1 - in case one bass breaks down
2 - it is fun to swap the basses out