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SBCA member!

Discussion in 'Bass Humor & Gig Stories [BG]' started by Axtman, Jun 9, 2019.

  1. Jun 9, 2019 #1
    Axtman

    Axtman Supporting Member

    Mar 3, 2008
    Seattle, WA
    Last night I was honored to join the illustrious SBCA (String Breaker Club of America).

    The band was well into our third and last set when I notice the A string felt kind of floppy. I tried to play with the string on the bass but had to stop playing and unwind the string and let it hang down. I finished the song on the remaining 3 strings really having to think my way through the song.

    After the song I put my bass in the stand and raced over to the lead singer to tell her what happened. The band then switched to an acoustic guitar song while I raced out to my car. Boy, if string changing was an Olympic event I would have certainly qualified. I finished tuning up just as they were finishing the song.

    I don't normally carry an extra set of strings in my gig bag. I mean what are the changes of breaking a string? ;-) Luckily I had the foresight to put a set in my car. I will never not have an extra set with me again!
     
    BassCliff, 4 Strings Good and Beej like this.
  2. Jun 9, 2019 #2
    Beej

    Beej

    Feb 10, 2007
    Vancouver Island
    I had a similar issue with a D string many years ago when we were slated to play five songs in a band showcase, except it was midway through the first song. :( I played the rest of the songs doing some miraculous math while playing, and to this day, even if I'm there just for a single tune, I have a second bass with me. :D
     
  3. Jun 9, 2019 #3
    Axtman

    Axtman Supporting Member

    Mar 3, 2008
    Seattle, WA
    Oh geez! It was the D string not A. Hopefully I replaced it with the D string!
     
    BassCliff likes this.
  4. Jun 9, 2019 #4
    BassCliff

    BassCliff

    May 17, 2012
    The Wild Wild Upper MidWest
    Hi,

    I almost always have at least two basses at the gig, plus extra strings. The show must go on. You're a real quick-change artist! Cool.


    Thank you for your indulgence,
     
    Sore Thumb likes this.
  5. Jun 9, 2019 #5
    Paulabass

    Paulabass

    Sep 18, 2017
    Two basses. Even if the other is my fretless, I can play any song on it.
     
  6. Jun 9, 2019 #6
    Axtman

    Axtman Supporting Member

    Mar 3, 2008
    Seattle, WA
    My band leader was really impressed at how fast I ran to my car, grabbed the string set, sprinted across the parking lot, removed the old string, put on the new string and tuned to pitch. The band was all ready to play "Landslide" if I was not ready for the next song.

    From now on I will always carry a spare set of strings!

    Earlier that evening I had a choking fit. Ever try to play bass while coughing?!
     
    Last edited: Jun 9, 2019
    Sore Thumb likes this.
  7. Jun 9, 2019 #7
    Sore Thumb

    Sore Thumb

    Jan 21, 2017
    Kitimat, BC, Canada
    I've tried playing while coughing. I find playing while laughing hysterically is harder. I always have a spare set of strings with me and any paying or big exposure gig I have another bass very close by.