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Thunderbird Club

#303,723
Engle said:
I always bring two basses. If there's a lot of room I bring three! I also bring a spare amp.
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I always bring a backup bass and amp. They stay [hidden] in the gigmobile.(No room for extra [stuff] on stage-or at the inn.)
EDIT: I've never needed the backup(short scale)bass 'cos the TBird quit, but I have needed it 'cos of lack of room for the 'Bird. The backup amp is in case anyone's amp takes a :poop:, which has happened, But not to me-one of the treble players.
 
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#303,724
dagrev said:
I always took two basses to a gig. Even if I didn't use the second because we had limited time. If we played normal sets I always used my old (stollen) Pbass, and either the Thunderbird or '55 Pbass. Mostly because of wanting a different sound. I only take one bass every Sunday. I've never broken a string while playing or "needed" a backup. Fortunately never had a amp fizzle on me. The old Peavey never let me down. But never had a problem with a supplied amp either, but those seemed to be rentals and newish. But if I can get back to playing in a band setting again, I would likely take my little Ashdown RM-300 as a just in case. At about 4lbs, why not?
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Considering my needs/parameters - 2 basses would be 1) a luxury, as in - wanting a different feel/sound, like using my fret-less Ex-Factorbird for one or two songs.., (and who would actually notice?) and more importantly, 2) one more piece of equipment to bring and worry about. As it is now, I bring my B15 cab/Ashdown 550 amp, my 1X12 250w TC Electronics ss combo amp for Kirstin's keys, 4 bags; two of effect-pedals, another a grab-bag of screwdrivers, gaffers tape, 12v batteries, extension cord, picks, ear-protection (safety kit), another bag w/a power strip, a guitar stand, mic stand, mics... yah - one more (a second bass) ain't gonna' happen anytime soon. If any 'one more bag' was merited, it would be my small/light TC Electronics 250W ss amp (the keys amp at our rehearsal space) as a back-up. I inspect any bass I bring prior to the show to prevent any surprises. I learned that from racing bicycles - you only have one bike in a race, make sure it's 100% before bringing it to that race.

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leather bag has power-strip ... TSC's = grab-all safety bag
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#303,728
GonePlaid said:
I always bring a backup bass and amp. They stay [hidden] in the gigmobile.(No room for extra [stuff] on stage-or at the inn.)
EDIT: I've never needed the backup(short scale)bass 'cos the TBird quit, but I have needed it 'cos of lack of room for the 'Bird. The backup amp is in case anyone's amp takes a :poop:, which has happened, But not to me-one of the treble players.
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I sometimes take the upright and the Thunderbird. Last night for example. Both get played. Two amps ain't a happening thing though. I spooked myself last night by accidentally engaging the fuzz before sound check. I thought the little Carvin was taking a dump. It was fine. It was a stupid human trick in progress.
 
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#303,731
JIO said:
Considering my needs/parameters - 2 basses would be 1) a luxury, as in - wanting a different feel/sound, like using my fret-less Ex-Factorbird for one or two songs.., (and who would actually notice?) and more importantly, 2) one more piece of equipment to bring and worry about. As it is now, I bring my B15 cab/Ashdown 550 amp, my 1X12 250w TC Electronics ss combo amp for Kirstin's keys, 4 bags; two of effect-pedals, another a grab-bag of screwdrivers, gaffers tape, 12v batteries, extension cord, picks, ear-protection (safety kit), another bag w/a power strip, a guitar stand, mic stand, mics... yah - one more (a second bass) ain't gonna' happen anytime soon. If any 'one more bag' was merited, it would be my small/light TC Electronics 250W ss amp (the keys amp at our rehearsal space) as a back-up. I inspect any bass I bring prior to the show to prevent any surprises. I learned that from racing bicycles - you only have one bike in a race, make sure it's 100% before bringing it to that race.

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leather bag has power-strip ... TSC's = grab-all safety bag
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The pros take spares. Dress for the job you want. Easy enough for me - I have two trips, anyway - one with amps & pedalboard on my cart, one with two bass in cases plus a bag over my shoulder with mic stand, dual bass stand, amp stand, & power conditioner. Sometimes I save the last bag for a third trip with miscellaneous stuff like a drink.

Depending on the set, both basses may be Grecos (2nd is purely spare) or one may be something else a song calls for. Once I’m playing non-church gigs, the second may also be chosen for visual effect.
 
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#303,732
Gaolee said:
I sometimes take the upright and the Thunderbird. Last night for example. Both get played. Two amps ain't a happening thing though. I spooked myself last night by accidentally engaging the fuzz before sound check. I thought the little Carvin was taking a dump. It was fine. It was a stupid human trick in progress.
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You may need more uprights. And arms.
 
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#303,735
Miles_ONeal said:
The pros take spares. Dress for the job you want. Easy enough for me - I have two trips, anyway - one with amps & pedalboard on my cart, one with two bass in cases plus a bag over my shoulder with mic stand, dual bass stand, amp stand, & power conditioner. Sometimes I save the last bag for a third trip with miscellaneous stuff like a drink.

Depending on the set, both basses may be Grecos (2nd is purely spare) or one may be something else a song calls for. Once I’m playing non-church gigs, the second may also be chosen for visual effect.
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The "pros" can afford to take spares - besides, it's their professional responsibility to do so. Like I said - I work around my 'non pro' (as in...I don't currently have a "roadie") circumstances. Everyone chooses to do things differently within their parameters. I never have the luxury of "stage setting"... but like I said - if thats what's required? go for it.
 
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#303,736
JIO said:
The "pros" can afford to take spares - besides, it's their professional responsibility to do so. Like I said - I work around my 'non pro' (as in...I don't currently have a "roadie") circumstances. Everyone chooses to do things differently within their parameters. I never have the luxury of "stage setting"... but like I said - if thats what's required? go for it.
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I wasn’t saying anyone else meeds to, just what I do and why.
 
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#303,737
Miles_ONeal said:
I wasn’t saying anyone else meeds to, just what I do and why.
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IME&O, a lot depends on how much room one has in the band 'area'(we rarely have a stage-just a space; usually limited so there's room for dancing. Two places we play-not often enuff-have actual stages. One even has a second tier. But. We still have to provide our own PA. Two of us have "towers". Mine's a JBL EON ONE; Ron's is a pair of Bose's daisy chained.
 
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#303,738
GonePlaid said:
I always bring a backup bass and amp. They stay [hidden] in the gigmobile.(No room for extra [stuff] on stage-or at the inn.)
EDIT: I've never needed the backup(short scale)bass 'cos the TBird quit, but I have needed it 'cos of lack of room for the 'Bird. The backup amp is in case anyone's amp takes a :poop:, which has happened, But not to me-one of the treble players.
Click to expand...
Yeah those tube guitar amps, even the quality ones, seem more prone to failure.
 
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