Use the Old Bass?

[TGLbass]

I took my 72 Jazz Ash Natural/// maple with black blocks ///bass out to a gig for the first time last night. It kicked butt.

I was just wondering who else uses thier vintage basses all the time at gigs? And maybe how they view that situation. There's alot to think about for me when I take out an old bass.

I told everyone in the band and the soundmen to be carefull around the guitar. None of them would have known it was a valuable instrument had I not told them.

 

[plangentmusic]

I believe instruments are meant to be played. If you like it, use it.

Just put it away, back in the case, after each set.

I always do that no matter what bass I bring. That's why my basses never get knocked over, dinged, or touched by anyone I don't want touching them.

 

[pudgychef]

think it really varies from guy to guy and bass to bass. Would I feel safe taking a mint 58 P to a bar gig? No....

A 70s Fender, while increasing in value, might be something I would feel better about taking out in particular if it isn't mint already....its not going to pay for a new house or anything even if I leave it under my bed...so why not play it??

BUT on the other hand if I ever purchased a piece with the intent of just saving/having it, I would likely see it differently....

 

[pudgychef]

of course than you can walk into a small jazz club with less than 100 ppl in it and a cat will be rawking a $5000 Fodera.......which seems as reasonable as hauling around a 1500-2500 'vintage piece'

 

[skwee]

I agree that you should play what you want to play. If you are worried about theft, have a lockable case, and lock the case down with a bike lock to a fixture. Treat like you would a laptop at a public place.

 

[MKoby]

I was playing my 1972 Precision out.

I think if the bass plays well and sounds good, use it.

 

[pasta4lnch]

yeah - I kept a precious bass at home for a long time. when I started using it I deeply regretted keeping her home. I'm careful about where I keep it etc - accidents will happen, but it's worth the risk for that "moment/s" when everything clicks between you and your instrument . . .

 

[Jim Dep]

Use it.

I figure after I die, my old Fender will end up in the hands of some rich middle school kid that will constantly be doing battle-of-the-rap-bands, paint some stupid skull on it, and will have inevitably have it stolen out of the school cafeteria because it was left unattended........
It could happen.

 

[M.R. Ogle]

Dammit, that's funny....

 

[VWbug]

Yes it was. LOL

 

[GARGOIL]

Turn your head for a moment and bang she's gone! had it happen to me a few years back. A guitarist from another band thought it was one of theirs grabbed it and put it in a car i tracked it down in the parking lot and wammo it's on. After the idiot woke up with said broken nose i opened the case in front of everybody in attendance and i was deemed justified. The bass he tried to steal was my blue 1985 Spector ns.

 

[Mr Guy]

Wouldn't be caught dead on a gig without my beloved '74 maple board jazz. Kind of hate collectors taking these babies off the market, we could be playing them! It's insured for current replacement value as I'm a professional so if it got ripped off I'd be very sad but.... I'm sure life would go on.

 

[tdvt]

I guess my Stingray ('76) qualifies as "vintage", which in itself is a bit sobering, but it's pretty much the only bass that goes out.

 

[ggunn]

Turn your head for a moment and bang she's gone! had it happen to me a few years back. A guitarist from another band thought it was one of theirs grabbed it and put it in a car i tracked it down in the parking lot and wammo it's on. After the idiot woke up with said broken nose i opened the case in front of everybody in attendance and i was deemed justified.

You beat up a guy for making a mistake? That seems a bit... extreme.

 

[Burlington]

My dad had his 73 P stolen right out from under his nose, and out of the case, at a dive bar. Happened almost 10 years ago.

 

[LowDownSirius]

I tend to make the mistake of getting too precious with my things.

When you are too old to play anymore and you are lying in that hospice bed and you are trying to remember your kids names, do you want to tell them stories about how much fun you had playing that guitar or will they be out somewhere having it appraised, and should the worst happen and that punk who painted the skull on it loses it, the next person to play it will have an out of body experience. They won't know why but it will speak to them because they will feel your spirit in it.

Now the ideal situation will be to have two vintage guitars, one you can play and a cheap one the kids will think is worth something.

 

[smeet]

Several of my basses have been valuable - an Alembic, a Ransom 6-string, an nyc Sadowsky... I've gigged them all with no problems, I would gig an old Fender too.

 

[15000volts]

if have it and like it, play it. basses were built to be played. of course, you should be careful about it. put it in a hard case when you're not playing, and keep the case in sight or locked in the trunk. but I guess some basses I wouldn't take for the normal smallish gig.. if it's a 70's fender, I'm fine, but if it's something older or a bit more fragile, I'd save it for a bigger audience, or a quieter place.

 

[Pilgrim]

When I feel like it, I take my '63 P on gigs. I just keep an eye on it.

 

[Count Bassie]

Use it.

I figure after I die, my old Fender will end up in the hands of some rich middle school kid that will constantly be doing battle-of-the-rap-bands, paint some stupid skull on it, and will have inevitably have it stolen out of the school cafeteria because it was left unattended........
It could happen.

...stolen by some other kid who really wants to play, knows what it is, and will end up using it like it was meant to be used... there. Happy ending!