Which Bass would you take?

[BassJuju]

While reading yet another thread about basses and the variety styles/quality/sound offered by various manufacturers, a question I have been pondering for weeks/months popped back in to my head. I will try to be succinct.

I have several basses. My favorite is, by far, a Fender American Elite Jazz-- I reach for it almost every time. Tone and playability are tops on the reasons why. I also have a pair of Ibby's that are my fretless and my first 5. When practicing away from home or playing gigs in the past, I've taken them instead of the Fender. The fretless will still go for obvious reasons, but the other, well that is the question. I would prefer to play the Fender, but I am concerned about the risk at which it is placed in taking it out.

What say you? Do you take your favorite, or the one that is less of a concern regarding damage or theft?

 

[jmattbassplaya]

I wouldn't worry about taking a Fender out, even if it's a nice Elite model. However, I had concerns about taking my own Modulus Funk4 out. Do what you're comfortable with.

 

[Goatrope]

I've got a mix of basses, and sometimes it's not even the monetary value but the attachment that caused my concern.

I ended up insuring everything against theft or destruction. I do my best to avoid incidental damage and wear/tear by using good stands and placing the stand where it's out of the way.

The other variable for me was whether I might encounter a friend who I ask to sit in. I would usually bring a bass that I was less attached to, in those cases.

 

[1954bassman]

I play my basses. No closet stored-stay-at-home bass for me. I own nice basses so I can play them, so I am certainly not afraid to take them out of the house. Nowadays I am a local weekend warrior musician, not touring anymore. But back when I did some touring I took my Pedulla and my Modulus.

I played a $4000 bass on the road traveling for years. It looked like new when I sold it for more than I gave for it.

I have a friend who plays fiddle for a head-liner country star. His fiddle costs upwards to $100K. No he does not take it on tour. He plays a $700 fiddle live. He said they play so loud, all you hear is the pickup anyway.

 

[Bodeanly]

When I go out to eat, I usually take my side chick because I wouldn't want my girlfriend to choke on her food or trip and die on her way into the restaurant.

 

[JimB52]

Relax, take which ever axe you like - nobody's going to steal a BASS if there's a guitar available.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Why own a bass if you aren't going to use it? Just take care of it and watch it. I'm not someone who believes an instrument HAS to get beaten - I take care of my stuff.

 

[west al]

Use what ever bass you're comfortable with playing. If you're going to be on the road, hire a Roadie with an attitude. That cuts down on a few problems of damage, and theft.

 

[BassJuju]

Thanks... All things I have felt/thought over the past few weeks. Well, except for the "side chick" deal. Although...
And, we do have our Roadie Ho to keep an eye on things. He has serious 'tude.

 

[JRA]

Do you take your favorite, or the one that is less of a concern regarding damage or theft?

i have 4 playable fretlesses: they are all 'my favorite' to one extent or the other. three of them: i play quite often. i'd take any of them anywhere, anytime. in fact, it was difficult for me to pick just one to go with me on vacation a few weeks ago. i always take two to gigs.

 

[PlanetNewJersey]

My general response for this is that it depends on the gig. If it's you favorite bass, you deserve to play it, you earned it. However, if you going Angry Bill's Tavern on the north side of Philly, maybe bring a safer bass.
Just my $0.02

 

[DWBass]

Bases are made for playing. If they get dinged....so be it.

 

[Nev375]

Sand off the logo and put a squier one on it.

 

[jamro217]

I always wonder about things like that, which bass would be safer at home instead of at a gig. There's no guarantee that your cheapo gigging bass won't get a mark on it, but there is also the possibility that after that same gig you could return home to find all of your other basses stolen. So which plan is safer? 1.) keeping your best instruments with you at all times (including taking them on the road) 2.) hiring a security company to watch your house while you're playing a gig, or 3.) quit gigging altogether and just stay home with your basses. No matter what you do there is some element of risk involved, it's just a matter of taking precautions. Some gigs are perfectly safe, others aren't. Avoid the dangerous ones whenever possible. I'll bring whatever basses are going to allow and inspire me to play my best, because that's what the audience deserves. I've played some seriously scary dives and never had any major mishaps. Hope this helps.

 

[Moe Monsarrat]

There are certain basses I only play in the studio but it's not because I'm afraid to play them live. They are tools. Fascinating tools but nothing more than that.

 

[bassstrangler]

I do not gig or play out. My gear is all in excellent shape.

Back when I did gig, I kept my gear in excellent condition. Things happen and the occasional ding or scratch is inevitable. It's just the first ding is the hardest, and the next one gets easier to take.

If you strive to take care of your gear you should have the ability to keep it nice. Being careless and unaware is usually the downfall of gear.

 

[Cleezmo]

I play and have played my Modulus and G&L on my gigs because I love playing them. When I'm playing out, whether it's in front of a few hundred people or 20 people, I want the bass that sounds best and plays the easiest, that's why I bought them in the first place. I haven't played any seriously sketchy places, but I've never had an issue, even in tiny places where everyone is crammed into a corner. I'm totally OCD about keeping my basses in good shape, I use good stands, and watch them like a hawk during breaks. Now if I had a $10K Fodera, maybe I'd leave that one at home, but I don't...

I've never really understood the practice of having a nice bass you play at home and a 'beater bass' you play at gigs. To me that's like saying "I have a super clean race bike that is fast and handles like a dream, but in the actual races I race my older, slower, harder to ride bike in case I crash". But that's just me...

 

[Edmang]

You never know. You could be playing that bass at a gig when your house gets robbed. Playing it out could save it!

 

[MrLenny1]

I have one working bass, if the venue has a nice stage I'll bring my FAV.

 

[Dale Griffith]

If you're worried, get your gear insured. Be sure to tell the insurer you use it professionally. Sometimes you can get a rider on your homeowner/renters policy or you can get a separate policy. Not cheap but you don't have to worry.