How Many Basses Do You Take To A Gig?

[mrjim123]

I did a quick search and didn't find this question.

Multiple votes are allowed.

For me personally, my rule is go light or stay home, so I only take 1.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

I seldom will play both on a gig and one may never make it out of the case if stage area is limited, but it's nice to have the backup bass along with my backup amp.

 

[2saddleslab]

Two, since most songs are played 1/2 step down. Allows for a built-in backup as well.

 

[mrjim123]

I DO take a backup for nearly everything else - amp, cables, batteries, strings, etc. The only things I don't take backups for are the bass and cabs (I usually play through 2 cabs anyways).

 

[Double E]

Especially if I am being paid to play... I am bringing at least two. Gotta have a backup, I don't wanna be "that guy".

 

[gln1955]

I'll take a backup and leave it in its case. Sometimes only one when I feel like living on the edge.

 

[lz4005]

I did a quick search and didn't find this question.

There are literally hundreds of threads about backup basses on gigs, as well as doubling on fretted/fretless or upright/electric.

I DO take a backup for nearly everything else - amp, cables, batteries, strings, etc. The only things I don't take backups for are the bass and cabs (I usually play through 2 cabs anyways).

If you bring a backup bass you can eliminate a lot of other things, strings, batteries, tools, etc. You'll never need to fix your main bass if you can just switch to the other one.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

There are literally hundreds of threads about backup basses on gigs, as well as doubling on fretted/fretless or upright/electric.



If you bring a backup bass you can eliminate a lot of other things, strings, batteries, tools, etc. You'll never need to fix your main bass if you can just switch to the other one.

Amen, and it's like you have the time, a place to work on the bass, and enough light to do the work.
I was on a pickup gig with a guitar player that had a problem with his guitar. One of the switches had fallen inside the guitar and he had no backup. He fixed it during a break(somewhat extended) with tools he carries and 3 of us holding flashlights for him at a table in the club. But then he is the repair tech for a GC location. You would think he would know better.

 

[lz4005]

Amen, and it's like you have the time, a place to work on the bass, and enough light to do the work.
I was on a pickup gig with a guitar player that had a problem with his guitar. One of the switches had fallen inside the guitar and he had no backup. He fixed it during a break(somewhat extended) with tools he carries and 3 of us holding flashlights for him at a table in the club. But then he is the repair tech for a GC location. You would think he would know better.

That's what I've always wondered about the people who say they bring soldering irons, tool chests, sets of strings, etc. When on a gig do you have time to do the repairs? Or even change strings? If something breaks in the middle of a set I need a 10 second fix, not a 15 minute one.

 

[mrjim123]

<snip>
If you bring a backup bass you can eliminate a lot of other things, strings, batteries, tools, etc. You'll never need to fix your main bass if you can just switch to the other one.

Ten or twenty years ago had I owned more than one bass I probably would have done just that, but, at 67 years of age and with a bad back and knees, my rule is, as I said, "go light or stay home".

 

[Zooberwerx]

Two. Rule of redundancy: two is one and one is none.

Riis

 

[Joe Nerve]

I keep a POS purple 32" SX in my trunk always. Been there through the freezing cold winder, and 100 degree summer. Hope its OK if I ever need it .

Oh yeah... and I take my real bass with me.

Two.

 

[Lowbrow]

Two. I broke an A string early in the set like 25 years ago and will never let myself have to deal with that again. Spare = 7-lb Danelectro plywood body beast.

 

[lfmn16]

But then he is the repair tech for a GC location. You would think he would know better.

These sentences don't belong together.

No excuse for a guitarist not to have a backup guitar ready. I bring an extra bass, I've never broken a string and never needed my backup. I'm sure if I ever get lazy and don't bring it, that's the day I'll need one.

 

[redwingxix]

I just make sure our band is ready to play some Black Keys songs if my bass craps out on me.

But really, you should bring two.

 

[LowActionHero]

One lately, but everytime I read a thread like this I reconsider. But my backup is now tuned BEAD, so it won't help much in our set list. And my fretless needs minor adjustment and major practice .
Guess you guilted me into it.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

These sentences don't belong together.

No excuse for a guitarist not to have a backup guitar ready. I bring an extra bass, I've never broken a string and never needed my backup. I'm sure if I ever get lazy and don't bring it, that's the day I'll need one.

My experience and thoughts, exactly.

 

[JoeWPgh]

Usually just one. But if I have doubts about the one I want to use, a 2nd

 

[bravesaint5]

One lately, but everytime I read a thread like this I reconsider. But my backup is now tuned BEAD, so it won't help much in our set list. And my fretless needs minor adjustment and major practice .
Guess you guilted me into it.

Yep, you need to buy another bass. Not like we need excuses, but sometimes it's easier to justify it.

 

[brianrost]

One, unless the gig requires both a BG and a DB. Then, one of each.