Renting a Bass

[shizznit]

I have rented amps on many occasions, but I have never heard of instrument hire before (except concert pianos and organs).

[alyctes]

I'd guess that hiring an instrument three times would cost enough that you could get a good-enough backup for the same money. As I said, I'm guessing.

[Nibody]

I've never had a bass go down at a gig. I've ripped off a fingernail, and had my amp blow up (an old Carlsbro 150w Head - fortunately there was a bass player in the audience who ran home and lent me his amp for the remainder of the gig) and nearly been electrocuted at an outdoor gig.

[uncle psychosis]

Renting an instrument will probably cost at least £50. You could buy a basic squier/vintage/something else for less than £100 second hand and either 1. keep it as a permanent backup or 2. sell it for what you paid for it afterwards.

[Huge Hands]

I've had a soldered ground connection come off a pot in an active bass mid-gig which just cut everything out completely. No soldering iron to hand - had to wedge it back on using a couple of beermats.

I've also had a string core snap on a new low B string (bad batch rather than my playing). Had to play the rest of the gig as a 4 string.

Funnily enough, after all that, I still don't take a spare bass to gigs. I do keep a packet of spare strings now though.....