lefrash Posted December 8, 2014 Share Posted December 8, 2014 No real need to take a spare IMO unless its pretty easy to do so. In the hundreds of gigs I've done, I've snapped 3 strings, and 1 time I properly broke the bass at soundcheck (drummer stood on lead and broke the input jack). A string change can happen within one song, so the rest of the band can fill in with an acoustic version, or something simliar. Its not really practicle to carry a spare about, and its not really necessary, therefore I dont. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icastle Posted December 8, 2014 Share Posted December 8, 2014 [quote name='hiram.k.hackenbacker' timestamp='1418060677' post='2626440'] Failing to prepare is the same as preparing to fail. [/quote] +1 IMO, for the couple of minutes it takes to pack a spare it's daft not to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edster Posted December 8, 2014 Share Posted December 8, 2014 When I gigged I never had a spare to take and never had need of one. I'm about to start gigging again and think the most I'll take is spare batteries and strings. This time I do have other basses but I can't see me taking one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Nada Posted December 8, 2014 Share Posted December 8, 2014 I've snapped one bass string in 25 years, and that was at home practising. I always take a backup bass to gigs though. Currently, my gigging back up is a dirt cheap, 30” Encore! I dont have to bother taking good care of it so its propped up somewhere behind the backline or in the car if its a cramped stage. It's not a patch on my Fender P but it would be adequate to get through a gig. I've recently been taking an old PA head along too, as a back up for our proper PA, guitar or bass amps. Again, it'd be adequate if needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrismuzz Posted December 8, 2014 Share Posted December 8, 2014 I took a spare bass to a gig and both failed on me. Extreme example but goes to show That the unexpected can happen! I'd never gig without a backup these days. Pro tip: more basses means bigger variety of cool photos to set as your Facebook profile picture Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BeardyBob Posted December 8, 2014 Share Posted December 8, 2014 [quote name='James Nada' timestamp='1418070682' post='2626587'] it would be adequate to get through a gig. [/quote] exactly my sentiment - enough to get you through. I have a £60 Thomann P-bass as a backup. I changed the pots/pickups to approximate my main bass... it comes nowhere close! and I probably don't trust it as much as my main, which is stupid as a spare... but still! I have the sansamp & will keep my head as spare when upgrading. interesting reads, chaps! P.S. [quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1418066408' post='2626522'] If your guitarist is breaking strings a lot then he or she probably needs heavier strings or a lighter touch. [/quote] I reckon yours ain't hittin' hard enough Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MuddBass Posted December 8, 2014 Share Posted December 8, 2014 (edited) Never take a spare double bass but always take a spare electric bass with me for Double Bass / Electric bass gigs - on occassions (especialy for low paid / low pressure gigs), I'll leave a 'cheapy' in the boot of the car, but for weddings etc I'll always have back-ups of all equipment to hand. I always imagine an equipment 'failure' during the first dance etc - think of all those family videos you'd be in Edited December 8, 2014 by five-string.co.uk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rushbo Posted December 8, 2014 Share Posted December 8, 2014 I'm fortunate enough to have a bunch of Basses to pick from, so I'll always take two. In the gig box is a Behringer BDI21 in case of amp failure. Also in the gig box, spare leads, strings, mics, mini toolkit, gaffa tape, extension leads, tuners and two mini Hercules stands. Over the last few years I've used every item. Except the spare bass and the Behringer BDI21. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimR Posted December 8, 2014 Share Posted December 8, 2014 [quote name='skidder652003' timestamp='1418057849' post='2626401'] never needed a spare (yet!), never broken a string either, but could blag through the song on different string surely? More worried about amp failure so a good DI pedal more important IMO [/quote] Try it. It's quite tricky but not impossible. I busted a machinehead on the e string once. I take a spare. Even if it's an old secondhand cheapo bass it's something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted December 8, 2014 Share Posted December 8, 2014 I just take spare pants. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlapbassSteve Posted December 8, 2014 Share Posted December 8, 2014 I gig a fair bit and I've broken strings onstage(E string on my precision in a previous band and a naff Pyramid wound ubass string that only lasted 2 gigs after installation) but I've never been in a position where I've needed to use a spare. I'm currently getting a fair bit of work abroad and I'm a bit limited for space as I take my U-BASS as a carry-on item. Just bring spare strings and some basic tools(screwdriver, allen key, at a push a very small soldering iron) and you'll be fine- I think generally speaking us bassists are a practical bunch and it's rare that something goes wrong on a bass that can't be fixed with the above. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue Posted December 9, 2014 Share Posted December 9, 2014 (edited) [quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1418057475' post='2626391'] I have never broken a string or had a bass fail on me in any way, so no, I don't carry a spare bass. [/quote] If your playing good paid gigs, you should always have a spare. If you consider yourself a professional you should always have a spare bass. I have been gigging for over 40 years, I always have a spare bass on stage. I have never had to use a spare. All it takes is one time for a bass to fail at a gig and your screwed. And I will tell you what will happen. The band is ready to go and your not. Everyone will be looking at you, you will not get any help from anyone because there is nothing they can do. Do you want to take that risk? How would you feel if your band had to bail on a gig because you were not prepared? Blue [size=4][color=#0000FF][font=Arial][color=#000000][b]Bass Guitars [/b][/color][/font][/color][/size] [size=4][color=#0000ff][font=Arial][color=#000000]Gibson Les Paul Gold Top Bass[/color][/font][/color][/size] [size=4][color=#0000ff][font=Arial][color=#000000]Gibson ES-335 Custom Shop Bass[/color][/font][/color][/size] [size=4][color=#0000ff][font=Arial][color=#000000]Gibson 1991 Thunderbird Bass[/color][/font][/color][/size] w/ebony fret board [size=4][font=Arial]Fender 1951 Telecaster Bass Re-issue *MIJ (Dressing Room Bass)[/font][/size] [size=4][font=Arial]Fender 1959 Telecaster Bass Re-Issue MIJ[/font] (Rehearsal Bass)[/size] [size=4][color=#0000ff][color=#000000][font=Arial]G & L 1991 ASAT Bass (active pre-amp )[/font][/color][/color][/size] [size=4][color=#0000ff][font=Arial][color=#000000]German Made Hofner 502 Limited Edition Club Bass[/color][/font][/color][/size][list] [*][url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?app=forums&module=post§ion=post&do=reply_post&f=13&t=250724&qpid=2623494"]Quote[/url] [*][url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?app=forums&module=post§ion=post&do=reply_post&f=13&t=250724&qpid=2623494"]MultiQuote[/url] [*][url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?app=forums&module=post§ion=post&do=edit_post&f=13&t=250724&p=2623494&st=30"]Edit[/url] [*][url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?app=forums&module=moderate§ion=moderate&do=postchoice&tact=delete&f=13&t=250724&selectedpids%5B%5D=2623494&st=30&auth_key=cadea967623d2bc212075f2483d80103"]Delete[/url] [*][url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?app=core&module=reports&rcom=post&tid=250724&pid=2623494&st=30"]Report[/url] [/list] Edited December 9, 2014 by blue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lojo Posted December 9, 2014 Share Posted December 9, 2014 If your being paid then you have a duty to ensure you are doing your best to provide the service you are selling, I think a spare bass at a function is realistic thing to take. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karlfer Posted December 9, 2014 Share Posted December 9, 2014 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1418079750' post='2626764'] I just take spare pants. [/quote] Flash git [quote name='hiram.k.hackenbacker' timestamp='1418090252' post='2626819'] I accept that most of us could probably rectify most of the commonest problems we're likely to encounter, but personally speaking, I wouldn't want to be breaking out the soldering iron in the middle of the set. The whole point of having a back up is unplugging the duffer and picking up the back-up without breaking stride. I don't want to be stopping things for even as long as it takes to wind a new string on. [/quote] Nail, head! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Telebass Posted December 9, 2014 Share Posted December 9, 2014 As has been said, if you're playing a paid gig, it's entirely right to be properly prepared. Always carry a spare, and have needed it, twice. Actual bass failure - never broken a string. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted December 9, 2014 Share Posted December 9, 2014 I always take a spare bass. My rack has 2 amps in it anyway, so I always have a spare amp too, TBH I'm more worried about a battery in the bass crapping out - At some point I'd like to get a passive 5 string just because there is less to go wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HengistPod Posted December 9, 2014 Share Posted December 9, 2014 [quote name='blue' timestamp='1418096571' post='2626824']Everyone will be looking at you ... [/quote] ... and they'll be thinking "Who's that guy and what's he doing up there with the band?". Anything that gets the bass player noticed is a good thing. So don't take a spare bass to gigs, and make sure you only replace busted strings with new ones so that they keep going out of tune when you put a new one on. Got to keep peoples' attention! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weststarx Posted December 9, 2014 Share Posted December 9, 2014 (edited) I take backup everything, I dont get very nervous playing, but I get really nervous with my gear not working so I have two of everything with me at gigs apart from my 4x10, I would take another one but I cant get it in my car! I can rest easy knowing that if something goes wrong I've got something to replace it with and can continue the gig, but I will worry about it until we start the second set. Two basses is a must for me just in case. My band often take the piss about how much gear I bring to gigs and that I need to buy a van etc etc, but the time something does go wrong I'm the man! I'm so OCD about it that I even took one of my six strings tuned up and ready to go just in case one of the guitarists had something go wrong because they didnt have a spare with them. Edited December 9, 2014 by Weststarx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul S Posted December 9, 2014 Share Posted December 9, 2014 I pay my house insurance every year. It has not yet burned down but that doesn't mean I won't be paying my premiums next year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimR Posted December 9, 2014 Share Posted December 9, 2014 [quote name='Weststarx' timestamp='1418120408' post='2626946'] ... apart from my 4x10, I would take another one but I cant get it in my car! ... [/quote] I use 2 2x10"s. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bonzodog Posted December 9, 2014 Share Posted December 9, 2014 I think its an age thing too. Now I am middle age I worry more and am more aware of the consequences so I take spare bass and DI box. Where as in my nephews band of teenagers the bass player and guitarist dont even bother with spare strings let alone guitars Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FinnDave Posted December 9, 2014 Share Posted December 9, 2014 I always take a spare bass, just a Squier P, but I always tune it ready for a quick change over just in case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norris Posted December 9, 2014 Share Posted December 9, 2014 Always a spare set of strings, very rarely a spare bass. If my amp packs up I can quickly DI out of my GT6B multi effects pedal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spacey Posted December 9, 2014 Share Posted December 9, 2014 Only time in Hundreds of Gigs I chanced one bass and the ruddy nut fell of the jack plate and the socket fell in on the Jazz bass . You could not get odds on that at the bookies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockfordStone Posted December 9, 2014 Share Posted December 9, 2014 i always gig with a spare, didn't used to, but rocked up to a long distance gig and found my bass was broken. managed to bodge it back to life before we got on stage, but since then i have taken a second just to be on the safe side Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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