Question for anyone who gigs regularly

[flytim]

It looks like the gypsy/swing band I'm in might doing more regular gigs. So the question is how likely is it that my bass is going to get damaged somewhere along the line? It seems to me that no matter how careful I am, the bass is a big awkward and relatively delicate thing. Do you regulars have a spare as a backup? Maybe something like a Yamaha SLB that can easily come with you to the gig just in case.

 

Thanks

 

Tim

[Burns-bass]

30 minutes ago, flytim said:

It looks like the gypsy/swing band I'm in might doing more regular gigs. So the question is how likely is it that my bass is going to get damaged somewhere along the line? It seems to me that no matter how careful I am, the bass is a big awkward and relatively delicate thing. Do you regulars have a spare as a backup? Maybe something like a Yamaha SLB that can easily come with you to the gig just in case.

 

Thanks

 

Tim

I feel your pain. I’m a clumsy person, so I’m always worried about my Bryant.

 

[Staggering on]

I share your concern re damage in transit or some sort of disaster while playing, you're right about the big awkward and delicate aspects of DB. I play very few gigs that are less than an hour from home and running back for a spare is out of the question so for peace of mind I take my Yamaha SLB200 to most gigs "just in case". It may seem a bit silly but the Yamaha doesn't take up much room and I am more relaxed knowing that I can carry on if something bad happens to my DB.  My bass is a Shen SB100 laminate so it is a sturdy bass but I still worry, so far I have had no problems but still take the Yammy and also a spare DB bridge pickup that fits my bass in my gig bag. Belt and braces. 

Edited February 11, 2023 by Staggering on

[Silvia Bluejay]

Always take either a spare stick EUB or a Precision. Don't ask us how we know.

 

 

[Staggering on]

54 minutes ago, Silvia Bluejay said:

Always take either a spare stick EUB or a Precision. Don't ask us how we know.

 

 

 

I remember seeing this when you originally posted it and like a lot of us gasped when I saw the actual crash, it served to confirm in my mind that these things are just so prone to problems that I always take my EUB. I still cringe when I watch your video but at least the bass was able to be repaired and you had the EB, good thing you didn't have the aluminum bass that day!

[Silvia Bluejay]

Absolutely. And the accident was purely down to the strong breeze - the Bass Bar was solid, the ground was flat(-ish), nobody kicked the DB by mistake (or even intentionally!)... 🤷‍♀️

What made the bass unplayable was mainly the detachment of the fingerboard from the neck. Thankfully the damage was repairable.

[JoeEvans]

I worry about this too, my concern is more about ongoing, cumulative minor scrapes, dents and scratches... I have wondered about buying a cheaper, laminated bass for gigging but then I wouldn't get the pleasure of playing my nice bass, and anyway where would I put the damn thing?

[Downunderwonder]

A Ubass is a space saving and very affordable backup that is no slouch for the tone either.

[TheRev]

In the 100s of gigs I've done with my double bass, the worst things that have happened were a paralytic bloke tripping over the edge of the stage and knocking it off it's stand onto the floor (no damage) and two stage invasions at the end of the set where my bridge got knocked over and even then, only one of those occasions resulted in the soundpost falling out of place and a subsequent visit to a luthier.

I can't see either of those situations arising with a swing band, so I reckon your bass is safe.

I do however, always carefully assess where I put my bass back stage or on stage, whether on a stand or on it's side, and make sure it's as out of the way of stage crew &  other band members as possible. 

 

That's not to say that Jayne (my bass) hasn't collected a few nicks and dents in the 10+ years we've been together, and I've twatted the scroll against door frames and low ceilings more times than I can remember, but so far nothing has actually broken off.  

[petebassist]

I think it depends on what type of gigs you do as to whether you might damage an upright. I always take a fret less bass as backup just in case the bridge collapses or there’s a sound issue or a drunk knocks it over  - load in n out for pub & bar gigs gets a few knocks anyway. If you’re worried get a beater bass that will probably sound good enough unless you’re playing somewhere that needs the classic upright tone, I’d say you need a mic pickup anyway for that.

[flytim]

Thanks for the replies and the video (ouch!). The bass I have now, a Thomann hybrid I got second hand for £800 will be the beater bass if I get another bass. I think I'll get a SLB as a backup I can take to gigs with me and save up again for a better bass later. I'm not sure my playing skills deserve spending 2 or 3k yet, but I'm close to understanding what I want out of a new bass. I don't think a P or fretless is going to cut with the band. They'll be fine with the SLB having discussed it with them.

[Drax]

SLBs super rare second hand but will still cost you more than your current Thomann beater. SLB new is £3K+. 

Given how rare major accidents are - you’ll be totally fine just taking your Thomann upright with a fretless / P along as a spare. 
 

[bassace]

I’ve done a few gigs in my time - maybe a few thousand even - and have mostly used my best bass, even in pubs. As I’ve previously said I’d hate my gravestone to say ‘he had a better bass at home’.  The main exception has been outdoor gigs when I’ve always taken a laminate, just in case it rains or the sun is too strong.

 

I’ve found the bass to be a resilient instrument, the main weakness in my experience being the tail wire. I’ve had three go over the years, once while I was playing, with dramatic results, and the other two while tuning up before the gig. My advice is if you find that your tail wire is solid, like a piece of welding rod, replace it as soon as with a length of multi- strand rigging cable.

 

I’ve never taken any back up bass with me, just a set of strings, duplicate leads and a spare amp top.

[Beedster]

I never use a stand, even the best stand can be pushed over, so bass is always on its side, and following knocking of my bridge leaving a venue a few years back I always have an escort in and out of gigs, asking punters to make way for the bass player  

 

Having said this, at a festival 10 years ago we soundchecked and I asked the soundguy where was the safest place to leave the bass. He showed me a spot behind the backline that he said no-one would go near. Five minutes later there was an ominous crash and swearing as the very same soundguy fell onto my DB., literally lying on top of it. No damage to the bass at all, he limped for several days apparently. 

 

I used to take an SLB to every gig not just for damage back up but for those occasions where feedback is too much of a problem. Fell out of love with the sound of the SLB however so now just take a fretless bass as backup 👍

[NickA]

I don't gig with the jazz band much, but I'm out to orchestra at least once a week.  Bent tuners and a small chunk out the scroll ( trapped it in the door of my Skoda citigo ) is the limit of damage. The bridge is often knocked out of place by thumps on door frames, but that's easily put back.

 

The only time my dB was badly damaged was when it fell over at home.  The £1500 insurance funded repair improved the bass a good deal, so not so bad.

[Beedster]

On 13/02/2023 at 21:48, NickA said:

The only time my dB was badly damaged was when it fell over at home.  The £1500 insurance funded repair improved the bass a good deal, so not so bad.

 

That's a result Nick 👍

[3below]

On 13/02/2023 at 21:48, NickA said:

The only time my dB was badly damaged was when it fell over at home. 

Ditto, thanks to my father's efforts  Luckily a clean neck detachment and a super repair / setup by Tim Phillips - https://www.timsviolins.co.uk/ Amazingly £90 for the whole job (10 years ago).