Mickeyboro Posted June 9, 2023 Share Posted June 9, 2023 Saw a fairly standard blues trio last night playing in an arts centre. The bassist started with a Gibson EB0, went on to a Stingray and swopped back, playing a Spector for one song. That was only in the first half, we left as the volume- especially from him - was crazy loud. How many basses do you take on stage? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waddo Soqable Posted June 9, 2023 Share Posted June 9, 2023 Simples.. One 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cetera Posted June 9, 2023 Share Posted June 9, 2023 Two. A main one and a spare, unless I need a 3rd (fretless). 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snorkie635 Posted June 9, 2023 Share Posted June 9, 2023 Two - one as a backup should springs go boing in some unforeseen manner. 😱 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldslapper Posted June 9, 2023 Share Posted June 9, 2023 I take one for each song. So if the set has 20 songs, I take one bass. 4 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Browning Posted June 9, 2023 Share Posted June 9, 2023 13 minutes ago, cetera said: Two. A main one and a spare, unless I need a 3rd (fretless). Same here. If there is no need for the fretless I take two (main and spare). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodinblack Posted June 9, 2023 Share Posted June 9, 2023 I take one to play, and one to have in case anything goes wrong. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonesy Posted June 9, 2023 Share Posted June 9, 2023 Just the one, but I mostly play originals to an empty room. If I was getting paid to do a set of covers in a pub or something then I'd take 2 so I have a backup just in case. I saw a Pearl Jam tribute band a couple of years ago and they were great. The bassist must have played at least 5 different basses over the 1hr30m set. Jeff Ament played quite a wide range of basses over the course of their career so far and I really rated the bass player for going the extra mile to get it as spot on as possible. I was probably the only person in the venue who appreciated it though 😃 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted June 9, 2023 Share Posted June 9, 2023 Always used to be two, one to use, one as backup. Last few gigs I’ve only taken one. I really should get back to two but back dictates carrying minimal amounts of gear now. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayman Posted June 9, 2023 Share Posted June 9, 2023 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neepheid Posted June 9, 2023 Share Posted June 9, 2023 For the longest time, one. I've recently started taking two when I can be bothered, but the second one is in its case/bag lurking in the shadows as it is strictly the understudy in case anything goes wrong. I'm not changing basses part way through a show - it's just rock covers (or original tunes no-one gives a monkeys about) - who is this jumped up so-and-so? Oh look, he's changed bass. Yup, still sounds him, playing a bass. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassAdder60 Posted June 9, 2023 Share Posted June 9, 2023 (edited) One bass only and with mostly fresh roundwound strings on it. Edited June 9, 2023 by BassAdder60 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linus27 Posted June 9, 2023 Share Posted June 9, 2023 Two, one as a main and one as a backup. I was doing a club gig once to a whole room of punters who were dancing all night and during the break the jack socket failed so super happy I had my spare with me. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asingardenof Posted June 9, 2023 Share Posted June 9, 2023 At the moment one just because of logistics, but I am eyeing up a two-bass case so I can take a backup in case something goes wrong. I already have a spare amp after a previous one blew in the middle of a gig and at least one other DI option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr4stringz Posted June 9, 2023 Share Posted June 9, 2023 Two - one plus backup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted June 9, 2023 Share Posted June 9, 2023 Two. I always take a spare. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
police squad Posted June 9, 2023 Share Posted June 9, 2023 two here aswell. Ever since the pickup went open circuit on my P bass and left me with nothing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Franticsmurf Posted June 9, 2023 Share Posted June 9, 2023 I take two to a gig, but only one is on stage. The other is in hospitality (i.e. 'the broom cupboard') waiting for its moment of glory. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casapete Posted June 9, 2023 Share Posted June 9, 2023 Two. Depending on the size of the stage I either leave the spare in it’s case in the wings of the theatre for smaller places, or have it on a stand behind my amp on bigger stages so its not too much of a trek if the worst happens. Don’t think I’ve had to use it in over 12 years with this band, but an embarrassing incident with battery failure at a flash wedding with my previous band made me vow to always have a spare. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted June 9, 2023 Share Posted June 9, 2023 Depends on the gig and how the band are getting there. Ideally one and a spare, but sometimes if we are travelling light there won't be room. TBH in over 40 years of gigging I've only needed a spare bass on three occasions (and didn't have one on only one, where I didn't even have a spare set of strings and I had to borrow the headlining band's bass), unlike when I was playing guitar and it was a rare gig when I didn't break at least 1 string. The most I've taken to a gig was 5 - 2 fretted and 2 fretless basses and a spare guitar for the guitarist who didn't have one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lozkerr Posted June 9, 2023 Share Posted June 9, 2023 Two here as well - a main and a spare. Haven't needed the spare yet, but Sod's law dictates that the only time I will need it is when I've forgotten to bring it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supernaut Posted June 9, 2023 Share Posted June 9, 2023 One. I've never broken a bass string in 20 years of playing. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayman Posted June 9, 2023 Share Posted June 9, 2023 Having said 2, before, I’ve only ever used one, I’ve never needed the spare, ever. 100s of rock gigs, clanking the strings pretty hard, I’ve never broken a string once. Of course, the day I leave the spare at home is the day I break that string. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snorkie635 Posted June 9, 2023 Share Posted June 9, 2023 Looks like the 'twos' have it. 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickeyboro Posted June 9, 2023 Author Share Posted June 9, 2023 A spare is permissable! As I mentioned, he actually played all three. Now I can tell the difference between Gibson and Fender but wasn’t sure why the Spector. I have played that venue with an Elf and 1x10: this gentleman had an Ashdown head and 8x10. My ears are still ringing… Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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