| Author | Message | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 1560 Registered: 6-2002 |
How many guitars do you take to a gig? I normally only take one instrument to any gig that I'm playing at. When I was touring, restrictions on baggage meant we had to travel light so I only had one guitar with me for all but one of the tours I've done. I was playing exclusively reggae on my tours so didn't really need to carry more guitars to get a different sound, but did take two when we toured in the USA just because we were there for 2 weeks and just to be safe. Fortunately I haven't had any problems other than the odd string break with any guitar i've taken on the road. I did sell my Parker Fly as punishment for giving me problems in Singapore after a string break. The difficulty was the machine heads had this crazy string locking setup where you had to align two holes on the string post before you could thread the string through. When on a dark stage that is almost impossible to do. What do you think? Are guitars and basses now durable, versatile, reliable enough to rely on one guitar? I recently read that Clarkee's bass packed up on the SMV tour. I haven't been able to find out what it was that went wrong with it but the fact he had to continue on double bass it would indicate that he is happy to carry only one electric bass when touring. Jazzyvee | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 2556 Registered: 2-2006 |
When I was playing full time I always had 2 basses with me. My 4 string and my 8 string. Now that I only play part time and usually in Church or the Studio it all depends on the set list. If I'll be doing any slap I'll take a 4 string if not I'll take a 5. If I happend to be playing for more than a couple of hours I'll take both. I've leave my upright at Church because I never know what song I'll use it on until the moment occurs. OO | ||
| crobbins
Advanced Member Username: crobbins Post Number: 389 Registered: 6-2004 |
I take 1 bass, and 1 guitar. 1 bass rig, and 1 guitar rig. That's enough exercise for me.. | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 2557 Registered: 2-2006 |
Fortunately I've only needed to carry my amp with twice in the past year. Most of the stuff I've done either have a house amp or in ear monitors. Makes it a little more appealing to carry an extra axe when you're not heaving a heavy amp around. OO OO | ||
| gtrguy
Advanced Member Username: gtrguy Post Number: 220 Registered: 9-2004 |
Two if I am playing regular guitar (in case I break a string mid-song) and one if playing bass. However, I have had bass strings break during songs also. I also take a quick string winder tool and a little flashlight. | ||
| keith_h
Senior Member Username: keith_h Post Number: 1319 Registered: 2-2005 |
It depends upon the material. I typically take two. My Brown Bass and either my 5 string Orion or fretless Orion. Keith | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 3964 Registered: 7-2004 |
I always bring a backup guitar in case I break a string mid-set. Then, depending on the material we're playing, I'll often bring my Series I 12 string or my Orion Baritone. If I'm using my synth, my alembicized Fernandes (with 13 pin out) is always along for the ride. I recently picked up a Line 6 Variax. I may start bringing this one to do multiple duty, covering the roles of back-up, 12 string and any other sounds I may want (dobro, open tunings, sitar, etc). Bill, tgo | ||
| terryc
Senior Member Username: terryc Post Number: 923 Registered: 11-2004 |
My MK Signature only..it does all I want it to do Roland Bass Cube with extension speaker, wireless unit and Zoom B2.1u | ||
| hydrargyrum
Senior Member Username: hydrargyrum Post Number: 611 Registered: 3-2004 |
Off topic, but how do you like the Orion Bill? I was just thinking that I would have liked to have had it at practice the other day. Then I kicked myself again for selling it. | ||
| briant
Advanced Member Username: briant Post Number: 344 Registered: 12-2004 |
I'll either bring two basses or one bass with an extra set of strings. Usually I make this decision based on what rig I'm taking. If it is a small rig I bring one bass to keep the amount of gear to a minimum. | ||
| bsee
Senior Member Username: bsee Post Number: 2380 Registered: 3-2004 |
I bring an Alembic plus a headless bass of some sort. It gives me a show-must-go-on backup with minimal extra load. If you're a short scale player, find a Kramer Duke. For long scale, there are plenty of options from Hohner, Steinberger, or even Zon. If you have the $2K or so, Zon has told me they would make a 32" if I wanted one, and they definitely make five stringers as well. If I were studio bound, I might bring a 2nd Alembic, but the headless is a great backup option for live work. If I were a guitarist, I would definitely bring a backup. Those skinny little strings are too fragile. -bob | ||
| jacko
Senior Member Username: jacko Post Number: 2314 Registered: 10-2002 |
I take 2, a fretted and a fretless which both get used as the music dictates. They're both 5 string so at least if I break a string I can switch basses pretty quickly although the tone and feel will be different. graeme | ||
| dannobasso
Senior Member Username: dannobasso Post Number: 1052 Registered: 3-2004 |
Though I have had a few black basses built for touring, I only bring 1 on a gig. I'm sometimes asked where is the backup? I say I don't need it. It would be like having a backup drum set. The Excels stay in tune and hold their set up. I do make sure the batteries are good and have tools and extras on hand which get given out to guitarists on occasion. Good thing I get them as Costco! | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 3966 Registered: 7-2004 |
The Costco brand batteries, "Kirkland", are actually quite good. Consumer Reports did a test last year and they ranked right at the top, as good or better than Duracells! It's the main reason I have a Costco card. Bill, tgo | ||
| sonicus
Intermediate Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 149 Registered: 5-2009 |
It depends on the gig, but a fretted and a fretless often as of lately.I sold my Bass Violin so that's no longer an option. | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 8273 Registered: 5-2002 |
In the title to this thread, Jazzyvee asks; How many do you take on a gig? To which I'm wondering .. Shots or hits? | ||
| peoplechipper
Intermediate Member Username: peoplechipper Post Number: 121 Registered: 2-2009 |
When I was playing guitar, always a backup 'cause even playing 14-56 I broke strings regularly(I got real good at switching guitars without missing a beat!) with bass I now only bring my Distillate, but make sure it has fresh strings and battery and I have spares...Tony | ||
| serialnumber12
Senior Member Username: serialnumber12 Post Number: 478 Registered: 12-2004 |
I take a pint of brandy & five Joints! | ||
| dadabass2001
Senior Member Username: dadabass2001 Post Number: 1195 Registered: 6-2002 |
Usually a fretted and a fretless, unless the gig doesn't allow for variation (Dead cover) or the space is just too small (Curly's). Dave, I'll take one shot AFTER the show, nothing else, I'm doing the "You're In" test blues shuffle...  Mike | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 8277 Registered: 5-2002 |
Mike, about the most I do is a couple shots of coffee and a few hits of orange juice. | ||
| dannobasso
Senior Member Username: dannobasso Post Number: 1053 Registered: 3-2004 |
I bet you do da fresh squeezed wit da extra pulp man cause' dats how the bearded guys roll! I cain't do the coffee, but I will take a large tea milk n honey or n equal ifin' dey don't have it. N' fer me its vitamin water. I ain't as hard core as y'all. My beard is a bit angry lookin' though. Now Ron dat sum gun can prob-ob-ly throw down! Wait, do you have a beard Dave? Maybe I'm projecting. Go Moder Dave! You Wild Son! It's on like ......uh..... jus' put in yer own conclusion here.......postin' rules n all. | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 8278 Registered: 5-2002 |
ROFL! Thanks Danno!! | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 3968 Registered: 7-2004 |
Hey Dave, is that orange sunshine juice? Bill, tgo | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 8280 Registered: 5-2002 |
Hee hee; not for quite a while now! | ||
| gtrguy
Advanced Member Username: gtrguy Post Number: 221 Registered: 9-2004 |
I did a gig this last year on caffeine (sp?). It was horrible, never again. My timing was off, I felt nervious, and afterwards I could not sleep. I had never tried it before for a gig, instead drinking beer or whatever was available. However, you do not wake up with a hangover; there is no getting to sleep in the first place. |
