Kevin Dean Posted February 2, 2014 Share Posted February 2, 2014 Now I have a new bass that enables me to play some of the songs without having to D tune I have the option of using a Capo to play the rest of the set or just use my other bass . I like the idea of just using one bass as one is 36" scale & the other 34" . I wonder if swapping basses makes you loose continuity in some way. what do yo ladies & gents think .? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted February 2, 2014 Share Posted February 2, 2014 You get used to it, if it needs to be done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icastle Posted February 2, 2014 Share Posted February 2, 2014 Nah. Provided you're organised and know when you have to change you'll be able to do it in about 5 seconds while the singer is introducing the next song. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delberthot Posted February 2, 2014 Share Posted February 2, 2014 One 4 string bass and one D-tuner. That's all I need. Used 5, 6, 8 & 12 string basses for years but I really only need one 4 string to do everything Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Posted February 2, 2014 Share Posted February 2, 2014 If your talking continuity of the show you need to be organised, an instrument change needs to be planned and rehearsed. If you mean changing basses makes playing difficult I don't think so. I went from my short scale mustang to my EUB and back with no problem tonight. Sorry, last night now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobVbass Posted February 2, 2014 Share Posted February 2, 2014 Go for it - I swap between DB and EB all through the set, we just make sure there's either a gap of talking or a song with a drum or guitar intro long enough for the few seconds needed; I have them both through a boss line switcher so it's a case of swap bass hit foot switch and off I go Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin_lindsay Posted February 2, 2014 Share Posted February 2, 2014 Years agoi played with a band where I'd use tge following basses during the set: 5 string bass (Sei Bass or Fender) Fretless bass Hofner "Beatle" bass Chapman Stick Double Bass The instruments sounded great for their respective tunes, and changing over wasn't too much hassle. The biggest problem was the physical space required to store them, and also the room needed to transport them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacko Posted February 2, 2014 Share Posted February 2, 2014 I swap between fretted and fretless 5 strings - takes about 5 seconds from pressing the mute button. Try to arrange your set where you have a handful of each type so you're not switching every other song. Also as previously mentioned, guitar or drum intros give you a bit of breathing space. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve-bbb Posted February 2, 2014 Share Posted February 2, 2014 [quote name='icastle' timestamp='1391306491' post='2355672'] Nah. Provided you're organised and know when you have to change you'll be able to do it in about 5 seconds while the singer is introducing the next song. [/quote] this oh and the guitarist will [b]always[/b] be faffing about with settings too and usually twice as long as the singer takes to introduce the next number Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Dean Posted February 2, 2014 Author Share Posted February 2, 2014 [quote name='Delberthot' timestamp='1391307155' post='2355674'] One 4 string bass and one D-tuner. That's all I need. Used 5, 6, 8 & 12 string basses for years but I really only need one 4 string to do everything [/quote] What D tuner do you use . I've tried several & haven't liked any of them . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpaceChick Posted February 2, 2014 Share Posted February 2, 2014 On our current set, I have a switch between my fretted in standard tuning, to my fretless for two tracks, then back to my fretted which needs to be drop tuned to D..... It's no issue at all. As BobVBass said, quick switch of a switcher and away to go. I use my GT10b and have a switch to switch basses, tuning also done through the pedal. Can do it all really quickly with no gaps between songs. As long as you practice the switches it's no issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Dean Posted February 2, 2014 Author Share Posted February 2, 2014 Today I've been rehearsing just with My 36" Shuker tuned to D G C F & using a capo on the second fret . For me it it works really well . I'll report back after a few gigs . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
12stringbassist Posted February 2, 2014 Share Posted February 2, 2014 I generally take 3 with me. One for first half, One for second. Plus a spare in case I need a fresh neck to play. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRBboy Posted February 2, 2014 Share Posted February 2, 2014 I just use a versatile 5 string these days that does everything I need. Don't have to bother drop tuning for songs in D, which is great. I always take a backup "just in case", but I never need to use it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Burrito Posted February 2, 2014 Share Posted February 2, 2014 Watching some players (Rich Robinson in the Black Crowes springs to mind) they change after every song. I have a gig next week where I'm on upright bass and bas guitar so I'll let you know For a pub gig I think more than 2 basses it can start to get a bit OTT but I guess players do what they feel is right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted February 2, 2014 Share Posted February 2, 2014 Love watching Muse. Lots of different basses, yet they all sound the same... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Dean Posted February 3, 2014 Author Share Posted February 3, 2014 I tried using a 5 string & just didn't like it , I went to see a local pub band the other day & the bass player had 5 basses only the fret less was noticed sound wise & he seemed a bit flustered having to change basses ,He played one song withe the strap twisted & dropped another bass . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ead Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 Same as many above; one fretless, one fretted. All mine are 4-string though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Dyer Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 [quote name='Kevin Dean' timestamp='1391342727' post='2355918'] What D tuner do you use . I've tried several & haven't liked any of them . [/quote] I've used HipShot on all my basses and not had a problem, although there is a little trick to tuning it correctly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrismuzz Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 My cover band play in 3 different tunings. Eb, drop C#, and drop B. I play one bass for the first two tunings, just retuning the bottom string, then for the drop B stuff I just play a 5 or 6 string in standard tuning. Swapping basses and checking tuning can be done in seconds now I'm used to it. ...though I have forgotten to swap before and had to improvise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebrig Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 [quote name='Mark Dyer' timestamp='1391423729' post='2356861'] I've used HipShot on all my basses and not had a problem, although there is a little trick to tuning it correctly. [/quote]I use a HipShot too, so come on, don't keep it to yourself, what's the "trick"? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 Yes, what trick? Cough up now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevB Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 One bass at the moment. I used to turn up with a spare but it rapidly became evident I was neverr going to be given enough stage room to actually have a spare accessible if anything went wrong so it's just a P at present. Nothing much to go wrong on a passive P anyway, I carry a spare set of strings but that's it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KiOgon Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 [quote name='Mark Dyer' timestamp='1391423729' post='2356861'] I've used HipShot on all my basses and not had a problem, although there is a little trick to tuning it correctly. [/quote] [quote name='thebrig' timestamp='1391433530' post='2357048'] I use a HipShot too, so come on, don't keep it to yourself, what's the "trick"? [/quote] [quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1391445451' post='2357225'] Yes, what trick? Cough up now. [/quote] Another happy Hipshot user - awaiting the reveal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulconnolly Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 I use a 5 string for just about everything. Occasionally swap to 4 string if I want a change. It has a Hipshot D tuner that I can engage very swiftly for some of the songs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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