Do you use your “best” bass on gigs?

[dclaassen]

Thinking about this as I prep for another dep job. My MPV fiver has not been out of the house for a while, but I’ve been playing it almost exclusively whilst practicing. It’s such a joy to play, and inspires me to try more creative kinds of bass lines. I think I’ll unleash it this weekend. Would you take a basically irreplaceable instrument to a pub gig? Why or why not?

[LeftyJ]

I do bring my best (a Status Graphite S2 Classic - which is no longer in production and difficult to replace, especially as it is a rare lefty). It is a solid and dependable workhorse and out of all my basses it does best what I need it to do in the band I'm currently with (doom metal in the very low tuning of A). I didn't purchase it new and didn't pay a huge sum for it (traded a Stingray 5 + 100 GBP). I might have been more hesitant if I had paid the 4000GBP+ new price for it. It's still not nearly Fodera or Alembic money, but I couldn't see myself A: spend that much on a bass and B: feel comfortable taking it out of the house. 

[neepheid]

I gig all my basses, regardless of how much they cost.  Instruments which don't get gigged get sold.

 

Edit: I'll expand upon my answer.  While none of my basses are truly "irreplaceable" I do own several which would be a monumental PITA to replace in terms of sourcing, plus any mods I've made to make them play/operate the way I want them to.  So while not strictly speaking "irreplaceable", I'd rather bloody not have to!

 

I own basses which make me happy, and I'm happiest when I'm playing them.  So they get played.  I take simple precautions when out and about - not leaving them unattended (there is at least one band member in the "stage" area at all times), using an appropriate stand for the bass (like not trying to precariously balance a T-bird on a mini stand for instance) and just taking the time and care to handle them properly.  Been gigging since 2009, and not once have I had a bass stolen, picked up and mucked about with, knocked over or damaged.  Not saying it's impossible, but with some simple safeguards, chances can be minimised.

Edited 8 hours ago by neepheid

[Lozz196]

My fave Precision doesn`t go outside my flat. It`s by far from irreplaceable as an item as it`s a regular US Standard Precision but it has too much sentimental value for me to risk taking it to areas where it could be half-inched. I use it far more than any of my other basses as it`s my home use bass so not like it`s a case-queen.

[bertbass]

As it's my only bass, that would be a yes.

[Twigman]

Yes - My EBMM USA Sterling 4HH is my do everything bass at the moment.

I do have others that have, in the past, also been my do everything bass.

It goes to all my gigs where ever they are.

It gets checked in as hold luggage on crappy airlines. 

It gets left unattended at venues for hours while we're off doing other things.

They don't make them anymore and they seem very rare on the secondhand market, particularly with matching headstock.

It is insured. 

Luckily I haven't needed to test that insurance yet.

[Terry M.]

Of the 3 basses I own I would hesitate to use my favourite one on a pub gig. Why? Because like a child and some Lego I'm embarrassingly attached to it. One day I'll grow up and get over it 😂 

[Steve Browning]

I do occasionally, but not often. I had my SVL basses made as exact copies of my 66 Precision (excepting the colour) so I didn't take it out on the road.

 

It comes along to some local gigs but I tend to use one of my other basses primarily. That will include pub gigs.

[BigRedX]

My basses (and guitars) have been bought in order to be played. Currently the only instrument I gig is the cheapest one I own - Eastwood Hooky 6-string bass - but that's because it's the only one with the correct string configuration and scale length for the music my band is currently doing. However I have gigged all the instruments that I currently own depending on the band I was in at the time. Also I only practice using the instrument I am going to be playing at the gig. There's no point in using a different one.

[chris_b]

All my basses are "best".

 

They are all tools, are replaceable (although I would rather not have to) and were all bought to be gigged, so leaving them at home has never crossed my mind.

 

Same for amps and cabs. I'm not going to sound my best if I leave the "best" gear at home.

 

[Terry M.]

3 hours ago, dclaassen said:

Thinking about this as I prep for another dep job. My MPV fiver has not been out of the house for a while, but I’ve been playing it almost exclusively whilst practicing. It’s such a joy to play, and inspires me to try more creative kinds of bass lines. I think I’ll unleash it this weekend. Would you take a basically irreplaceable instrument to a pub gig? Why or why not?

The title is asking about taking a best bass on a gig but you're specifically asking about pub gigs. I answered based on the latter as I use my favourite in church all the time 👍 None of my basses are "housebound" in that sense.

[Terry M.]

37 minutes ago, chris_b said:

Same for amps and cabs. I'm not going to sound my best if I leave the "best" gear at home. 

Unless the venue has a rig that's arguably "better" than yours. This thread isn't about amps but I had that happen to me some years back 😄

[police squad]

I've always gigged them all, even my '59 Les Paul jr got a good thrashing in the pub

But I'm playing cheaper instruments these days, my two Warwick Adam Clayton basses were 2nd hand and not that expensive

I have a 4003 made by HW incoming and can't wait to try it in the Jam tribute but it was cheaper than any 2nd hand Rick I could find

[spyder]

I have only two basses and both go out with me. They are tools and I want to sound the very best I can be. 

 

[Schnozzalee]

Depends on the venue

[jazzyvee]

Yes. usually when I can use my own rig or when it's a venue where i know the sound is going to  be great.

[HeadlessBassist]

Yes, whether I'm carrying a couple of grands worth of Fender Jazz or a now irreplaceable Status, I always use them, no matter what the venue. Otherwise there would be no point owning them. As much as I'd like to save some of them for 'best', they're working tools at the end of the day. I do, however never let them out of my sight at some venues.

[snorkie635]

8 hours ago, dclaassen said:

Thinking about this as I prep for another dep job. My MPV fiver has not been out of the house for a while, but I’ve been playing it almost exclusively whilst practicing. It’s such a joy to play, and inspires me to try more creative kinds of bass lines. I think I’ll unleash it this weekend. Would you take a basically irreplaceable instrument to a pub gig? Why or why not?

MPV fiver - love it, love it, love it! Would I gig it? Yes indeedy.

[ezbass]

7 hours ago, neepheid said:

I gig all my basses, regardless of how much they cost.  Instruments which don't get gigged get sold.

This, except mine is more instruments that don’t get used get sold. My Rob Allen is currently very much underused and is looking shaky in terms of its residency at chez Ez.

 

My only gig these days doesn’t really call for a number of my basses, but I still take out my custom Maruszczyk as my number one.

[Jamieboy]

I have this debate with myself from time to time, always end up counselling myself not to be precious and then grit my teeth and take it. I own a nice bass for the joy I get from playing it. I don't want to allow the object itself to become an idol.... that's what I tell myself anyway.

[Al Krow]

For me, there's a false hierarchy to say that playing an instrument in one setting (e.g. a gig) is more righteous than playing it another (e.g. at home). I think it's possible to get enormous pleasure from an instrument wherever it's played.

 

I've got a particular bass that seems to be my goto for gigging these days - it's a decently high-end bass (Elrick) which I bought a while back from @Sibob of this parish and am very much still loving it. It now has a few knocks to testify to the very many gigs it's faithfully done for me.

 

I do have one bass that I would hesitate to take out to a pub gig specifically, as that was a 'treat' bass and I suspect I'd be quite upset if it got damaged. Part of the joy of that bass, for me, is the craftsmanship that went into making it and I think it's possible to appreciate the design and craftsmanship in an instrument, as well as other objects in life, that can make it be worth something more than being just 'a tool', albeit an excellent one, to get a job done. 

 

The rest of my basses yes, absolutely, would be happy to gig them at pubs as well as function venues. 

[Mrbigstuff]

Back when I gigged I used to take my Overwater 5 out a bit because a) it always sounded great and b) it had already had a few knocks. However, because I was playing mostly smaller venues it felt overkill and I always thought I looked stupid. Finally I learned that a standard 4 string Fender P that was often left at home was exactly what was required.

[dclaassen]

1 hour ago, snorkie635 said:

MPV fiver - love it, love it, love it! Would I gig it? Yes indeedy.

Lovely…I need to get mine refinished sometime…

 

1 hour ago, snorkie635 said:

MPV fiver - love it, love it, love it! Would I gig it? Yes indeedy.

do you get much punch out of the bridge pickup?

[itu]

If I start fiddling with anything irrelevant over sound, I need to stop gigging. 

 

I use whichever bass is suitable for the gig. It may be possible a meteor destroys my bass (and me), but every instrument is meant for playing. 

[bassfan]

Yep… I’ll take my best bass to a gig. No point in having it if I can’t play it. 😎 I get the potential damage aspect, so i wouldn’t take it to a pub that I thought was tight on space. Most other venues are fine though. 

Edited 2 hours ago by bassfan