Do you use your “best” bass on gigs?

[Cat Burrito]

I tend to rotate my basses so whether playing at home, recording or gigging, each one gets treated the same. I can't justify having nice kit if it isn't getting used. An unused bass is a holiday that I can't go on because the money is tied up in an unused instrument. 

[fretmeister]

Yes.

 

No point owning it otherwise.

 

Insure it properly and gig it.

[Lozz196]

I`m not that fussed about damage to my basses - they`re Fenders so not too much that can seriously do them in, it`s more if someone stole them. I`d be annoyed if any of them got nicked but my fave, well if that went walkies it would make me seriously unhappy hence why I don`t gig it. 

[Al Krow]

2 hours ago, Cat Burrito said:

I tend to rotate my basses so whether playing at home, recording or gigging, each one gets treated the same. I can't justify having nice kit if it isn't getting used. An unused bass is a holiday that I can't go on because the money is tied up in an unused instrument. 

 

I'll happily forgo a fancy holiday for a lovely bass I will treasure for a life time.

 

Each to their own eh?

[Steve Browning]

2 minutes ago, Al Krow said:

 

I'll happily forgo a fancy holiday for a lovely bass I will treasure for a life time.

 

Each to their own eh?

 

Indeed, the best bass I bought for 260 quid will pay for a few holidays for my eldest when she gets her mitts on it (and I have no more use for it).

Edited 3 hours ago by Steve Browning

[Mrbigstuff]

15 hours ago, Al Krow said:

 

Question for everyone:

 

Is a bass only "properly played " at a gig? If you choose to make music on a bass at home is that not "playing" it? Why would that be true for a bass but not a piano?

 

Doesn't that kinda assume that a bass player can only ever play his instrument as part of a live band? What if you're not in a band?

 

 

 

1 hour ago, fretmeister said:

Yes.

 

No point owning it otherwise.

 

Insure it properly and gig it.

I guess this sort of view is what inspired @Al Krow’s question. I guess there is more chance of damage on a gig, but I tend to play anywhere between 30-90 mins a day at home, so not far off a common gig duration. My preference is to own mint or excellent condition instruments.

[Cat Burrito]

1 hour ago, Al Krow said:

 

I'll happily forgo a fancy holiday for a lovely bass I will treasure for a life time... Each to their own eh?

 

Absolutely each to their own, yes. Just to be clear though I was not setting any conditions on bass ownership. If someone has an expensive / rare / irreplaceable bass that they don't want to take out, it is a decision entirely for them. I'm just thinking if I don't play something (home or live), I personally can't justify keeping it - I don't have the spare cash. And sadly, my holidays aren't even fancy! 😸

[Lozz196]

Yeah I get that, I’m going to Carlisle for a long weekend soon and it’s £350 before I’ve spent anything on food/refreshments.