How many basses do you bring to a gig

[12stringbassist]

Either 2 active or passive 4-string basses and an active or passive 12-string bass.

[T28]

Hamer 12....sweet!

How much do one of those puppies weigh?

[idealassets]

it's always my Ric ! No kidding, sometimes I have a 5-String with me if certain songs demand that.

I inquired of a most excellent bass player that I jammed with tonight; why the 5 string bass? His 5 string is his go-to bass, that he brings everywhere to perform with. I still like the look of a Ric 4003, and perhaps this will require 2 basses if I were to ever get to be any good also with a 5 string. I know the top heavy string is an open B string when using 5 strings. Is it really that much of an added feature?

You know on drums I personally would be able to be totally happy with a basic 4 piece set, hi-hat, cymbols, and one foot pedal. But more drums and pedals (if you actually use them all) can really bring out some cool drum riffs, techniques, and change-ups.

So really, could i do it all on a 4 string bass, or be that much more in the zone when going to 5 strings?

PS I have met a few multi-instrument musicians that when on a bass could really bring out some creative sounds.

Thank you,
Craig

[T28]

I use a 5 string instead of down tuning on certain songs.

and sometimes it's just fun to hear that low B rumble the room.

[Baker69]

I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure that 5 basses were introduced to compete with the low bass tones that electronic keyboards were capable of producing. In fact I recall during the late 80's and early 90's bass guitars went a bit out of fashion and on many recordings at that time they used keyboard or synth for the bass.

With a 5 string bass it is not just about the added depth that the 'B' string can deliver, it is about versatility as well, you will find that you can play songs easily in any key by using the part of the fretboard that is most used and you are more familiar with i.e. the lower part of the neck. Sometimes with a 4 string and depending on the key of the song you can find yourself playing it quite high up the neck, not a problem for most but the bass tone you're producing may not sound as you would like it as you're playing higher up the register.

There's always going to be a few 5 string players that play one simply because it looks cool!

[jps]

The first 5 and 6 string basses were made in the mid '70s, for Jimmy Johnson and Anthony Jackson, respectively. They just wanted to go lower (and higher in AJ's case), not because of synths, but for great musical expression.

[fatcat]

The first fiver I remember was the Fender Bass V released in 1965, was advertised to allow easier access to higher notes by playing across the neck instead of having to move up the neck.
Sorta a lead baloon.

Further reference

Edit: Steinburger's XT 25 comes strung like these instead of B-G.

[bartyclue]

What is a double gig bag, and who makes them?

http://www.monocase.com/mono-dual-bass.asp

Are you guys not terrified something horrible will happen while your basses are in these soft cases? Some years ago we had a fight between some bar patrons break out at the end of the night. We were breaking down and our guitars were in their cases all lined up waiting to get loaded. Some clown pushed the other and like a bowling ball, he knocks all the cases over. At that point he had three angry musicians and two roadies to worry about in in addition to his "friend". I can't imagine the same scenario had our axes been in softshell cases. The guy probably would have lost an organ or two.

[iamthebassman]

For typical Eggmen show:
Hofner "Beatle"
Ric 4001S
a hollowbody bass for 3rd(Brit.Invasion) set.

For Eggmen orchestra show:
Hofner "Beatle"
Brice Violin Bass(backup for Hofner)
Ric 4001S
Fender Jazz Bass
"Homemade" Bass VI
Jerry Jones Electric Sitar

[T28]

Are you guys not terrified something horrible will happen while your basses are in these soft cases? Some years ago we had a fight between some bar patrons break out at the end of the night. We were breaking down and our guitars were in their cases all lined up waiting to get loaded. Some clown pushed the other and like a bowling ball, he knocks all the cases over. At that point he had three angry musicians and two roadies to worry about in in addition to his "friend". I can't imagine the same scenario had our axes been in softshell cases. The guy probably would have lost an organ or two.

I have found some of the soft cases to offer incredible protection....the Tribal Planet cases are/were awesome (not sure if they are still available).
While I would not ship one in the cargo hold of a plane in a soft case I think the better ones are more than adequate for club gigs.

[sloop_john_b]

No room for hardshell cases in my life. I have a wonderful Reunion Blues gig bag and a Fender double gig bag.

[bartyclue]

No "bag" would have protected our instruments from this guy falling on them. Two definites for me in protecting my stuff. 1. strap locks 2. Hard shell cases

[sloop_john_b]

No "bag" would have protected our instruments from this guy falling on them. Two definites for me in protecting my stuff. 1. strap locks 2. Hard shell cases

1/2 ain't bad.

[bartyclue]

No "bag" would have protected our instruments from this guy falling on them. Two definites for me in protecting my stuff. 1. strap locks 2. Hard shell cases

1/2 ain't bad.

Yup.. you're half-way there

[jps]

The first fiver I remember was the Fender Bass V released in 1965, was advertised to allow easier access to higher notes by playing across the neck instead of having to move up the neck.
Sorta a lead baloon.

Further reference

Edit: Steinburger's XT 25 comes strung like these instead of B-G.

Yeah, I know about those, but they are pretty unconventional, not that an Alembic or Carl Thompson back in the '70s was conventional, either.