How many basses do you bring to a gig

[Baker69]

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

I had a drunken guy fall on top of one of my basses at the end of a gig some years ago, it broke the case but the bass inside ( a '73 Fender P Bass) was untouched, which is a credit to hard cases. Having said that I only use soft cases now but they are Warwick Premium Rockbags which have 30mm padding and capable of protecting the basses from most situations - (but probably not someone falling over on them!)

I make a special effort of packing my basses away first and then move them to a 'safer' area than the stage. Basses are more likely to be accidentally damaged by your fellow band members than members of the public!

[woodyng]

Re;5 strings,i am revisiting the low range by converting my frankenjazz to BEAD tuning. I did this once years ago with a peavey,and really liked the results. It allows me to play bass like i am used to,i,e, going up and down the neck instead of across the fretboard,and i find i don't miss those lost 7 notes from the high end. So now,the bead would be added as a backup/alternate for gigging. Depending on how the re-tweek works on it,i may even try tuning it ADGC. Good thing my guitarist doesn't look to me for visual tuning reference!

[ricbass]

Hello Folks,
I'm not a newbie to this forum. I went by another handle. Couldn't remember p/w u/n so I reinvented one. to answer this cool thread, I always use two basses. I have broken strings on stage and at practice and when installing new strings. I use a 1973 Rick and a 5 string. In process of picking up a 5 string acoustic/ electric Michael Kelly Club bass. The Rick has been my backup bass since the 5 string basses have more depth in tone due to the B string and it depends on the tune. for a real classic tune, I pick up the Rick for that classic tone even if it has been heavily modified. Why anyone would take out a perfectly good bridge pickup that is rare to find and replace it with a P bass pickup is beyond me. I'm getting ready to sell it off with Chris Squire's autograph remnant and pick up a 4003 along side the MK. I think that would be a pretty cool one-two punch in the bottom.
As for the previous post, if you want bottom go BEAD. I have done that too and loved the results. Wasn't sure what it would do to the neck but I did it which is why I really like the 5 string basses. Some 5 strings are so much easier to play than others. I don't think the ADGC would work as well. It would be like a piccolo bass and bring out many higher frequencies and low is where to go unless you play a lot of Jazz, solo stuff or and be a lead bass. That is where the Ric would come in. Hope you don't mind the comment.
PEACE

[woodyng]

Well actually i meant tuning DOWN to the low A,but a preliminary trial of that proved to result in too much string floppiness. And no,i don't mind your comments at all. I have the bass back,(needed the nut cut,etc) and it is working out nicely. It has a great low end,now that is extended. I have tried out quite a few 5 stringers over the years,and just don't much care to play them.
Edit i really liked Tony Levin's idea for a 3 string MM bass,which i thunk he had custom made for using his patented FunkFingers with.

[RobW]

I always bring a backup bass I keep in the trunk, although in 20-some years I've never had to use it. (I play the kind of gigs where the bass player can walk out mid-song to the parking lot, come back with a new bass, and nobody even notices or cares, except my only friend the drummer)

[Oli Wan]

never more than two, I dont like changing basses that much through a gig. The days before the gig I try to find out which one feels best at the moment and than play only that one until the gig.
Also I dont like hauling too much..

[marc61]

I haven't broken a string since 1982(or thereabouts). For all these open mics I go to, most times I don't even bring a bass. I just borrow For gigs I bring one. Funny though as I'm playing in two different bands later this month on the same bill and will be bringing two basses for the first time that I can remember.

I haven't put the funds together for the DI box I want but, when I get it I plan to not bring an amp wherever I can avoid it