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Bongo 2026 Collection

Do you use multiple basses for a gig?

AnthonyD

AnthonyD

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Joined
Mar 23, 2005
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I'm curious - and I got time - thought I'd pose a question to the folks with multiple basses... (Translation: Question for just about everyone here!)

Do you take multiple basses to your gig with the intention of using a specific bass for a specific song? How much swapping is going on during the set? Is the tone you get that specific to a particular song?

Or...

Do you simply like having the variety to choose from and grab one from your stable for a whole gig/set.

For me, I am a set-it-and-forget-it player. I dial in my sound and that's what I put out for the whole set, the exception being picking up the fretless for a specific "fretless" song.

For me, I have a Bongo coming and I do not think I'll be using my Bongo and my Sterling in the same set. I expect to grab one or the other depending on the mood of the day.

I see people commenting on getting particular tone from one bass or another or one config or another and I'm just wondering how we leverage that.

And like I said, I got the time... :p
 
Yeah, I'll be using my SUB5 and my L-2000. We do a lot of original tunes that require a variety of tones and with those 2, from a funky P-sound to pretty snarly. I've got the gamut covered pretty well.
 
I take mostly 2 basses. A SUB4 to play and a Yamaha from our gitarist as a backup. Not planning to play a song on the yamaha. Subs do rock as hell.
 
I will take 3 or 4 basses to a gig.

A 4 string fretted gets most of the play. A 5 string for a few songs that require the low B. Sometimes a fretless will tag along - or an EUB. I tend to throw in a backup fretted 4 - for looks and cuz I try to be prepared in case something should go wrong with my primary.
 
now that i have a 5'er coming, i think it will usually be my 5, unless i want my 30th to tag along :D
 
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Both pics from gigs, of course. I've also brought both my fretted and fretless Bongos, but no pics, unfortunately.
 
I take at least two, but usually three different basses (the 3rd strung with flats). We do only originals, so I like to try to use what type of sound I used on the studio track. It only takes 4-5 seconds for me to switch, but sometimes if the set doesn't permit it, it's no biggie.
 
Wow - different strokes for different folks, eh?

For me, once we began playing more "serious" gigs I decided I needed a back-up bass (you know, some redundancy in the bass layer to ensure high-availability!).

My fretless comes out for two specific songs in my general band. I am considering playing again for my church, and if that works out - and if I get my fretless-skills in better check - I expect to use the fretless exclusively in that setting.
 
When I did a show every week with a band of mine, I had anywhere between 1 and 3 basses with me. Usually 2. For the Halloween party show, I had 3. 2 fretted and a fretless. But it was usually 2 fretted. Different sounds. I had like 6 or so basses, so it was hard to choose which one to take, so I'd grab 2. :)

Right now, I'm only playing my Sterling out. That'll probably change once I get another MusicMan.
 
I can not remember the last time I went to a gig with one bass. I like having a backup and also having different tones available to me although I usually don't do much changing at a gig. Most of the time I stick with what I start out with unless it is not setting well in the mix of a certain room or whatnot.
 
Piezos add the soul, grit, growl, edge, essence.

I am a huge fan and would recommend them highly - especially valuable in a fretless.
 
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