Holding auditions for a gig...

[phatduckk]

not auditioning peoople... but my basses. ive been asked how i pick which MM to play given the fact that i have a bunch; well, i just went thru that process so i thought id write about it cuz ive never really had an answer.

so today victim nation's headlining some matinee gig and i gotta get ready in about an hour so it was bass picking time. I feel lazy today and thought "it would be nice to just take a gig bag and not deal with a case". with that thought the first contenders where picked... the BC Sterling, HH Sterling & the HH SR4. these guys all have a scar or two and i really dont care if they get another one.

a few basses are automatically out... Blue Dawn Sterling & white sparkle have old strings so they cant come, 30th Sr4 and HS Sterling are out cuz i wouldnt wanna trek em around w/o a case... and finally the bongo is out cuz its new and the case reason.

I looked at the sr4 HH and she didnt "say" anything to me... no draw today but right next to her the BC sterling asked for my attention, notified me that shes got brand new strings and i should take her. so i plug her in... eh, nope, she's got new strings but not EB Stainless (she was borrowed and restrung w/ acme strings).

then i picked up the HH Sterling... new strings, new setup, smooth neck... has paint chipped so i dont worry about it getting scratched. i plug it in and it sounds awesome & plays awesome. she won the audition and got the gig

so how do u guys pick what to take to a gig?

oh ya... for a backup. well, i live on the edge yo - no backup; but honestly, there's no way im gonna take 2 nice basses to a punk rock club with drunk, not-so-morally-sound people around

 

[Dr Stankface]

How do I pick?


Eeny Meeny Miny Mo...

 

[SLUGGO]

I go through similar dilemas every gig too! Outdoor gigs = SUB SR4...period. I think Jager and aweat just make it sound better! Club with a stage, one set = 30th SR 4 OR the SR4HH LE black/gold. Multiple sets, cover show, stage = DD SR5. Glad to see I'm not the only one!

 

[bassmancb]

To me it all depends if its indoor, outdoor, hour show, all nite, etc. The 30th SR4 and the 20th SR5 come out when I really want to raise a little hell!!!!!!!!

 

[T-bone]

Seems like it's been all 30th, all the time, lately. Although, I did play an HS Sterling on my last venture to GC. The GAS is building.

tbone

 

[slucas]

First I consider the set list and try to determine what is going to sound best with the songs if I can. Another consideration I make is length of gig. Old guys with bad backs shouldn't be playing 10-12 pound Stingrays without anticipating back pain during or at least after a long one. That is when I reach for a Bongo or Sterling. If weight isn't an issue with shorter gig and I cannot decipher best match for set then I just pick whatever moves me at the time, usually one I haven't had out for a while.

 

[Eggman]

1 Bongo 4HH
1 Sterling tough choice but I rotate H, HS, HH, and
1 5 String Bongo 5HSP or SR HS

This is what I usually take to a gig. Like Phatty - I hold auditions - what is feeling good - what is sounding good. The type of gig has some influence too. Outdoor or rowdy place = non-LTDs. Nice place with great lights and stage = Dargies and Blue Dawn!

 

[oddjob]

Grab the case closest to the door and hope I remembered to load a bass in it

 

[Psycho Ward]

It depends on what shirt I plan to wear, as you all know I’m very much into fashion.


This reminds me, I need another natural bass for shirtless gigs.

 

[slucas]

Skip the gig pics on that Chuck

 

[phatduckk]

Seems like it's been all 30th, all the time, lately. Although, I did play an HS Sterling on my last venture to GC. The GAS is building.

tbone

do it, do it!

 

[Spectre]

Depends upon the music, and the environment I will be playing.
I use my silver SR4 a lot at outdoor gigs. It's got age and mojo to handle temp changes, humidity, and nasty sweat.
My purple SR5 likes indoors. I keep this one pristine.

Right now, I am eager to take one of my Dargie's out.
But, the next gig I am doing is at some AA function. I don't think a base with Martini glass inlays would be kosher.

 

[asianjeff]

Right now, I am eager to take one of my Dargie's out.
But, the next gig I am doing is at some AA function. I don't think a base with Martini glass inlays would be kosher.

Oh come on! I'm sure someone would appreciate the irony and the humor... I mean it's not like you are drinking while playing the dd

 

[phatduckk]

Oh come on! I'm sure someone would appreciate the irony and the humor... I mean it's not like you are drinking while playing the dd

i usually drink while i play. today there was a bunch of tequila shots on stage. dunno how they got there. a few got kicked and went flying by accident... it was pretty cool.

even then, we were too sober when we played and even tho we played well the fun factor was a little lacking.

 

[PocketGroove82]

The HH SR5 can cover anything I need to do, so that's the one I've been gigging with. With flats on, it's perfect for blues, jazz, disco, country, funk, reggae and everything in between.
Although, if I could find a nice light sterling 5 next year, I might go that route.

 

[asianjeff]

Although, if I could find a nice light sterling 5 next year, I might go that route.

Don't mean for the hijack, but I've noticed people posting their weight for their basses... and noticed they are all not the same. What causes the discrepancy... and how much would that change the balance of the bass overall?

 

[phatduckk]

Don't mean for the hijack, but I've noticed people posting their weight for their basses... and noticed they are all not the same. What causes the discrepancy... and how much would that change the balance of the bass overall?

all peices of wood are different. different desities and all that... so there's no guarantee that 2 sterlings will weigh the same.

as far as balance etc goes its all good. ive never read of any issues and personally have both light and heavy sterlings and they both fit the same. the difference in wood (and their weight) is something that the engineers are aware of and im sure they design instruments with this in mind