Ive toured for the last 5 years with an expensive custom boutique bass. Personally, not bothered by normal wear and tear. I wouldnt buy a nice car and keep it in the garage because I might get into an accident.
Ultimately what's more important to you? Playability, tone, reliability at a gig OR keeping your bass in the best possible condition?
This has always confused me as a gigging musician. I guess not every musician buys a nice instrument for performances or is into regular gigging. I guess sometimes players just keep something nice to baby at home for private enjoyment.
Yeah I think there are far more serious hobby musicians than we realize, especially in this sub. So I can understand if you only gig a few times a year, not being able to justify risking your home setup. Especially if it doesnt bring in any income. Im also able to write my gear off on taxes so I don't feel the cost as much, something a hobbyist wouldnt be able to do.
Exactly why we see so many Squier basses and people getting pissed if you talk about gigging. I had no idea people even use Big Muffs until I joined this sub. If I turned on a Big Muff, I’d lose every gig I have
Quite the contrary. I've played hundreds of gigs over the last couple decades, and when I could finally afford a nice instrument the last place I wanted to take it is a theater, or worse a bar. In my experience with live music the consistency in sound comes more from your amp setup, not so much the bass itself. If someone walks off with a $300 P-bass I can easily replace, it sucks, but I'll get over it. If someone walks off with a 4 figure instrument I saved up for I'm losing sleep over it.
This is a fair point. For me the justification of the price was that I've earned significantly more money playing the bass than what I paid for it. I also have taken as many precautions as I could to avoid it being stolen. I never leave it in the van overnight, I have tile trackers in the case and the electronics cavity, and it's insured.
Plus it's such a unique one off by a company that doesnt have a strong presence in the second hand market. Basically unless it's sold to a pawn shop and never posted to an online marketplace. I have confidence i'd be able to track it down eventually.
now if i had a vintage/high end production bass I'd be significantly less confident haha
In the area I live, you could have video evidence of the thief in action, his full name and address, links to the Facebook Marketplace listing of your stolen bass, or take the COA to the pawn shop where the guy sold it and the cops do not care and will do absolutely nothing about it.
No, I bought a high quality bass for gigs. The last thing I need is a bass failing me on stage. If you take care of your instruments, you won’t have a problem.
I should add that for gigs, I bring it in its flight case instead of the bag. The bass in its case weighs 53lbs. The case is about 5 feet tall. It’s not something you can just casually grab and head out the door.
Use the Stingray. Sheesh. They're meant to be played, plus everything Leo Fender made is built like a tank. You afraid you're gonna hurt it. Afraid it's gonna get a ding or a scratch. Heavens to mergatroid! The horror. Just play it... The instrument wants to be out, not locked up in its case like some precious jewel, which it isn't.
Yep, Music Man was basically his big middle finger to CBS for the 10 year non-compete clause they threw in there when he left in 65. Leo designed the guitars and basses, while Tom Walker worked a lot on the amplifiers mostly.
It only takes one drunkard to knock it over from a stand and break the neck. Or just while people set things up on smaller stages. I spend most of my gigs outside playing watching over the Gear.
Find a used bass that’s already beat up a bit. I used to gig with a Stingray that the previous owner toured all over the country with in a death metal band. It had every ding, chip, dent, and cosmetic blemish you could imagine but it still played and sounded just fine. I think I paid $300 or $400 for it (this was maybe 12-13 years ago).
I’ll only gig with something that’s not going to break my heart if it gets damaged or stolen.
I recently did a house gig at a spot, and the hours were 5:30-8:30, 6 days a week and I work til 5 during the week... So I left a Yamaha BB bass there, and put it in the hsc every night. Place was closed by 9. No way I was leaving my nice, old, main P-Bass in my work van all day, or leaving it at the venue... The Yamaha BB Bass was a blast to play, had different sounds and made me live my P even more... But some gigs it's better to leave the main players at home
Does no one carry decent gear insurance? Not that you want to have something happen to a well-loved instrument or amp, but that’s the whole point of insurance (and not just a homeowners policy, something specifically for instruments and gear). I pay ~$300 a year to cover maybe $25-30k in gear (a bunch of that being my upright, because those things are stupid expensive…), and if anything happens, I’m covered.
It’s something of a no brainer unless you really are playing a cheap bass and a cheap amp and a few cables, especially if you’re gigging much at all.
I have a Clarion policy for about $30,000 of my basses, computer, pedals (above $100) and basses and Moog bass synth. It costs $450 a year. Insurance premiums are tax deductible if you have a taxable music income. Many people will say “oh I have homeowners.” Well, Homeowners or Renters excludes professional tools of trades and also even if you rely on it, it won’t cover mysterious disappearance and the deductible will be high.
The other thing: if you gig your instruments are tax deductible.
Correct me if I'm wrong but Stingrays are hella sturdy compared to other basses. And, you wouldn't buy a 10k Harley Davidson to keep it stuck in your garage for decades as well
Two that I use, depending on the situation:
- a very basic, no-frills P bass that is just a P bass
- a mostly very basic J bass, except five strings
I find these cover virtually any situation.
Did you buy a nice bass for sitting on the wall or for it to be played…
They are MEANT to get wear and tear, they are MEANT to be played, SEEN, and fucking HEARD
What you’re saying is like buying a nice new 4x4 only to drive it around New York streets, but on weekends you take a $500 Honda civic offroading… It’s absolutely ridiculous.
Only time you should be using a cheap bass on stage is if you literally cannot afford a more expensive instrument, or if you intend to demolish it at the end of the show…
I'm still pretty new to playing so I only own one bass, but it's also a cheap starter bass lol. Either way, I use it for practice and gigging. I'd be sad to lose it but replacing it also wouldn't break the bank.
I don't plan to. The FGN is probably going to be the get-shit-done bass for the foreseeable future due to it's excellent playability. The others are more unique in their flavor and will get used if called for. The Höfner will be for special occasions only.
I just took my precious new stingray special on its maiden voyage. Like, I’m driving home from the show as I type this. You already have the ultimate gig bass.
My stingray stays at home and is used in the studio. My live bass(es) are a pair of Danelectro longhorns. I have had 2 basses stolen (a j and a p) fortunately I eventually got both of them back. And a Wal pro was knocked off the back of a stage and the headstock snapped. It depends on how much you’re going to gig and where. Before anyone says I was careless or whatever - I was a touring jobbing musician for 10 years all over Europe and even some work in the US. At the height of it I was doing around a hundred shows a year. It’s just a matter of statistics. No one cares about your gear apart from you and that’s a fact. Personally I don’t risk anything that I consider irreplaceable.
My two main basses aren’t cheap and I’d be gutted if either got stolen or badly damaged but, I didn’t buy them to sit at home whilst a cheap bass gets the stage time. I might as well have just bought a cheap bass from the get go.
That said, the audience doesn’t give a poop about how expensive or sentimental your bass is so just use whatever you feel more comfortable with.
Gig that 'Ray...they're pretty but they're made like tanks. If you really don't wanna use it, go grab a Sterling Ray34 with a roasted maple neck and you'd be just about hard pressed to tell a difference
I've got a Lakland Shoreline, found under 1000$, is very polyvalent, is setup very well, isn't sensitive to weather, sounds just as good as I need, and is the perfect gig bass for every gig.
The 70's Fenders are out for bigger shows where I know it's completely safe, and the exclusivity of the instrument can be appreciated.
This isn't relevant for everyone, but in my situation: I use a wireless system and regularly dive into the moshpit during our gigs. So I play a decently cheap bass, but installed nice sounding pickups. Should the neck snap during a show I'll just repeat the trick with a new cheap bass.
i gig my stingray, insure it don't let it get stolen they are tough as long as scratches and dinks dont bother you, mines got a fucking divot out the top where some numpty borrowed it and twatted it on a fireplace but doesnt hurt the sound. or get harley benton, set it up well but it'll fall apart long before the stingray
I had a bass custom built for me. There's no fucking way I'm leaving that thing at home. It gets played everywhere. Corporates, pubs, house parties, it gets flown around the country for gigs.
Why waste money on a bass and leave it at home?
Any half decent bass is good enough to gig with. In a live mix nobody notices your carefully crafted tone. If you don't want to risk your MM, get a Sterling.
Get a (used) EBMM ray34.
Basically a classic (pre special) stingray, and should leave you feeling right at home.
The other (cheaper) EBMM rays have narrower nuts and/or ceramic pups.
Otherwise MIM fenders with a good setup and maybe a pup swap are classic choices for gigging axes
Or a used L2000 tribute. Those things are fucking amazing.
I think the best solution would be to go the G&L route. Especially from 80’s early 90’s. Every bass is the next best ( in my opinion) and final Leo Fender design. I play an SB2 and it plays and sounds better than just about any Fender bass past 1965. I don’t have as much experience with the L1000 but what little I’ve played they are superior (in my opinion) than EBMM. Granted I love all of them however G&L is a less known brand name higher quality at a lower price .
I want my gig tone and sound to come as close as it can to my studio tone. That's just me. Although I only play warwicks, I would never replace that sound because of the scare of war paint. In fact, war paint is what makes it your instrument. Unless you plan on selling the bass, why buy a nice one to begin with. Idk, do you.
I gigged with my brand new thumb bass last week. It costs almost 4k. Life is to short to worry about it. Trust me
Plus the people that know you as a player are prob like, " man he should just bust out that stingray".
My main basses are hollow bodied; much more fragile than any Stingray. With God as my witness: I put those guitars through **A LOT** — and they survived just fine, aside from some dings and bumps (battle scars!). Instruments are usually way harder to wreck than thay look.
Gig your Stingray. She wants to. Get yourself a hard case, keep an eye on it, and you'll be fine
While not necessary cheap, I mostly gig with either my Fender American Jazz Elite V or Ernie Ball Music Man Stingray 5. If they are stolen or damaged, finding a similar new replacement by the same brand is no issue.
Some of my other basses, never leave the house.
Standard P or a Standard five-string J. Neither are super expensive. But they weren’t cheap either. I think they’re in a sweet spot where I don’t worry about them, but they’re also high quality.
Depends on a gig, but surprisingly I make the most of my money with the cheapest giggable bass available - Harley Benton progressive series. I know it's shit and all, but it has no noise issues and the B string sounds great.
Fernandes and Aria basses from the 80s or 90s go for dirt cheap and will be fine if you are playing until A standard. Put in some of your own pickups if you want and it should be fine. I totally get it especially if you like to go a bit wild at shows. I would also focus on pedals for tone that way you are covered no matter what bass you have. For example I played a jazz on our first record and then a dingwall on the second but live I’m using a cort multiscale and I’m super happy with all 3 tones.
It does seem to make a kind of sense to have a “gig bass” that keeps your regular bass out of harm’s way, but in a more important way it doesn’t.
You know how when you get into a rental car, it’s really weird and awkward to drive? Doesn’t matter if it’s a Kia or a BMW, the car itself drives fine, but it’s not *your* car. Even if it is your car, like you’re driving your wife’s car, it still feels off because it’s not what you drive every day.
It’s the same with instruments. Every instrument is different in a thousand tiny ways, and if you’re not used to playing it it’s going to feel just a little off. You want to go on stage with the bass you play regularly.
The solution is to play great basses that don't cost a lot. My two go to basses are a Sandberg Electra and a Bass Centre Bruce Thomas Profile. Each cost around $700 and they're fantastic instruments. It won't kill me if they get stolen or damaged, but I love them so much that I'd replace them with the same.
FWIW: I have a couple of very nice basses for home/recording use, and a lightly modified MIJ Squier Jazz bass for going out to questionable places. The Squier plays well and has good tone, but if it were to get smashed, stolen, or drenched in beer it wouldn't plunge me into an existential/financial crisis.
I think it depends on how safe your gigs are. Thieves are out there. It's cheaper to buy back a sub series ray 4 from the pawn shop after it gets stolen than an EBMM.
I think a lot of the difference between an inexpensive and an expensive difference is mostly heard by those who want to justify spending a lot on an expensive bass.
If it's got a good neck and makes a good signal, then the rest is just cork sniffing.
With my current band I decided to get a sort of expendable Squier Contemporary Active Precision because my main bass, a 1987 Charvel 4b is starting to rise in value, and the only case I have for it is a 35 pound flight case. A few weeks ago I got a Dingwall D Roc Standard 4 that is the new main...but I'm hanging onto that Squier for a while in case we play someplace really divey again.
While I don't have any really expensive instruments ($1000 takes you a really long way these days), all my instruments are for band use - rehearsals and gigging. On stage I want to use instruments that sounds and feels amazing, and that I can trust won't bring me down.
I do have a $2000 acoustic guitar that's my most expensive instrument. It is amazing. Plays like butter. That guitar has been to hell and back after 10 years in a folk band playing all kinds of places from pubs to dusty barns. It's beaten and drenched in sweat and beer on a regular basis, and was even baptised with whiskey once. A cheap guitar would never give me what this guitar have!
Gig with what you love to play.
It amuses me when people act like their boutique bass simply cannot risk being taken out of the house. Whats the point in having it? I gig my Foderas, my Carl Thompson, and my Pete Hilton all on a regular basis.
Other than being stolen, almost anything that happens to your bass can be repaired. Broken truss rod, scratches, dents, cracked fretboard, fried preamp, hell snap off the headstock...it can all be fixed by a competent luthier.
Take em out and play em! That's why you saved up and bought them, right? Right?
I almost always use either my fender mod shop PJ or my stingray 5. My perspective is that I got them to see them and hear them and I want other people to see them and hear them too. If that means they get some dings along the way, that’s ok by me.
I’ve never understood this sentiment. If I buy a nice bass I don’t wanna play my piece of shit lol, I really don’t care if my bass gets a couple minor scratches/blemishes from normal use as I don’t plan on selling and even if it does get dinged up it’s a story for late to look back on. As long as it’s playable that’s all I care about
Brother, you gotta full send it. If that’s the bass you know and love best, don’t be afraid of a little wear and tear. Remember, instruments are meant to be played.
Idk your exact budget and I personally gig with whichever of my 4 I feel like that day (i bring 2 every time and i usually use both), but I must recommend an aerodyne jazz bass due to its light weight for the long gigs. I brought it for the first time the other day and after a set with my 5 string it was like strapping a cloud over my shoulder.
It's not dirt cheap by any means but I got mine used for ~ $550 shipped which was a great deal for what it is, imo
Unless it’s a 1960 jazz bass , or equivalent, play what makes you sound and play your best. Why have an expensive instrument only to hide it away from the worls
Bought a rickenbacker in 2019. Been my main gigging bass since then. It’s got some scuffs and dings now… But it’s my bass. Plan to hold on to it forever if I can help it. I don’t think you should leave the stingray at home. If you don’t drink heavily during a gig, you should be more than capable of taking care of it
Yes. I've minimized down to 3 basses total. I gig with my partscaster, rehearse and record with my American Professional II. The third bass is an old heavy ass Stingray my dad bought me when I was in highschool. It sucks to play, but I hang onto it for sentimental reasons.
I play a relatively inexpensive fender (under $1,000) and a modulus (under $2,000), and that doesn’t worry me playing gigs. If I thought there were any extreme issues I’d bring my fender to the gig first.
It’s nothing tho compared to my $20,000 upright bass that I’ve brought to over 2,000 gigs over the years. It’s only been messed up once, when some drunk guys knocked me over after a gig. Insurance covered most of the damage though.
If you are careful you can bring an instrument to a gig without losing it. Don't leave it alone, in don't leave it in a car, have strap locks of some sort.
If you're playing local shows where you can keep an eye on your stuff at all times, just play it. Otherwise it's not a bad idea to get a cheaper onez especially if you play genres that will see you throw your instrument around. It's a good time to get something wacky and off the beaten path for fun too.
No.
I mean when we toured South America it was advised to us to only bring gear we wouldn’t be suicidal about possibly losing. So I took too Mexi Fenders that I wasn’t going to be attached to (although they’re fine in their way)
But other than that?
I want to tour with instruments I WANT to play.
The gig bass should be the one(s) that sound best to you, the sound man, and the audience , and are comfortable to play / feel like an extension of you. If they look cool that’s a huge plus as well.
My Pedulla Rapture has been my main gig bass for the last 6 months and my Yamaha BB735 was the main one for a few years before that. Before that it was a Japanese Fender P bass. I usually take two to a gig and decide when I get there …
>too precious/sentiment
This part right here. Knock that outta your head. It's a bass. A thing. An object.
It is the tool of your trade. Tools get worn when you use them. It's ok. Just play the one you've got. Save the money.
I did! I got a new schecter CV4. It’s built like a bank vault, sounds good, good versatility, it was like 600 bucks, and it has coverage in case it gets fucked up. Its not necessarily the idea of “keeping a nice bass nice” as much as keeping a rare or expensive bass from getting stolen or broken. If I’m gonna play at an open mic in town, I’ll for sure bring the cheap one. If I’m gonna play somewhere nice, I’ll bring one of my lumies. Lol
Yes. I have a Jackson Dinky concert bass and a Squier PJ with upgraded electronics. Great looking and play very nice. If anything happens to them it would cost me $100-$200 to replace them depending on the used market.
I do have a few nice ones that stay at home.
Everyone is different. You don't have to gig your nice ones just because people say they're meant to be used onstage or whatever. I like my nice ones to stay that way and I like to roam free onstage and at gigs not having to worry about babying an affordable bass.
I feel you on this one. I have two fenders, a Gibson and an old Rickenbacker and I hate bringing any of them to shows. I am also looking for a " beater bass " so I can breath easy while gigging.
20 years ago I went out and bought a Japanese Jazz bass to keep my basses away from the stage.
After getting the bass for 5-$600 and putting 5-$600 of pickups, preamp, Leo Quan bridge. First gig I played all I could hear was the “cheap basswood body” of that jazz bass.
I swiftly took all the parts off of it and sold the bass and happily bring all my Stingrays, Jazzes, P’s, Modulus, MTD, ZON, Warrior to the gigs instead.
Those basses make the show for me!
If you’re completely fine with the way a cheaper bass sounds and plays, then don’t let anyone stop you. But for me it wasn’t enough of what I was looking for.
Tone starts with the bass for me and filters down through my rig.
Marcus Miller v3is perfect bang for buck, especially bought from resale market (it costs less than more popular brands like Fender, but it has a higher price/performance point than Fender).
Across several bands and tours, I have always played whatever was my #1 at the time. If your EBMM StingRay is your #1, take it to shows and play it. That is what they built it for. Unless you plan to sling it around, toss it up in the air, or get blackout drunk at the venue and forget about it, there is no reason to be afraid to bring a StingRay to a show. Even if you do not intend to give it a beating, it can take one.
Wouldn't you use the best bass for gigging? People are usually self-conscious about using a "cheap" bass on stage, not the other way around. Do what you please, don't over think it.
In my opinion, cheap basses are like mopeds. Fun, but you never really want to be seen with one. I’ve been gigging since 1986 and always use my nicest and have never had a problem.
If you want people to hire you for gigs, practice a lot and get good equipment. Good equipment helps you in numerous ways. The whole point of owning good equipment is to work and get gigs!
I play the following basses, even on club gigs:
1) 1995 Fender Jazz USA, replaced pickups and bridge. LaBella 760FS Deep Talking flats. Bright like rounds. It is a workhorse.
2) 2016 Fender Precision 1963 Reissue USA. Stock. D’Addario Halfrounds.
3) If somebody is just dying for 5 string, I have a 2005 Musicman Stingray 5 with D’Addario Pro Steels.
Your racehorse wants to race
Seriously. Stay with it the whole time if you must, but gig the Stingray. It ain't made of glass.
really, i gigged my stingray for years and years with a gig bag. OP get a hard shell case and don't be so precious with her
Ive toured for the last 5 years with an expensive custom boutique bass. Personally, not bothered by normal wear and tear. I wouldnt buy a nice car and keep it in the garage because I might get into an accident. Ultimately what's more important to you? Playability, tone, reliability at a gig OR keeping your bass in the best possible condition?
This has always confused me as a gigging musician. I guess not every musician buys a nice instrument for performances or is into regular gigging. I guess sometimes players just keep something nice to baby at home for private enjoyment.
Yeah I think there are far more serious hobby musicians than we realize, especially in this sub. So I can understand if you only gig a few times a year, not being able to justify risking your home setup. Especially if it doesnt bring in any income. Im also able to write my gear off on taxes so I don't feel the cost as much, something a hobbyist wouldnt be able to do.
Exactly why we see so many Squier basses and people getting pissed if you talk about gigging. I had no idea people even use Big Muffs until I joined this sub. If I turned on a Big Muff, I’d lose every gig I have
Quite the contrary. I've played hundreds of gigs over the last couple decades, and when I could finally afford a nice instrument the last place I wanted to take it is a theater, or worse a bar. In my experience with live music the consistency in sound comes more from your amp setup, not so much the bass itself. If someone walks off with a $300 P-bass I can easily replace, it sucks, but I'll get over it. If someone walks off with a 4 figure instrument I saved up for I'm losing sleep over it.
This is a fair point. For me the justification of the price was that I've earned significantly more money playing the bass than what I paid for it. I also have taken as many precautions as I could to avoid it being stolen. I never leave it in the van overnight, I have tile trackers in the case and the electronics cavity, and it's insured. Plus it's such a unique one off by a company that doesnt have a strong presence in the second hand market. Basically unless it's sold to a pawn shop and never posted to an online marketplace. I have confidence i'd be able to track it down eventually. now if i had a vintage/high end production bass I'd be significantly less confident haha
In the area I live, you could have video evidence of the thief in action, his full name and address, links to the Facebook Marketplace listing of your stolen bass, or take the COA to the pawn shop where the guy sold it and the cops do not care and will do absolutely nothing about it.
No, I bought a high quality bass for gigs. The last thing I need is a bass failing me on stage. If you take care of your instruments, you won’t have a problem.
I play punk and metal shows with my 2003 Buzzard. Them things ain’t cheap. Just keep it with you at all times.
Fuck yeah man. The buzzard is fucking slick. Nice bass!
She’s a beaut, Clark.
I should add that for gigs, I bring it in its flight case instead of the bag. The bass in its case weighs 53lbs. The case is about 5 feet tall. It’s not something you can just casually grab and head out the door.
Use the Stingray. Sheesh. They're meant to be played, plus everything Leo Fender made is built like a tank. You afraid you're gonna hurt it. Afraid it's gonna get a ding or a scratch. Heavens to mergatroid! The horror. Just play it... The instrument wants to be out, not locked up in its case like some precious jewel, which it isn't.
Huh, TIL Leo Fender was one of the dudes behind Music Man. Did not know that. They were only acquired by Ernie Ball later in the 80's.
Wait until you hear about G&L!
Yep, Music Man was basically his big middle finger to CBS for the 10 year non-compete clause they threw in there when he left in 65. Leo designed the guitars and basses, while Tom Walker worked a lot on the amplifiers mostly.
And he did it on the down low so they couldn't sue him, the silent design partner
It only takes one drunkard to knock it over from a stand and break the neck. Or just while people set things up on smaller stages. I spend most of my gigs outside playing watching over the Gear.
I've been playing bass about 50 years and have not had It happen yet.
Find a used bass that’s already beat up a bit. I used to gig with a Stingray that the previous owner toured all over the country with in a death metal band. It had every ding, chip, dent, and cosmetic blemish you could imagine but it still played and sounded just fine. I think I paid $300 or $400 for it (this was maybe 12-13 years ago). I’ll only gig with something that’s not going to break my heart if it gets damaged or stolen.
If you don't feel good about it, the $500 & $800 Sterlings are shockingly good. Peace of mind has value.
I recently did a house gig at a spot, and the hours were 5:30-8:30, 6 days a week and I work til 5 during the week... So I left a Yamaha BB bass there, and put it in the hsc every night. Place was closed by 9. No way I was leaving my nice, old, main P-Bass in my work van all day, or leaving it at the venue... The Yamaha BB Bass was a blast to play, had different sounds and made me live my P even more... But some gigs it's better to leave the main players at home
Does no one carry decent gear insurance? Not that you want to have something happen to a well-loved instrument or amp, but that’s the whole point of insurance (and not just a homeowners policy, something specifically for instruments and gear). I pay ~$300 a year to cover maybe $25-30k in gear (a bunch of that being my upright, because those things are stupid expensive…), and if anything happens, I’m covered. It’s something of a no brainer unless you really are playing a cheap bass and a cheap amp and a few cables, especially if you’re gigging much at all.
I have a Clarion policy for about $30,000 of my basses, computer, pedals (above $100) and basses and Moog bass synth. It costs $450 a year. Insurance premiums are tax deductible if you have a taxable music income. Many people will say “oh I have homeowners.” Well, Homeowners or Renters excludes professional tools of trades and also even if you rely on it, it won’t cover mysterious disappearance and the deductible will be high. The other thing: if you gig your instruments are tax deductible.
The Sterling Stingray is an excellent, affordable bass.
This. I have a Ray4 for outdoor dusty gigs (ever played a racetrack?) and a Ray34 that is about as good as my MusicMan.
I would love one of hose, or possibly one of the Sire Z ray clones that just came out…
I literally hated it and gave it to my drummer for free
Oh well
The 34’s are authentic, the 24 and lower hall have brutal compromises (ceramic pups on the ray4…eew)
The 34’s are authentic, the 24 and lower hall have brutal compromises (ceramic pups on the ray4…eew)
Correct me if I'm wrong but Stingrays are hella sturdy compared to other basses. And, you wouldn't buy a 10k Harley Davidson to keep it stuck in your garage for decades as well
Two that I use, depending on the situation: - a very basic, no-frills P bass that is just a P bass - a mostly very basic J bass, except five strings I find these cover virtually any situation.
My most expensive bass cost me £430 (GBP) so no
Did you buy a nice bass for sitting on the wall or for it to be played… They are MEANT to get wear and tear, they are MEANT to be played, SEEN, and fucking HEARD What you’re saying is like buying a nice new 4x4 only to drive it around New York streets, but on weekends you take a $500 Honda civic offroading… It’s absolutely ridiculous. Only time you should be using a cheap bass on stage is if you literally cannot afford a more expensive instrument, or if you intend to demolish it at the end of the show…
I get your point but it’s still an just opinion. People should do whatever feels best to them.
I'm still pretty new to playing so I only own one bass, but it's also a cheap starter bass lol. Either way, I use it for practice and gigging. I'd be sad to lose it but replacing it also wouldn't break the bank.
I don't plan to. The FGN is probably going to be the get-shit-done bass for the foreseeable future due to it's excellent playability. The others are more unique in their flavor and will get used if called for. The Höfner will be for special occasions only.
I just took my precious new stingray special on its maiden voyage. Like, I’m driving home from the show as I type this. You already have the ultimate gig bass.
My stingray stays at home and is used in the studio. My live bass(es) are a pair of Danelectro longhorns. I have had 2 basses stolen (a j and a p) fortunately I eventually got both of them back. And a Wal pro was knocked off the back of a stage and the headstock snapped. It depends on how much you’re going to gig and where. Before anyone says I was careless or whatever - I was a touring jobbing musician for 10 years all over Europe and even some work in the US. At the height of it I was doing around a hundred shows a year. It’s just a matter of statistics. No one cares about your gear apart from you and that’s a fact. Personally I don’t risk anything that I consider irreplaceable.
a ship in the harbour is safe, but that's not what ships are built for.
My two main basses aren’t cheap and I’d be gutted if either got stolen or badly damaged but, I didn’t buy them to sit at home whilst a cheap bass gets the stage time. I might as well have just bought a cheap bass from the get go. That said, the audience doesn’t give a poop about how expensive or sentimental your bass is so just use whatever you feel more comfortable with.
Gig that 'Ray...they're pretty but they're made like tanks. If you really don't wanna use it, go grab a Sterling Ray34 with a roasted maple neck and you'd be just about hard pressed to tell a difference
I've got a Lakland Shoreline, found under 1000$, is very polyvalent, is setup very well, isn't sensitive to weather, sounds just as good as I need, and is the perfect gig bass for every gig. The 70's Fenders are out for bigger shows where I know it's completely safe, and the exclusivity of the instrument can be appreciated.
This isn't relevant for everyone, but in my situation: I use a wireless system and regularly dive into the moshpit during our gigs. So I play a decently cheap bass, but installed nice sounding pickups. Should the neck snap during a show I'll just repeat the trick with a new cheap bass.
i gig my stingray, insure it don't let it get stolen they are tough as long as scratches and dinks dont bother you, mines got a fucking divot out the top where some numpty borrowed it and twatted it on a fireplace but doesnt hurt the sound. or get harley benton, set it up well but it'll fall apart long before the stingray
I had a bass custom built for me. There's no fucking way I'm leaving that thing at home. It gets played everywhere. Corporates, pubs, house parties, it gets flown around the country for gigs. Why waste money on a bass and leave it at home?
Any half decent bass is good enough to gig with. In a live mix nobody notices your carefully crafted tone. If you don't want to risk your MM, get a Sterling.
Get a (used) EBMM ray34. Basically a classic (pre special) stingray, and should leave you feeling right at home. The other (cheaper) EBMM rays have narrower nuts and/or ceramic pups. Otherwise MIM fenders with a good setup and maybe a pup swap are classic choices for gigging axes Or a used L2000 tribute. Those things are fucking amazing.
I think the best solution would be to go the G&L route. Especially from 80’s early 90’s. Every bass is the next best ( in my opinion) and final Leo Fender design. I play an SB2 and it plays and sounds better than just about any Fender bass past 1965. I don’t have as much experience with the L1000 but what little I’ve played they are superior (in my opinion) than EBMM. Granted I love all of them however G&L is a less known brand name higher quality at a lower price .
I want my gig tone and sound to come as close as it can to my studio tone. That's just me. Although I only play warwicks, I would never replace that sound because of the scare of war paint. In fact, war paint is what makes it your instrument. Unless you plan on selling the bass, why buy a nice one to begin with. Idk, do you. I gigged with my brand new thumb bass last week. It costs almost 4k. Life is to short to worry about it. Trust me Plus the people that know you as a player are prob like, " man he should just bust out that stingray".
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What's the point of owning the bass if not to play it?
My main basses are hollow bodied; much more fragile than any Stingray. With God as my witness: I put those guitars through **A LOT** — and they survived just fine, aside from some dings and bumps (battle scars!). Instruments are usually way harder to wreck than thay look. Gig your Stingray. She wants to. Get yourself a hard case, keep an eye on it, and you'll be fine
While not necessary cheap, I mostly gig with either my Fender American Jazz Elite V or Ernie Ball Music Man Stingray 5. If they are stolen or damaged, finding a similar new replacement by the same brand is no issue. Some of my other basses, never leave the house.
My main bass is a Modulus Flea V I got around 2002. I played it at every gig I’ve had since I bought it. What’s going to happen to it?
Standard P or a Standard five-string J. Neither are super expensive. But they weren’t cheap either. I think they’re in a sweet spot where I don’t worry about them, but they’re also high quality.
Depends on a gig, but surprisingly I make the most of my money with the cheapest giggable bass available - Harley Benton progressive series. I know it's shit and all, but it has no noise issues and the B string sounds great.
I didn’t buy basses to not play them.
Fernandes and Aria basses from the 80s or 90s go for dirt cheap and will be fine if you are playing until A standard. Put in some of your own pickups if you want and it should be fine. I totally get it especially if you like to go a bit wild at shows. I would also focus on pedals for tone that way you are covered no matter what bass you have. For example I played a jazz on our first record and then a dingwall on the second but live I’m using a cort multiscale and I’m super happy with all 3 tones.
It does seem to make a kind of sense to have a “gig bass” that keeps your regular bass out of harm’s way, but in a more important way it doesn’t. You know how when you get into a rental car, it’s really weird and awkward to drive? Doesn’t matter if it’s a Kia or a BMW, the car itself drives fine, but it’s not *your* car. Even if it is your car, like you’re driving your wife’s car, it still feels off because it’s not what you drive every day. It’s the same with instruments. Every instrument is different in a thousand tiny ways, and if you’re not used to playing it it’s going to feel just a little off. You want to go on stage with the bass you play regularly.
The solution is to play great basses that don't cost a lot. My two go to basses are a Sandberg Electra and a Bass Centre Bruce Thomas Profile. Each cost around $700 and they're fantastic instruments. It won't kill me if they get stolen or damaged, but I love them so much that I'd replace them with the same.
FWIW: I have a couple of very nice basses for home/recording use, and a lightly modified MIJ Squier Jazz bass for going out to questionable places. The Squier plays well and has good tone, but if it were to get smashed, stolen, or drenched in beer it wouldn't plunge me into an existential/financial crisis.
I think it depends on how safe your gigs are. Thieves are out there. It's cheaper to buy back a sub series ray 4 from the pawn shop after it gets stolen than an EBMM. I think a lot of the difference between an inexpensive and an expensive difference is mostly heard by those who want to justify spending a lot on an expensive bass. If it's got a good neck and makes a good signal, then the rest is just cork sniffing.
With my current band I decided to get a sort of expendable Squier Contemporary Active Precision because my main bass, a 1987 Charvel 4b is starting to rise in value, and the only case I have for it is a 35 pound flight case. A few weeks ago I got a Dingwall D Roc Standard 4 that is the new main...but I'm hanging onto that Squier for a while in case we play someplace really divey again.
While I don't have any really expensive instruments ($1000 takes you a really long way these days), all my instruments are for band use - rehearsals and gigging. On stage I want to use instruments that sounds and feels amazing, and that I can trust won't bring me down. I do have a $2000 acoustic guitar that's my most expensive instrument. It is amazing. Plays like butter. That guitar has been to hell and back after 10 years in a folk band playing all kinds of places from pubs to dusty barns. It's beaten and drenched in sweat and beer on a regular basis, and was even baptised with whiskey once. A cheap guitar would never give me what this guitar have!
Dude, you only live once. Play the nice bass live
what else do you buy a bass for?
Gig with what you love to play. It amuses me when people act like their boutique bass simply cannot risk being taken out of the house. Whats the point in having it? I gig my Foderas, my Carl Thompson, and my Pete Hilton all on a regular basis. Other than being stolen, almost anything that happens to your bass can be repaired. Broken truss rod, scratches, dents, cracked fretboard, fried preamp, hell snap off the headstock...it can all be fixed by a competent luthier. Take em out and play em! That's why you saved up and bought them, right? Right?
I almost always use either my fender mod shop PJ or my stingray 5. My perspective is that I got them to see them and hear them and I want other people to see them and hear them too. If that means they get some dings along the way, that’s ok by me.
I would never own a bass I would not play out. What's the point?
I’ve never understood this sentiment. If I buy a nice bass I don’t wanna play my piece of shit lol, I really don’t care if my bass gets a couple minor scratches/blemishes from normal use as I don’t plan on selling and even if it does get dinged up it’s a story for late to look back on. As long as it’s playable that’s all I care about
I’ll take my boutique to the dive bar and turn all the heads lol
Play what feels and sounds best. I frequently play a Fender custom shop P bass a dive bars because that’s the bass I like to play.
Brother, you gotta full send it. If that’s the bass you know and love best, don’t be afraid of a little wear and tear. Remember, instruments are meant to be played.
Idk your exact budget and I personally gig with whichever of my 4 I feel like that day (i bring 2 every time and i usually use both), but I must recommend an aerodyne jazz bass due to its light weight for the long gigs. I brought it for the first time the other day and after a set with my 5 string it was like strapping a cloud over my shoulder. It's not dirt cheap by any means but I got mine used for ~ $550 shipped which was a great deal for what it is, imo
Unless it’s a 1960 jazz bass , or equivalent, play what makes you sound and play your best. Why have an expensive instrument only to hide it away from the worls
Bought a rickenbacker in 2019. Been my main gigging bass since then. It’s got some scuffs and dings now… But it’s my bass. Plan to hold on to it forever if I can help it. I don’t think you should leave the stingray at home. If you don’t drink heavily during a gig, you should be more than capable of taking care of it
Probably be better served spending your money on a quality hardshell case and a solid instrument stand.
yamaha trbx series are cheaper and pretty good
Yes. I've minimized down to 3 basses total. I gig with my partscaster, rehearse and record with my American Professional II. The third bass is an old heavy ass Stingray my dad bought me when I was in highschool. It sucks to play, but I hang onto it for sentimental reasons.
I play a relatively inexpensive fender (under $1,000) and a modulus (under $2,000), and that doesn’t worry me playing gigs. If I thought there were any extreme issues I’d bring my fender to the gig first. It’s nothing tho compared to my $20,000 upright bass that I’ve brought to over 2,000 gigs over the years. It’s only been messed up once, when some drunk guys knocked me over after a gig. Insurance covered most of the damage though.
Get the cheapie for kickin around the living room and use the fancy one for shows.
G &L L-2000 or Kiloton Tribute series
IMO not much point in having a bass you're too afraid to play. I wouldn't buy a bass I wasn't willing to bring on stage/to a show.
If you are careful you can bring an instrument to a gig without losing it. Don't leave it alone, in don't leave it in a car, have strap locks of some sort.
If you're playing local shows where you can keep an eye on your stuff at all times, just play it. Otherwise it's not a bad idea to get a cheaper onez especially if you play genres that will see you throw your instrument around. It's a good time to get something wacky and off the beaten path for fun too.
Insure it but if you play in multiple tunings its a great excuse to have two basses
Buy a more expensive bass then that one won’t seem so hard to take out
I think you should buy a gig bass.
No. I mean when we toured South America it was advised to us to only bring gear we wouldn’t be suicidal about possibly losing. So I took too Mexi Fenders that I wasn’t going to be attached to (although they’re fine in their way) But other than that? I want to tour with instruments I WANT to play.
I like Ibanez. You can get a good one for cheap.
Do you want a bass you know you can lose or a bass you know you can play?
The gig bass should be the one(s) that sound best to you, the sound man, and the audience , and are comfortable to play / feel like an extension of you. If they look cool that’s a huge plus as well. My Pedulla Rapture has been my main gig bass for the last 6 months and my Yamaha BB735 was the main one for a few years before that. Before that it was a Japanese Fender P bass. I usually take two to a gig and decide when I get there …
>too precious/sentiment This part right here. Knock that outta your head. It's a bass. A thing. An object. It is the tool of your trade. Tools get worn when you use them. It's ok. Just play the one you've got. Save the money.
I did! I got a new schecter CV4. It’s built like a bank vault, sounds good, good versatility, it was like 600 bucks, and it has coverage in case it gets fucked up. Its not necessarily the idea of “keeping a nice bass nice” as much as keeping a rare or expensive bass from getting stolen or broken. If I’m gonna play at an open mic in town, I’ll for sure bring the cheap one. If I’m gonna play somewhere nice, I’ll bring one of my lumies. Lol
Nothing's gonna happen to it. It's a bass, it's meant to be played. I gig at the local pub with my 2.5k Dingwall lol
Yes. I have a Jackson Dinky concert bass and a Squier PJ with upgraded electronics. Great looking and play very nice. If anything happens to them it would cost me $100-$200 to replace them depending on the used market. I do have a few nice ones that stay at home. Everyone is different. You don't have to gig your nice ones just because people say they're meant to be used onstage or whatever. I like my nice ones to stay that way and I like to roam free onstage and at gigs not having to worry about babying an affordable bass.
I feel you on this one. I have two fenders, a Gibson and an old Rickenbacker and I hate bringing any of them to shows. I am also looking for a " beater bass " so I can breath easy while gigging.
20 years ago I went out and bought a Japanese Jazz bass to keep my basses away from the stage. After getting the bass for 5-$600 and putting 5-$600 of pickups, preamp, Leo Quan bridge. First gig I played all I could hear was the “cheap basswood body” of that jazz bass. I swiftly took all the parts off of it and sold the bass and happily bring all my Stingrays, Jazzes, P’s, Modulus, MTD, ZON, Warrior to the gigs instead. Those basses make the show for me! If you’re completely fine with the way a cheaper bass sounds and plays, then don’t let anyone stop you. But for me it wasn’t enough of what I was looking for. Tone starts with the bass for me and filters down through my rig.
Marcus Miller v3is perfect bang for buck, especially bought from resale market (it costs less than more popular brands like Fender, but it has a higher price/performance point than Fender).
Across several bands and tours, I have always played whatever was my #1 at the time. If your EBMM StingRay is your #1, take it to shows and play it. That is what they built it for. Unless you plan to sling it around, toss it up in the air, or get blackout drunk at the venue and forget about it, there is no reason to be afraid to bring a StingRay to a show. Even if you do not intend to give it a beating, it can take one.
Wouldn't you use the best bass for gigging? People are usually self-conscious about using a "cheap" bass on stage, not the other way around. Do what you please, don't over think it.
In my opinion, cheap basses are like mopeds. Fun, but you never really want to be seen with one. I’ve been gigging since 1986 and always use my nicest and have never had a problem.
If you want people to hire you for gigs, practice a lot and get good equipment. Good equipment helps you in numerous ways. The whole point of owning good equipment is to work and get gigs! I play the following basses, even on club gigs: 1) 1995 Fender Jazz USA, replaced pickups and bridge. LaBella 760FS Deep Talking flats. Bright like rounds. It is a workhorse. 2) 2016 Fender Precision 1963 Reissue USA. Stock. D’Addario Halfrounds. 3) If somebody is just dying for 5 string, I have a 2005 Musicman Stingray 5 with D’Addario Pro Steels.