Exactly! I rethink my instrument choice every time I see my guitarist show up to a gig an hour before showtime, load in on one trip, set up and still have time for a beer. No matter how small I go, it takes several trips to load in and a bit of time to set up. But that's only a part of why I choose to use a smaller set up, I feel more comfortable with less gear and like I said, there usually isn't much space for anything bigger than a 4 pc. kit.

Yes bass players, or at least other musicians looking at bass players. You better be packing some heat if you walk in with (god forbid) a SIX STRING!!!! Usually you know you have a pluck-fest on your way when that happens.

Same with keyboard players hauling banks of keyboards. Or Guitarist brining 5 different guitars because you know, they all sound different. Then there's the pedal board of doom.......

Like Latzanimal says its all about context.

Funny though, why do singers never bring anything? They really are the masters of less is more!

Because they watch too many shows like American Idol and The Voice. Stage Band2

Mark Sandman, Morphine, 2 string Bass.

Yes.......................................................

I do but in the jist of things , I get so many kits coming and going , that I have 2 keepers one stored and a players kit both very nice in there own right a mid 60's mahagony Luddy's clubdate in Obp , very nice players kit and my museum champagne Hollywood maple late 60s I get others that are nice to play and look at. Some not even that but Iknow I can't keep them all so I live in the moment and just try play nice drums when I can and keep a few snares I've dropped down fro 10 or 12 kits and a ton of pies to this and it's also growing again with the addition of my guitars it's a lot it will be fun at show this year...

I always just use snare, kick, one mounted Tom and floor Tom, hats, a ride, and usually one sometimes 2 crashes. Once upon a time I would have used 2 mounted toms but just feel more comfortable with the 1.Would use 2 if it was called for.

My usual set up is 12/14/20 with snare, hats, ride and two crashes, but I had a regular gig in a cocktail bar for almost two years with a jazz/blues outfit and because of lack of space and noise restrictions I only used a snare and brushes, nothing else. Talk about minimalist! But it certainly makes you think, trying to come up with different sounds all the time to compensate for the lack of anything else to hit! I think it's a good thing to do and a great exercise in musical creativity, being so limited you really have to think on your feet, so it's a big yes from me to the less is more concept!