Jazzy:
For the last 20+ years, nearly all of my gigs have been in local bars. Most of those bars are not what you might describe as "dodgy" but they are small with cramped stages and filled with drunks. I use my Series basses at 90% of those gigs. Sometimes, I will play a non-Alembic bass just for variety's sake. Rarely, if I have reason to believe beforehand that the bar is either unusually small or has a reputation for crowds with bad behavior I will bring a second bass along in case I feel uncomfortable playing my Series.
I focus on stage side above because, in my experience, cymbals on cramped stages are a much greater threat to the security of my bass than anything else. Guitar stands scare me as well! A long time ago, in a large and prominent showcase bar with a very large stage, I had an unattended Series bass fall off its stand just before a show and the headstock snapped off completely. (see the gory details here:
http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=3935.0 ) I still don't know how it happened as there was no one within 10 feet of the bass when it fell, but the point is that damage like that could have happened anywhere.
Of course, the possibility of theft is an ever-present danger, the occurrence of which can be made much less likely by attentiveness between sets, and especially after the gig. But, as is the case with the risk posed by the use of guitar stands, theft of a bass is a possibility at any gig, anywhere.
I completely agree with Edwin above: with reasonable caution, there is no reason not to use a Series bass in virtually any situation. Indeed, there is every reason to use our Series basses everywhere: they are made to be played.
