i hate supplied backlines

TheNightLife · #1 07-23-2011, 10:57 AM

Am I the only person who seems to get shafted when it comes to supplied backlines? Tonight I'm playing an outdoor festival with an alrightish p.a. guitars have 412 cabs I have an ampeg ba112 combo amp. Really? sorry for the rant lol anyone else have this issue a lot?

JimiLL · #2 07-23-2011, 11:00 AM

You would have to drag me onstage to play through that

sedan_dad · #3 07-23-2011, 11:01 AM

Just have them put you heavy in the monitors.
Thats what Glee does.

TheNightLife · #4 07-23-2011, 11:03 AM

Like I'm actually insulted right now. I was told to bring my head which is an svtcl. So I brought it and I can't even plug it in

TheNightLife · #5 07-23-2011, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sedan_dad

Just have them put you heavy in the monitors.

Lol I would if there wasn't only 1 monitor

BurningSkies · #6 07-23-2011, 11:08 AM

That's why I always bring my own cabs and amp.

Although last week we did a festival, and on the main stage we all brought our own backlines...and on the second stage they had a provided backline. A Behringer 4x10 metal coned cab and head.

TheNightLife · #7 07-23-2011, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BurningSkies

That's why I always bring my own cabs and amp.

Although last week we did a festival, and on the main stage we all brought our own backlines...and on the second stage they had a provided backline. A Behringer 4x10 metal coned cab and head.

Lol we left the van at home today so I didn't bring my cab. Lol I wish there was a behringer 4x10 cab here.

pasta4lnch · #8 07-23-2011, 11:10 AM

I hate supplied backlines too - sometimes you just gotta deal w/ it. I'm glad I've come to rely on my SABDDI for my tone, at least I can plug it in and get close. . . though not a fix at all for the under power thing. Usually it's a monstrosity-o-crap . . . sucks!

Smallmouth_Bass · #9 07-23-2011, 11:14 AM

The majority of smaller operations and local (and locally organized) festivals just probably try to do it as cheaply as possible. My guess is that most non-musicians just think an amp is an amp.

sonofabass · #10 07-23-2011, 11:21 AM

You have to "rock it" with whatever you have at your disposal.

There are even times when you bring your great (insert favorite amp brand) and, for whatever reason, the room, the sound guy...whatever, it doesn't sound as good as you'd like.

You just do what you have to do.

I did a festival in San Francisco last month on two different stages about 15 minutes apart from each other. Not a t all feasible for me to bring my own stuff. Both stages had CRAP gear. First stage had a drunk crap sound guy...still had to perform.

Second stage less crappy, but still crap gear, better sound guys...still had to perform.

Bottom line was just that both acts that I was playing with didn't really care at all what I was playing through. I could have been playing through a shoe box for all they cared as long as I found some way to make it feel good to them.

Just my respectful 2 cents.

John Wentzien · #11 07-23-2011, 11:23 AM

DI and suck it up!....

TheNightLife · #12 07-23-2011, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sonofabass

You have to "rock it" with whatever you have at your disposal.

There are even times when you bring your great (insert favorite amp brand) and, for whatever reason, the room, the sound guy...whatever, it doesn't sound as good as you'd like.

You just do what you have to do.

Just my respectful 2 cents.

I respect your 2 cents lol. But this has been a weird week with sound guys. Between stonepony on Sunday and pnc Thursday and this today. Its like the week of ****** sound guys

hover · #13 07-23-2011, 11:29 AM

Yeah, always have a decent d.i. on hand for these occasions, I always have my SansAmp BDDI in my bag.

I've had to use backline rigs, most often lucky to use an SVt / 810, or a 410 or 610, but once I played at the Charles Playhouse in Boston in the downstairs club during Blue Man Group intermission, and had to use the house amp, a beaten within an inch of it's life Traynor. Thing barely functioned, if at all.

If you're a club demanding acts do not bring their gear (space constraints in this case) and use a supplied backline, at least make sure it's a decent piece of gear! I mean you're making money from the performance, reinvest already.

klokker · #14 07-23-2011, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheNightLife

Am I the only person who seems to get shafted when it comes to supplied backlines? Tonight I'm playing an outdoor festival with an alrightish p.a. guitars have 412 cabs I have an ampeg ba112 combo amp. Really? sorry for the rant lol anyone else have this issue a lot?

Yeah, you really got ripped off there. I guess the lesson learned is that if you're not sure what you're going to get, bring your own gear.........

Jeff Scott · #15 07-23-2011, 11:35 AM

Sorry to hear of that crap backline.

I usually bring an amp, but have been lucky to have backlines like this one, even choices sitting right next to each other.

(The bass is mine!

)

Joe Nerve · #16 07-23-2011, 11:40 AM

RULE 1: If there is a backline, inquire beforehand what that consists of.

RULE 2: Always bring your amp as a backup anyhow.

Craig_S · #17 07-23-2011, 11:43 AM

Back when I was doing bigger shows, the provided rig was always a GK 800rb with a Hartke 410/115 setup. What an ugly sound... In defense of the gear, I wasn't used to it nor was I ever given enough time to play with the settings. I would haul my own rig, now.

I couldn't possibly play through a 112 combo for a show. That is a complete joke. To me, the sound company is voicing how unimportant they think the the bass is. How insulting...

sonofabass · #18 07-23-2011, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Wentzien

DI and suck it up!....

that about sums it up, really.

funkinbottom · #19 07-23-2011, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sonofabass

You have to "rock it" with whatever you have at your disposal.

There are even times when you bring your great (insert favorite amp brand) and, for whatever reason, the room, the sound guy...whatever, it doesn't sound as good as you'd like.

You just do what you have to do.

Pretty much that. Maybe I'm just a lazy bastard, but I love a supplied back line. Though there are times I can't dial in my "sound", I usually find something a bit better than just acceptable. And with a bit of PA support, a little more bass in the monitor is usually not a problem. But I know some times there's nothing better than having your own rig on stage.

Jeff Scott · #20 07-23-2011, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig_S

I couldn't possibly play through a 112 combo for a show. That is a complete joke. To me, the sound company is voicing how unimportant they think the the bass is. How insulting...

It probably also indicates that you won't be heard in the mix, anyway.