Who here carries a back up amp with them?

musicpbass · #1 12-21-2010, 09:18 AM

Its an debatable subject.

I'm struggling not to, but, I sometimes get that uneasy feeling of "what if...." haha

Just curious to see who is and is not carrying a back up when gigging.

fenderhutz · #2 12-21-2010, 09:22 AM

I carry a Crate Power Block as a backup.

Works for guitar or bass or whatever.

jackcheez · #3 12-21-2010, 09:29 AM

I carry a GK 800rb as a backup to the SVT or V4-B I normally use. In 8 years of hard gigging I used it twice. Both times were because a power surge when we were setting up blew a fuse in the SVT.

In other words, I could have just carried a spare fuse.

A backup is never a bad thing to have. The worst thing that can happen is you don't use it.

dmrogers · #4 12-21-2010, 09:34 AM

I do, just in case......

musicpbass · #5 12-21-2010, 09:44 AM

very true, never a bad thing...

Has anyone ever had the worst happen and then not have a back up with them but still made it work, like go thru the PA system/Sound guy... is this possible??

jnewmark · #6 12-21-2010, 09:46 AM

I carry a MB F1 head in case something goes down with my rack rig. Of course, the problem is, should I just rack it, or carry it in my bass gig bag. For some reason, I can't decide.

yamaha · #7 12-21-2010, 09:47 AM

LM2 and f1 backup, every gig

Chuck King · #8 12-21-2010, 09:49 AM

I also bring a Power Block in my cable bag. For out-of-town gigs, I usually toss another "real" amp into the trailer.

AwkwardLoudness · #9 12-21-2010, 09:49 AM

I bring five amps. Both guitars use my old Hiwatts and I have two old Hiwatts for bass, one for each 4x10. The 5th amp is a Sound City 120 converted to Hiwatt pre-amp, and it's a backup for any of the other four amps. I haven't needed to go to the backup yet, but there's always the risk that a power tube could blow at any moment. I bring spare tubes, too, for further backup, but it takes time for cool down, replacement, and biasing. The fast fix is a ready backup.

mophead · #10 12-21-2010, 09:52 AM

I do.

rpsands · #11 12-21-2010, 09:53 AM

Depends on the gig; if I know I can fall back on a DI, I don't bring a backup, but if not, I bring my MB500.

jumbodbassman · #12 12-21-2010, 09:59 AM

always do. most of my gigs involve some travel distance and over the last 38 years only twice did something happen but twice is 2X too many....last time i had a backup. what i ususally do is put 2 of the same or very similar amps in a rack. ie - 2 ampeg ss, 2 hartke 7000, 3500, fender 300bxr. if i go with a non rack head that night i will always bring along a micro head (yamaha - 500 watts digital something or other) that sits in a case safe and sound but within 5 steps of the stage.....

Din Of Win · #13 12-21-2010, 10:08 AM

Local shows, or day-trip shows... never.

Weekend tours or more, i bring a back up. Though it's pretty easy to borrow one from another band if you act politely, IME, it's FAR easier to borrow an amp/cab than it is another bass.

I use a GK 400rb as a backup for a Traynor YBA-3.

vinxbass · #14 12-21-2010, 10:08 AM

I used to cart around a CARVIN BX1200 but got tired of it because I hate hauling around equipment I didn't use. Besides, if my current amp goes out I'll just use the PA for my sound.

Rugaar · #15 12-21-2010, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fenderhutz

I carry a Crate Power Block as a backup.

Works for guitar or bass or whatever.

Same here. I also carry a DI.

MNAirHead · #16 12-21-2010, 10:09 AM

We carry a MixerAmp.. will cover everything in a pinch

rockstarbassist · #17 12-21-2010, 10:13 AM

I carry my Radial JDI as my backup. I could get through a whole gig with just it.

JimmyM · #18 12-21-2010, 10:35 AM

didn't used to, but lately i have just because my backup is so small and takes up so little room in the van. carry two svt's or two b-15's? no way! but i'll carry a small class d backup.

fu22ba55 · #19 12-21-2010, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackcheez

I carry a GK 800rb as a backup to the SVT or V4-B I normally use.

+1

This was my style for many years, until I sold my 800RB. Now methinks I should get another 800RB just to be on the safe side. Often times another bassist on the bill would show up ampless or have his/her amp crap the bed, and I'd offer up my 800RB.

Sliderbass · #20 12-21-2010, 10:42 AM

If I have a new head that I'm taking to a gig for the first or second time, than yes I take a backup. I have PA support on 99% of our gigs and we have spares in our amp rack. If the worst was to happen I'm covered with a cable change and a VT bass pedal grab.