"your rig or the gig is cancelled"

groooooove · #1 08-24-2011, 05:02 PM

thats right. was asked to do a local bar gig with 5 or so acts. was asked if they could all use my amp (brickhouse cabinets and markbass heads. not an inexpensive rig.) i politely replied that im sorry, but nobody but me uses my rig.

i was then brigaded with rude text messages about how far the one band has to drive to get to the gig, and how if i don't let them use my rig the gig is off.

i've gotten heat for my "my amp = just me" policy over the years, but this is by far the worst.

looks like i dont have a gig that night..

bassteban · #2 08-24-2011, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by groooooove

looks like i dont have a gig that night..

Neither do the other 4 acts, I'm guessing.

Mirios · #3 08-24-2011, 05:04 PM

Who is running the show? Would seem they should be providing backline.

**fuzzy beard** · #4 08-24-2011, 05:04 PM

Tell them they can use your DI !!!!

MysticMichael · #5 08-24-2011, 05:05 PM

That's not the type of gig I would ever want...

MM

Reuben · #6 08-24-2011, 05:06 PM

I can understand your feelings. I also sometimes shy away from letting others use my amp, but in my case it's only because I don't want to feel obligated to hang around all night! In one case where it was clearly a condition of the gig I said yes, but only if the bands chipped in and gave me a rental fee. Worked for me! If your concern is wear and tear I can dig it, but for me the money in my pocket was worth it.

will33 · #7 08-24-2011, 05:07 PM

Yep, no gig.

After many requests like this I started telling people it required a $2000 cash deposit, refundable after said rig was given a clean bill of health by a (insert manufacturers name here) authorized service/repair center the cost of which would be deducted from their deposit.

The requests stopped.

What kind of band travels with no gear?

groooooove · #8 08-24-2011, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mirios

Who is running the show? Would seem they should be providing backline.

the guitarist of the NJ based band..

i get what theyre saying and all, but whats worse- me not budging - or them taking an out of state gig and not being willing to bring an amp..

i have a feeling its not the band that said "we cant bring a rig." i think the guitarist whos a friend of mine was just trying to help them out and never even asked if they could bring an amp.

Helluvatim · #9 08-24-2011, 05:09 PM

Im with ya bro, I didnt pay all that money so someone else can sound good. Any musician should have his own gear, and a way to get it there.Good call

Sifl · #10 08-24-2011, 05:10 PM

I'm usually not too concerned about my cab. But if I was given an ultimatum, I'd tell them to "f" off and not play.

Who cares if one band is travelling from far away? How do you book gigs and not have gear? Baffles me.

BassmanPaul · #11 08-24-2011, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by groooooove

looks like i dont have a gig that night..

No but you do still have an amp!

groooooove · #12 08-24-2011, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassmanPaul

No but you do still have an amp!

..exactly..

Mirios · #13 08-24-2011, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by groooooove

the guitarist of the NJ based band..

Is he unable to find someone in your area who does backline? I don't get why he thinks it's your responsibility.

Balog · #14 08-24-2011, 05:12 PM

What an odd thing to ask. I can't imagine hiring a band for a gig where either the band or the house doesn't provide all equipment needed. To ask another band which happens to be on the bill to provide backline for all of them?!?!?! Crazy.

pbass888 · #15 08-24-2011, 05:13 PM

so i play jazz now which is pretty cool and adult like.... when i used to play funk.... id usually say something like "use my amp if I use your girlfriend/wife/sister". So never really had that issue.

CapnSev · #16 08-24-2011, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by will33

What kind of band travels with no gear?

Seriously. Who says: "Let's go out on tour guys, but leave our stuff at home. We can just mooch whatever we need."

JonnyAngle · #17 08-24-2011, 05:16 PM

You can always just show up w your di and iems. Be sure not to clean the iems for a few weeks so the buildup is nice and thick

chaosMK · #18 08-24-2011, 05:20 PM

I like your non-budging-ness.

I could see helping out one dude if he went out of his way to talk to you about it personally. At least bring a head to the gig, cabs being cumbersome and all.

If you have to backline all 4 bands with some premium stuff to get a gig, someone is not negotiating well for you.

robbotbass · #19 08-24-2011, 05:20 PM

Ask the kid next door if you can borrow his combo amp you get with the Ibenez started kit. Use your rig and set that up as there back line.

groooooove · #20 08-24-2011, 05:22 PM

its not through any sort of management.. were all "friends" to an extent- and the bar is not set up for live music. they have a portable 2 1x15" type of PA. and the owner (of the bar) who has nothing to do with any of this, is a close friend of mine and other people playing that night.

so its not a "real" gig. its sort of a friends jamming at a buddys bar. it's still ridiculous, though.