Touring and Backlines

bbass75 · #1 07-27-2009, 12:02 AM

Janek,

I was wondering what you do about gear on tour. I know you and Jojo have some good endorsements with companies that can provide backlines for most of your gigs, but do you ever book gigs that don't have the backline provided in one way or another? Also, what would you recommend for anyone booking a tour who doesn't have any backlines provided by endorsements? Thanks!

James

janekbass · #2 07-27-2009, 01:41 PM

most of the gear on my tours are either provided by the promoters or the companies that me and the guys in my band endorse. There are very few situations on tour where there is no gear available from either of those sources, and on the few occasions that that's happened I've been able to borrow something last minute from a friend in the area. There are a lot of bass players over the world that are very cool, and will help out in a pinch.

Easy,

Janek

BoulderBrow · #3 07-27-2009, 01:43 PM

Hey, I might as well post my question here as it's gear related: what earplugs/in-ears do you use? I'm considering getting some molded ear protectors, wondering if it's worth the price increase.

janekbass · #4 07-27-2009, 01:50 PM

I only use in-ears when I'm on a pop/rock gig as a sideman (ultimate ears is the name of the company I use), where either the venues are huge and I want to have some focus in whatever it is I get to hear on the gig, or the band is really loud and I want to protect my ears and have a clean mix.

Although I do tend to have one ear in and one ear out when I'm using them because I think ear plugs and in-ear monitors kill a certain amount of the natural feel of the music if you have both ears in at the same time. That's why I never use them with my own band. I may well do some things with the computer or some sort of backing track at some point with my own band, and then I would consider using them for my music, just to monitor the tracks that are being played.

I find that in-ears are actually best for listening to music on the plane, and cut out a lot of the noise and make flights feel like they're taking a lot less time.

Easy,

Janek

bbass75 · #5 07-27-2009, 05:02 PM

Janek,

Thanks for the response. I was wondering though, if you didn't have the ability to have everything backlined, do you think it would be possible to tour a country, lets say like the UK, and bring most if not all the gear with you? How would you go about this if you were posed with this scenario? Thanks

James

janekbass · #6 07-27-2009, 05:17 PM

I would never undertake a tour where i had to carry gear without having a large crew of people to carry it for me. It doesn't make any sense either way you look at it. To take gear with no crew is almost impossible cos you just can't carry it all, and to take a crew for the gear is way too expensive and no one will pay you enough money on the shows to cover that.

Easy,

Janek

bbass75 · #7 07-27-2009, 06:17 PM

Thanks a lot Janek, I may be in Australia around the time of your tour. Hope to catch a gig over there!

James

mrufino1 · #8 07-31-2009, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoulderBrow

Hey, I might as well post my question here as it's gear related: what earplugs/in-ears do you use? I'm considering getting some molded ear protectors, wondering if it's worth the price increase.

yes, very much so. I rarely play without my molded earplugs. they make everything sound better, not just quieter. I believe mine are sensaphonics? Before these I had a brand called "Rockstar II" that were very good too, but I had them way too long and they wore out. Anyway, I would HIGHLY suggest every musician getting custom plugs, keep your hearing intact for life and improve stage sound tremendously.