How much should I charge a small club to rent my amp?

yem · #1 11-30-2008, 06:53 PM

I have an Ampeg B2R in a rack with a furman power conditioner and a korg tuner. A local club wants to rent it to a band that is passing through. How much should I charge?

ADbassman · #2 11-30-2008, 07:26 PM

You might check the rental rates a local music store and adjusting your price accordingly.

yem · #3 11-30-2008, 07:45 PM

ADB, thanks for the suggestion but there are no local music stores let alone ones that rent equipment. That said, I'm looking for a fair price for both parties.

fenderhutz · #4 11-30-2008, 07:51 PM

Have a contract first of all with signatures detailing the price to rent and what happens if the gear gets damaged.

I don't assume you are a rental company and have insurance for renting gear out.

I personally would steer clear.

esoxhntr · #5 11-30-2008, 07:59 PM

Agreed with Fenderhutz... if some hammerhead wrecks your amp you have no protection. Even if you manage to create a "contract" with the club, there is no telling if it will be legally binding, and even if it is, it may take you months to get it honored. You are in a no win situation here - you can't possibly get more than $50 bucks or so for a 1 night rental, but that won't be much good if your amp gets pooched. Run away.

fenderhutz · #6 11-30-2008, 08:02 PM

The ONLY time I have ever done this was when I was playing at the venue and could actively monitor the bassist and made it clear how NOT to push the amp.

You could luck out and nothing happen, however, tell the club to hit up craigslist and get a 100.00 Peavey Combo for house use or lead them to it.

yem · #7 11-30-2008, 08:17 PM

If it matters at all, I forgot to specify that I'd only be renting the racked amp. The band would be providing their own cab(s).

Stumbo · #8 11-30-2008, 08:30 PM

What cabs? What ohms, etc? How do you know that your amp can handle the ohms of their cabs?

yem · #9 11-30-2008, 09:32 PM

Not sure what cabs but they will run at 4 ohms.

nickelseye · #10 11-30-2008, 10:05 PM

How much do you have invested in the amp, power conditioner, tuner and rack? That's how much I would charge for rental...at the very least, for a security deposit.

Think of the worst case scenario. Your amp is stolen..a fair rental charge doesn't replace your gear.

Pickebass · #11 11-30-2008, 10:17 PM

It depends on the venue and the band. If it's a band you know and are familar with I would probably charge around $50. If it's a band or players you never heard of I would at least double that.

Another area of concern is if the club will have a good P.A. If the bass amp is driving the club volume, you will probably have an amp that is overdriven and speakers blown.

I would also make sure that I am present at the gig as well to insure that nothing stupid happens

Munjibunga · #12 11-30-2008, 10:26 PM

Yeah, I like the idea of a cash deposit equal to the full replacement cost. I think $25 would be about right. Or start at $50 and let them negotiate down.

All that said, I wouldn't do it.

yem · #13 12-01-2008, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pickebass

Another area of concern is if the club will have a good P.A. If the bass amp is driving the club volume, you will probably have an amp that is overdriven and speakers blown.

The club has a great PA and the amp would be used for the bass stage sound.

yem · #14 12-01-2008, 07:57 AM

Thanks for all of the advice.

Pilgrim · #15 12-01-2008, 02:20 PM

Are you a rental company? If not, why would you want to do this? Too much risk, not nearly enough reward. Let them rent from a local company.

Rattman · #16 12-01-2008, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by esoxhntr

Agreed with Fenderhutz... if some hammerhead wrecks your amp you have no protection. Even if you manage to create a "contract" with the club, there is no telling if it will be legally binding, and even if it is, it may take you months to get it honored. You are in a no win situation here - you can't possibly get more than $50 bucks or so for a 1 night rental, but that won't be much good if your amp gets pooched. Run away.

The other guys have covered it pretty well already: not such a hot idea . . . Too much RISK involved on your part. The liabilities seem to vastly outweigh your potential gain in the 'deal' . . .

USAJO · #17 12-01-2008, 04:25 PM

Not worth the headache. I say don't rent your gear. Politely tell them you have another commitment and it won't be available. I know of too many horror stories and it's not worth the risk to me.

yem · #18 12-01-2008, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by USAJO

Not worth the headache.

That's been the consensus. Thanks.

T-Bird · #19 12-02-2008, 01:03 AM

Hi.

While all the above concerns are perfectly valid, there's also the other side of the coin.

Is the club a popular one? Do You play there, and if not, would you like to?

I'd charge two good spots (with full pay of course), month or so apart as the rent.

The situation over there may or may not be the same as in some other area, so You'll be the best judge regarding the safety of your equipment.

Over here it's not possible to have legally valid rent contracts when a bussines is renting from an individual. If something happens, You're SOL. Don't obviously know about Your neck of woods.

BTW the usual rent is 1-3% of the value a day + taxes and insurance, so moneywise small scale renting is just not feasible.

I'm borrowing my rig for our "opening act" this coming weekend, and I have to say that if something happens to my amp before they have a chance to hear us play, ther'll be a club full of really unhappy bikers hunting that poor guy down.

Just my 0.02€
Sam