Gig nightmare

[davidAaronCarte]

After the last two days, there's no way I couldn't post this
I had a jobbing gig this morning that I wasn't going to be able to get my upright down to
Since I'm not much of a slab player and the pay was good I thought I'd rent an electric upright from one of the local shops - I'd been thinking about investing in one for situations like this anyways so it would be a good chance to try it out
They had a used Eminence (with an attractive buying price if I liked it) and I picked it up on my way to the evening laid-back gig to get the hang of it for the job this morning
Three minutes into the first tune... BANG
I thought my G had broke and went to grab a note on the D instead - but it wasn't there either
The entire bridge popped off and had flown no less than 10 feet away
We took five so I could try and reassemble with no luck and I wound up finishing the set on the extraordinarily out-of-tune piano beside the stage walking basslines with my left hand
Thankfully we spotted another local bass player walking down the street and he leant me a slab to finish the gig on
Real stressful while it was happening, but I got my money back on the rental without a fight so now all I can do is laugh about it

[Marcus Johnson]

Did they feed ya?

[davidAaronCarte]

Originally Posted by Marcus Johnson

Did they feed ya?

I wish
Startin' to get skinny from not being fed on the last couple of gigs
Probably get the best burger in the city at the gig toinght though

[DeluxeRed]

Great attitude about it--real trouping! Some lessons for the kiddies:

Have a backup. In Mr. Carte's case, he had 1) an alternate skill set--banging it out on keys, and 2) he networked his community.

Upright bridges are fragile. My WAV4's bridge can get knocked side-to-side pretty easily, and all they have for it is a soft gig bag. Fortunately, it's just a novelty item for me, and I can cover its songs with a slab.

Look 'em in the eye like that's how you planned it.

Never give up. It's just music, and even the worst crash-and-burn still won't make you bleed (ok, maybe some equipment mishaps can hurt...).

Check the catering prior to accepting the gig. 'Nuff said.

Great post. Thanks for sharing. Break a leg!

[Chris Fitzgerald]

Ouch! Been there, done that. it's no fun. Also, and no offense to anyone, but i hope to never have to play another gig on an EUB - even one that doesn't break. I may not get my wish, but a couple of the longest gigs of my life were spent trying to play an EUB with my hands while my ears were trying to hear a DB.

[Rattman]

Hi Dave... "well done" Mister. You have a fine attitude. Glad you were able to continue playing, albeit on a set of not-so-great keys. I salute you.

[Marc Piane]

It is easy to get dark when things like that happen. Way to keep your head screwed on straight.

I played one gig with a singer/songwriter on EUB and could never get used to the feel. I asked for it to be rented for me. Make your bed and you gotta sleep in it I guess. I approached hearing it like slab. Let the amp do the work. So the hearing part was cool. I could see the usefulness for playing rock or something but I just couldn't get used to the feel.

[Mike Goodbar]

As long as we're peripherally on the topic of gigfood, I played a reception at which the musicians were promised to get fed. I stopped playing for food a few years ago, but it seemed like a nice perk. While we played, tray after steaming tray of gourmet fare were carried past by waitstaff, and our mouths were really watering.

Gig ends, and we ready to dig in. We're led to the kitchen, where we're presented with the dreaded turkey "bandwich." I would've just split, but I was pretty hungry at that point, so begrudingly accepted it along with a bag of Fritos and a suspicious looking piece of fruit. I open the bread to apply mustard, and I see spots of fuzzy green mold growing on the meat. All the other sandwiches were in the same condition.

When we spoke up, the gal in charge rolled her eyes as if to say, You musicians are such pu****s. Just eat the thing." She told us we could eat from the buffet, but had to wait until they were certain each guest had eaten their fill, at which point we split and got a burger at George Webb.

At this point, I never expect food at a gig and never ask. If offered, I'll accept graciously, of course .

[davidAaronCarte]

Originally Posted by DeluxeRed

Check the catering prior to accepting the gig. 'Nuff said.

You get into rock gigs for girls, pop for money, but you learn your standards for free food and beer
Looking forward to some very nice free Lamb Curry Masala at the gig tonight