first gig=stinker

[MOCKINGBIRD91]

just thought id tell ya all about my ( metal ) bands first gig. it was at a local show and we were playing to around 100-200 people ...we did a good soundcheck before it and everything was well. a young girl asked our guitarist if she could use his amplifier for her key board solo ( before we played ) . him being the nice guy e was let her as long as she didnt ajust the amps sound. the time came for us to play and when our guitarost started to play the intro to our opening song we realised his guitar sounded like a mosquito ( very distorted) and it sounded like utter crap and we made quiete a bad impression to the people in the audience..to this day when i think about that moment my blood boils hahaha

[YogSothoth]

And?

Why did the amp sound like a mosquito? Were the settings tampered with? Give us something here.

[Baryonyx]

That would have been a great time to launch into some Mahavisnu Orchestra stuff!

Though why was there a keyboard solo on before your band? Was it some kind of talent show?

[molsen]

why didn't your guitarist fix the tone if it was so crappy sounding?

[Embryodead]

You've learned the first lesson of all gigs,

never let anyone touch your gear..ever if they don't bring their own gear then that's just too bad.

[molsen]

and if it sounds bad, FIX IT

[txbasschik]

Well...lesson learned. Never let anyone you don't know play on your gear. If you let anyone play your gear, check it before you start your show. It seems that no matter how often you say, "Don't change my setting", they'll change your settings.

I'm sorry it worked out bad for you. Did the crowd come around to the rest of your songs, after that first one?

Cherie

[Spoiled Grape]

A quick way to fix this "don't change my settings" problem is to have your settings written down.

The most common way I've seen this done is to just get a sharpie and mark your settings above the knobs. This way, if they get messed up in transportation, accidents, or roadie/opening band, you can quickly set everything back to normal.

Another way I've seen done is to write down the settings on a piece of paper and tape it to your amp. This of course has the obvious drawbacks. On the other hand, it makes it easier to clean up when the time comes to sell the amp. I've seen a few people laminate the piece of paper.

[Rattman]

Originally Posted by Embryodead

You've learned the first lesson of all gigs,

never let anyone touch your gear..ever if they don't bring their own gear then that's just too bad.

+1 .. definitely! And if all else fails.. have your setting MEMORIZED! That way you don't get all worked up playing the 'blame game' if the amp/effects are tampered with.. step up to the plate, and FIX IT!

Every amp I use on stage get modified with a "power lock out" that I install myself. I have the only key and it is a GREAT deterrant to folks trying to use my stuff when I'm not around. 'So what' if they fool around with the settings? I can correct that in less than 15 seconds.. and no matter what they try, the amp will not power up!

[Spoiled Grape]

Originally Posted by Rattman

+1 .. definitely! And if all else fails.. have your setting MEMORIZED! That way you don't get all worked up playing the 'blame game' if the amp/effects are tampered with.. step up to the plate, and FIX IT!

Every amp I use on stage get modified with a "power lock out" that I install myself. I have the only key and it is a GREAT deterrant to folks trying to use my stuff when I'm not around. 'So what' if they fool around with the settings? I can correct that in less than 15 seconds.. and no matter what they try, the amp will not power up!

Is there a failsafe on this? What happens if you lose the key?

I'd be more interested in a lockout with a combination code, as I tend to lose keys annually.

[Embryodead]

i actually have photos on my phone with all my settings :-p

[peaveyuser]

Originally Posted by Spoiled Grape

A quick way to fix this "don't change my settings" problem is to have your settings written down.

The most common way I've seen this done is to just get a sharpie and mark your settings above the knobs. This way, if they get messed up in transportation, accidents, or roadie/opening band, you can quickly set everything back to normal.

Another way I've seen done is to write down the settings on a piece of paper and tape it to your amp. This of course has the obvious drawbacks. On the other hand, it makes it easier to clean up when the time comes to sell the amp. I've seen a few people laminate the piece of paper.

Best would be white out. Easy to scratch of and sticks out better.

[Sean S]

Maybe you could get a dummy head or something...cheaper than a lockout perhaps?

[Rattman]

Originally Posted by Spoiled Grape

Is there a failsafe on this? What happens if you lose the key?

I'd be more interested in a lockout with a combination code, as I tend to lose keys annually.

Actually ...NO...there is no 'failsafe'. But in my own defense I can say that is indeed a valid question, yet the key is not actually in my possession .. keys are made of steel (a ferrous material) therefore are magnetic.. making them easily hidden on the underside of a driver magnet.. so far so good

[Rattman]

Originally Posted by Bobb

Maybe you could get a dummy head or something...cheaper than a lockout perhaps?

Great idea.. thank you But the method/materials are use to preform this simple modifcation are quite inexpensive.

Today I plan on doing a new 'lock out' mod on yet another Peavey. The soldering gear and wires I already own.. the actual round lock that gets installed thru a hole I drill in the back of the chasis is VERY affordable. I pay perhaps less than $3.00 for the one self-contained electro-mechanical part.

The trick is simple: Locate and sever the one wire-lead that comes directly off the fuse. That wire gets run to the lock, soldered in to one of two lugs on the lock. The other lug gets a wire run back to the fuse holder's severed wire.

BEWARE: never interrupt straight 110/220 AC in your amp this way. Only the low voltage DC!!!

[MazeMouse]

That's why my EQ is always set to neutral.