Playing outside in the cold?

Luke19Boarder · #1 03-26-2010, 12:23 AM

I'm not sure if this is in the right section, so apologies if it's not.

Anyways, my band is playing our first gig tomorrow, and it's going to be outside. The forecast calls for 39 degreees F ... a bit on the chilly side. I'm a little nervous about my hands being too cold and cramping up/being stiff the whole time.

My plan is to warm up before we play, and wear some thin, stretchy gloves with the fingertips cut off. Are there any other tips/tricks you guys have for playing outside in chilly weather?

Thanks!

fenderfunker · #2 03-26-2010, 12:31 AM

Two nips of Bourbon or Rum....Brandy, you get the picture. Hands in your pockets before show time....good luck.

**pacojas** · #3 03-26-2010, 12:43 AM

never mind your fingers, just keep your bass warm. wrap the neck in a towel before and after if needed.

Luke19Boarder · #4 03-26-2010, 12:53 AM

fenderfunker - i typically have a couple shots of whisker or something before i play. this is a festival on campus, so i'll have to be a bit sneakier than when I play at bars, ha.

pacojas - good call. We're playing like 10 minute walk (2 minute drive) from my house, so I guess I'll try to keep it there as long as possible. Otherwise, i'll bring a towel with me - thanks!

Fetusyolk · #5 03-26-2010, 12:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luke19Boarder

fenderfunker - i typically have a couple shots of whisker or something before i play. this is a festival on campus, so i'll have to be a bit sneakier than when I play at bars, ha.

pacojas - good call. We're playing like 10 minute walk (2 minute drive) from my house, so I guess I'll try to keep it there as long as possible. Otherwise, i'll bring a towel with me - thanks!

you might want to rethink that, keeping a bass in a warm climate and than suddenly exposing it to a bitter cold is not exactly good... but considering the season you're probably fine , unless you're still getting the bitter winter aftereffects?

either way! i would suggest at least keeping it outside for a while in case, and than a lil outside of case

Luke19Boarder · #6 03-26-2010, 12:57 AM

haha well it's been in/near the 50s for the past week or so ... it'll be sunny and high of 45 tomorrow, but we're playing in the evening. I don't think the humidity will be a huge deal.

Gard · #7 03-26-2010, 06:09 AM

Definitely get the bass in the weather you will be playing in right away. This will give the strings and neck time to acclimate to the conditions and "settle in". Waiting until the last minute will be a disaster, the strings will freak out and start going constantly sharp (cold: tightens the strings, they go sharp until they reach thermal equilibrium). You MAY have some neck movement, but most likely once the neck gets acclimated it will be fine, changing string tension will be the biggest issue here - when the strings go tighter, the higher tension will likely pull the neck forward a bit, causing a bit of forward bow until the tension on the strings settles. If the wood reacts, you may get a bit of back bow as well, which will cause some buzzing, so be prepared to have your trussrod tool handy so you can take a bit of tension off the rod if necessary (DO NOT ADJUST THE TRUSSROD UNTIL THE STRINGS SETTLE!).

On the player side, you want to wear something with pockets that are easily accessible, so you can warm your hands between songs, maybe consider getting a couple of those chemical handwarmers and putting them in the pockets of a jacket you're wearing.

FWIW, I've played outside in 28 F, right next to a huge fountain, with the wind blowing across the water at 30 MPH, hitting me on the back of my neck (which because of a dress code situation was unprotected), and survived...the kicker is that it was here:

...yeah, that's right, Orlando, FL at EPCOT on the main stage...and it happened two NYE's in a row, both were below 30F!

Phalex · #8 03-26-2010, 06:27 AM

Tuning can be interesting in the cold. Also if there's a really fast super cool run that you can pull off most of the time, you might want to reconsider and simplify.

Cold hands are traitorous hands!

Jazz Ad · #9 03-26-2010, 07:02 AM

I played outside a lot in the cold.
One great trick I used was to rub vaseline on my hands. They protect the fingers from the cold and ease sliding on the strings.
Mitts are god too, they leave the fingertips available to play while keeping your joints and muscles warm.

tramp · #10 03-26-2010, 07:43 AM

When I play outside in the cold, I always wear thin knit gloves without the fingers cut off. I get my gloves from Academy sports. They are very thin so I have no problem pulling my strings.

funkingroovin · #11 03-26-2010, 08:37 AM

C'mon! Man-up! You're a fellow Michigander,the weather outside right now is just as good as any day last "summer"

Seriously tho,listen to Gard,and maybe consider taking a little space heater. I've done it,and it helps...a little

Phalex · #12 03-26-2010, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by funkingroovin

Michigander

Or Michiganian?? The age old debate rages on.........

**pacojas** · #13 03-26-2010, 09:58 AM

with all do respect, 39*F is not that cold. i would think a warm bass will survive an hour or two and remain stable. if you want to "aclimate" your bass temp from room temp to 39* just to bring it back to room temp is over-kill. i know it's wood, but i doubt you need a set-up as a result. my basses go from 39- 65* every day and they haven't even lost tuning, go figure!

plankspanker13 · #14 03-26-2010, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fenderfunker

Two nips of Bourbon or Rum....Brandy, you get the picture. Hands in your pockets before show time....good luck.

Sometimes the flask that usually resides in my golf bag finds its' way into my gig bag.

groove pump · #15 03-26-2010, 10:45 AM

I'm also a tennis fiend and when I need to play outside in "marginal" temp's like you're talking about, I make sure to wear a hat. Easier to stay warm and comfortable, maybe without needing an extra layer. If I don't get generally chilled, it's easier for my hands to stay warmer, too.