Gigging with no vehicle

RyRob813 · #1 05-08-2009, 05:09 AM

Starting my third semester at McNally Smith College of Music in downtown St. Paul this fall.

Throughout my first two semesters I've gigged as much as I can without a vehicle; most occasions subbing for a friend who provided a lift there, and then catching the bus or the drummer's pickup home.

After all my time at school, and the improvements I've made, I feel that I'm really ready to start gigging with a simple, "what time and what do I wear," without worrying too much about train wrecks.

I'm lucky to have a very reliable and vast public transit system in the Twin Cities, but I can't really drag my ampeg 4x10 and SVT Classic Series on the bus with me.

My thought is that I could get myself an Avalon U5 DI box, (something I was thinking about doing anyway,) and going through the house mix with no amplifier at venues capable of doing so.

Has anyone here had any experience gigging without a vehicle, and if so, how did you work around the inconvenience?

Thanks!

BillyRay · #2 05-08-2009, 10:20 AM

Unless you're playing the harmonica or a band member has a van and leaves nearby, it can be almost impossible to gig regularly without transportation. Calling taxis also get old and costly very fast.

A DI can be a good option, but not every venue has sound reinforcement and enough wedges to put bass in. You'll need to make arrangements beforehand to be sure everythign can be provided.

If I were you, I'd bite the bullet and buy a piece of crap car and only use it to go to gig, in order to make it last.

varunkapahi · #3 05-10-2009, 12:37 AM

i dont have a vehicle but i dont need amps for gigs as we are provided with a backline and we go direct anyway. but i have a lot of issues traveling for jamming. my band practices about 25-30km away, what i have done is i bought another amp and put it there permanently. now that amp stays there all the time, i just take my bass on my back in a gigbag. it really sucks though. and am not able to jam with any bands or try out for sessions or anything.

RyRob813 · #4 05-10-2009, 05:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by varunkapahi

i dont have a vehicle but i dont need amps for gigs as we are provided with a backline and we go direct anyway. but i have a lot of issues traveling for jamming. my band practices about 25-30km away, what i have done is i bought another amp and put it there permanently. now that amp stays there all the time, i just take my bass on my back in a gigbag. it really sucks though. and am not able to jam with any bands or try out for sessions or anything.

I feel your pain for sure, it's not easy. I had to take an hour and 20 minute bus ride a few weeks ago for one gig.

Unrepresented · #5 05-10-2009, 11:32 AM

You could always downsize your rig to something a lot more transportable.

Smaller neo speaker'd cab, Genz Benz shuttle head and you're down to a very light load that won't be a burden moving in and out of buses.

CapnSev · #6 05-10-2009, 12:13 PM

I thought this was just a lead vocalist thing?