am i entitled to money for damaged gear...???

dirtgroove · #1 11-05-2006, 10:54 PM

Usually we have a band policy that all gig money goes into the pot for recording purposes.At a gig last Saturday a pint of water hit my pedalboard. Because of lights I didn't even see untill 3 songs later, a few seconds before i lost my signal entirely. I lost a line6 dm4 and a digitech synth/wah.

Does anyone else here think it's reasonable of me to ask for gig money towards the replacement of my gear?

Trevorus · #2 11-05-2006, 10:58 PM

Have you let it dry out? Sometimes, electronics can be really resilient... Who knocked it over BTW?

dirtgroove · #3 11-05-2006, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trevorus

Have you let it dry out? Sometimes, electronics can be really resilient... Who knocked it over BTW?

it's not completely dry yet. lowend vibrations were the guilty party.

Trevorus · #4 11-05-2006, 11:04 PM

probably not, then. Can't ask soundwaves for money. Give it a bit to dry out, maybe open the case and put it in a warm, dry place. I bought a TU-2 that had water spilled on it, and it now works great.

cadduc · #5 11-07-2006, 01:33 PM

be active about drying it out
take out the battery
carefully dry out the components in the box and the box itself with a rag
and then let it dry out completely in air for a few days

unless it shorted and fried it should come back to life

fyi

an acquaintance of mine was in the navy and worked as an electronics engineer on board ship
he told me it was standard routine that once a month they would take all electronics gear including the rack mounted gear out and onto the deck and wash it off with clean water while they were out at sea this was to wash off any dust which they considered a real problem to the operation of the equipment
then they let it dry off in the air and install it again
this practice even included all radio broadcast stuff with tetrode and triode broadcast tubes
it was all part of regular operating procedure

and he told me this practice is still done today

guy n. cognito · #6 11-07-2006, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirtgroove

it's not completely dry yet. lowend vibrations were the guilty party.

Sounds to me like someone put a glass of water where it didn't belong. Was it your water or someone elses?

superjesus · #7 11-07-2006, 04:01 PM

To answer the OP's question: you are not entiltled to any of the band's money for your gear unless your band agrees that you are entitled to any of the band's money. The way i see it, its your gear and you could have insured your gear against damage and theft. its not the band's gear. does the band pay for strings when your strings break or new sticks for your drummer when his are worn?

regardless, it never hurts to ask. so i'd say ask the people in charge of the money. i have no idea what your band's situation is.

but dont be surprised if your bandmates laugh at you.

ihateusernames · #8 11-07-2006, 04:43 PM

only entitled if it's in writing with the band business filing/partnership formation paperwork

Dkerwood · #9 11-08-2006, 12:53 PM

I'd say a big no. Individual payment from gigs is supposed to cover stuff like that (expenses incurred by individual members, including gear maintenance/upgrades). Since you all opted to NOT get paid in lieu of having money to record, you're opting to pay for those expenses yourself.

That having been said, feel free to ask, but be prepared for either of these outcomes:

Either they will say no...

Or they will say yes, which will mean that when the drum riser is too small and a cymbal stand falls over, the drummer will ask the band for money to replace a broken crash. When you're unloading the trailer and discover that the guitarist's Fender Deluxe fell over during transit, expect him to ask for the band to cover his repair bill.

In the long run, if you're trying to build up some funds to record, don't nickel and dime it away trying to recoup personal expenses. Yes, it sucks to be out $350 when the band has got $$$$ packed away. But suck it up, replace/repair your gear, and remember WHY the band has $$$$ packed away.

ogrossman · #10 11-08-2006, 01:02 PM

I don't think the band has a responsibility but I suppose it wouldn't hurt to ask.

I think the problem comes when someone in the band decides they want to use a $10,000 guitar on stage and it accidently gets knocked over. The other members of the band shouldn't be exposed to that kind of liability. Where do you draw the line?

superjesus · #11 11-08-2006, 01:07 PM

insure your own gear and its never an issue.

**baba** · #12 11-08-2006, 01:10 PM

No.

I'd laugh out loud if a band mate approached me with that.

Juniorkimbrough · #13 11-08-2006, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baba

No.

I'd laugh out loud if a band mate approached me with that.

I agree.

If someone had actually knocked it over it would be different.

Whose water was it that fell over?

jive1 · #14 11-08-2006, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baba

No.

I'd laugh out loud if a band mate approached me with that.

+1

Unless I was the guy that caused it. Otherwise, it's a battle scar. Live and learn.

Rumble Bee · #15 11-11-2006, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Does anyone else here think it's reasonable of me to ask for gig money towards the replacement of my gear?

How much do you like the band? You could be opening a can of worms.

Jonny B · #16 11-12-2006, 12:46 AM

I have to agree with the "It's your gear, it's your problem" crowd.

Insurance is a very nice option when you consider the thousands of dollars you have sitting up on stage. Particularly if your in a bar band.

NickyBass · #17 11-12-2006, 10:02 AM

I was in a band, and there was talk of using band money to buy new gear when needed. I worked hard to pay for my gear, and I wasn't going to let everyone else buy gear with money that should be used for other expenses. Band monies are to be used to help the band advance...promotion, cd's, t shirts, etc. I'm sorry to hear that your gear got ruined, but it's not the bands fault.