How much equipment to bring to a gig?

[Russell L]

Nowhere I play provides anything except for a place to play, maybe some little lights. I bring my head, one or two cabs, my bass, and gig bag. That's it. Nothing I don't need, but everything I do need.

[RustyAxe]

Originally Posted by pbagley

There has been a lot of disagreement on bringing a second bass. I bring two. I have had a bass fail at a gig. Last time it was a dead battery (worked at first and then quit). Helpful band member got me a "new" battery, still no sound. Turned out that the second battery was also dead.

Actually, you had a battery fail. No need for a 2nd bass, just an extra 9V in the gig bag. If your instrument, pedals, whatever require batteries, then you should always carry spares ... that you know are good.

I have also had an amp die - just the wall plug and a trip to the hardware store fixed it, so I always have a second amp with me now.

Simple care and maintenance of your gear prevent things like this. It'd be a cold day in hell I'd carry TWO amps to a gig ...

[smogg]

Originally Posted by bluewine

Cover band here. I always bring 2 basses, GK 2 10 & 1 15 RBX cabs. 2 GK rb1001 amps, pedal board (with oriental rug) and 3 guitar stands.

I use the same configuration for small bars as well as large festivals and fairs.

Whenever I go out to see local acts cover and originals, I'm going to be checking out your whole presentation, your playing, your gear and how you *dress.

Blue

*I saw and outstanding Zeppelin tribute band, but they all looked like they had just jumped off a tractor in a corn field. Even though they were great, they were hard to take seriously.

Aha! So that's the ticket. I need to get me one of them thar oriental rugs so I don't look like I just jumped off a tractor.
But seriously blue I get what you're saying. My gear speaks for itself, I chose it because it suits my needs and it's what I like. My playing is good enough to keep me gigging. And clothes well lets see... In my southern rock band we play mostly biker bars so its jeans, a t-shirt and riding boots. In the more popish cover band we play slightly better venues, so it's dockers and a button down.

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by smogg

Aha! So that's the ticket. I need to get me one of them thar oriental rugs so I don't look like I just jumped off a tractor.
But seriously blue I get what you're saying. My gear speaks for itself, I chose it because it suits my needs and it's what I like. My playing is good enough to keep me gigging. And clothes well lets see... In my southern rock band we play mostly biker bars so its jeans, a t-shirt and riding boots. In the more popish cover band we play slightly better venues, so it's dockers and a button down.

Put aside the point I was trying to make with the Zep tribute band/ corn field example.

If a bass player is up there and I'm blown away by his playing, I'm probably not going to think about his gear.

I just sit back and feel bad.


Blue

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by RustyAxe

It'd be a cold day in hell I'd carry TWO amps to a gig ...

If my amp just happened to fail at a gig, I prefer to have that level of back up.

A DI or going direct into the board is not always the best option.

Blue

[smogg]

I am definitely not a gear snob. If it sounds good it is good. As far as playing goes, I look more at the overall product than the individuals. But don't want to derail the thread, so back on topic. To the OP as stated several times already, check out the venues in advance if you can and assume you need to provide everything until you find out otherwise. Use what you have available to you to the best of your ability and have fun with it.

Originally Posted by bluewine

Put aside the point I was trying to make with the Zep tribute band/ corn field example.

If a bass player is up there and I'm blown away by his playing, I'm probably not going to think about his gear.

I just sit back and feel bad.


Blue

[guy n. cognito]

Originally Posted by RustyAxe

Actually, you had a battery fail. No need for a 2nd bass, just an extra 9V in the gig bag. If your instrument, pedals, whatever require batteries, then you should always carry spares ... that you know are good.

Simple care and maintenance of your gear prevent things like this. It'd be a cold day in hell I'd carry TWO amps to a gig ...

Today's small amps makes that a very simple thing to do. I have a MB Tube800 that stays in the trunk of my car and serves as my spare. I bought it used for under $400

[rtslinger]

OP if you can afford two basses do yourself a favor bring a backup because no matter what someone else here has said it is your gig and if the sh8t hits the fan the owner isn't going to want to hear your sob story about you don't have a backup or whatever. If it is a paying gig and you are looking to make a name for yourself on your local music scene.Be as professional as possible and cover all your bases. Because if you come off as a band who isn't reliable they won't ask you back. As luck will have it the odds are stack against you that your one and only bass will fall victim to something you haven't accounted for and unless you have your own guitar tech that is going diagnosis your problem you are going to be staring at a lot of dead air. When you could have just switch out for your backup bass. Yeah and bla bla bla I have been gigging since I was 13 and I am 54 I have had them stolen, dropped, strings break, jack drop inside, bridge problems vol pots gone bad.

[HolmeBass]

Originally Posted by pushbuttonfour

all right, I guess that was too open a question. I gues what I meant is, will there ever be a venue that provides absolutely nothing?

Yes. Plenty provide absolutely nothing- not even a stage.

[bassmeknik]

Originally Posted by rtslinger

OP if you can afford two basses do yourself a favor bring a backup because no matter what someone else here has said it is your gig and if the sh8t hits the fan the owner isn't going to want to hear your sob story about you don't have a backup or whatever. If it is a paying gig and you are looking to make a name for yourself on your local music scene.Be as professional as possible and cover all your bases. Because if you come off as a band who isn't reliable they won't ask you back. As luck will have it the odds are stack against you that your one and only bass will fall victim to something you haven't accounted for and unless you have your own guitar tech that is going diagnosis your problem you are going to be staring at a lot of dead air. When you could have just switch out for your backup bass. Yeah and bla bla bla I have been gigging since I was 13 and I am 54 I have had them stolen, dropped, strings break, jack drop inside, bridge problems vol pots gone bad.

+1 55 here started at 15 and ditto on the failures. Once your performances number over a couple hundred ANYTHING can happen and I don't want to be the reason the band can't perform.

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by smogg

Aha! So that's the ticket. I need to get me one of them thar oriental rugs so I don't look like I just jumped off a tractor.
But seriously blue I get what you're saying. My gear speaks for itself, I chose it because it suits my needs and it's what I like. My playing is good enough to keep me gigging. And clothes well lets see... In my southern rock band we play mostly biker bars so its jeans, a t-shirt and riding boots. In the more popish cover band we play slightly better venues, so it's dockers and a button down.

My band mostly plays biker bars too. However, I have a rule I never break.

"Never Dress Like The Patrons"

My playing,, I have good nights and I have bad nights.

Blue


Attachment 307991

[Floyd Eye]

Bring it all my friend, bring it all.

[dcr]

In 20+ years of gigging, I could prolly count on my fingers the venues that have provided a PA, or a PA worth using.

As far as gear, I always bring two basses, minimum, so I DO NOT carry extra strings. If I bring a third bass, it's an EUB or ABG. Plus, a large enough bass rig to carry the whole room in case we're using the PA for VOX only, and a good direct box.

Oh yeah, kinda back to the OP - most around here provide nothing. Some have (poor) lights, most have none, and I've moved plenty of tables and pool tables because they don't have a stage and we just got stashed in the corner.



dcr

[Rockford]

I'm a pilot so I like having two engines and backup systems for the times the primary system doesn't work. Consequently I have two identical bases, use 2 210 cabs instead of one 410 and 2 almost identical amps. Extra instrument cables, batteries, tool kit, mikes (I don't sing) and a pack of guitar strings (in case they forgot) and a flashlight in addition to my bass strings have kept more than a few shows uneventful from a logistics standpoint. All these extras fit in a little bag and a lot of the stuff like a extra bass stays nearby offstage or in the car if its close. Most of the time it's not needed but there's a comfort factor in having it nearby. Less worries=a better show.

[bassbully]

Originally Posted by Phalex

For a cover band gig? Yes, about 99% of them will provide nothing. (If you're lucky they'll have lights)

For an original band gig? IME about 99% of them will provide PA, Lights, and a soundguy.

YMMV

That's about right but allot of my Originals bands shows we have to supply PA. It is the main concert clubs or bars the cater to original music that have full PA support. We play bistro's, pubs, local small bars etc and most have no PA.

[Muttleybass]

Originally Posted by pushbuttonfour

all right, I guess that was too open a question. I gues what I meant is, will there ever be a venue that provides absolutely nothing?

Most venues provide nothing!

[MatticusMania]

Q: How much equipment to bring to a gig?

--------------------------------------------

A: As much as you can afford

[ChrisB2]

At least one bass, (8) 10" speakers, and 2000+ watts. Oh and some cables and stuff too...

(Gotta keep the guitarists in check...)