• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Asking a band member for too much help.

#41
He probably has a friend or a relative who plays bass and he wants his friend in the band. You won the job and he doesn't really like it. Finish the tour and leave them alone. He is trying to start some stuff with you. Whenever I'm in a situation that takes the joy out of playing music I take myself out of that situation. Question though, how outgoing are you in helping others in the band with their equipment?
 
#42
What seems odd to me is that the guitarist was apparently accommodating the OP on gigs up to that one point when he pretty much snapped.
So that makes me wonder if the guitarist was just having a bad night.

In any event, it would probably be best for the OP to hit up another member of the band for help, at least for awhile. The guitarist has staked out his position on this issue. The OP can either change his band, his "helpmate" within the band, or his gear. Those are the options.
 
#44
ChrisB2 said:
I can't imagine being in a band where no one was willing to help each other, or where you were dictated what gear you could play based on someone else's arbitrary ideal. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

I can't imagine having a rig that I could not load, set up and tear down by myself.
(I'm 55 and use tube heads)

I can't imagine being a PITA to my band mates.

Loose the road case or get a cab that you don't have to remove the case or a case where the front and back open.
 
#46
ChrisB2 said:
I'm surprised at the number of people telling OP to get a smaller rig.

Look, he wants and/or needs a 610. That's what he wants/needs to play through. If someone else wants to play, or only needs, a 210, or whatever, that's fine too. But there's nothing wrong with gigging a 610.

And there's nothing wrong with asking someone for a hand. I just wouldn't ask that guy again.

In my band, everybody has different sizes, weights, and amounts of stuff, and we all help out with whatever needs moved.

I can't imagine being in a band where no one was willing to help each other, or where you were dictated what gear you could play based on someone else's arbitrary ideal. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

I get the point of your post, but even within the post you have to acknowledge the difference between a want and a need.

He wants to use a 6x10... he doesn't need it.

If you guitar player showed up with 24 different guitars to play 2 sets in a 200 seater bar... are you going to help him unload every single one? He needs the different tones for each song

Wants vs needs...

Now if the OP comes on and says, we regularly play 500 person venues with little to no P.A. support (does such a venue exist?) sure, take that 6x10. But the average gig anybody anywhere plays, does not need a massive rig like that. I would get sick of unloading it too.
 
#48
nortonrider said:
I really don't see how this could in any way be constructive / productive for the band.

OP,
If you ain't feeling it - leave!
It doesn't have to be a go suck an egg type of departure either.
Just tell them that you gotta go - then go.
Click to expand...

Wow, this is why I like coming here!
I was all ready to respond with the childish and immature advise, and then some one reminds me, this is the correct response. We're bass players, we're cooler than that!

Well said.
 
#49
I can see it both ways....

I have a guitar player in my band who always tries to get someone else to schlep his gear. Little 4x12 cab, and a solid state 50 watt head. Hes not a big guy (about 150lbs) but he can do it himself and this is what irritates me. When we all get done with our set and are loading out, hes drinking a beer with his girl. When its time for him to load out, magically the rest of us should pitch in because we are already finished!

By the same token, I also gig a 610... 135 lbs worth. And two 4 space heads, ranging from 30- 65 lbs. I never ask for any help, unless its coming down some stairs. I haul 95% of my stuff 95% of the time.
 
#51
Ok... let me be sure to get this straight... you are loading in, everyone is on stage setting up and you ask for help taking the cover off of your 6x10... so how long will it take to remove the cover with two people? 20 seconds? And he doesn't want to help?
Does he help anyone esle in the band? Does he do his part in load in and load outs?
My response to him is un-printable on this forum.
Fishheadjoe
 
#53
i get annoyed with guys who continually ask for my help...but thats because he never helps me with my gear lol to me if i'm always asking for help i should also always be looking to help the dude that helps me...even if thats just grabbing his guitar or amp
 
#56
DiabolusInMusic said:
I get the point of your post, but even within the post you have to acknowledge the difference between a want and a need.

He wants to use a 6x10... he doesn't need it.

If you guitar player showed up with 24 different guitars to play 2 sets in a 200 seater bar... are you going to help him unload every single one? He needs the different tones for each song

Wants vs needs...

Now if the OP comes on and says, we regularly play 500 person venues with little to no P.A. support (does such a venue exist?) sure, take that 6x10. But the average gig anybody anywhere plays, does not need a massive rig like that. I would get sick of unloading it too.
Click to expand...

He might need it, we don't know. That's why I said want and/or need, to cover both, but I don't really care if it's wants or needs. Anyone who wants to bring whatever is fine with me. I'm not going to tell someone they can't play whatever they want.

24 guitars? Kind of exaggerating aren't you? The OP did not say he brought a dozen 610s...

Speaking of guitars, yeah, one of the guitarists in my band actually does bring three guitars to every show, and sometimes only uses one. And you know what? I don't care, and sometimes get them and bring them in if he's still loading in. Furthermore, when my stuff is loaded out, if his guitar cases are sitting there, I'll grab them and carry them to his car.

Now if one person brought ten 4x12 guitar cabs, okay, that would be excessive and I would roll my eyes. But we're talking one bass cab here. One. And we all know that we need more power and speaker area to compete with guitars. Sure, someone said they have 12,000 watt PA and IEM. Great, they don't need a huge stage rig, maybe don't want one. But not everyone has that. Or wants that.

But really... you would get peeved if someone asked you to take ten seconds and lift off a case cover a couple times a month??

And yeah, some gigs do require a lot of speaker area. Outdoor gigs, for example. That is, if you don't have the aforementioned PA gear to replace it with...
 
#57
ChrisB2 said:
He might need it, we don't know. That's why I said want and/or need, to cover both, but I don't really care if it's wants or needs. Anyone who wants to bring whatever is fine with me. I'm not going to tell someone they can't play whatever they want.

24 guitars? Kind of exaggerating aren't you? The OP did not say he brought a dozen 610s...

Speaking of guitars, yeah, one of the guitarists in my band actually does bring three guitars to every show, and sometimes only uses one. And you know what? I don't care, and sometimes get them and bring them in if he's still loading in. Furthermore, when my stuff is loaded out, if his guitar cases are sitting there, I'll grab them and carry them to his car.

Now if one person brought ten 4x12 guitar cabs, okay, that would be excessive and I would roll my eyes. But we're talking one bass cab here. One. And we all know that we need more power and speaker area to compete with guitars. Sure, someone said they have 12,000 watt PA and IEM. Great, they don't need a huge stage rig, maybe don't want one. But not everyone has that. Or wants that.

But really... you would get peeved if someone asked you to take ten seconds and lift off a case cover a couple times a month??

And yeah, some gigs do require a lot of speaker area. Outdoor gigs, for example. That is, if you don't have the aforementioned PA gear to replace it with...
Click to expand...

again i think it all comes down to give and take....if hes asking this dude every gig to help him he should be helping the guitarist with something every gig as well....im often in a zone when setting up...im trying to get my rig set, make sure all my effects are looped, tuning, etc...so i can see where interupting me every gig would make me agitated....BUT if that same person helped me every gig (even carried my bass) id be MUCH more willing to help
 
#59
ChrisB2 said:
I'm surprised at the number of people telling OP to get a smaller rig.

Look, he wants and/or needs a 610. That's what he wants/needs to play through. If someone else wants to play, or only needs, a 210, or whatever, that's fine too. But there's nothing wrong with gigging a 610.

And there's nothing wrong with asking someone for a hand. I just wouldn't ask that guy again.

In my band, everybody has different sizes, weights, and amounts of stuff, and we all help out with whatever needs moved.

I can't imagine being in a band where no one was willing to help each other, or where you were dictated what gear you could play based on someone else's arbitrary ideal. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...
This is true and I agree. But like I said.....his rig of choice.....he deals with moving it. I honestly don't mind helping folks but I'm not your roadie!
 
#60
Seems like his response was a combination of fatigue, frustration from what he believed to be an imbalance of help (rightly or not), and he had a dick moment. Also, make yourself available to anyone in the band who might need it, and they will be more available/likely to help you.

Also, it would be a good time to evaluate what your play, or at least how you move it. A lot of replies are asking if the 610 is necessary, and while it is a worthwhile question, it also doesn't seem to be the major problem. Honestly I had to google "610 cabinet road case" so I could get a visual, but unless your going to load this onto an airplane for a trip to Japan, I think it might be overkill. Keep the 610, but consider a padded vinyl cover and invest in a couple straps or rope to secure the cabinet in place in the trailer.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back