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Asking a band member for too much help.

#62
dustinfennessey said:
....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
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I can get that way too, especially if it's getting close to downbeat and I have to set up the PA. Even little interruptions can be really bothersome when I'm really focused at the task at hand.
 
#63
DWBass said:
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!
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I choose my gear based on my ability to carry it as well as whether it sounds good, is loud enough, etc. Because, I do fill in gigs, I never expect anyone to help me carry my stuff in or help set it up, because I don't always know how they will react to it. If they help, then great, but I don't expect it.
 
#64
Could it be symptomatic of deeper issues within the band and have nothing really to do with the cab?

I kind of wonder if it has anything to do with you at all... Bad news or a bad day can trigger that kind of a response in some people.
 
#66
"GET A SMALLER MORE MODULAR RIG" period.

I am tired of people rolling in 8x10s and 6x10s to play the local Denny's. If you are a big enough name band to need this, then you have a roadie- sorry if this is tough love. (I know you lost your tone if you go smaller.)

My guitard had this problem as well, he rolls a 4x12 to gigs with 5-7 people showing up and I have to lift it off his truck every time. I have hinted that they make a really nice Marshall Combo amp, that also wouldn't force me to have to turn up so loud to compete. Same with drummers with mega drum kits. Scale it back. Also the bar has told him he is WAY too loud every time we play.

Professionals play at a reasonable volume, this is the Golden Rule I live by now. If I can't hear my bass well at practice with a 210 or 112 than practice is too loud.

I may be a dick but after playing (3) sets I want to load my own stuff and go home.
 
#67
obimark said:
"GET A SMALLER MORE MODULAR RIG" period.

I am tired of people rolling in 8x10s and 6x10s to play the local Denny's. If you are a big enough name band to need this, then you have a roadie- sorry if this is tough love. (I know you lost your tone if you go smaller.)

My guitard had this problem as well, he rolls a 4x12 to gigs with 5-7 people showing up and I have to lift it off his truck every time. I have hinted that they make a really nice Marshall Combo amp, that also wouldn't force me to have to turn up so loud to compete. Same with drummers with mega drum kits. Scale it back. Also the bar has told him he is WAY too loud every time we play.

Professionals play at a reasonable volume, this is the Golden Rule I live by now. If I can't hear my bass well at practice with a 210 or 112 than practice is too loud.

I may be a dick but after playing (3) sets I want to load my own stuff and go home.
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I've never seen a band booked at a Denny's,
where do you live?
 
#68
Didn't read it all but the OP. Dude sounds like a real dick.

My guitarist (same guy I ask every time) helps me with my 1x15 flight case if I need to go up even ONE STEP. It takes 3 seconds for him to grab one handle and help me lift it from his side.

Its too awkward (not really that heavy) for me to wrap me arms around it and lift it without falling forward or backward, or end up injuring myself.

I'd just start asking a different guy for help.
 
#69
obimark said:
Professionals play at a reasonable volume, this is the Golden Rule I live by now.
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True story. Few weeks ago my band opened for a relatively big-name national touring artist. We were hanging out at the side of the stage while they were playing, and less than 20 feet away from us was the headliner's steel guitarist with his Fender 2x12 combo amp mic'd up and sitting next to him. It was angled right at us, at our ear level and with the band playing live at full concert volume FOH my guitarist I could hold a conversation over the volume of that steel guitarist's amp without raising our voices. I pointed that out to my [routinely too loud] guitarist and said, "you see? The pro's run quiet." He had no response.
 
#72
creis2 said:
The case lid isn't very heavy, but if I take it off myself, i have to grab the handles on each side and at this angle I can only lift it so high. It's pretty effortless with two people.
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Yes, he's being a dick for some reason. Do it yourself?
Tie a rope to one handle, 4 feet long or so. Throw it over the cover so the free end is now on the side with the other handle. Grab the rope and handle together, lift, Viola.
 
#74
jaywa said:
Actually I think most of those people are the musicians who just got off their bar gigs! :D
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Don't forget the strippers!

Denny's is usually an interesting place after a gig, depending on where you are. I miss being young and energetic enough to hang out at one at 3 AM. That, and my wife is a WAY better cook.
 
#75
I hear ya. Used to be the post-gig breakfast was one of the best parts of the gig (sometimes the ONLY good part)... now though, three of the 5 guys in my band are over 45 and all we want to do after a gig is get home as soon as possible.
 
#77
DWBass said:
I do more than enough loading/unloading the PA system from the van into the venue and setting dual 15 mains on top of subs! This stuff ain't light. I'm also setting up mic stands and monitors while the bandleader wires everything up. It's mainly me and the band leader. Then I have to grab my own gear out my car. I've done my job. The rest of the guys are fully capable of unloading and setting up their own gear! Sorry, that's just the way it is in my band. Dunno how old some of you guys are but I'm 53! I'm really tired of lifting all this crap (40+ years of it) and I'm not gonna volunteer to do more if I don't have to. Yeah, it's a band but don't buy gear with the expectation of others to help you deal with it!
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I'm 52. We weren't talking about setting up, we were talking about load in. Once it's all in, I start wiring the PA and everyone sets up they're own gear. If they get set up before I'm done, I'll give them something to do if they're standing around. It just seems to me that not helping someone move a cab or bring something into the venue is counter-productive and petty. Yes, I probably wind up doing most of the work, but I just got tired of "who does what" and just decided a "Git 'er done" attitude was the way to go.
 
#79
our band pitches in with the unloading and loading of the B3 rig. Never gave it a thought not to.
Your guitarist is either a dick or maybe he was having a bad day. I'd ask for his help again to determine which.
If he's just being a dick...find another guitarist or find another band...the vibes won't get any better.
 

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