Back up head???

[selfblessed]

I was wondering...especially all the all tube head people. Do you have a backup head? Does it go to gigs with you? You know just in case. Also is it SS or another All Tube head?
Thanks

 

[redefine dave]

I'm getting my Mesa D-180 this Monday... It's all tube and I fully intend on keeping my GK 1001RB SS head just in case something crazy happens.
I've got backup basses, so why not a backup head?

 

[selfblessed]

That was my thoughts too. I moved from a SWR Workingmans 4004 to a Fender 300 Pro and have kept it in case the 300 Pro ends up in the shop. So do you bring your back up to gigs?

 

[redefine dave]

I've got an 8 space rack which will hold my wireless, BBE Sonic Maximizer, and my Mesa Head.

I've also got a 4 space rack that holds a two space rack drawer and my GK.

I have a huge cargo van to transport so it's not too hard.

 

[Jim Carr]

My regular Art Tube Channel Pre/Crest CA-6 is backed up by a Pre-Fender silverface SWR 350. I also have a BBE B-Max Pre in my rack, if only my Tube channel dies.

 

[RickenBoogie]

I do have "back up" amps, but never actually take them to a gig. Worst case I use a DI and no amp. Knock on wood, I've not yet had a problem, and I hope that continues.

 

[A9X]

Well maintained and treated tube gear isn't intrinsically less reliable than SS.
I would take a backup even if it were a 'limp home mode' solution simply as that seems to be a professional approach to me.

 

[selfblessed]

All really good points. I forgot about D.I. boxes.

 

[Jazzman]

I bring backups for everything to gigs except my cabinet. I bring an extra head, basses, cables, batteries, tuner, etc. There is nothing more unprofessional than not being prepared.

I have had my main and backup heads go down (both tube) forcing me to use a DI only...it was awful. I prefer never to do that again.

 

[Selta]

Not yet. Once I score another SVT-CL I will though.

 

[Jim Carr]

I bring backups for everything to gigs except my cabinet. I bring an extra head, basses, cables, batteries, tuner, etc. There is nothing more unprofessional than not being prepared...

+1
Yes, same here. Basically I have spares for everything.
For a lot of gigs I have done with larger bands, I've used two cabs, so even that side was covered.

Once, when I was bringing as a back-up a Carvin Redline 600 series III, my guitarist's musicman 2x12 amp died. He quickly dispaired, and figured the gig was over. I trotted out to my car and brought in the Carvin, hooked it up to his speaker "in" on the back of his amp chassis (which he was unaware of!), and bang, we were back in business after a five minute "break."

Bass amps can also be spare power amps for PA's, which is why I usually carried one with that band, because our PA was very old, most of our venue's didn't have decent PAs, and we had 3 or 4 horns and 3 vocalists. Except for guitar, bass, and drums, we WERE our PA. Moral of the story: always carry a spare to a gig.

 

[selfblessed]

I guess it is better to be safe than sorry.

 

[mikeswals]

No I don't take a backup head, if the issue ever arises I have a DI box. About 5yrs ago, I once had to resort to the DI box because a shorted speaker cable happened mid-set.

All I use is tube heads; I have two Mesa 400's and an Ampeg B-15R. So anyone of them can serve as a backup should one take a dump requiring a lengthy repair. But I didn't buy them as backups...I keep them at different locations.

 

[K-Funk]

My main amp is an Ampeg SVT4-Pro. I highly doubt anything will happen to it, but just in case, I've got my Gallien-Krueger 800RB ready as a backup. It's not hardly as powerful but it's 100% reliable. And it sounds really good. The 400RB is the only other GK with that tone, but it's even less powerful. But yeah the GK has the combination of enough beef, good tone, small size, and unquestionable reliability. For smaller shows I usually go straight to it instead of the monster Ampeg rack.