Hi everybody!
I've been living in Madrid (Spain) for a year now and my band's sharing gigs with some other bands. The thing is allways my bass rig's the best among us so everybody always gives for granted I'm bringing my rig. Ok, no problem with that, but hey, if my equipment gets severely broken or stolen I probably won't be economically capable of replacing it (maybe I could, but that could probably cost my marriage, ok?). So, the thing is, what are the usual deals on sharing backline. We usually do the "you take the drums, I take the guitar amp and you take the bass amp" deal, and it's ok, BUT my bass rig always gets involved in these deals. There's also a couple of unhappy stories about my amp/speaker being ****ed up by other bands (my previous rig) so I'm concerned. On the other hand, I'm in a "hostage situation" at this point. As an example, on a couple of gigs in the last two months I decided to only take my amp if each band put 30 EUR (to make myself a fund for eventual future repairs/replaces). But the result was no one wanting to pay anything and me (all of us bassists, in fact) sounding like **** (and quieter than the Peavey TKO80 I use at home) through someone else's amp that sucked big time (when each band could resign 30EUR of our pay for a definitely better sounding and louder amp). So, if I use a ****ty rig, then I regret it a lot. Because, despite I care a lot about tone, in these cases I would definitely be satisfied just to hear myself onstage!!!
Back a year now I lived in Argentina and my band there gigged a lot with bigger bands that didn't let their equipment for anybody so I always had to use my rig and very few times I shared it (also with rather pro bands). The situation has changed and now I sometimes have to share it with much less experienced bands whom I don't know and won't absolutely take resposibility in case of damage.
Tell me your experiences and give me ideas. Any point of view is appreciated. Thak you so much.
ANDRUCA
I've been living in Madrid (Spain) for a year now and my band's sharing gigs with some other bands. The thing is allways my bass rig's the best among us so everybody always gives for granted I'm bringing my rig. Ok, no problem with that, but hey, if my equipment gets severely broken or stolen I probably won't be economically capable of replacing it (maybe I could, but that could probably cost my marriage, ok?). So, the thing is, what are the usual deals on sharing backline. We usually do the "you take the drums, I take the guitar amp and you take the bass amp" deal, and it's ok, BUT my bass rig always gets involved in these deals. There's also a couple of unhappy stories about my amp/speaker being ****ed up by other bands (my previous rig) so I'm concerned. On the other hand, I'm in a "hostage situation" at this point. As an example, on a couple of gigs in the last two months I decided to only take my amp if each band put 30 EUR (to make myself a fund for eventual future repairs/replaces). But the result was no one wanting to pay anything and me (all of us bassists, in fact) sounding like **** (and quieter than the Peavey TKO80 I use at home) through someone else's amp that sucked big time (when each band could resign 30EUR of our pay for a definitely better sounding and louder amp). So, if I use a ****ty rig, then I regret it a lot. Because, despite I care a lot about tone, in these cases I would definitely be satisfied just to hear myself onstage!!!
Back a year now I lived in Argentina and my band there gigged a lot with bigger bands that didn't let their equipment for anybody so I always had to use my rig and very few times I shared it (also with rather pro bands). The situation has changed and now I sometimes have to share it with much less experienced bands whom I don't know and won't absolutely take resposibility in case of damage.
Tell me your experiences and give me ideas. Any point of view is appreciated. Thak you so much.
ANDRUCA
). I haven't had to share my rig too often but, when I do, I make a point of talking to the other bassist(s) as soon as possible. I'm not happy about the controls being turned up past 3 o'clock or about the input meter going into the red zone for more than an occasional flicker and I'll reserve the right to get up on stage and turn the amp down if either of those rules are broken. Likewise, no drinks on top of it or anywhere near the plug.
