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Do you really bring a backup amp to gigs?

#61
I play gigs with a back up bass on the stand. I've yet to break a bass string, but you never know!

As a backup to my stage rig, I pack a Sansamp DI. I've had to use the DI twice in the last 6 months. Once when I was picking up a radio station through my amp, and once when some beer spilled into my head. Thankfully, the head was fine once it dried out!!
 
#62
I just don't have money or space to bring 2 of everything to a gig. Of course I live in a small town so I'm usually only a few minutes from backup. Most of my gigs have PA so I'm usually covered. I had a head crap out once on what. Turned out to be the last tune of the night.

If I could afford it I'd have 2 or everything, but I can barely afford what I have. I try to keep it in good shape and I transport my own gear (no band trailer for us) so it gets treated pretty tenderly.
 
#63
Yes.
But I only bring a backup head - not a cab.
Usually my GK 1001RB.
It often stays in my van.

4-string said:
I'm curious. Seems by posts here that many of you actually bring a backup amp? I get that you can get a small, lightweight backup amp for not a lot of money, but still. A separate DI is all I would bother with, but I don't do that either, as every soundman out there seems to have a bunch.

I did my first gig in 1983, and have never ever had an amp fail on me. Never broken a speaker either for that matter. :)
Strings and cables, yes.

I know this stuff happens, but frequently enough to justify a backup?
Click to expand...
 
#64
Kenny Allyn said:
^^^^
THIS ...


I always carry two LM IIs (what's not to love 12 lbs for 2 amps)

Anyway booked into a small "juke joint" tourist venue and they swear they have a provided PA :rollno: what they meant to say was we have PA speakers! Out comes the "backup" bass amp, along with a mini mixer and RV5 we use for rehearsal, and in true MacGyver fashion we make a PA rig on the spot. Oh and it sounded great!

I had to iPhone cam this thing ... because as we all know no picture no mini PA

minipa.jpg
Click to expand...
This is a great idea!

Making me think of trying my LMII as a PA amp.
 
#66
i have had my amp go down on some pretty big gigs. two times i didn't have a backup, once i did. i absolutely believe in a backup. unfortunately i don't have one right now so i bring an extra d.i.. i would rather have two amps than two basses.
 
#69
For years I never brought a backup amp to a gig, firstly I not not afford one, secondly never thought about it ( young and naive ). A smart man once said: " It's the man that sits and obsesses that his car will be stolen that eventually it will be, it's the man that does not care that his vehicle will stay with him ". Actually I made that up, but there is some truth to that proverb, at least for me. I never once thought about having a back up amp until I came across one of these new micro amps, I thought hey, might be a good idea to have a back up in case something happens. Ever since then I have had my main amps go out on me at least four times at shows, coincidence?????
 
#70
Never. No failures yet. Can always go thru the P/A worst case.
Everyone should at least have a "gig" bag that has strings, batteries, a Leatherman, extra mic and misc. cables, tuner or two, volt/ohm meter, soldering pencil with rosin core solder,
plug strips, cords with grounds, cords without grounds, flashlight and just some common sense tools.
Anything can happen with Murphy's Law but I use quality equipment to begin with and that limits the percentage of failures.
Keeping my fingers crossed and haven't been let down yet.
 
#71
The LM IIs actually work well in the mini PA roll, as @ the 12 o clock position they have a virtually flat response ... the RV5 is through the effects loop.

You might be surprised at how compact the whole rig with "backup" is for me ... this is packed for a three week cross country road trip.

In this one Samsonite carry-on are ...

Two Mark Bass LM IIs, a Radial JDI, two power cables, a 20 foot extention cord, a small tool kit, 4 instrument cables, about 6 speaker connectors, two tie down straps, two tuners, extra batteries a flashlight,and a partridge in a pear tree (OK I'm kidding on that last one)

Road1.jpg


You can see how small it is next to my double gig bag with two Jazz Basses in it.

Road3.jpg


The speakers on this trip, are a lightweight 2x10 and a 1x15, seen behind the carry-all and a Magna-Cart two wheeler.
 
#74
I accidentally shut off the fan of my Mesa 400+, guess what happened after playing it for 30 minutes in a stuffy bar? Thank goodness I had my extra amp setup.

Most of the places I play do not have decent monitors for bass guitar and would frown at me if I asked for it. So I take care of the stage tone 100% by myself. I bring my own DI box too.

I currently have 2 Carvin BX1200's, 2 basses sometimes 3, extra speaker cables, extra instrument cables, and a container of tools with extra picks, surge protectors, extension cords. The places we play, sometimes the stage is not really setup for musicians. Sometimes you need that extension cable to reach the outlet and so on. I have saved my entire band with my extra gear and have saved my butt more times than I can remember.

The only thing I don't carry extra of is strings - I still have yet to break one while playing. I don't want to stand on stage with nothing to do because my equipment fails - talk about looking stupid and making your band look & sound bad!
 
#75
Just bought my 2nd GK MB2-500 today on Ebay. Played a gig with #1 last night with a GK 800RB as my backup. Damn 800RB is starting to feel SVTish, so I grabbed another micro. Earlier this year was using the GK as a backup to my SVT, when the SVT clipped out and wouldn't come back. Been using the GK as primary since. Gonna rack both MB's for a total of under 17 total lbs! 1000 watts of thunder. I always take a backup bass and cables, but no cabs usually. Broken many strings, dead batteries, snapped nuts in two, etc.
 
#78
This is just so cool, love it. :D


Kenny Allyn said:
^^^^
THIS ...


I always carry two LM IIs (what's not to love 12 lbs for 2 amps)

Anyway booked into a small "juke joint" tourist venue and they swear they have a provided PA :rollno: what they meant to say was we have PA speakers! Out comes the "backup" bass amp, along with a mini mixer and RV5 we use for rehearsal, and in true MacGyver fashion we make a PA rig on the spot. Oh and it sounded great!

I had to iPhone cam this thing ... because as we all know no picture no mini PA

minipa.jpg
Click to expand...
 
#79
I have a "rule of two's" checklist before I leave the house - 2 basses, 2 heads, 2 cabs. I've needed the extra bass once (boat gig) and the extra head twice - most recently two weeks ago. Amp started cutting out and making wierd noises in the middle of the set. I told our guitarist to do a quick acoustic tune, switched heads, and was back up and running within minutes.

I figure if you're hired to provide a service, it's up to you to deliver; having backups ready is just part of the job. I actually don't feel right doing a gig without em anymore.

/rick
 

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