Do you really bring a backup amp to gigs?

[rumblethump]

Yes. It only takes one time of being "dead in the water" to realize the importance of "being prepared."

+ 1000 I've brought a back up for the last 25 years. Its saved my butt twice and the 6 stringer in our band at least twice. I never leave home without one. I think it also reflects your level of professionalism.

 

[JimmyM]

+ 1000 I've brought a back up for the last 25 years. Its saved my butt twice and the 6 stringer in our band at least twice. I never leave home without one. I think it also reflects your level of professionalism.

well that tears it. i'm quitting my job playing all over the world with the biggest names in 50's-60's music and often make more money per night than most musicians make in 5 days. i am not a professional because i bring one bass and one amp to my gigs. never had any gigs i couldn't do because of it, but hey, a dude on talkbass called it. i'm not a professional. therefore, i'm retiring as of this second.

 

[::::BASSIST::::]

If my amp died twice in 25 years of gigging and I didnt have a backup amp, I'd be okay with that. I mean, hell sh*t happens.

 

[Chowowbus]

I used to bring back up head, bass, strings, tools, ect...
I am moving to just one bass and head and just keep spare strings and small kit.
Gigs pay crap these days, so If my stuff goes down, so be it!
Only premium gigs get the back up treatment from now on.
Not to mention, there are so many other weak links in my other band members gear...

 

[Bluesy Soul]

well that tears it. i'm quitting my job playing all over the world with the biggest names in 50's-60's music and often make more money per night than most musicians make in 5 days...i bring one bass and one amp to my gigs. never had any gigs i couldn't do because of it

LOL ! That doesn't make you intelligent or a professional, Jimmy. Just self-impressed and lucky.

 

[RickC]

I don't know man, I doubt I would ever bring a back-up cab.

Just to be clear, I don't bring a "back-up" cab. I just built my current rig around 2 cabs (1x12 and 1x15) vs the single cab approach (formerly a 4x10).

Still, I do like the general idea of "2 of everything"

/rick

 

[JimmyM]

LOL ! That doesn't make you intelligent or a professional, Jimmy. Just self-impressed and lucky.

yes, i worry about what you think, dude. all the time. your opinion counts so very much to me that i keep a list of everything you say and refer to it every time i do something.

 

[nostatic]

i'm not a professional. therefore, i'm retiring as of this second.

I'll pm you my contact info - I'm down with picking up a few casuals. I'll even bring a backup amp

Wait...retiring...you'll still take the blame for my lousy tone, right? Right?!?

 

[Tampabass]

forget about back-up amps, basses, stands, lights, strings, cords, pedals, and tuners.

I always bring a back-up car, in case one breaks down and I don't want to look unprofessional by not having a ride home.

wait ...

 

[okcrum]

well that tears it. i'm quitting my job playing all over the world with the biggest names in 50's-60's music and often make more money per night than most musicians make in 5 days. i am not a professional because i bring one bass and one amp to my gigs. never had any gigs i couldn't do because of it, but hey, a dude on talkbass called it. i'm not a professional. therefore, i'm retiring as of this second.

Cynicism aside , don't you use mostly rented backline gear? Or is that just the cabs?

There's definitely something to be said for keeping your gear in good shape. I gotta admit I brought a spare head and bass to the gig the other day, but it was the first gig for the new head. In town, I probably wouldn't do that with the head. The second bass is for different tone though, and incidentally doubles as a spare.

 

[LiamPodmore]

Not got this yet, gotta wait till christmas, but my live rig will consist of 2 amps anyway, Line 6 LowDown LD150 and an Ashdown MAG EVO II C210T-300. And 2 basses, a 5 string and a 4 string tuned BEAD, so if a bass or amp goes down next year i willl be fine, and yeah i can't really afford 2 good amps as i'm only 15 with no job, so im doing the best i can.

 

[TheBass]

My standard backup is to go DI into the mixer and hear myself onstage on monitor. But that has never happened in more than 30 years (knock on wood). In case we are playing an important gig I always call the soundman a few days BEFORE the gig and figure out what kind of equipment might be needed. It's always good to know the soundman before you show up for an important event ...

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

never have, likely never will. I try to only buy solid gear so I can depend on it.

 

[JimmyM]

Cynicism aside , don't you use mostly rented backline gear? Or is that just the cabs?

rented on the road, mine when i'm driving.

 

[4-string]

If my amp died twice in 25 years of gigging and I didnt have a backup amp, I'd be okay with that. I mean, hell sh*t happens.

My thoughts exactly. And it would really bother me only if it were a real big and important gig, and then there would be a PA anyways.

 

[Fuzzbass]

And it would really bother me only if it were a real big and important gig, and then there would be a PA anyways.

Really? The way I figure it, I'm not the only one up there. If my rig craps out and I don't have a backup, then everyone in my band looks bad, not just me. Even if the gig is at a local watering hole, if you're getting paid, it matters. If your fans are paying to get in, it matters even more.

Also, DI into PA isn't always an option. One of my bands has a stick PA that is barely enough for vocals and kick drum: so, if my bass has to run through it, the entire band will sound like crap. The PA used by my #1 gig band could probably handle bass, but then we'd have to stop the show while I set up a DI. Murphy's law says the failure will happen when the dance floor is packed.

Even well-maintained top-quality gear can go bad. I've had the following gear fail on me: Alembic F2B preamp, TC Electronic equalizer, 70's Ampeg SVT. Having a backup amp at the ready was the best solution for these breakdowns.

Again, I wouldn't necessarily say that it's unprofessional to gig without a backup, but it is more professional if you do.

 

[electracoyote]

Even well-maintained top-quality gear can go bad.

Yeah, I don't get the comments from people saying, "I only play through top quality, well-maintained stuff." Like only middle- to low-price point gear owned by noobs with no clue how to maintain their gear fails. Never the expensive stuff owned by the experienced pros.

 

[alembicguy]

Never bring a backup as I also send my signal to the FOH thru a Radial DI.
We always have full PA support and full monitors so if my amp craps out I'm covered.

 

[Bass_Pounder]

Yeah, I don't get the comments from people saying, "I only play through top quality, well-maintained stuff." Like only middle- to low-price point gear owned by noobs with no clue how to maintain their gear fails. Never the expensive stuff owned by the experienced pros.

Exactly............

It's not the cost of your amp that makes you a "pro"

It's how you recover from unforeseen problems that makes you a pro.

It's your choice - have your amp fail, and *possibly* ruin the gig - or have your amp fail, and have a backup plan (another amp, D.I., etc.) that gets you up and running quickly

 

[::::BASSIST::::]

Quick question:

I have a peavey poweramp. What if I just left that in my trunk? Poweramps are pretty tough right? I could use my VT Bass as preamp in a pinch. In fact, that is pretty much my current rig right now until my LDS 112s arrive.