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Emergency back up amps at gigs

L

lawjazz1

Sep 7, 2013
108
39
#1
I have just purchased a used (obviously) rig - Sunn 1200s w/ Sunn 410h cab for $300.00. Good deal I thought. This is really a Fender product from the late 90s/early '00s. It really kicks though with only one 8 Ohms cab, its around 300w and not the 1200w it could put out at 2 ohms. Anyway, this amp has a rep for overheating and is fairly hard to fix given its age and no support from Fender.

My question is how many of you bring a back up amp to gigs and if so, what do you bring for emergencies?
 
#4
I primarily use vintage gear (2 Fender Bassmans, and a Traynor YBA-1a) and I'm always freaked out that I'm going to fry something. And it actually happened to me once, just got my '68 Bassman back from being serviced and the wire to the transformer got pinched between it an the chassis and fried the transformer. So, I'm in the same boat looking for an "emergency" amp that I can use if the worst happens (again). Right now I'm between the GK MB Fusion 500, Genz STM-600, or an Aguilar Tone Hammer. Something small that can fit in my Mono FlyBy or has it's own little gig bag.
 
#7
I always have my back up with me. Soon to go in a flight case.
 

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#9
Big believer in backup plans here, any gear could fail no matter how good of stuff it is. We carry my PA to a lot of gigs so I have to make sure the gig will still happen if something fails. For me, my backups are running my TubeMP into an open poweramp channel and/or using my spare bass amp, which could serve as backup for a failed power amp. I also use 2 small mixing boards patched together instead of one big one.

If you use a whole 'nother bass amp as backup, it doesn't have to be anything fancy or expensive. Some beater off craigslist or that little GK mb200 would be just fine. For some folks, a eimple extra DI box could be the backup. I just think you should have one more way of making sound beyond your regular rig.
 
#15
I brought a spare amp for the first few years of gigs as well as a spare bass. After about 5 years I stopped because nothing ever broke down.

For the past 25 years I've just carried fuses, strings, batteries and basic tools.

If you really feel you need a spare amp buy a beater like will33 suggested, maybe an old GK or Peavey you can find for $150 or less.
 
#16
If I'm bringing a spare, which of often do when using a tube amp, especially on the road, I will bring an Aguilar TH350.

Originally I bought the GK MB200 as my "back up amp." Picked it for it's size and price - it's just a back up, so it only has to get you thru one gig.

I ended up selling the MB200 for the TH350. The TH350 is more of a serious amp, but still is very small, very light, and can be had for pretty cheep on the used market. Lot pop up for sale here on TB that are pretty much in new condition.

The TH350 is great for a back up, but also just a great gigging amp. For me the MB200 was more of a back up only and living room kind of amp.

A DI box is always a nice option too.
 
#19
lawjazz1 said:
I have just purchased a used (obviously) rig - Sunn 1200s w/ Sunn 410h cab for $300.00. Good deal I thought. This is really a Fender product from the late 90s/early '00s. It really kicks though with only one 8 Ohms cab, its around 300w and not the 1200w it could put out at 2 ohms. Anyway, this amp has a rep for overheating and is fairly hard to fix given its age and no support from Fender.

My question is how many of you bring a back up amp to gigs and if so, what do you bring for emergencies?
Click to expand...

If this is the same amp I am thinking of, I believe somebody put pics up on here somewhere of a mod that adds an aluminum bar over a part of the board that is known to get hot, and connects it to the heatsink to help transfer more heat away.

Might want to search around for that. I believe it is the same amp as the Fender TB1200 or whatever that big Fender leadsled is that was made around that time.
 
#20
brianrost said:
I brought a spare amp for the first few years of gigs as well as a spare bass. After about 5 years I stopped because nothing ever broke down.

For the past 25 years I've just carried fuses, strings, batteries and basic tools.

If you really feel you need a spare amp buy a beater like will33 suggested, maybe an old GK or Peavey you can find for $150 or less.
Click to expand...

+1, used to carry backups, not anymore. Out of town is a different story however.
 

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