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Gigs?
- Thread starter Blu bro
- Start date
I used to not bring a backup, and occasionally I might still forget the backup, but after throwing a couple tubes here and there over the last few months, I've been more dilligent about bringing my PF350 as a backup to my tube Ampegs. I don't enjoy bringing backups, and for the longest time I used to not bring backups of anything and was fine, but lately I'm feeling the need again. And as small as the PF350 is, I don't have much of an excuse not to.
- Nov 9, 2009
- 360
- 100
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Reunion Blues, 64 Audio, Mesa Engineering, Ernie Ball.
I don't gig with a backup head, but I would if I had another portable one. When I'm on my A-game, I have an emergency JDI with me, and always a leatherman-style multi-tool.
- Jan 27, 2010
- 4,141
- 471
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Genz Benz Amplification
A backup head would be a bit much. I have an MXR M-80 on my pedalboard, so in the unlikely event of a head failure it's just pop the XLR out of the head and to the DI. Maybe goose the fader a bit to make up for the stage volume.
Always. No matter how reliable an amp I think I have. Nothing worse than that "deer in the headlights" feeling when a gig goes south because there are no work-arounds.
Then again, we're a small local band. I carry and run PA as well as bass duties. My backup bass amp can also serve to say power monitors or something if a poweramp goes down, etc. I'm also OCD enoigh to use 2 small mixers chained together instead of 1 big one, more cables than I need, etc.
It really depends on your situation. We do some gigs where if we don't bring it, it's not there. More professional players, a backup system might just mean a spare DI. In any case, whatever your situation, you should always have a way to make the show go on if your main system has a problem...whatever that means. "The show must go on".
Then again, we're a small local band. I carry and run PA as well as bass duties. My backup bass amp can also serve to say power monitors or something if a poweramp goes down, etc. I'm also OCD enoigh to use 2 small mixers chained together instead of 1 big one, more cables than I need, etc.
It really depends on your situation. We do some gigs where if we don't bring it, it's not there. More professional players, a backup system might just mean a spare DI. In any case, whatever your situation, you should always have a way to make the show go on if your main system has a problem...whatever that means. "The show must go on".
I have a backup plan for a lot of my equipment when I play. It would not always be the best, but it might get me through a night. My backup bass amp is just a Tech21 Programmable bass Driver into the PA. I have even used it into just a QSC K12 with excellent results. The little micro heads are also the perfect backup amps.
There's another head in my rack. For some shows with poop pa il bring 2 stacks to fill up room, not really to crank it. So there's a spare head where ever I go anyway.
+1
It doesn't have to be great stuff, just get you through. For some, that might mean one of these pocket-rocket mini amps, others just a DI, the rest of us, a busted up '78 Peavey that still plays. You just need something.
I gig with a micro head, and stash another micro head in my car as a backup. Truth be told, I've had amps fail on the bandstand -- two or three times in the past 30 years. Nothing else has ever failed on me, that I can't simply live without.
Yep. I've had to grab my backup about the same 3 times in 25-28 years.........the most recent being last month. Sure glad it was there.
In the Army the phrase was "improvise, adapt and overcome". Pretty hard to do when you're left with your ass hanging out and nothing to cover it.
I've never brought a back up amp, nor do I own one to bring. I don't have the money to buy an amp as a backup or I would.
I've got a laptop bag with a front pocket. The Markbass Momark fits in the main compartment and the Shuttle 6 fits in the front. Might as well bring both heads if they fit right?
Since I always gig with an all tube head I have got into the habit of taking my Markbass as a backup - small and light and no problem. In the days of heavy and bulky heads I never considerd taking a backup.
I would have to say that in my case Sod's Law has applied here - I have never once had to use my backup. However, the only times a tube head has broken down on me I did not/forgot to take the backup.
I would have to say that in my case Sod's Law has applied here - I have never once had to use my backup. However, the only times a tube head has broken down on me I did not/forgot to take the backup.
I do the same thing--I love my M-80. I also have a backup head, but in a funny way. One of the cabs in my rig is actually a combo amp that I wired to be used as a passive cabinet (GK MB210). In the event my head failed, there's one built right into the cab, and it will drive both my cabinets. Belt, suspenders, and... another belt, I guess.
--Steve
P.S. That said, I didn't really design it this way. We've had gear fry up on us during a gig, but never my bass head. I did lose one at practice, though, and I suppose it could happen on a gig.
It's a 20 minute round trip for me to go home for my backup, I figure the chances are worse for having gear left in the car.
Always! Had a tube amp turn into a beer trough once(sax player put a beer on top b4 I noticed, & it-of course- tipped over & into amp guts. Was a pretty fireworks show.
But, I had to do rest of gig D.I.'d with the fold back wedge as my stage sound, & I hated that (still do).
So, ever since I could afford to, a since micro amps are now sounding good, I carry a back up.
It's a great amp-GB Shuttle 6.0. I've only had to use it once (as a back up-I often use it as my preferred amp & another as back up), but I'm sure glad to know I'll not have to rely on the monitors ( & therefore the engineer,P.A. etc) for my stage sound!
But, I had to do rest of gig D.I.'d with the fold back wedge as my stage sound, & I hated that (still do).
So, ever since I could afford to, a since micro amps are now sounding good, I carry a back up.
It's a great amp-GB Shuttle 6.0. I've only had to use it once (as a back up-I often use it as my preferred amp & another as back up), but I'm sure glad to know I'll not have to rely on the monitors ( & therefore the engineer,P.A. etc) for my stage sound!
