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how do you move gear with a bad back?
- Thread starter TOOL460002
- Start date
http://www.handtrucks.com/hand-trucks/folding-hand-trucks/wescosuperlitefoldinghandtruck.cfm
This 8lb. folding hand truck goes on every gig. Helps loading the PA too. I've used it a bunch of times and it's held up very well. Money well spent.
Sorry about your back,
Chad
Edit: +1 on what jgbass said.
Also, +1 on Schroeder neos. Jorg's now got a 30lb 115 cab that's getting good reviews.
This 8lb. folding hand truck goes on every gig. Helps loading the PA too. I've used it a bunch of times and it's held up very well. Money well spent.
Sorry about your back,
Chad
Edit: +1 on what jgbass said.
Also, +1 on Schroeder neos. Jorg's now got a 30lb 115 cab that's getting good reviews.
I picked up the same unit at Lowe's for $39. It served me well with my 98 lb Peavey 410s. I fractured my spine about 20 years ago in a motorcycle wreck, so I have to watch what I lift and how I lift it. I am by far the smallest guy in the band, and at 57, second oldest. Still, I do more of the heavy lifting than all but one other member. Think army ant, lol! The "D" handled hand trucks (like the first photo) are my favorite design...they are easier to maneuver with one hand while backing through doors and things. Things have, imho, gotten so much better for bass players in the past five years, I have to pinch myself to see if it's all real. That we could have rigs which are lighter than a guitar player's setup, and still put out prodigious amounts of low and loud sound is amazing...and we are getting more such gear every few months, it seems. There will always be some reasons that a player may wish to use a huge stage rig, but the list of those reasons has gotten smaller of late. I am firmly in the lightweight arena now and couldn't be happier...
Kim
PS make sure you fully deflate the balloons while performing
leaving them tethered high above the stage has also unfortunately resulted in slight unforeseen technical problems:
Hope you get better soon Happy Halloween Chaps
Looks like its just the guitar player. Its ok.
When my back starts to ache,( usually toward the end of the second set ), I rest one foot on a small stool. It really eases the strain on my back. I can also support the bass somewhat by resting it on my upper thigh. If it gets to the point where I have to sit down, I think I'm gonna hang it up. I'm 60!
I don't have a bad back. I did have a stroke last year that left me nearly unable to walk and ended 42 years of guitar playing.
I don't cry about it. I switched to playing bass. A GK MB 500, 2 2x10 avatar cabs and a highway one bass work for me, but any of the mini-heads and neo speaker cabs should help you out. +1 for a dolly.
PS. My 2x10 cabs weigh 29 lbs each.
I don't cry about it. I switched to playing bass. A GK MB 500, 2 2x10 avatar cabs and a highway one bass work for me, but any of the mini-heads and neo speaker cabs should help you out. +1 for a dolly.
PS. My 2x10 cabs weigh 29 lbs each.
I did a 2-month tour with a road crew once; that was nice, but unfortunately,not the norm for me!
I use a Rock n' Roller Cart, a bit pricey, but well-built and very functional.
The lighter rigs are great, too, my Neo-Pak practically flies out of my hands, however I NEED to use my tube heads too.
Anyway-either my band-mates help me with load-in/out (and vice-versa), or an audience member will help, especially with the "out" portion. Probably something about wanting to hang with the band, I guess.
So use a cart or dolly, and ask for help.
I use a Rock n' Roller Cart, a bit pricey, but well-built and very functional.
The lighter rigs are great, too, my Neo-Pak practically flies out of my hands, however I NEED to use my tube heads too.
Anyway-either my band-mates help me with load-in/out (and vice-versa), or an audience member will help, especially with the "out" portion. Probably something about wanting to hang with the band, I guess.
So use a cart or dolly, and ask for help.
butchblack
Life is short. Do good. Find and do what you love.
Hi
I'll echo what everyone else has said. Go with lighter more maneuverable gear, use a hand truck or dolly, ASK FOR HELP, take your time and lift correctly. go with a hatchback, station wagon, SUV or crossover.
To the younger posters who were complaining about their backs, find a good chiropractor. I had a back that would go out in my 30's and early 40's and would go to a chiropractor for a quick fix. I finally had insurance that would cover chiropractic and the chiropractor did an 8 session treatment on me over a couple of months. I have not had to see a chiropractor since.
I'm down to a backline 600 head and an Avatar 112 neo head, which covers about 90% of my gigs. Occasionally I add my Peavey BW 115. But that's so heavy I'm thinking of getting either an Avatar 210, 212, or maybe another 112, leaning towards the 212 and just leave the Peavey where I rehearse.
I'll echo what everyone else has said. Go with lighter more maneuverable gear, use a hand truck or dolly, ASK FOR HELP, take your time and lift correctly. go with a hatchback, station wagon, SUV or crossover.
To the younger posters who were complaining about their backs, find a good chiropractor. I had a back that would go out in my 30's and early 40's and would go to a chiropractor for a quick fix. I finally had insurance that would cover chiropractic and the chiropractor did an 8 session treatment on me over a couple of months. I have not had to see a chiropractor since.
I'm down to a backline 600 head and an Avatar 112 neo head, which covers about 90% of my gigs. Occasionally I add my Peavey BW 115. But that's so heavy I'm thinking of getting either an Avatar 210, 212, or maybe another 112, leaning towards the 212 and just leave the Peavey where I rehearse.
Although the hand trucks would help, perhaps you could do a trade in or trade for some smaller cabs. I had some back problems at one point, I just got rid of the big cabs and went to smaller cabs.
I know exactly where you're coming from. I had a pretty serious injury to my back a few years ago. Sure, dollies or hand trucks help, the guys you play with will probably help you out when needed... but they're not always around... and it does get old. The best suggestion that I can make to you is lose the weight. I sold my big rig (Ampeg V4/V4B), sold my Eden 210XLT, and retired my SWR220 with two custom 15's to a friend's basement. I picked up a Mesa Boogie Walkabout Scout 12" combo, and I've never been happier. I can move it effortlessly and it SOUNDS AMAZING! I've used this everywhere from the basement to small, medium, and large venues. When I bought the combo, I thought I might need a little more oomph at some point, so I bought the 12" Walkabout extension cab... I've never needed it. It's still brand spankin' new, unused, sitting in my locker. Good luck with your search. In the meantime, I'll send you some good back karma...
had a serious work related injury in the late '80's that kept me down for months, couldn't ride in a car, couldn't sit in a chair, couldn't sleep on a bed, wound up sleeping on the floor.
went thru all of the physical therapies, chiropractors, ultrasound, nothing helped. after at least a year i got tired of being in pain all the time, so i joined a health club ( gym ) & didn't tell them i had an injury, & started my own road to recovery. it didn't take long using freeweights & the machines & i was much better, the pain was almost nil & the muscles in my abs & back could take any strain i put on them.
use it or lose it
fast forward 20 years, another serious work related injury, took a fall off of a 4ft ladder, broken left ankle in three places, plates, screws, the whole shebang. it took 3 1/2 years ( a total of five surgeries, 5 different atrophies to my leg during months of crutches, had an Ilizarov External Fixator installed for three months, ( if you don't know what that is, google it, imo it was the nearest thing to hell on this earth that you can get ) but, during that time, i still schlepped my gear to rehearsals & gigs, two basses, pedalboard, head, cabs & i live on the second floor, up & down stairs, & at times i was playing with 3 bands. sometimes i had a little help, most times i didn't. why did i do this ?
use it or lose it
i do understand that i have to work my body if i want my body to feel good, if i lay around a couple of days, kind of lethargic not doing much, i get aches & pains.
now, i'm back to work & i can lift, & carry & work as hard as a guy 25 years younger than me.
to wrap this up, maybe just getting lighter gear isn't the solution to the problem,, maybe you should strengthen your body so you can handle the gear you got. ( & this isn't directed at the guys that have degenerative bone & cartilage loss )
went thru all of the physical therapies, chiropractors, ultrasound, nothing helped. after at least a year i got tired of being in pain all the time, so i joined a health club ( gym ) & didn't tell them i had an injury, & started my own road to recovery. it didn't take long using freeweights & the machines & i was much better, the pain was almost nil & the muscles in my abs & back could take any strain i put on them.use it or lose it
fast forward 20 years, another serious work related injury, took a fall off of a 4ft ladder, broken left ankle in three places, plates, screws, the whole shebang. it took 3 1/2 years ( a total of five surgeries, 5 different atrophies to my leg during months of crutches, had an Ilizarov External Fixator installed for three months, ( if you don't know what that is, google it, imo it was the nearest thing to hell on this earth that you can get ) but, during that time, i still schlepped my gear to rehearsals & gigs, two basses, pedalboard, head, cabs & i live on the second floor, up & down stairs, & at times i was playing with 3 bands. sometimes i had a little help, most times i didn't. why did i do this ?
use it or lose it
i do understand that i have to work my body if i want my body to feel good, if i lay around a couple of days, kind of lethargic not doing much, i get aches & pains.
now, i'm back to work & i can lift, & carry & work as hard as a guy 25 years younger than me.
to wrap this up, maybe just getting lighter gear isn't the solution to the problem,, maybe you should strengthen your body so you can handle the gear you got. ( & this isn't directed at the guys that have degenerative bone & cartilage loss )
My back has been progressively getting worse over the last ten years. In 17 days I will have L1-L5 reamed and fused. I down sized my rig using EA components (see equip in profile). There are many manufacturers making smaller equipment that sound better than the big, heavy stuff IMHO & IME. Lee Sklar plays large venues. He carries his equipment in one trip with his bass in one hand and his amp rig in the other. I always felt that showing up at a club with equipment big enough to play a stadium reflected insecurities in other departments anyway.
I agree 100% that getting and staying in shape is number one priority. You feel better and play better. But the chance of someone re-injuring themselves even after the injury has stabilized, is much more probable if they're schlepping a 100 pound cabinet in and out of a trunk or back seat and up and down stairs. Why take the chance?
I herniated two discs in my lower back at work, and like a fool, during my rehab continued to haul my heavy gear up and down the stairs at my apartment as well as in and out of my trunk. Big mistake. I loved the gear that I had and didn't want to part with it. So I suffered.
My back LOVES my Boogie.
I herniated two discs in my lower back at work, and like a fool, during my rehab continued to haul my heavy gear up and down the stairs at my apartment as well as in and out of my trunk. Big mistake. I loved the gear that I had and didn't want to part with it. So I suffered.
My back LOVES my Boogie.
point taken, i have gone from a pair of ampeg bxt410hl4's @ 122lbs each ( ouch ) to a pair of carvin ls1503's @ 58lbs each, much easier to schlep around
& an svt4pro / power conditioner @ around 60+lbs to a 1001RB-II in a skb case probably 27lbs.
& an svt4pro / power conditioner @ around 60+lbs to a 1001RB-II in a skb case probably 27lbs.
- Feb 3, 2005
- 7,331
- 10,197
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Bergantino Audio Systems and GHS Strings
Yep, lighter gear for me after disc surgery in 2005. I tried the neo route, but wasn't really happy with my sound. I settle on a GK1001RB-II head (in a Gator 3 space rack to keep it light but protected) and Epifani cabs. The UL series just wasn't my tone, so I have 2 setups. I have a PS410 (79#) that stays in the jam room and is only brought to gigs when I've got the band for full load in and load out. I NEVER lift it by myself. I just picked up an Epifani PS210 and PS115 (they are 53# each) that I am more comfortable lifting (although I only lift in and out of the vehicle then put them on my handtruck). This gives me a 2nd rig that I am comfortable moving in and out of my house on my own when the need arises.
I work part time as a sound engineer for a PA hire company with 20KW of power running through this: (see far left and right of stage)
Link Removed
What you see in the picture as a FoH rig is thus:
Each Side:
4x 18" Driver in a hord loaded bass bin (90kg)
3x Top Cabs (55kg)
My suggestions to anyone with back issues, or anyone wanting to avoid back issues;
Check the weight before you lift (especially if it's not yours.)
think about how the easiest way to carry it would be
bend entirely with the knees, keep your head, spine, and hips all in a straight line.
if you're lifting as a team (guitarist as help
) then count 3-2-1-go (avoid 1-2-3 because people dont know whether to go on three, or after 3 or....)
invest in one of these dollies everyone's ranting and raving about, or:
casters on the back, or side of your cab (bottom may affect the coupling to the floor, and thus take away from your low end)
just my two cents, i've not had any issues with my back, and using this method i dont think i will...
Link Removed
What you see in the picture as a FoH rig is thus:
Each Side:
4x 18" Driver in a hord loaded bass bin (90kg)
3x Top Cabs (55kg)
My suggestions to anyone with back issues, or anyone wanting to avoid back issues;
Check the weight before you lift (especially if it's not yours.)
think about how the easiest way to carry it would be
bend entirely with the knees, keep your head, spine, and hips all in a straight line.
if you're lifting as a team (guitarist as help
) then count 3-2-1-go (avoid 1-2-3 because people dont know whether to go on three, or after 3 or....)invest in one of these dollies everyone's ranting and raving about, or:
casters on the back, or side of your cab (bottom may affect the coupling to the floor, and thus take away from your low end)
just my two cents, i've not had any issues with my back, and using this method i dont think i will...
My only comment to this good thread is that if someone believes in this age that the bass rig has to be heavy and big in order to sound good, that's sad. Especially for the back.
Get new gear. I did - and my back health thanks me. Switching to a lighter rig was the best thing I ever did. I love my old Ampeg 2x15" cab. I don't miss carrying it.
If you can't get new gear, get a dolly, casters, and have bandmates help. Clearly a dolly or casters won't help you on stairs.
There are plenty of decent amps which are around 50lbs and like 500W (i.e. Mark Bass, Bergantino IP112, Ampeg BA600), so do what you can afford.
If you can't get new gear, get a dolly, casters, and have bandmates help. Clearly a dolly or casters won't help you on stairs.
There are plenty of decent amps which are around 50lbs and like 500W (i.e. Mark Bass, Bergantino IP112, Ampeg BA600), so do what you can afford.
It depends on how much PA support you have, and is you have good monitors. If you are good on each, you could take your bass, a Preamp, and run entirely direct. I ahve a friend that takes two jazz basses, his rack with a Sansamp PSA 1.1, and a tuner in it to rigs. They run in ear monitoring, and it works really well. They sounded a lot better once they went to in ear monitors...they could hear things better, and it cut down on the stage volume a bunch.
If not, then I recommend a cart that you roll right onto stage with your gear on it. No need to even take the gear off the cart.
Also, I jsut played through a mark Bass F1, and a 2x10 from Mark Bass. I like the head a bunch...small, and possessing balls beyond it's small size. The cabinet did not sound good. A 1x12 from any number of manufacturers might be a really good bet with that head.
What kind of music are you playing, and what is your stage volume?
Mark
If not, then I recommend a cart that you roll right onto stage with your gear on it. No need to even take the gear off the cart.
Also, I jsut played through a mark Bass F1, and a 2x10 from Mark Bass. I like the head a bunch...small, and possessing balls beyond it's small size. The cabinet did not sound good. A 1x12 from any number of manufacturers might be a really good bet with that head.
What kind of music are you playing, and what is your stage volume?
Mark
