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How ready are you for a gig?

#22
Well I never get called all of a sudden for a gig. Being in originals, our gigs are obviously scheduled way in advance, and our stage gear lives at the rehersal studio, meaning I'd have to drive 20 minutes there just to get my stage rig.

But if I was at home, and happened to get a last minute call, I do have a smaller rig there I could take, as well as spare cables, tuner and pedals, and my basses are always in their cases. So I could be out the door in 10 minutes if I really needed to.
 
#23
All of my gear lives in the back of my SUV it doesn't come out except for gigs, repairs, set ups or if we're using it for a long trip. That includes a bag filled with fake books.

I'm ready NOW!

I obviously have a 2nd amp that lives in the house....

EDIT: I bring my bass in during extreme heat and cold...
 
#24
Jazzdogg said:
My gear is ready to go. What I'm working on now is fine-tuning the set-up and tear-down process to reduce the time, exertion, and number of steps it takes to complete each step.
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+1. My problem is that I often change my setup for different gigs, so I can't just make one system that's always good to go. Lately, I've just started getting to my shows extra early so I can set up without any stress.
 
#25
"FAST PREP, SET, & PLAY!!!!!

This is why I don't miss playing the drums. Bass is THE only way to go. Much less pressure, much less gear although I do miss the aerobic work out!!! Can't break too much sweat playing bass... :bassist:
 
#26
Jeb said:
I have a "weekend" van. I take my bass and a gear duffle in the house and the van is garaged all week. The heavy stuff rarely gets unloaded except if I need the van for something else. I haul my personal rig, stage monitors, power amp, lighting and a powered sub most of the time. If I don't need the heavy stuff, then I'll just grab my bass and gear duffle and take the car. I may teeter' on minimalism, but I'm the most practical person I know!
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Me too on the "weekend van". It's a 1986 Chevy and is our third car. Gets driven about 3K-4K miles/yr.

When I was active gigging most every Friday and Saturday night I would leave my 4x10 in it and keep the 18" in the house to use for practicing. Basses, heads, other gear into the house. Less gigs these days means I bring the 4x10 back inside.

Even then, it takes no time. I have an oversize ammo case I keep all the "stuff" in. Two basses in cases, two heads, 4x10, ammo case, out the door. It doesn't usually take more than 15 minutes.

I never have a day of gig call. Sometimes a few days, but it's been years since I played a gig the same day I got a call.
 
#28
Wow. Granted I don't gig too much but all my stuff comes in after a gig and lives upstairs, ready for me to play at home. But, when I have to take it all out I can do it in a few easy trips. I'll get my cables packed and into a case with my bass then that and my head go downstairs. Then my cab, which usually goes straight into the car followed by my little wheeled platorm for moving the damn heavy thing, then the bass and head. Set up takes no time at all.

Normally during the week, for college I'll just put my bass in a gig bag in the morning. I'll leave a cable, tuner and tools/strings/ear plugs in my bag with paper and stuff. For some reason I hate not having my gear out and usable...
 
#29
nastyn8c said:
+1. My problem is that I often change my setup for different gigs, so I can't just make one system that's always good to go. Lately, I've just started getting to my shows extra early so I can set up without any stress.
Click to expand...

I keep my basses in the house. One upright is set up and ready to play. The rest are stored in their cases, ready to go at a moment's notice.

My small rigs (Ampeg, Fender, and Polytone) usually stay at home, although I sometimes use them for quiet gigs; there's always plenty of gear at home for practice, recording, and such.

I keep two gig rigs in the car: my main equipment rack and Dr Bass 2260, and a back-up rack and EA VL208. Also kept in the car, ready to go, are several gig bags,containing music & fakebooks, recording gear, cords, cables, pedalboard & wireless, tools, PR kit, etc.

When it's time to go, I grab my Mapquest printout and a bass (or two), and I'm out the door. If I ever got to a gig less than thirty minutes early, I probably wouldn't be a happy camper. I often arrive more than hour before we are scheduled to perform.
 
#31
Caca de Kick said:
Well I never get called all of a sudden for a gig. Being in originals, our gigs are obviously scheduled way in advance, and our stage gear lives at the rehersal studio, meaning I'd have to drive 20 minutes there just to get my stage rig.
Click to expand...

i'm almost in the same boat. all of the big gear stays at the studio while my basses and pedalboard stay with me, 35 minutes away. every once in awhile i'll keep a 1x15 cab and my amp with me, but it's a 5 space rack and heavy as all hell. that's why i just ordered an eden wtx-260 and a schroeder mini 12:hyper:
 
#33
Rig is currently just inside the front door, but spends about half of its time in my car, anticipating the next practice/gig/audition.

At least one bass is always packed up in a case and it's just down to picking up a cable and a stand and I'm good to go.

10 minutes if the rig (racked head, tuner, power conditioner) and cab (1x15) are in the apartment, 2 minutes, if they're already in there.
 
#35
jive1 said:
So how ready are you guys for a gig/jam?

I have my bass in a gig-bag loaded with all my gear essentials, and it's usually by the front door. Lately, most of my gigs don't require me to bring a rig, so I just grab the bass by the door and I'm out. No prep time at all!
Click to expand...

This was randomly revived...but oh well. I'm the same, stuff all the things I would possibly need in my gigbag and leave it with my bass in it near the door. I don't have too much time to play at home, but when I do I make sure the bass is in the bag in case I ever have to leave right at that moment.
 
#37
am i the only one with my stuff strewn across my house? i got a bass on each floor as well as an amp in the bedroom and the basement. i like to bass while doing other things like watching tv, eating breakfast, vacuuming, etc. for me, it makes a much more wholesome bass experience. that being said, the cases are packed with my preferred gigging planet waves cable, harmonicas, pics, backup strings, gig tuner, etc. gimme 15 minutes and i will be on my way to wherever my bottom end is required.

@drumbook: if you ain't sweatin, you aint playin that bass right!
 
#40
I'm currently lending my main bass to a friend who is making his debut album (he's a singer songwriter). But I have 3 others here, one of which has no strings so that's out, but depending on the gig I could be ready in a matter of minutes. I have a session soon in London recording the bass line for a bands EP and second single due to be released soon on Memphis Industries so I'm picking the bass up and getting on a train, should take me the whole of 2 mins minus journey time, does that count?
 

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