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How to manage being in several bands, rig-wise.

WhoSeyes

WhoSeyes

Aug 18, 2008
275
122
38
Barcelona.
methzina.bandcamp.com
#1
Hi.

By the end of the summer I will be in three different bands with three different rehearsal spaces. The main problem that I've with this is that I only own a big combo (that I can use on rehearsals and gigs) and a small practice one (only suitable for small pubs or home practice).

How do you manage your rig when being with several bands? Do you have different rigs, transport your rig, ?? What about basses? Do you leave a bass on every rehearsal space?

Thanks in advance.
 
#2
Have a few older cabs that I upgraded at some rehearsal spaces. Otherwise bring a 210 neo cab and a rack with an extra lightweight power amp and preamp. Also have an old SWR workingman's 15 I leave at one practice.

The rule of thumb is only leave gear where/when you trust them completely, and then only leave gear you are willing to lose.

No point leaving a bass at rehearsal, get a gig bag, too easy to carry to justify leaving. And definitely not if that's your only bass. No way to practice at home with your bass at the rehearsal space.

Randy
 
#3
Well, the fact is that I have a couple of crappy basses (enough crappy to leave them at the rehearsal space, but they sound/play good for me) so I was thinking on leaving them in two of the three rehearsal spaces. Then I'd use my main axe for the third rehearsal space and for gigs.

The problem here is the amp(s)... having to move my 4x10 combo to rehearse (at least 4 rehearsals per week) will take a lot of time and physical effort...
 
#4
I know some people do it but I do not believe in ever leaving your bass at your rehearsal space (or anywhere for that matter).

If I were you here's how I would approach the problem.

3 bands... Are they all "locked" into their rehearsal space? Any way to combine 2 of them? At least that would get you down to 2 spaces.

Is it possible to pull the head part out of your big combo and rack it? If the speaker part of the combo is enclosed then you could pull the head out, rack it and then see if you could pick up a cheap 2x10 or 1x15 out of a pawn shop. That way you could leave the speaker section of your combo at one spot and put your "make do" 2x10 or 1x15 at the other place and then cart your head and bass back and forth. You may be able to score a PA cabinet from a pawn shop for cheap that would work well enough for practice. I used a yamaha 1x12 w/ horn floor monitor as my rehearsal speaker cabinet for a while. It wasn't stage worthy but it worked and didn't sound that bad.
 
#6
As with anything, it all takes the cash to have the options. First off I never leave a bass anywhere, so in essence all I would need is one bass for everything, though I have about 15 just for fun and variety. As far as amps/rigs, I am not as protective so I do let my amps stay over in a rehearsal space or gig as long as I know they'll be safe. But I have four amps and five cabs, some combos, some heads. Just need to have enough gear so that you can leave stuff where you want, when you want, and still have more gear to use elsewhere. I am also in three bands, and if you want to not have to haul your big stuff around all the time, you just need to get a variety. Some people do this with cars and trucks and heavy machinery. Much easier with bass amps.
 
#10
I had two bands once and had to invest in an extra rig. Had an Ampeg SVT-3 PRO and a Mesa/Boogie Roadready 1000 at one rehearsalspace and a GK1001rb-II and a GK NEO212 at another. Basswise, since we tuned differently, I had two Fenders with one band and a Warwick Streamer with the other. My effectsboard had to be split up as well.

If you have a car, I'd suggest you use it to transport your combo. If not, maybe get a decent DI/EQ pedal you could plug in to a PA.
 
#11
im in 3 bands with 2 rigs

band number one: is a kinda lofi sound so i use a epiphone valve jr. and a 2x8 pa cab. its only a 2 peice so i have to use a few pedals to fill sound

band number two: i use my bassman 50, 1x15 and whatever cab the venue can provide (untill i get a 4x10)

band number 3 is the same as two

tbh tho i think your best bet is a DI/EQ for the time beeing
 
#12
OK, thanks for the input, people, I'm not sure what way to go...

The rolling cart is an option: not that much effort, but I'd still waste time goin' in and out.

The DI/EQ is a cheap alternative, thought I think that I could only use that in one of the rehearsal places.

Still thinking how to manage this, but thanks everybody again and keep 'em coming, if you wish ;-)
 
#16
I'm managing to make my rig work for both of my bands, though its a bit of a hassle.

I've got a Genz-Benz GBE 600, a 4x10 and a 1x15. One band calls for the full stack, and I haul my 15 and the head on a small dolly for my jazz gigs. the 1x15 is decidedly overkill for a gig like that but I'm making it work. So glad I went with the separate 4x10 and 1x15 instead of the 8x10....
 
#18
I get by with three pieces of gear: a 400-watt head, a 4x10 cab and a 150-watt "kickback" style combo amp with an onboard XLR out.

The 4x10 cab stays in the trailer of my main band except when I know ahead of time I'll need it between gigs, then I bring it home with me. The head ALWAYS stays with me and in one of the bands I sometimes sub for their regular guy lets me use his 4x10 cab (which rides in their trailer) with my head. So those gigs are cake cause I just need to bring the head. The rest of my gigs are usually sub jobs in smaller venues that I can almost always carry with my combo alone.

I also play at my church but they have their own rig so that's a total plug-and-play deal. The church band is my only gig that involves practice with any sort of regularity so that's really not a factor.
 
#19
Backup rig at one practice. (Totally necessary due to stairs.)

DI into PA at 2nd band practice. (more stairs but only a few)

Practice through computer speakers at home. (2.1 system)

Gig rig stays in my van. (Old reliable)

I have gig bags for my basses and they go everywhere with me.

Also two venues I play have a backline I can use.
 
#20
My answer is "one rig for each band", but I agree that you shouldn't leave anything in a practice space unless you don't mind losing it. So, "one crappy rig for each practice space" is a possible answer too, and should cost about as much as a good neo rig. :)

I bought a beater bass to leave at practice spaces, and now I like it too much to leave it anywhere. Just goes to show.
 

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