Am I the only person who seems to get shafted when it comes to supplied backlines? Tonight I'm playing an outdoor festival with an alrightish p.a. guitars have 412 cabs I have an ampeg ba112 combo amp. Really? sorry for the rant lol anyone else have this issue a lot?
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i hate supplied backlines
- Thread starter TheNightLife
- Start date
Like I'm actually insulted right now. I was told to bring my head which is an svtcl. So I brought it and I can't even plug it in
BurningSkies
CRAZY BALDHEAD
- Feb 20, 2005
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- Endorsing artist: Dingwall Guitars
That's why I always bring my own cabs and amp. 
Although last week we did a festival, and on the main stage we all brought our own backlines...and on the second stage they had a provided backline. A Behringer 4x10 metal coned cab and head.
Although last week we did a festival, and on the main stage we all brought our own backlines...and on the second stage they had a provided backline. A Behringer 4x10 metal coned cab and head.
BurningSkies said:That's why I always bring my own cabs and amp.
Although last week we did a festival, and on the main stage we all brought our own backlines...and on the second stage they had a provided backline. A Behringer 4x10 metal coned cab and head.
Lol we left the van at home today so I didn't bring my cab. Lol I wish there was a behringer 4x10 cab here.
I hate supplied backlines too - sometimes you just gotta deal w/ it. I'm glad I've come to rely on my SABDDI for my tone, at least I can plug it in and get close. . . though not a fix at all for the under power thing. Usually it's a monstrosity-o-crap . . . sucks!
The majority of smaller operations and local (and locally organized) festivals just probably try to do it as cheaply as possible. My guess is that most non-musicians just think an amp is an amp.
- Feb 10, 2006
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- Endorsing Artist: Aguilar Amplification, Mike Lull,MXR,Gruv Gear, Mono
You have to "rock it" with whatever you have at your disposal.
There are even times when you bring your great (insert favorite amp brand) and, for whatever reason, the room, the sound guy...whatever, it doesn't sound as good as you'd like.
You just do what you have to do.
I did a festival in San Francisco last month on two different stages about 15 minutes apart from each other. Not a t all feasible for me to bring my own stuff. Both stages had CRAP gear. First stage had a drunk crap sound guy...still had to perform.
Second stage less crappy, but still crap gear, better sound guys...still had to perform.
Bottom line was just that both acts that I was playing with didn't really care at all what I was playing through. I could have been playing through a shoe box for all they cared as long as I found some way to make it feel good to them.
Just my respectful 2 cents.
There are even times when you bring your great (insert favorite amp brand) and, for whatever reason, the room, the sound guy...whatever, it doesn't sound as good as you'd like.
You just do what you have to do.
I did a festival in San Francisco last month on two different stages about 15 minutes apart from each other. Not a t all feasible for me to bring my own stuff. Both stages had CRAP gear. First stage had a drunk crap sound guy...still had to perform.
Second stage less crappy, but still crap gear, better sound guys...still had to perform.
Bottom line was just that both acts that I was playing with didn't really care at all what I was playing through. I could have been playing through a shoe box for all they cared as long as I found some way to make it feel good to them.
Just my respectful 2 cents.
- Jun 25, 2007
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sonofabass said:
I respect your 2 cents lol. But this has been a weird week with sound guys. Between stonepony on Sunday and pnc Thursday and this today. Its like the week of ****** sound guys
Yeah, always have a decent d.i. on hand for these occasions, I always have my SansAmp BDDI in my bag.
I've had to use backline rigs, most often lucky to use an SVt / 810, or a 410 or 610, but once I played at the Charles Playhouse in Boston in the downstairs club during Blue Man Group intermission, and had to use the house amp, a beaten within an inch of it's life Traynor. Thing barely functioned, if at all.
If you're a club demanding acts do not bring their gear (space constraints in this case) and use a supplied backline, at least make sure it's a decent piece of gear! I mean you're making money from the performance, reinvest already.
I've had to use backline rigs, most often lucky to use an SVt / 810, or a 410 or 610, but once I played at the Charles Playhouse in Boston in the downstairs club during Blue Man Group intermission, and had to use the house amp, a beaten within an inch of it's life Traynor. Thing barely functioned, if at all.
If you're a club demanding acts do not bring their gear (space constraints in this case) and use a supplied backline, at least make sure it's a decent piece of gear! I mean you're making money from the performance, reinvest already.
Yeah, you really got ripped off there. I guess the lesson learned is that if you're not sure what you're going to get, bring your own gear.........
Sorry to hear of that crap backline. 
I usually bring an amp, but have been lucky to have backlines like this one, even choices sitting right next to each other.
(The bass is mine! 
)
I usually bring an amp, but have been lucky to have backlines like this one, even choices sitting right next to each other.
(The bass is mine! )
- Oct 7, 2000
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RULE 1: If there is a backline, inquire beforehand what that consists of.
RULE 2: Always bring your amp as a backup anyhow.
RULE 2: Always bring your amp as a backup anyhow.
Back when I was doing bigger shows, the provided rig was always a GK 800rb with a Hartke 410/115 setup. What an ugly sound... In defense of the gear, I wasn't used to it nor was I ever given enough time to play with the settings. I would haul my own rig, now.
I couldn't possibly play through a 112 combo for a show. That is a complete joke. To me, the sound company is voicing how unimportant they think the the bass is. How insulting...
I couldn't possibly play through a 112 combo for a show. That is a complete joke. To me, the sound company is voicing how unimportant they think the the bass is. How insulting...
- Feb 10, 2006
- 379
- 14
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Aguilar Amplification, Mike Lull,MXR,Gruv Gear, Mono
Pretty much that. Maybe I'm just a lazy bastard, but I love a supplied back line. Though there are times I can't dial in my "sound", I usually find something a bit better than just acceptable. And with a bit of PA support, a little more bass in the monitor is usually not a problem. But I know some times there's nothing better than having your own rig on stage.
