i hate supplied backlines

[John Wentzien]

That's why I love my TC rig...I can use the head as a DI and it will sound great....and can power any speaker combo that is provided...and fits in my gig-bag!

 

[svtb15]

That why i Always bring my Genz Streamliner head with me on my rental dates.. and on ALL fly dates, just in case.. I have a Rider that specifies one or two 810s... If i got a BA115 instead... I would use my head on that cab Just to drive it better... and the Genz has a great DI.. waaaaay better than the BA115 ...
What would probably happen is I would light that cab up on fire with that head..just smoke the 115... ......The back line company would get the hint the next time to bring something more adequate to be able to be used with the GITS 412 cabs.
But use a DI and get the monitors up with you in it... ... Thats the only other way...
FYI.. here is a photo of me last week on a gig in Morzine France with my Genz Streamliner head on a backline rental 810 cab... It fit in my carry on...Worked out great .. the monitors are also incredible on this tour

BTW,, this little head could fry this cab too it i were not careful...

 

[jimmydean]

I have never used a supplied backline that I've liked. Every time has been a horror story . Normally, you never get a chance to adjust the settings,just plug in and go. I solved this problem a couple of months ago by buying a Tech21 Bass VT and the three times I've used it.......AWESOME!

 

[Grygore]

Yep I usually hate em too. Most recently got lucky with a Mesa 1/2 stack which sounded absolutely killer. Time before that I had to use a 1x15 Behringer combo amp.

Like Jimmydean said tho, using my Tech21 BassVT really helps!

 

[sedan_dad]

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! )

Nice. A REAL blueline.

 

[prd004]

I too hate suppled backlines, even though I've never been shafted that hard!
Nothing worse than having a fortune invested in gear and a lifetime invested in your sound, and then having to go out and play through a supplied backline. My band avoids it at all costs.

 

[Jeff Scott]

Nice. A REAL blueline.

I sounded great on stage, but look at that kick drum mic for the PA feed.

 

[allexcosta]

I hate how many times I do a large gig and there's an SVT4-Pro with an Ampeg fridge waiting. I don't even bother to turn the thing on and just ask for my bass in the monitors.

A BA112 can barely handling some practicing in your bedroom...

 

[georgestrings]

Yeah, out of all the times I've used a provided backline, it only worked out well for me a dozen times or so - the rest were mediocre, to terrible, to DI only when the amp or cab crapped out... These days, our backline is trucked in at every gig, and I so don't miss having to wonder what I'll be playing thru come gig time...

Here's extending my sympathies, OP - best of luck...


- georgestrings

 

[georgestrings]

I hate how many times I do a large gig and there's an SVT4-Pro with an Ampeg fridge waiting. I don't even bother to turn the thing on and just ask for my bass in the monitors.

A BA112 can barely handling some practicing in your bedroom...

I'm no huge Ampeg fan, but I can do pretty well with a 4-Pro/fridge setup, as long as it's functioning properly...


- georgestrings

 

[AwkwardLoudness]

Wow. I would never go to a gig without my own full rig even if it's just for backup. I can trust maybe 1 out of 5 PA systems to sound good with bass FOH and have good monitors for the low end. I have yet to meet a backline that I really liked instantly.

 

[staindbass]

when you agree to do a backline gig, ask what you will have for an amplifier beforehand, and specify a minimum number of speakers and wattage. have the requirements put in the contract, so if they stiff you you have some leverage. probably better just to not take backline supplied gigs at all.

 

[BurningSkies]

when you agree to do a backline gig, ask what you will have for an amplifier beforehand, and specify a minimum number of speakers and wattage. have the requirements put in the contract, so if they stiff you you have some leverage. probably better just to not take backline supplied gigs at all.

For many people, this is happy fantasy land...

 

[Korladis]

The only time backline has ever been supplied for me, it was a single 15" cab. However, it was also an amazing sounding cab and loud as hell, so I didn't mind at all.

I would be pissed if they supplied a 1x12 combo though.

 

[wcriley]

Played a benefit once where the supplied "bass amp" was a little beginner's combo with an 8 or 10 inch speaker. Luckily I had time to run back home.

Set up and handed the "soundman" the cable from my DI.........

He didn't know what to do with it.

True story.

 

[()smoke()]

I'm no huge Ampeg fan, but I can do pretty well with a 4-Pro/fridge setup, as long as it's functioning properly...

- georgestrings

+1

this has been the 'usual' backline i've experienced, and I can work with it too...but I can understand that others might not dig it at all

 

[pasta4lnch]

It really is a crap shoot - I did a gig a few weeks ago where the backline was rented a few hours before the show so no way to know before hand and I subway'd it in so no bringing my own.

Also did a gig a while back (on guitar ) where I knew what amp they had and still spent most of the night trying to get a usable tone from the sea of knobs - and I wan't being picky.

Sometimes there is no time to set up your own gear etc. Just gotta make due . . . I chalk it up to learning. Almost every time I've used supplied backline it's been something I've never used before (and in a lot of cases never will use again )

 

[JimmyM]

You wussies disgust me!

Not really...I just flew today, and I get cranky.

About 15-16 years ago, I did a gig where the bandleader told us not to bring anything but instruments because the backline was being supplied. I ended up doing that gig DI'd, and so did the guitarist and keyboard player. The drummer ended up playing two garbage cans. Not having done much backline-supplied work before that, it was on that gig I was first introduced to the concept of "advancing the gig."

Have ONE PERSON in your band get the numbers of the sound/light company and backline supplier. Call and find out what they're bringing. If it's inadequate, ask if they have something else. If they have nothing else, either you bring your stuff, or you do the best with what they have, or bail.

I have to use rented gear all the time because I fly, and on every gig, our drummer advances all that stuff. I may not get exactly what I want, but it usually works out to where it's enough to do the gig. Now and then a promoter really cheaps out and brings his son's band's stuff after agreeing to your backline rider, but you have to make do with it because nobody's giving up a payday because the bassist didn't get his SVT/810. If I get supplied a BA112, I still have to do the gig, and I'll make that little sucker rock

Anyway, definitely start advancing gigs where gear is supplied.

 

[georgestrings]

You wussies disgust me!

Not really...I just flew today, and I get cranky.

About 15-16 years ago, I did a gig where the bandleader told us not to bring anything but instruments because the backline was being supplied. I ended up doing that gig DI'd, and so did the guitarist and keyboard player. The drummer ended up playing two garbage cans. Not having done much backline-supplied work before that, it was on that gig I was first introduced to the concept of "advancing the gig."

Have ONE PERSON in your band get the numbers of the sound/light company and backline supplier. Call and find out what they're bringing. If it's inadequate, ask if they have something else. If they have nothing else, either you bring your stuff, or you do the best with what they have, or bail.

I have to use rented gear all the time because I fly, and on every gig, our drummer advances all that stuff. I may not get exactly what I want, but it usually works out to where it's enough to do the gig. Now and then a promoter really cheaps out and brings his son's band's stuff after agreeing to your backline rider, but you have to make do with it because nobody's giving up a payday because the bassist didn't get his SVT/810. If I get supplied a BA112, I still have to do the gig, and I'll make that little sucker rock

Anyway, definitely start advancing gigs where gear is supplied.

The voice of experience right there - good, solid advice...


- georgestrings

 

[mcnach]

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?

It happens, but they'll still get a decent sound out on the front, and I save hassle carrying stuff. Because, correct me if I'm wrong, you're not getting paid a huge amount for this, are you?

Just have fun

When it's an "important" gig, I always make sure to bring my stuff and I use it. But in many situations it's not practical for all bands to bring their gear and you either offer to provide yours for everyone (and you also have to be there the first and leave the last) or you do your thing in whatever they give you. It used to annoy me when I was new to gigs... but very soon I learnt to just shrug and do my best with whatever I use any given night... and always have fun.