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I should've known...

commonplayer

commonplayer

Mar 7, 2006
756
2,098
#1
So, here goes...
My band opened up for a rather famous reggae band last weekend (can't say who, out of respect for the band). For whatever reason, their bassist was traveling without a bass rig, and the promoter of the show asked if he could use mine. It's a 500 watt rig (2 10's and a 15) that I've used at that same venue twice before (once without PA) and it held up wonderfully both times.

Our opening set went flawlessly soundwise, but 1/2 hour into the reggae band's set, my amp basically lost all power. It just wouldn't turn on. My rack mount tuner still had power, but the amp basically stopped. The speakers were fine, as someone in the audience went and grabbed a replacement head and ran it through my speakers. When I checked the settings, he had the bass at 10 and the mids at 0, as well as having the mids scooped through an enhance switch, making for an extremely boomy sound. He was also playing out of a six-string bass.

I can't get it looked at till later in the week, but I wanted to ask around and see what it could be. Could it be anything more than a blown fuse? I don't even have a basic knowledge of minor repairs, so even that would be over my head. Sorry for rambling, but I was hoping some of you might know what the problem could be.
 
#2
Check the fuse first, definitely. It's obvious if it's blown. But it could be anything.

BTW, the reason he didn't bring his own amp is because he was flying and it costs a fortune to fly an amp.
 
#4
This same scenario was put on me a couple weeks ago. My band was one of the opening bands for a travelling hardcore punk act from New York (I'll leave their name out of it, but to be honest, I had never heard of them). The singer of the band comes up to me and TELLS me that they're going to use my bass rig for their backline. I told him that I had been given no prior knowledge of this by anyone, and furthermore no one was going to tell me that they were going to use my rig. If he had been courteous and asked politely... maybe... but not likely :p
 
#5
I let a singer use my microphone before. I've got a AKG D790 because I hate SM58's and I hate everyone else's god damned germs all over the windscreens when they gargle their microphones. Damn nu-metal...

So what happens? He gargles with my mic. Screaming like he's passing kidney stones INTO my mic. Nice. Thanks a lot, you dirty freak. Last time I'm courteous to a band I don't know.

And you're damned right I soaked that windscreen in alcohol when I got home... at least they went on after us. I didn't have to follow after he loogied all over it.
 
#7
for fear of the snotty promoter not paying me i came up with this line and it has worked a good dozen times

gee
i would love to let you borrow my rig
but it is not here
i loaned to a guy at a show we played last weekend and he blew it up
i cant loan you this one it belongs to a friend of mine
i am borrowing it from him
 
#9
Promoter said he'll take care of it--trouble is that he's a good friend of my band, so I don't want him to get screwed. I think the main act put him in a bad spot--they let him know three days in advance that they needed a rig. Plus I'll be without it for a few weeks. I knew it was going to happen, too.
 
#12
Regretfully most players have no respect for gear that isn't their own. It's always time to experiment. I hate lending cabinets more than heads. Bass heads will usually take a lot abuse, but speakers don't.

I would tell your promoter friend to buy a bass amp for shows. Plus a lot of groups don't have backups if gear dies. Having a halfway decent guitar and bass amp around could keep a show going.
 
#15
I have no problem with loaning out my rig but someone is going to be resonsible for the damage. Renting a backline is part of booking touring acts. Mr Promoter would be on the hook for me. Freindship doesn't really enter into it. Promotiong concerts is a biz, not a hobby...
 
#16
rodl2005 said:
The promoter knew 3 days in advance- Methinks thats plenty of time to get out & hire a rig.......:mad:
Click to expand...
Sometimes it is, sometimes it isn't. Some backline companies require advance notice because their stuff may be rented out already. And if that's the case, 3 days isn't nearly enough, especially if there's only one backline rental company around. But if the band doesn't let the promoter know what their backline needs are, then it's the band's fault they can't get an amp. However, very few bands book flights to a gig without knowing if they'll have amps there. My feeling is that the promoter knew but figured he'd try the old "They just sprung this on me" trick.

I have lent my amp out occasionally to bands I'm working with. But it's fully my choice to do so, and nobody should ever be forced to do it. And you are fully within your rights to ask to be compensated if you're asked to do it, and you are fully within your rights to refuse if you don't feel comfortable. However, the promoter is within his rights never to book you again if you refuse, so you have to balance out if you're getting enough work out of the guy for it to matter to you.

It's never cut and dried, is it?
 
#17
I think the key to loaning equipment is keeping a good eye on it. Every time I loan gear, I help with the settings and watch the band play to make sure it's being taken care of.

It is, in my opinion, good karma to be generous with your gear. I have used others' cabs on more than one occasion and others' amps more rarely. When I use some else's amp, I try not to mess with the settings.
 
#18
allanmac00 said:
Promoter said he'll take care of it--trouble is that he's a good friend of my band, so I don't want him to get screwed. I think the main act put him in a bad spot--they let him know three days in advance that they needed a rig. Plus I'll be without it for a few weeks. I knew it was going to happen, too.
Click to expand...

If he's a "good friend" of your band, he'll be glad to take care of it.
 
#19
Tough call,
I like helping people out and I like to think that if I were in trouble somone would help me out as well... But, I tend to not lend out gear at gigs, I rely on my equipment to work for me every time, I guess that is why I am weary of it. I ususally will only let people I already know use my stuff.
 

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