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Low paying gig...take the cheap gear?

#166
john_g said:
Ive only seen photos of the place but others in my band have played there and said its really small. Its a minor consideration, but I do worry about something getting damaged in a tight space, though thats not my biggest concern. I dont know, just keep thinking...take the cheap stuff. Again, its all good either way and not a huge deal.

Oh, i should add that my most expensive bass is a Wal MKI (which is now ridiculously worth about $10k)[/QUOTE
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john_g said:
Ive only seen photos of the place but others in my band have played there and said its really small. Its a minor consideration, but I do worry about something getting damaged in a tight space, though thats not my biggest concern. I dont know, just keep thinking...take the cheap stuff. Again, its all good either way and not a huge deal.

Oh, i should add that my most expensive bass is a Wal MKI (which is now ridiculously worth about $10k)
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I am sure you have a wide range of instruments. I have basses ranging from $200 - $8000. I wouldn't take the $8000 bass, but no reason not to take something in the $800-1200 range. Those are going to be quality instruments that should look and sound good. Jaco Pastorious can get away with playing a bass looking like it it was run over by a semi-truck, most of us aren't Jaco. Take something reasonable. I am really hoping this isn't a troll thread, because the answers seem pretty obvious.
 
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#170
john_g said:
We have a gig Friday night at a relatively small place for our absolute minimum pay. This is essentially our "foot in the door" as they own multiple venues and we could get steady gigs at these places. I "want" to take my most expensive bass as I havent gigged with it in a bit but I keep thinking, "cheap gig-cheap gear". Now, my cheap stuff still sounds good so its all good either way. But, do any of you think this way? Yeah I know, first world problems lol
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Makes no sense to me.

I take the gear that's going to make me sound best, period.
 
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#171
Cheap is relative! So is expensive.

If your cheap gear is still good and sounds good, well.... I'd be worried that if I walked in with a $10k bass, the proprietor might think I'd expect $1000 per gig after that. Heh... not that those things actually correlate, but to a businessperson, they might.

To THAT gig, I personally would go ahead and bring my main gig rig, and strap up my shell pink Mustang PJ, which is technically my "cheapest" bass, but looks super cool and sounds great.


I'd argue that personality in the look is more important than pure "high-value" taste. And also, we're far more nitpicky about our tone than most audiences are.
 
#172
dkelley said:
I played dive bars for free showcases on my alembic, back in the day. I don't see the correlation between what/if paid and caring about your sound
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I take my 1960 P to gigs in the mountains that pay around $50 pretty regularly. I wouldn't take those gigs normally, but it's related to family stuff and the other guys are all retired. If I'm not making much money, though, that makes me wanna just have fun that much more haha
 
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#173
john_g said:
but I keep thinking, "cheap gig-cheap gear"
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Make sure you wear your cheapest clothes too , maybe raid a charity clothing box.

It's a cheap gig , the folk attending deserve no more than the absolute minimum effort . Perhaps throw a few condescending sneers their way for good measure.

Might be an idea to forget the gig , for a world class top tier artist like yourself it's obviously beneath you :thumbsup:
 
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#174
Your gut is telling you to bring the cheaper gear - listen to your gut. Heck, I don't break out "the good stuff" unless I'm playing a fancy wedding, or know exactly what the setup situation will be like. Will people be leaving drinks on your amp? Asking (or not even asking) to play your bass?

I played this one gig - was a church event with local wine and restaurants. We had the full school gym stage. We planned the whole thing out. People were dressed nicely, etc. Then the organizer decided having food in the gym wasn't a good idea, so THEY TURNED IT INTO A CHILDREN'S PLAY YARD! Oh, and they bussed in kids and parents from a sister-parish that was less well to do. The gym filled with kids, no parents, who then found the various balls in the storage closet, and it was just mayhem. We tried to play but after 45 minutes things got out of control. Kids were climbing up on the stage to jump off. The balls were being thrown all around, including at the stage. One knocked over the drummer's cymbal stand. At the same time that came crashing down, I look to the side and there's a kid grabbing my guitarist's '82 Les Paul off the stand. Had to yell and run over while at the same time nkt scare the kid into dropping the guitar on the ground!

We stopped the show, packed up our stuff. The organizers never really got that room under control until the event was over and the busses left and the rest of the kids went home with their parents.

Cautionary tale. Nice gear stays at home unless I know it will be safe. Gigging gear gets dings and bruises - even from a careless drummer carrying their gear in. I like mid-priced gear for most gigs. That definition will vary by person, but for me, a $700 bass, and a $1k rig is reasonable decent gear that isn't super expensive or rare. But also isn't dirt cheap stuff I won't enjoy playing.
 
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#175
john_g said:
We have a gig Friday night at a relatively small place for our absolute minimum pay. This is essentially our "foot in the door" as they own multiple venues and we could get steady gigs at these places. I "want" to take my most expensive bass as I havent gigged with it in a bit but I keep thinking, "cheap gig-cheap gear". Now, my cheap stuff still sounds good so its all good either way. But, do any of you think this way? Yeah I know, first world problems lol
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I only bring the cheap bass to places that make me nervous as far as theft or potential damage, which I don't really do much anymore. So bring the good stuff, more fun to play
 
#176
Lets try and apply this to most people's lives. I myself, am a mechanic for the railroad. I repair the production machines. I have a tool truck that has about every tool you can imagine curtesy of the RR. Some tools are Snap On, some are lesser. If I'm just on straight time ( my "absolute minimum pay") do I only use my cheaper tools or do a half ass job and wait until I'm on over time to bust out the good stuff? Of course not. This would be ridiculous. Why is your situation any different?

Do I sometimes use the cheaper stuff? Sure! if that's what I need. But I don't do it because I'm on straight time. To be honest, do whatever, I couldn't care less. Just thought it was a silly question to begin with. Have a good show.
 
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#178
1. It's a chance to make an impression. Why not make that impression the best.

2. Why wouldn't you want to play your favorite? No matter what, your gigs aren't paying your mortgage.

3. At any gig, your gear (as well as the rest of the band), should always be watched.

4. While I don't really have cheap gear, I bring my best. If there is a substantial risk to my gear getting damaged or stolen, I won't play the gig.
 

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