My rented backline adventures

[Nomad5]

I have all my effects (not many), wireless packs, headset & REDDI in 1 small carry-on "briefcase". They generally pop it open & do a sweep with the bomb sensor & send me on my way. Cables & clothes in my overhead carry-on, gate check the MONO dual bass bag & I'm good to go Mind you, I don't fly a lot....

 

[svtb15]

Does the TSA ever give you trouble about flying with a big red metal box in your luggage?

not yet...... they prefer to get their jollies from the ladies in line.. not so much my road case...

 

[JimmyM]

Does the TSA ever give you trouble about flying with a big red metal box in your luggage?

All I ever get is funny looks or a dusting with that thing that looks for explosive residue. Otherwise, nope.

 

[JimmyM]

Tonight's gig was at Mohegan Sun Pocono Downs in Wilkes-Barre, PA with Bowzer. I forgot a bunch of stuff because we had a gig the night before I flew out and I got home so late and had to leave so early that I got sloppy. Forgot extra cords, forgot my wireless receiver, forgot a power cord for the REDDI...I just decided to go straight in to what they had with my bass (hidden but it was my 09 Precision with the Geezer P). But while I wasn't overjoyed with the Countryman, at least they had the bass cab mic'ed with a Sennheiser MD-421 so I still got over in the PA.

Next updates in July.

 

[beans-on-toast]

What's the green thingy that looks like hula-hoops? I imagine that it would be hard to hula and play bass without being pulled out of time.

 

[JimmyM]

The green thingy is actually a flaming hoop of death that they light on fire and I balance it on my head while Bowzer jumps off the railing, through the hoop, then does a somersault roll into the audience.

 

[Fun Size Nick]

The green thingy is actually a flaming hoop of death that they light on fire and I balance it on my head while Bowzer jumps off the railing, through the hoop, then does a somersault roll into the audience.

Man, I really need to up my stage presence game. Kudos.

 

[JimmyM]

Man, I really need to up my stage presence game. Kudos.

LOL! Bowzer's still got plenty of energy for a 66 year old, but he doesn't have THAT much energy

 

[Fun Size Nick]

LOL! Bowzer's still got plenty of energy for a 66 year old, but he doesn't have THAT much energy

I'm mostly impressed with your flame-retardent head! Or is that what the Devo hat is for?

 

[beans-on-toast]

LOL! Bowzer's still got plenty of energy for a 66 year old, but he doesn't have THAT much energy

Promoters are always trying to get the talent to jump through hoops. Now you've got proof of that.

 

[scotch]

Please don't encourage JimmyM by calling him "the talent". ;-)

 

[JimmyM]

At my age, nothing encourages me anymore

 

[scotch]

At my age, nothing encourages me anymore

Tell me about it!

Every new artist I play with these days- I'M the veteran. Me no likey.

Gonna have to get tattoos or something. ..
;-)

 

[JimmyM]

Do you ever get to tilt the cabinet back to get a little of the speakers in your ear, or does it work laying flat like that? Twice now, I've tilted my EBS 410 back with audio angular correction devices (okay, a 2X4 staub)) and it worked fine. Yeah, I like to hear a little of the tweeter and the string rattle. The second time I did that, I wound up wishing for another cab, too!

Geri, sorry but I missed this question before...

I have tilted back some of these cabs before, but it doesn't always work out to where I can...wheels, lack of an appropriate tilt mechanism, backline guys afraid I'll dump the amp, things like that.

 

[semiprohooker]

I wish I had thought to snap a picture... my drummer and I were hired for a US tour by a country group from Mexico. In order to save space in the van we were given explicit instructions to only bring one bass (tucked my radial tone bone in the case) and just his stick bag. NOTHING ELSE, every gig would be backlined.

The first show we get no soundcheck, so I walk on stage and find a GK 210 combo. Ok, not ideal, but I'll make it work. Then I notice... there's NO SPEAKERS IN IT. I convince them to use my DI and figure I'll make due with my wedge.

Not more than 30 seconds into
the first song my wedge blows up, absolutely no sound. And it stays that way for the rest of that night.

To make matters worse, the drummer is stuck on a Jr. Sized throne and can barely see over the rack toms. Aaaand, he's playing on a borrowed snare from a "Banda" group (imagine if you could put a snare stand on a timbale). I wish I could describe what his "train shuffle" beats sounded like.

Somehow we made it through our hour in one piece. I've got other stories with these guys... thank god it paid well.

 

[lowphatbass]

A friend of mine toured with Tom Jones in the 70's. They did a big show south of the border, when they showed-up the backline consisted of traditional instruments only(accordions, etc) and they couldn't do the show, nor were the promoters able/willing to give refunds. To avoid a full scale riot they agreed to do a "meet and greet" type autograph signing. They setup tables in the middle of the venue, what appeared to be a bull fighting arena with the hot sun beating down on them and signed pictures for everybody who wanted one. They were there for 4+ hours.

 

[Korladis]

I wish I had thought to snap a picture... my drummer and I were hired for a US tour by a country group from Mexico. In order to save space in the van we were given explicit instructions to only bring one bass (tucked my radial tone bone in the case) and just his stick bag. NOTHING ELSE, every gig would be backlined.

The first show we get no soundcheck, so I walk on stage and find a GK 210 combo. Ok, not ideal, but I'll make it work. Then I notice... there's NO SPEAKERS IN IT. I convince them to use my DI and figure I'll make due with my wedge.

Not more than 30 seconds into
the first song my wedge blows up, absolutely no sound. And it stays that way for the rest of that night.

To make matters worse, the drummer is stuck on a Jr. Sized throne and can barely see over the rack toms. Aaaand, he's playing on a borrowed snare from a "Banda" group (imagine if you could put a snare stand on a timbale). I wish I could describe what his "train shuffle" beats sounded like.

Somehow we made it through our hour in one piece. I've got other stories with these guys... thank god it paid well.

Damn, dude, that is some BS treatment right there.

 

[JimmyM]

It paid well. That's the important thing.

 

[Muziekschuur]

I own 4 Bag End Sapphire stage monitors for this use. And together with the rest of my rig vocals will be clear every night.

What are your favorite stage monitors Jimmy?

 

[okcrum]

Tonight's gig was at Mohegan Sun Pocono Downs in Wilkes-Barre, PA with Bowzer. I forgot a bunch of stuff because we had a gig the night before I flew out and I got home so late and had to leave so early that I got sloppy. Forgot extra cords, forgot my wireless receiver, forgot a power cord for the REDDI...I just decided to go straight in to what they had with my bass (hidden but it was my 09 Precision with the Geezer P). But while I wasn't overjoyed with the Countryman, at least they had the bass cab mic'ed with a Sennheiser MD-421 so I still got over in the PA.

Next updates in July.

Despite all that, you had to be happy NOT to be playing a 410he.