you know, I can totally relate. I used to be one of the guys asking if there was going to be BL provided. And I still think that shows run better when the same bass amp is used and the same drum set is mic'd. I guess it is less work for the sound engineer to do. But I also didn't have as big of a rig as I do now (410 and 212) so now my guitarist wants me to use my rig everywhere and sometimes that means letting other bands use it. I am usually ok with it but not for a 12 hour show. In my opinion if ANYONE is going to provide back line it should be the last band.
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Providing Your Amp as the Backline for a Gig
- Thread starter jmattbassplaya
- Start date
You should either say no, or get paid, in case something awful happens.
My rig is the jam rig, but I'm there the whole time, and everyone there knows its mine and they look after it when I can't be there. But I don't do this for anyone else. I would not be comfortable allowing my rig to be at an event for 12 hours when I could not be there to watch it, and have a bunch of people I don't know playing through it.
Cherie
My rig is the jam rig, but I'm there the whole time, and everyone there knows its mine and they look after it when I can't be there. But I don't do this for anyone else. I would not be comfortable allowing my rig to be at an event for 12 hours when I could not be there to watch it, and have a bunch of people I don't know playing through it.
Cherie
Yep...
...and/or have a real piece of dog doo you lend out. Got an old Peavey TNT combo amp sitting around? THAT is the kind of thing for the job.
This is becoming ridiculous...
My guitarist got a call from the guy running the charity event we`re suppose to play at this Saturday. Apparently the guy running the show asked him if I would mind providing my amp as the backline (Markbass 106HR + SD800). My guitarist told the guy he`d ask me and would get back to him about it... of course I was in the room while my guitarist was on the phone with the guy and heard everything that was said, but my guitarist barely even mentioned it to me or would even talk about it when I asked what the guy had said
Anyways, I don`t want to be a total butt munch but I feel like either flat out saying no or asking for a deposit to cover the expense of the amp in case it were damaged (which I would return after the gig if no harm was done). I hate to be this way, I really do, but I hate how people are constantly asking to use/borrow my rig as if it`s no big deal. I also wouldn`t necessarily mind letting them use my rig if I were there to watch it at the place, however, a few things are stopping me from this:
1. My amp would be at the place from 2pm-2am for sound checks and the actual gig... and there`s no way I`m sitting around all day for that without being payed.
2. My band performs second out of five bands and I don`t want to have to wait around all night to get my amp at the end.
3. I simply just don`t trust other people with my stuff. I`ve been burnt too many times in the past to be easy going about this kind of stuff.
Anyways, I want to hear some opinions. Should I just say no? Should I suck it up and lend it out? Should I ask for a deposit on the amp if I do lend it? etc... This would be my first gig using any sort of bass amp backline so I`m not sure what the regular protocols are.
Thanks
I feel ya! I dont like being a dick, but I also don't like leaving my gear in the hands of others. The only time I use my stuff, generally my PA, as a backline is if I set the whole show up and the venue doesnt have one. I'll show up 30 minutes before the first act, set it up, and mic check. I stick around for the whole show but I dont sit and stare at the PA all night. My band HAS to be playing in order for me to do this, or another band is paying me to be there.
NO.
Your guitar player needs some help like maybe having a show set up where 4 other guitar players hammer the crap out of his amp for 10 hours or so. The ONLY times my stuff got used for a show with multiples were with bands where everyone knew everyone else, were friends, etc. Even then, specifics on volume settings were given to my friends(other bassists). The most recent BL use was when the band I'm in now had a birthday show and the former bassist shared my rig(we each played a set). The band ASKED me and said they would understand if I said no. The show had FOH and I've got amp settings and a dbx in front of that. No problem.
Your guitar player needs some help like maybe having a show set up where 4 other guitar players hammer the crap out of his amp for 10 hours or so. The ONLY times my stuff got used for a show with multiples were with bands where everyone knew everyone else, were friends, etc. Even then, specifics on volume settings were given to my friends(other bassists). The most recent BL use was when the band I'm in now had a birthday show and the former bassist shared my rig(we each played a set). The band ASKED me and said they would understand if I said no. The show had FOH and I've got amp settings and a dbx in front of that. No problem.
both times I have let my rig be used as a backline it has been abused. so I don;t do it anymore.
I'm going to chime in redundantly here, as I'm in the "Say no because I've done it and it's not a good idea" crowd. Everybody wants to be the nice guy, but the fact is you worked for the scratch to buy your rig and you're the only person who would be plugging in that night who could say that. It's agony to watch from the floor as someone who doesn't normally get to play through a quality set-up and doesn't understand correct stage volume, dynamics, etc. goes bananas on your baby; it's even more agony to watch three or four of them in a row do it. Even a deposit's not a good idea, unless it's enough to cover repair or replacement for any conceivable thing that a succession of clipasauruses could do to your rig over the course of a night.
It seems to be nearly unanimous, but I'll throw in my 2 cents anyway: the only people who are allowed to borrow my gear are people who I already know, and who I know are responsible. It's a short list. Total strangers? No way.
Good place to relate a story:
A few years ago, I had a club owner call me and ask if we would open for ex-Monkee Peter Tork. We had opened for several touring acts at his place before, so we said OK. A few days later, I get another call asking if would let Peter's band use our gear.
At this point, we are already getting practically nothing for doing the gig - and the ticket prices were high enough that few, if any, of our fans would come to the show. Seeing a Tom Sawyer-like scenario unfolding before me, I told him no. The club owner decided to find someone else who was more willing to provide backline for free.
I found out later that I made the right call. Peter's MO is to get the clubs/promoters to furnish gear, then loudly complain about how bad it is through the entire show.
A few years ago, I had a club owner call me and ask if we would open for ex-Monkee Peter Tork. We had opened for several touring acts at his place before, so we said OK. A few days later, I get another call asking if would let Peter's band use our gear.
At this point, we are already getting practically nothing for doing the gig - and the ticket prices were high enough that few, if any, of our fans would come to the show. Seeing a Tom Sawyer-like scenario unfolding before me, I told him no. The club owner decided to find someone else who was more willing to provide backline for free.
I found out later that I made the right call. Peter's MO is to get the clubs/promoters to furnish gear, then loudly complain about how bad it is through the entire show.
Definitely say no.........if someone breaks your rig, you know they won't own up to it or help you pay for fixing it. Even if you did get some sort of security deposit, if something happens to your rig, your still without equipment while it's being repaired and you probably won't be able to get someone to even pay the security deposit should something happen....nope, let 'em rent it, or everyone bring their own!
Take a clue from the guy in The Weight.
He just grinned and shook my hand, and "No!", was all he said.
He just grinned and shook my hand, and "No!", was all he said.
I hate the ideas of backlines, period.
My main caveat is the enforcement of them. I understand that sometimes there are time-constraints involved with shows, but i like my gear, my tone, my sound more than what 2 minutes of ****ing around with some borrowed gear can provide.
I've let people use my gear plenty of times. But it's only to people i know. I'd never let it be used as the main backline for an entire gig.
Have you asked "Why" they even need a backline? If they're worried about time constraints, a band who knows what they are doing is going to spend as much time seting up their own stuff as they would messing around with borrowed stuff to get a sound they like.
Ugh... backlines and 'pay to play' are my two least favorite concepts in band settings.
My main caveat is the enforcement of them. I understand that sometimes there are time-constraints involved with shows, but i like my gear, my tone, my sound more than what 2 minutes of ****ing around with some borrowed gear can provide.
I've let people use my gear plenty of times. But it's only to people i know. I'd never let it be used as the main backline for an entire gig.
Have you asked "Why" they even need a backline? If they're worried about time constraints, a band who knows what they are doing is going to spend as much time seting up their own stuff as they would messing around with borrowed stuff to get a sound they like.
Ugh... backlines and 'pay to play' are my two least favorite concepts in band settings.
