Tip the sound tech?

[DrThumpenstein]

We're going to play a venue that provides a sound technician for the first time tomorrow evening. One of my bandmates asked today: "Should we plan on tipping the sound tech tomorrow night?" I won't tell you which of the poll choices came straight from my text machine, but I am keenly interested in the practices and beliefs of the Talkbass cognoscenti. Thanks for playing!

 

[4SG]

Yes. It's always appreciated. The sound guys/gals aren't especially well-compensated in the venues my bands play. And a good mix really makes a difference. You may be glad you did when you play the place again.

 

[alembicguy]

No

 

[5StringBlues]

If I had a friend in the audience telling me that the sound was really really good, then probably yes. But if you don't have somebody out front letting you know what the sound is like you may be tipping for crappy sound..

 

[DrThumpenstein]

Thanks for the responses.

And just to clarify: when we have provided the sound tech and PA, we've tipped them. We're asking about someone who's employed by the establishment who hired us.

 

[buldog5151bass]

I would at least have a nice chat with him/her and offer a drink, and toss them a few $$$ if they do a good job. Keep them happy, they night speak to the owner for future gigs.

 

[gln1955]

The sound tech is probably getting the same piddly amount as any of the band members. I'd give them a share out of our tip bucket, but that's about it.

 

[sean_on_bass]

we usually throw them something unless there simply aren't much tips to go around. same with the wait staff if they were serving us.

 

[ole Jason]

Nope.

 

[Stylee Mousse]

Wasn’t a practice where I did sound!

but then again I made more than the bands way more times than I liked.

 

[J Wilson]

Yes. People always remember guys that did 'em right, included them. And when you work with him again, you're already on a good footing. You take care of people that take care of you.

These are the decisions to consider if you want to take care of business . . . or just another knucklehead playing for a couple drinks and being a cool dude . . .

 

[crazyBassClown]

when we have provided the sound tech and PA, we've tipped them.

Isn't that called paying them to do the job?

 

[Stylee Mousse]

For what it is worth, my good will was was easy to get, and freely given. Standard good polite manners and friendly and clear communication go such a long way.

My general experience was that seasoned musicians were generally cool and great to work with (seasoned like, for instance, played in Captain Beefheart's magic band) Nervous amateurs? not so much!

 

[voodoobassist]

I pretty much just play casino gigs. Foh and tech are always provided. They’re not getting rich , but they’re fairly well compensated, just like the band. Also , tipping isn’t allowed per se in the casinos. So no tip jar or something similar is allowed. So no , we don’t tip the tech. They work more often than we do and get paid decently.

 

[Bass Man Dan]

We just played a venue that has It's own PA and sound guy on Friday. Everybody was raving in between sets as to how good we sounded. Damn right we tipped the guy.

 

[DrThumpenstein]

Isn't that called paying them to do the job?

No, not really. We get the price beforehand, which they set and we pay in full at the gig. For most business/professional arrangements, tipping is generally not needed or expected. We tipped the guy we hired to do sound for us at one of our gigs because we were happy with him and he exceeded his commitment, so we exceeded ours.

 

[five7]

I got a few $100 tips back when I was running sound. And many smaller ones along with swag and other goodies.
I would always go out of my way when they returned whether they tipped again or not

 

[Medicine Man]

Man, it's a good night when the band makes more per man than the sound guy. Maybe they should tip us.

 

[ProbablyTooLoud]

Turn me up!

 

[buldog5151bass]

Even tossing him a few bucks will make them remember you. They are responsible for how you sound, and they do speak with the owners. Why the @#%%$ wouldn't you?