/ Register

What weather/ climate conditions are the worst for playing in?

Discussion in 'Bass Humor & Gig Stories [BG]' started by MynameisMe, Jun 6, 2019.

Tags:

Which is worse to play in:

  1. Extreme Hot

    4 vote(s)
    36.4%

  2. Extreme Cold

    6 vote(s)
    54.5%

  3. Rain

    3 vote(s)
    27.3%

  4. Snow

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%

  5. Hailing Carrots

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
Multiple votes are allowed.
  1. Jun 6, 2019 #1
    MynameisMe

    MynameisMe What will you be remembered for?

    Dec 31, 2018
    Florida
    What weather/ climate conditions are the worst for playing in?
    Example 1
    I am part of our worship team at a local church. They were doing an outreach concert supposedly with many other groups, about an hour south of us in Daytona. The other bassist had a death in the family and I was a fill in at the last minute.
    It was February and that day it was in the high 30's with a 15 mile an hour wind.
    The venue: a large covered concert building open on all sides, about 8000 SF, next to one of those carnivals that goes from town to town.
    Huge stage. The two sound people, our band and the couple of people that rode down with us were the only people there. We were playing to no one. There were no other groups. I mean nobody.
    I was so cold I couldn't hardly play and no one was in tune. I was happy when we just finished and left so I could get back in the heat in my car.
    No fun.
    Example 2: I've also played at a spiritual retreat where we were outside, at night, in Florida in August with many acoustic guitars, extremely high humidity and we were sweating so much we deadened our strings. I heard one guy start a song and a string just popped as everyone simultaneously went out of tune. This seems to happen with guitar, vs bass strings easier.
    I've lost track of how many times I've ruined strings by sweating all over them.

    What are your extreme or bizarre weather/climate conditions stories? I would love to hear them.
    I've limited it to two choices.
     
  2. Jun 6, 2019 #2
    4SG

    4SG

    Mar 6, 2014
    source.gif
    Personally, I hate rainy stages.
     
    MynameisMe and JRA like this.
  3. Jun 6, 2019 #3
    bass40hz

    bass40hz Cigar smoker, scotch drinker, American Patriot Supporting Member

    Aug 13, 2014
    Richlands, NC
    I've played outdoor gigs where it was in the mid 30 degree range at ski resorts...did I mention outdoors? There was nothing right or fun about those gigs...except the pay ;-) Would I do it again, probably not...very tuff to play wearing underarmour, a hoodie and a wool P-coat...oh and I am a finger style player, the strings were every bit as cold as the surrounding air and my fingers were stiffer than...well you figure it out ;-)
    Rock on.
    IMG_0010.jpeg
     
    MynameisMe and JRA like this.
  4. Jun 6, 2019 #4
    JRA

    JRA my words = opinion Gold Supporting Member

    Oct 28, 2013
    Indianapolis and Cincinnati
    any weather noted as "extreme" could be a miserable gig, IMO. all things being equal: i'd rather play in heat than cold.
     
    bass40hz and MynameisMe like this.
  5. Jun 6, 2019 #5
    Rhaco

    Rhaco

    May 22, 2019
    Hate cold hands. I can grab a rag to handle sweat, and I can re-tune to match whatever the hellish heat and humidity (or lack thereoff) have done to my instrument, but hands that are stiff from cold are just an unchangeable fact. A handwarmer in the pocket can take the bite off, but when you have to start looking for alternate fingerings because your 3rd and 4th fingers are now a fused steel bar, you know the weather gods are pissed.
     
    4 Strings Good, bass40hz and MynameisMe like this.