What are your clever backup solutions? + What gear to take to a gig?
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- StratMatt
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Re: What are your clever backup solutions?
If my AX8 dies mid gig I'm up shit creek. I think a Fly Rig would probably be the best option for me, my only other amp is a Marshall stack so not exactly a convenient back up solution.
Loving it so far
- Slowy
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Re: What are your clever backup solutions?
Although it wouldn't sound quite as good as my usual pedalboard and amp, I was playing the Tubeworks combo yesterday and realised I could do an entire gig plugged straight into it.
I have a toolbox with leads, tape, strings, fuses, tools, strap, picks capos, multi plugs and god-knows-what-else that goes wherever my rig goes.
2 guitars and I used to pack a ZT Lunchbox as backup but now use the Tubeworks.
I have a toolbox with leads, tape, strings, fuses, tools, strap, picks capos, multi plugs and god-knows-what-else that goes wherever my rig goes.
2 guitars and I used to pack a ZT Lunchbox as backup but now use the Tubeworks.
Beyond a critical point within a finite space, freedom diminishes as numbers increase. This is as true of humans as it is of gas molecules in a sealed flask. The human question is not how many can possibly survive within the system, but what kind of existence is possible for those who so survive.
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Re: What are your clever backup solutions?
When did you get a tubeworks? and pics is it a ratfur?Slowy wrote:Although it wouldn't sound quite as good as my usual pedalboard and amp, I was playing the Tubeworks combo yesterday and realised I could do an entire gig plugged straight into it.
I have a toolbox with leads, tape, strings, fuses, tools, strap, picks capos, multi plugs and god-knows-what-else that goes wherever my rig goes.
2 guitars and I used to pack a ZT Lunchbox as backup but now use the Tubeworks.
So, is that low alcohol or no alcohol at all? mmmm, no alcohol, do you want to try it? Noooooooooo.
- Slowy
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Re: What are your clever backup solutions?
Got it a few weeks ago. On TM and went for less than the price of a half decent pedal. What was a man to do?Bg wrote: When did you get a tubeworks? and pics is it a ratfur?
Complete with premium vintage ratfur.
Beyond a critical point within a finite space, freedom diminishes as numbers increase. This is as true of humans as it is of gas molecules in a sealed flask. The human question is not how many can possibly survive within the system, but what kind of existence is possible for those who so survive.
- Bg
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Re: What are your clever backup solutions?
Damn, I used to have the head and matching 1x12, they're cracking amps. It was passed around here for awhile. Much regrets at selling. Bk Butler designed ampSlowy wrote:Got it a few weeks ago. On TM and went for less than the price of a half decent pedal. What was a man to do?Bg wrote: When did you get a tubeworks? and pics is it a ratfur?
Complete with premium vintage ratfur.
That would be perfect in a fender style tweed cab.... just saying
So, is that low alcohol or no alcohol at all? mmmm, no alcohol, do you want to try it? Noooooooooo.
- Slowy
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Re: What are your clever backup solutions?
Hmmmmmmmmmmm......Bg wrote:Damn, I used to have the head and matching 1x12, they're cracking amps. It was passed around here for awhile. Much regrets at selling. Bk Butler designed ampSlowy wrote:Got it a few weeks ago. On TM and went for less than the price of a half decent pedal. What was a man to do?Bg wrote: When did you get a tubeworks? and pics is it a ratfur?
Complete with premium vintage ratfur.
That would be perfect in a fender style tweed cab.... just saying
You make a good point.
Beyond a critical point within a finite space, freedom diminishes as numbers increase. This is as true of humans as it is of gas molecules in a sealed flask. The human question is not how many can possibly survive within the system, but what kind of existence is possible for those who so survive.
- jeremyb
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Re: What are your clever backup solutions?
I must say when I first read this thread title I immediately thought dropbox or google drive
Slowy wrote: That's the problem; everything rewarding is just such hard work. Regret takes much less effort.
- werdna
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Re: What are your clever backup solutions?
Two guitars; spare strings, cutter; spare amp being a Katana; one spare cable.
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- The Scarecrow
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Re: What are your clever backup solutions?
So glad I'm in a band with you for this reasonZaulkin wrote:I am reasonably pedantic about making sure I have some kind of backup for gigs. So far I have never had a problem (apart from one time at one of my first gigs where I broke three strings in a freak single strum a few hours before playing...) but now I maintain my gear well so I've been lucky.
The main requirements for a backup for me are that it will work without sounding shit, wont be heavy or take up much space, and that I won't mind lending it if necessary. Also I try to keep the cost down on backups so that I'm not reaching to sell it for something else.
For cables, strings, etc, I just take an extra one for anything that I think may require it.
For guitars it is pretty simple - Just take two. I have a cheap entry level one that is cool and has it's place so I won't sell it in 2 weeks.
For amps, I recently picked up a cheap little pedal called a Donner Black Devil. It's got two channels including reverb, and it has cab sims that can be turned on and off. Sounds pretty sweet too, even if the reverb goes from 0 - 75% pretty quick. I could run this through a poweramp or through the PA if needed, which is handy. The only problem is that it does make a hum when it is on 0% volume (and obviously I'm sacrificing effects because there is no chorus/delay etc).
I'll do a Youtube review on it sometime soon...
What are your clever backup solutions if something stops working at a gig?
Having moved to a Katana, the whole blown-tube thing is not a worry. I think it would have to take some serious work to mess one of these things up i.e. power overload or spillage. Absolutely worst case I can run my ME80 through the PA for amp sounds. I think a solid-state/digital amp is probably going to be the most robust part of any rig.
My pedalboard consists of an ME80 - hard to kill, as above. I don't think I've got any worries here, though I've got an old DS1 in my misc.gear bag that comes to most gigs.
I use a G10 wireless, which had just been replaced with a brand new one. I've eliminated issues with cable breaks on the power-cord by replacing the stock corn with a right-angled one, which eliminates targets to step on. As such, I only run a couple of cables - my main two being Monster cables that are going strong after 10 years. That being said, i carry a couple of spares.
My main risk is guitar issues in terms of string breakage. I'll always bring 2x to a gig, my current backup being a Squier John 5 Tele which is cheap enough to keep, but also good enough to not feel like i'm playing a dud if the PRS snaps a string. Imperative that that is at least one backup guitars for band as we play in Drop C and expect another band to allow us to detune a guitar in standard. That being said, I've not broken a string in about 6 years now.
Most of my backup solutions tend to come from prevention in the first place; changing strings in the week leading up to a gig, having extra leads/a spare multibox etc.
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Re: What are your clever backup solutions?
I overcook every gig where it is feasible to do so - multiple guitars, two amps, spare everythings. Where it isn't, I usually resort to a head and the torpedo live in the car so i can fall back on direct to the board and still have a great sound. Something like a Quilter or a flyrig would definitely get the job done (I have a bass flyrig I use as plan B when I'm on the thicker strings), just haven't needed to be that mobile yet. I imagine if I were having to fly somewhere for a gig etc it would make an awful lot of sense.
- SimonHirst
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- Zaulkin
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Re: What are your clever backup solutions for gear? + What to bring?
Alright, here is my checklist so far. Had to play in Christchurch recently which made me think of this thread - that was a different ballgame though.
Is there anything you guys can add to this? I have tried to keep my spares to what fits in a small case and what I will realistically use.
Gear Checklist for Gigs
Things to do before the gig:
-Remind venue and other bands about playing times...
-Test pedalboard, amp, guitar, check strings and setup
-Print setlists
-Charge wireless unit
Guitar case:
(Keep anything I need to grab quickly here)
-Guitar
-Strap
-Picks
-Speaker cable for amp head
-Guitar cable
-Microphone
-XLR cable
Pedalboard case:
-Pedalboard
-IEC Power cable
-Humbuster or guitar cable to connect to amp
-Backup cable to grab if wireless fails
-Picks
Mic stand bag:
-Mic stand
-Multi Guitar Stand
Amp head case:
-Amp head
-Channel switch
Amp Cabinet
Trolley:
-Bungy cords
Other:
-Wallet, phone, keys, cash, parking card…
-Backup guitar
-Banner
-Band merch, business cards
-Picks for coin pocket
Case of spare stuff:
-Clip on tuner
-Strings
-Strap
-Pens & vivid marker
-Paper
-Power distributor
-Extension leads
-Multitool (pliers, cutter, knife etc)
-Allen keys
-Torch
-Tubes
-Cloth
-2x Guitar cables
-2x IEC Cables
-XLR cable spare
-Speaker cable
-AUX cable
-Connectors and adapters (1/4 inch – headphone etc)
-Patch cable
-9v battery
-9v Power adapter
-Ear plugs
-Tape
-Zip ties
-Picks
-Fuses
-First aid - Plasters?
-Contact details
Might need for other gigs:
-Other instruments
-Laptop / Ipad
-Capo/Slide
-Thumb picks
-More AUX or connector Cables
-Backing tracks
-Music stand
-Music folder
Is there anything you guys can add to this? I have tried to keep my spares to what fits in a small case and what I will realistically use.
Gear Checklist for Gigs
Things to do before the gig:
-Remind venue and other bands about playing times...
-Test pedalboard, amp, guitar, check strings and setup
-Print setlists
-Charge wireless unit
Guitar case:
(Keep anything I need to grab quickly here)
-Guitar
-Strap
-Picks
-Speaker cable for amp head
-Guitar cable
-Microphone
-XLR cable
Pedalboard case:
-Pedalboard
-IEC Power cable
-Humbuster or guitar cable to connect to amp
-Backup cable to grab if wireless fails
-Picks
Mic stand bag:
-Mic stand
-Multi Guitar Stand
Amp head case:
-Amp head
-Channel switch
Amp Cabinet
Trolley:
-Bungy cords
Other:
-Wallet, phone, keys, cash, parking card…
-Backup guitar
-Banner
-Band merch, business cards
-Picks for coin pocket
Case of spare stuff:
-Clip on tuner
-Strings
-Strap
-Pens & vivid marker
-Paper
-Power distributor
-Extension leads
-Multitool (pliers, cutter, knife etc)
-Allen keys
-Torch
-Tubes
-Cloth
-2x Guitar cables
-2x IEC Cables
-XLR cable spare
-Speaker cable
-AUX cable
-Connectors and adapters (1/4 inch – headphone etc)
-Patch cable
-9v battery
-9v Power adapter
-Ear plugs
-Tape
-Zip ties
-Picks
-Fuses
-First aid - Plasters?
-Contact details
Might need for other gigs:
-Other instruments
-Laptop / Ipad
-Capo/Slide
-Thumb picks
-More AUX or connector Cables
-Backing tracks
-Music stand
-Music folder
- StratMatt
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Re: What are your clever backup solutions? + What gear to take to a gig?
Looks pretty comprehensive to me! More than what I take lol. Have you forgone the Axe Fx for an amp setup these days?
Loving it so far