For those that Gig, do you bring a backup amp/cab?

  • Thread starter Thread starter blackba
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I used to bring a Marshall AVT 50 head as a backup when I was gigging with my TSL. The AVT got stolen at a gig (they snagged the AVT, but left the TSL, the Triaxis/2:90 and the SVT, the USA Fenders, Gibson, etc... :lol: :LOL: ) and since then I've just kept a Pod XT in my bag with all my spare cables and such. I have presets to "duplicate" all the tones I need running straight to the board. Never had to use it.

I've never even considered bringing a backup cab. I've never owned a van or truck, so it's never really been an option for me anyway, unless I want to trust the drummer with my gear. :D
 
Not only do I bring a backup head, I always make sure I bring a set of spare tubes and fuses.
 
Mood Sphinx":3uililu3 said:
Not only do I bring a backup head, I always make sure I bring a set of spare tubes and fuses.
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Good choice. :thumbsup: I've kept a couple of spare fuses in with my gigging stuff for a while. Never brought spare tubes that I can remember, though. I've blown both at practice, but never onstage, thankfully.
 
I bring an extra head, but no cab. I've never blown a cab, but my bass player blew a 2 x 10 and a 1x18 at the same time - had to go direct to the pa. Crappy Peavey neo-whatever speakers - they always slmelled like they were burning up! I thought the head was the problem ,but she went back to the GK cabs and has never had a problem since.
 
I have a Randall Cyclone head that has been in our band van for a couple of years now...I hope it works since that's my backup!!!

I assume my cab will always work, and for guitars I bring two and plenty of strings. My gear box has lots of cables, so barring a freak of nature (or electronics) I should be covered.

It might be worthy to note that the ONE gig I brought my brand new CAA OD100 SE+ amp (I mean, like right from Suhr in CA) and we traveled in different vehicles so I did not have my spare head...that motherfucker went down on me. It was an internal fuse...had to limp through using our rhythm guy's DSL100 which while wan't bad at all, wasn't MY amp and we were a one guitar band for that show.
 
I have spare fuses and lots of them, spare pre-amp tubes as well. Since getting the CAE 3+ in my rack, I can always go direct as my setup has direct outs with cab simulator that doesn't even sound bad. I'm thinking of picking up a small 1HE power amp as I have 1HE free in the rack and then I would always have a spare setup.
 
SFW":2ugrkzbr said:
yeah.... it's called a Sansamp GT2. ;)
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Been looking at some Tech 21 products.. how does it sound? (compared to a POD for instance)
 
van hellion":2tvul0ff said:
i have an evh 5150 III for my back up. no back up cabs though.

peace
Andy W
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Andy, didn't I see an SLO on top of your rack in the Delirium vid?
 
ive never brought a back-up rig. ive been asking for it, but i do keep an MT-2 in the truck just in case.

im in the works of building a backup rig. but i hardly think the gig volumes i play at are nothing compared to the band practice volumes. if anything would go down it would be at practice rather than at a gig.

but hey, you never know when transporting stuff around! :lol: :LOL:
 
SgtThump":3n5lw0cs said:
It's kinda funny to read my post above from Feb, since I just had to use the PowerBlock at the last gig this past Saturday. It worked wonderfully. I mean, it honestly kinda kicked all kinds of ass. Sounded killer through a nice cab. :thumbsup:
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How do you run it then? With pedals?
 
I use an AxeFx Ultra and a Roland VG-99 into a Carvin tube poweramp. I've got the PA as a backup if the poweramp fails or can use either the AxeFx or the VG-99 exclusively if one or the other fails.
 
(HI all, this is my 1st post here after reading & learning from so many of your posts!)

2 things:
1> I can't speak for all, but isn't one of the toughest parts of most shows getting all gear up & running in that 10-15 minute space between bands? (especially in clubs) Another amp rig would really kill my mojo in set-up/prep time.
2> Back in the 80s, I had a speaker literally come un-attached inside the cabinet and fall onto the wiring.....killing the cabinet dead (it was Peavey 4x12). Not only was it the absolute hardest thing to troubleshoot in the heat of the moment, but also the most embarrassing because I was in a theatrical band at the time, and we were wearing masks while that happened! (oh the embarrassment.......) Total f**king Spinal Tap.........
 
back in the day I ran two heads stereo and if I ever had a problem I'd just go through one head no problem.

as I get older and downsize my rig, I have my POD as a backup now.




of course it all depends on the size of the gig and how long we play.
 
You guys are feeding my paranoia... I am going to start bringing my 5150 for a backup...

It's been a long time since I even had two amps to use one as backup.
 
i ALWAYS bring a spare head and a OD pedal. had to resort to them more than once too.

A
 
Xanthomatose":2f0ugvsn said:
SFW":2f0ugvsn said:
yeah.... it's called a Sansamp GT2. ;)
Click to expand...

Been looking at some Tech 21 products.. how does it sound? (compared to a POD for instance)
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I think it sounds good. Infact, I've actually thought about getting a second one to set as a "clean amp" and trying to go without an amp at a show. I haven't had the balls to do it yeat though. In the four years that I've owned the Sansamp, I've only had to use it once at a show.
 
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