Lesson learned at gig tonight. (backup amp content)

  • Thread starter Thread starter Enjolras56
  • Start date Start date
Enjolras56

Enjolras56

New member
It was literally just two days ago what I was thinking "Hmm... I should bring a backup head to gigs." :doh:

Then tonight it happened. You all know how it is in the pay-to-play circuit in Hollywood. Bands play for 30-40 minutes, then the next band has 15 minutes to set up as the previous band tears down. Lucky if you get a level check.

We were doing our frantic load in and set up at The Roxy tonight...
So as soon as I powered up my Randall NBKing100 to warm up, the lights went on for 1 second, then it was totally dead. Could not get it to power up at all. I tried everything to see if someone kicked the power cord out, if my power cable was intact. More than likely I blew a fuse? (I'm assuming.)

I frantically ran to the backstage dressing room and kindly asked if anyone was willing to let me use their amp.
Luckily, camaraderie/comradery was strong tonight, and one guy graciously stepped up and let me use his Line 6 solid state head (which I'm totally unfamiliar with- I think it was a Spider II?)
I asked him "Does it have an FX loop?" He said "Dude, it has effects in it!" haha... anyways, I just had to laugh it off and be grateful that I could even play through something tonight.

As soon as I plugged it in to my cab, the stage manager was saying, "Okay, we gotta go on guys ready or not."

So on we went. I just pushed at preset button that said "CRUNCH" and went with that. Of course it wasn't MY sound, but it wasn't bad at all. Just had to go with it and get lost in the performance. It helped that I had a Creation Audio Labs Holy Fire on my pedalboard, which gave it a more tube-y response. I just had to tweak throughout the gig to get as close to what I wanted as possible.

I've read many an advice column from touring pros like Pete Thron about carrying backup and/or spare fuses to gigs, but of course I never thought it would happen to me given that I only gig about once a month, play locally, and I take really good care of my gear. Like I said... lesson learned.

That being said, it's easy to change a fuse right? :confused:
 
I got a Jetcity/Friedman modded as a backup to my Friedman BE-100.
 
If you aren't going to carry a back up, at least take you a first aid kit for your amp. Spare tubes and fuses are a must.
 
i use a line 6 pod xt live for my efx and midi controller. if the 5150 iii ever takes a dump, i could just plug this direct or into the front end of another amp.

that being said, i did play a gig once where my amp just went to crap. i had to borrow a marshall something or other and had to wing it.

glad you were able to find something usable...
 
I recommend always carrying a backup amp. In the past, issues have been more significant than a simple blown fuse and if I hadn't had a backup head, the show would have been over.

If you don't have a lot of dough to buy a spare tube head, pick up something like the Crate Powerblock or Traynor Quarterhorse. Neither sounds that phenomenal (IMO), but they are super portable (not much bigger than a double-wide pedal) and could get you through in a pinch. Another option is to pick up a small, low wattage head, like a TransAtlantic 15, Mini Recto, Jet City, Egnater Rebel 20, Egnater Rebel 30, Egnater Tweaker, etc. The latter 4 heads are quite reasonably priced and highly portable, so wouldn't require much additional hauling.

Always be prepared. Next time, there might not be a Spider Valve sitting backstage to bail you out! :lol: :LOL:
 
I have a Jekyll and Hyde distortion pedal and magnum 44. Fits in the gig bag. For times like yours where you do not have the luxury of troubleshooting time you can be up and running in 2 minutes. Its the only reason I own a distortion pedal anymore.
 
guitarmike":2y8rpfla said:
I have a Jekyll and Hyde distortion pedal and magnum 44. Fits in the gig bag. For times like yours where you do not have the luxury of troubleshooting time you can be up and running in 2 minutes. Its the only reason I own a distortion pedal anymore.
Click to expand...

This is another "quick and dirty" solution that is portable and will get the job done.

My only issue with this option is that you can probably pick up a used Rebel 30 for less than the new cost of a good dirt box and .44 Magnum pedal......
 
i ALWAYS had a sansamp gt2 ON my board..ready to go, powered up.
and, once in a while, i practiced with it, soundchecked with it, and played a song or two with it just to keep things fresh in my mind for that scenario. i carry a 1/4 to male mic line so it can go straight to PA also...cause most sound guys DONT have that cord, which is what i need to get it in the PA and monitors. does it sound great? no.
will it pass to the average drunk patron singing along to our covers and going to piss or refill a drink during originals? yep.

always pays to be prepared, and the simpler the better.
as laughable as a behringer v-amp pro is, i use it for effects..and have it setup to use in a 2 rig configuration with my tourmaster and 5150.

if i gigged, i'd take the tourmaster, my rack (vamp with mosvalve 962 and furman ar117 and wireless) and 1 cab. vamp for effects, tourmaster for the tone i want.
 
It's actually a situation like this that happened to me that was VERY similar... that made me realize my HUGE rig with all the crap I lug around is completely unnecessary... my head crapped out, and I used some guys Line 6 head... and you know what? We fucking rocked the stage and I got all the usual "You sound great" compliments afterwards...

Guess it had more of an eye-opening effect on me... kinda made me feel like all the gear I had spent thousands of dollars on was completely self indulgent, and when it comes down to it... the visceral experience of playing live and creating music is just that...completely visceral...

But yes.... always have some form of backup brother... our band has a community backup head... granted it's not as good as both guitar players having one... but it's all we can swing right now... it's a good 'ole Peavey 6505...
 
id rather have a peavey 6505 than a sansamp gt-2!

i posted a similiar experience about gear..people hear with their eyes.
in our cases, we justify spending $$$$$$$ when we could literally get by with spidervalve and an extra 1960 cab and forget about it the morning if it got stolen or broken.

all for the TONE! hahah
 
Yeah, I always have backup. Mark V main, mark IV back up or vice versa.
 
Picked up a NIB Bugera 333XL off CL for $400 to back up my 5150III 100w that's got about 4 years of practice and gigging on it now.

But I never take it to gigs!!!

Why? I don't know. It sounds pretty good for what it is and I'm familiar with it.

Lately I've been having the exact same " what if and maybe I should " thoughts the OP had.

This is a sign!
 
yup, always good to carry a backup. I think all the years I been giggng, only ever had to use a backup twice - but you just never know. I got an Engater Rebel right now for backup - it's the smallest/cheapest tube thing I could find - it sounds really good too!
 
I always bring 2 guitars, 2 amps, and 2 cabs to all my gigs. Some may see this as excessive, but I think it's essential. If my amp doesn't fire up, I'm not going to start searching through my gig bag for fuses and then try to change them on a dark stage. And forget swapping tubes at a gig. It's just too time consuming.

One time my main amp went dead when I turned it off standby. I swapped the guitar input to my second amp, took it off standby, and I was in business in 5 seconds. No worry, no stress, and nobody else in the band even knew it happened.
 
The Crate Powerblock is an awesome, portable backup amp. Especially if you have OD pedals and/or primarily use a clean sound. Great for overseas gigs too, as they readily work with 100-240v mains.

Gigging without a backup amp is just asking for trouble.
 
I have and carry two backups. I have what I call, "Gig in a box." A Rocktron Voodoo Valve and a Marshall Valvestate 80/80 with a Rocktron Midi Mate. Except the foot controller it's a 2U rack case. Also, I keep a BOSS POWER STACK and an EHX 44 Magnum. I can do a whole gig with either. My backup has a backup.
 
it's funny though, all this shit we drag around for what...50$ to play songs ranging from "jack and diane" to "fixation on the darkness" to all our great, next up and coming originals.

i shoulda picked up the cello or something 25 years ago.....
 
I had a soundperson plug my JCM800 into the wrong power supply once right before a gig
and it blew the fuse holder right out the back of the amp :rock:

From that day on i carry a small back up head. Used the Rebel 20 for a while.

Now use a Morris White Crow...hand wired, 2-channels, w/efx loop, 40 watts and small enough to fit
under the seat on a plane. I use it as a fly date head too.

Here is a quickly put together youtube clip of it in action. Will make clips with no backing track soon :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3c3w1SYSVU
 
steve_k":2bpaxtew said:
If you aren't going to carry a back up, at least take you a first aid kit for your amp. Spare tubes and fuses are a must.
Click to expand...
Exactly.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top