Off Topic Gig Question - Amp Content

[mikeller]

I am curious how many people here that gig on a regular or semi-regular basis take a backup amp with them to every gig?

Several years ago and several amps ago I had my amp at the time fry on me during gigs - multiple times, which left me paranoid about going out without a backup

I have been carrying both my Mesa combo's with me too all gigs, which is alot of wear and tear on the amps and me!!!

What do the rest of you guys/girls do that gig with tube gear?

 

[PeteDuBaldo]

I don't take a backup amp - generally our gigs are local enough that we could take a quick set break and run back home and grab one.

I do bring extra tubes, though!

 

[DrKev]

I have a Behringer GDI-21 that I use as a distortion box but it's a great Di/amp modeller if ever there is a problem with the amp. I'll just pull the GDI out the pedal chain, stick at the end after the delay and go straight into the desk. Sounds good too.

 

[JMB27]

When I did play-out, I usually just took a Fender Twin or a Deluxe Reverb. Maybe once or twice in the past 15 years did I have any real problems with either of them. Always made sure they had a regular maintenance check at least once a year.

That said, I am not actively gigging at this point, but I have gone more to a head and cab set-up for makin' noise. When I get back out to some kinda (semi) regular giggin' I'll be taking two smaller amp heads (my Zs) and a 210 cab, 4 pedals and a pair of Super Sports ... oh yea, and maybe an extra pack of strings.

I do know some people that also tend to have extra fuses, tubes, cables, tools, etc. etc. etc. .... I was never organized enuff (or smart enuff) to so.

Cheers always, eh

Joel

 

[mikeller]

Thanks for the replies. I have considered picking up either a head that in the event of failure I could set on the combo and plug the speaker into, or even perhaps something like a vox tonelab so I could go direct if it came to that....

 

[slipagent]

We always bring 1 spare amp just in case any of the guitar amps go down and also a fishing box full of extra stuff....fuses, testers...that kind of stuff....It only took once....then I started going prepared just in case......

 

[robelinda2]

I use my Fender Deville 4x10, and I bring my little Carvin 15w amp as backup.

 

[TNT]

You have no choice, you have too - if you're concerned with reputation.

As mentioned above, you also want to keep your "reserve" gear as simple and as light as possible.

Because the odds of a "speaker" cab going out there is no need to bring one (but you should!)

I use a head and a separate cab for my gigs. So, what I do is bring an extra head (and obviously a guitar), fuses, straps, tubes, all the normal stuff.

I do not haul them out though, I keep them secure outside the gig. If need be, a 5min break can accommodate the circumstance.

I only have on stage, that which I am actually "using". And, I'm not a big fan of multiple guitars. Way too much work and concern (theft) for small gigs.

However, a "combo" amp can accomplish having both speaker and amp reserve in a very light and compact form.

 

[mikeller]

I agree - I think I may buy a small backup or spare head. Thanks for answers.

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

The first time I had an amp go down at a gig, I vowed never to gig without one again! I do on average 2 to 3 gigs a week and I just can't afford to have an amp fail on me!

I used to carry a Peavey Bandit with me as a spare, and that got me out of quite a few scrapes when I was using valve Marshall's. It also was used quite a lot when I was using those dreadfully unreliable Engl amps. Since I have been using Line 6, I have had a couple of occasions that I needed to use a spare, so I used to carry a POD 2.0. The first time I had to actually use it I was less than impressed with the results so I bought another Line 6 Duoverb, and stripped out the chassis. I had CP cases in Isleworth mount the chassis into a rack sleeve for me and I carry this to all gigs now. Luckily I have not had to use it yet, but its not that heavy and takes up hardly any space on stage or in my car.

And in action:

 

[paranoid70]

I've never brought a spare rig. A spare guitar - which I have needed a few times, but never a spare amp. Geez, give me something else to be paranoid about why don't you.

 

[mikeller]

Sorry paranoid.... If it will help, I can tell you out of hundreds of gigs, a spare has only been put into service a few times.

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

Sorry paranoid.... If it will help, I can tell you out of hundreds of gigs, a spare has only been put into service a few times.

But those few times you are so glad that you carry a spare!

 

[mikeller]

Sure is, like an insurance policy!!!!

 

[beej]

I never really bring a backup amp.

Then again, I'm usually at a gig with other bands on the bill, so I assume I'll be able to sweet-talk my way into borrowing somebody else's amp if mine dies. But that's really never happened (beyond needing a new tube, and I have spares).

 

[paranoid70]

Sorry paranoid.... If it will help, I can tell you out of hundreds of gigs, a spare has only been put into service a few times.

Yikes. Well, my previous band had three guitar players (superfluous, I know). I guess if my amp died, I could have used our 3rd guitar player's amp and handed him a tamborine. Our drummer affectionately referred to him as our 'Pigpen'.

But, since that band is defunct as of just last week, I guess I will have to make extra sure my amp is tip top. You know, I have had issues with the midi controller on the pedal board too.

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

Yikes. Well, my previous band had three guitar players (superfluous, I know). I guess if my amp died, I could have used our 3rd guitar player's amp and handed him a tamborine. Our drummer affectionately referred to him as our 'Pigpen'.

But, since that band is defunct as of just last week, I guess I will have to make extra sure my amp is tip top. You know, I have had issues with the midi controller on the pedal board too.

I always carry a spare Line 6 floor pedal too! Only the basic one, but its there just in case!

 

[Rod Turtle]

Yikes. Well, my previous band had three guitar players (superfluous, I know).

Man you should check out Explosions In The Sky work,they are an amazing band with three guitars and a drummer.

 

[slukather]

I've had my gear go out on me a couple of times, one time my Midi controller died, so l just set my amp to the lead channel and used my volume pedal to roll it off to a clean sound, no major dramas there.

The other time my band was on our last song, and there was no sound coming from my amp, so l just used the singers amp that he wasn't using for that particular song. It just turned out to be a faulty cable.

If l was a regular gigging muso I'd take a backup amp, but l only gig once in a while, and l keep my gear well serviced, once in a while l'll get a faulty cable or something like that, no major dramas though.

Scott.

 

[robelinda2]

My Marshall Bluesbreaker has blown its rectifier valve 3 times on stage, all within the first 3 songs, end of my participation in the gig. Got a Fender Hot Rod Deville, its blown its fuse 5 or 6 times, i always have spares.