Gitfiddler Posted February 25, 2013 Posted February 25, 2013 Lots of players bring a back-up guitar to their gigs for possible broken string issues or because that Tele or Strat is perfect for those 2 songs in the set, so the 150 or 535 gets a rest. But what about amps? How many of you bring a back-up amp to a gig, and why?????
fxdx99 Posted February 25, 2013 Posted February 25, 2013 Somewhat depends on the gig - 2 full amps (combos) if it's 'important' (larger show w/paying audience). Usually I put the ZT lunchbox in the car as it's solid state and so far dependable. I've had tube amps go out on me twice at gigs in the last 6 or so years, both times was the rectifier tube and neither time did I have a tube or backup amp with. Lucked out the first time as my buddy owned the bar and had a magnatone in the basement. Oh what a sweet sound that amp had with the 535! That was a good time for my amp to break down. 2nd time was a smaller place and I ran from pedal to board. Not ideal, but worked. Used to bring 2, but now only bring one guitar to a gig (with extra strings).
JeffB Posted February 26, 2013 Posted February 26, 2013 Always carried a spare amp. For a while I kept a Line6 Xtlive in the car in case but it seemed easy enough to just take another amp. I have never had an amp stop working at or before a gig.
Horace Posted February 26, 2013 Posted February 26, 2013 Our band takes one back up guitar amp ( two guitarists ), one back up PA head, and a back up keyboard. We don't play out often so when we do we don't want the night to go south due to a needed piece of gear breaking down.
yoslate Posted February 26, 2013 Posted February 26, 2013 The last couple of years, I've been using two amps on stage most of the time. An indulgence, I know. But I like the security of always having the backup right there, set up, and ready to go. Although, knock wood, I can't remember an amp going south on me more than one or two times...ever. And I think that was fuses (always carry spares).
Gitfiddler Posted February 26, 2013 Author Posted February 26, 2013 One of the two guitarists in the RnB band I played in for years brought a Blues Jr. to all gigs. It rested peacefully in his truck, never seeing the light of day...or dark of night except at band rehersals. I always brought a Tech 21 Trademark 30 solid state amp. As good as it sounded, it never was called to duty, but I always felt better knowing it was available. Wouldn't you know it..At the first gig I DIDN'T bring a backup amp, my SF Deluxe Reverb went on the fritz!! Now I bring an 80's Princeton Reverb II for all gigs!!!
Billgelder Posted February 26, 2013 Posted February 26, 2013 I believe in the Noah's ark theory. Two of everything. It's a bit of overkill, but I would rather have it and not use it then need it and not have it. I have what I call my first aid kit, tubes, fuses, Cable, strings, ect... that stays in the trailer. I also take my Mesa studio 22 as a backup amp. ,
DetroitBlues Posted February 26, 2013 Posted February 26, 2013 I actually bring my iPod and iRig Stomp as my backup to go straight to the PA.
t0aj15 Posted February 26, 2013 Posted February 26, 2013 CPB for back-up, but fortunately never had to pull it out.
Gitfiddler Posted February 26, 2013 Author Posted February 26, 2013 CPB for back-up, but fortunately never had to pull it out. What's CPB?? Corporation for Public Broadcasting? How do you fit that gang in your gig bag?
Genericmusic Posted February 26, 2013 Posted February 26, 2013 The last couple of years, I've been using two amps on stage most of the time. An indulgence, I know. But I like the security of always having the backup right there, set up, and ready to go. Although, knock wood, I can't remember an amp going south on me more than one or two times...ever. And I think that was fuses (always carry spares).
smurph1 Posted February 26, 2013 Posted February 26, 2013 I used to but now I don't..Part laziness I guess and part the fact that most of the gigs we play are free..LOL Probably should start bringing a backup..Don't want to tempt fate!!
t0aj15 Posted February 26, 2013 Posted February 26, 2013 What's CPB?? Corporation for Public Broadcasting? How do you fit that gang in your gig bag? http://www.crateamps.com/pdf/manuals/CPB150_OM.pdf
rockabilly69 Posted February 26, 2013 Posted February 26, 2013 I keep a Vox Tonelab in the car just in case my amps break, it can easily get me through a gig. I've programmed my basic tones into it. I prefer an amp of course:) http://www.amazon.com/Vox-ToneLab-Amp-Modeler/dp/B0002GWCUS/ref=sr_1_5?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1361913786&sr=1-5&keywords=vox+tonelab
smurph1 Posted February 26, 2013 Posted February 26, 2013 No one uses a POD?? I'd like to get one someday..
TalismanRich Posted February 26, 2013 Posted February 26, 2013 When I played out many years ago, I never took more than one amp. That's because I didn't OWN more than one amp. My Guild Thunderbird never gave me so much as a hiccup through a half dozen years of playing. Our bassist's Traynor YBA3 once went out on him. I think two power tubes blew. He plugged into my Guild for a while until break time when he got it up and running again. Don't remember if he ran it with two tubes or had spares. Now, I would probably throw the Peavey in the car if it was a paying job. It can do better cleans than the 401, and can OD like the tube screamer.
bolero Posted February 27, 2013 Posted February 27, 2013 I have a little 2x6v6 tube pa head with 4 channels that would work as a stopgap pa but also sounds great with gtr if you crank the pre amp volume Plus my little garnet jammer 35w tube combo I guess I'm assuming I never lose the speaker in the combo...
JeffB Posted February 27, 2013 Posted February 27, 2013 No one uses a POD?? Yeah, Pod xt live for a while.
Guest HRB853370 Posted February 27, 2013 Posted February 27, 2013 Lots of players bring a back-up guitar to their gigs for possible broken string issues or because that Tele or Strat is perfect for those 2 songs in the set, so the 150 or 535 gets a rest. But what about amps? How many of you bring a back-up amp to a gig, and why????? Sniff sniff, I dont need a backup amp for my Gretsch drums. Dont bring a backup bass amp as I use a ss amp.
DetroitBlues Posted February 27, 2013 Posted February 27, 2013 Sniff sniff, I dont need a backup amp for my Gretsch drums. Dont bring a backup bass amp as I use a ss amp. I've thought about a SS amp as my backup, something like a Mustang II or III
Gitfiddler Posted February 27, 2013 Author Posted February 27, 2013 Will needs to get a digital drum set as a back-up! :-)
James535 Posted February 27, 2013 Posted February 27, 2013 I always have a backup amp. Especially as I use modern day Fender amps, not the most reliable things! Some of things I've been writing for my current band require the need to run two amps due to loops etc my ears are far to fussy on tone to just use the PA to run the loop. Being a two piece band can sometimes be complicated! But I definitely think its a good idea to have a spare amp to hand, I couldn't think of anything worse than failing equipment and no spare at a gig. Embarrassing more than anything!
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