How much gear do you take to your shows?

Rotti · #1 04-22-2007, 02:29 PM

Last night our band borrowed a TON of gear for a show. We had a big PA with huge speakers, amps, gigantic mixers, lights, fog, everything. It took us and some friends all day to move this gear and set it up. We were at it from 2pm till 2:30am when we finished our gig. And we still have to tear it down tonight.
Is it worth it? We were told that we sounded really good. The lights sure were cool, but I can't see us lugging this gear everywhere.
So how much gear does your band take along when you play the clubs?

**elcid** · #2 04-22-2007, 02:43 PM

Just the gear man. I would never bring lights or fog or any of that stuff. Im lazy.

Usually 2 or 3 guitars, amp, pedals, and PA.

Rotti · #3 04-22-2007, 02:53 PM

What does your PA consist of? I'm thinking our band could get away with a minimal PA but the drummer wants to go big.

**elcid** · #4 04-22-2007, 03:14 PM

Just a power amp, mixer and some speakers. We dont play huge places, just bars and small parties. It does the job well enough though. We dont want a ton of set up and break down time since there are usually otehr bands playing

waylay00 · #5 04-22-2007, 03:44 PM

Usually two/three guitars, pedalboard, amp...

Darin · #6 04-22-2007, 04:15 PM

I take 3 guitars. PRS, a custom built guitar, and the Line 6 Acoustic Variax.
And then the gear in the pic. The XT Live is in loop. In front of the amp I have a Marshall Edward comp. Modded BD-2 and TU-2.

musicdr · #7 04-23-2007, 02:59 PM

We have a trailer full of gear.Complete pa, lights etc.Smaller shows we only bring a few monitors and a small mixer-power amp.Full production is a lot of load in-load out.Thankfully, we are getting more gigs with production provided.Then its just 2 guitars,amp and effects.

vaijem777 · #8 04-23-2007, 03:04 PM

I travel pretty light for the most part. Went through the stack & rack phases but it just got old. Depending on the show & venue, I'll either take my Bogner & Matchless or just the Bogner.

Bogner Shiva 12" Combo
Matchless Chieftain 12" Combo
Furman SPB-8C Pedalboard
PRS Navarro/Custom Shop Relic Strat/Gretch Setzer
Goody bag with extra tubes, cables, etc

I can load in & load out by myself in a matter of minutes. Quick & easy!

al. · #9 04-23-2007, 03:06 PM

To Much!

its soo annoying lugging gear arounda ll the time

NaHuELoidE · #10 04-23-2007, 03:13 PM

depends who am I going to play with that night. is there is an amp in the place, just a guitar (I'm confident about not breaking strings) and 3 o 4 pedals.

If Im playing with my band I just have to take the amp (100w combo) , 8 pedals and 3 guitars.... but then again, I'm so lazy...

RG1820X · #11 04-23-2007, 03:39 PM

I generally take a 4 space rack:
1. Furman power supply (1 space)
2. Shure rackmount wireless system (1 space)
3. POD XT Pro (2 spaces)

A Line 6 Shortboard
Never more than 3 guitar(s)

Mehrunes · #12 04-23-2007, 03:57 PM

a pick, a guitar, a cord, and an amp. ^_^

screamndemon69 · #13 04-23-2007, 04:00 PM

i take 3-4 guitars, two amps, pedal board and a couple extra items (wireless, mic stand and gear bag). about 20 minutes to set up and have my gits all tuned up, maybe 30-35 minutes if i'm drinking a beer in the process

as far as the whole band aside from personal gear:

2 mains (2x15 w/ horns each)
powered head (lots of power and features without all the hassles of toting a heavy rack system)
1x18 subs for both sides (sometimes - depends on the gig)
2 stand alone light rigs (lightweight)
2 big and VERY heavy cases for cables and extra gear.

we set up in about 1 - 1 1/2hrs with a full sound check. if we had to do it quicker we could probably be in at under 45 minutes in a rush but we avoid being in those playing situations as it's just not professional.

CrossingStar · #14 04-23-2007, 04:12 PM

Part of the reason I am leaving my current band is because of how much gear I bring, which is : enough to get the job done. I walk in with two guitar cases, one containing a guitar + pedals, strings, cords, etc., one case is strapped over my shoulder, and in the other hand I have a 1x8" combo (very lightweight). Meanwhile, they are bringing more and more stuff each gig, and I just don't agree with it. We are miked every show so the size of my amp makes no difference. In fact I had talked about going direct to the mixer at one point. They seem to think however that crowds like to look at huge stacks. I think it mattered more in the 70's and 80's than it does now.

Racerx2k · #15 04-23-2007, 05:52 PM

I tried the combo amp, for a while, and even made a nice road case for it, so I could prop it up, on stage, but, ultimately, I ended gong back to a 1/2 stack. Believe it or not, the half is easier to move around, as the speakers and head are separate, and I'm not all bent over, low, trying to push the road case. Plus, I can hear myself MUCH better now, than with the combo, onstage.
Aside from that, I use my Johnson J-Station for effects, which just sits atop my amp head, a pedalboard out front, which I lug in a keyboard gigbag, and two guitars of my choosing, complete with a 2-guitar stand.

As for P.A., unless the house has a system, we either hire a soundcrew, or borrow a set of powered speakers, and use one of our mixers and assorted mics, for smaller gigs. Normally, though, the house has it's own P.A..