1 Topic by stefanhauk (edited by stefanhauk 2012-05-27 19:15:32)

  • From: Adelaide, South Australia
  • Registered: 2011-10-14
  • Posts: 1,339

Topic: Gear Troubles

I seriously believe I am cursed with guitar gear, does anybody else feel this way sometimes?

Last night was the gig from hell, halfway through the first set my amp broke down (Peavey Windsor 100w head, and I had no backup (LINE 6 SPIDERVALVE) as the backup is in repair with a mysterious fault as well) So once the second set started a friend brought along his JTM-45 Marshall, which also failed to work (we thought it was my speakers then too, but my friend later realised it was his ohmage switch that was not correctly engaged) So I was then forced to plug out of my Blackstar HT-Dual and play through the foldback wedges all night which sounded like a cardboard box no matter how EQ'ing I did!! Then to top it all off when we we're packing up I crouched down and my favourite jeans gave way, forcing me to borrow a flannelette shirt to tie around my waist!! I got through the night though... just!!!

I'm sure Joe would have a had a few of these nights in his time!!

Now it's time to assess the damages and fix the Peavey (if I haven't blown the OT, I've spent more money fixing the amp then what I actually paid for it!!) if not I'm going to have to rob a bank or something for a new rig wink LOL

http://www.stefanhauk.com

stefanhauk's Website

  • From: Missoula, Montana
  • Registered: 2008-08-18
  • Posts: 308

Re: Gear Troubles

Hang in there Stefan. Hopefully, when you are touring the world and making it big someday,  you can look back at this and laugh. Sometimes weird **## happens and it often happens in bunches. Keep at it.

#275 JB LP

tmcguire's Website

  • From: Adelaide, South Australia
  • Registered: 2011-10-14
  • Posts: 1,339

Re: Gear Troubles

tmcguire wrote:

Hang in there Stefan. Hopefully, when you are touring the world and making it big someday,  you can look back at this and laugh. Sometimes weird **## happens and it often happens in bunches. Keep at it.

Thanks buddy, it's a bit of a shitter but oh well, you gotta do what you gotta do!

keep rockin!!

- Stefan

http://www.stefanhauk.com

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  • SgtB
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  • Registered: 2009-03-08
  • Posts: 309

Re: Gear Troubles

Gear failures happen. Part of the business. Always good to have a backup ready. I'd suggest buying a Marshall Class 5. It can always be mic'd for bigger gigs. It'll fit your playing from the vids I've seen of you.

Keep rocking!

Gibson Collectors Choice #6
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Alvarez Acoustic '95
Gibson Skylark GA5-T '65, Marshall JTM45 Reissue, Fender Princton Reverb '72, Modded Bugera V5, Fender Bandmaster '68, Marshall Silver Jubilee 2558
  • From: Adelaide, South Australia
  • Registered: 2011-10-14
  • Posts: 1,339

Re: Gear Troubles

SgtB wrote:

Gear failures happen. Part of the business. Always good to have a backup ready. I'd suggest buying a Marshall Class 5. It can always be mic'd for bigger gigs. It'll fit your playing from the vids I've seen of you.

Keep rocking!

I had a dream of a rig made up of class 5's!! But it'd would be silly!!

http://www.stefanhauk.com

stefanhauk's Website

6 Reply by RickB (edited by RickB 2012-05-27 22:16:26)

  • RickB
  • RickB
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  • From: San Diego
  • Registered: 2009-10-30
  • Posts: 12,198

Re: Gear Troubles

Every now and then Murphy gets on a roll and stuff just snowballs. Look at Joe and count how many rigs he blows in a tour. As a longtime field electrical engineer, I know one thing for sure. There is nothing made that doesn't break, and it usually breaks at the worst possible time. Someday you'll look back and lol .
Rick

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  • Devan
  • Devan
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  • From: Darwin, Australia
  • Registered: 2010-04-13
  • Posts: 1,304

Re: Gear Troubles

Might have to start carrying a little POD or iPhone with Amplitube/AmpKit installed as an emergency backline... wink

TIP: If using iPhone as a software modeller at a public gig - make sure you turn 'Airplane Mode' on... Nothing like a text from your friend ruining your solo... lol

Glad to hear you survived the multiple rig and pants meltdowns... all part of being a pro musician, and it's a story you can tell your grandkids one day... smile

JBLP Gold Top #129 - redubbed "#1 in Oz"
  • From: Adelaide, South Australia
  • Registered: 2011-10-14
  • Posts: 1,339

Re: Gear Troubles

Devan wrote:

Might have to start carrying a little POD or iPhone with Amplitube/AmpKit installed as an emergency backline... wink

TIP: If using iPhone as a software modeller at a public gig - make sure you turn 'Airplane Mode' on... Nothing like a text from your friend ruining your solo... lol

Glad to hear you survived the multiple rig and pants meltdowns... all part of being a pro musician, and it's a story you can tell your grandkids one day... smile

Yeah not a bad idea at all mate!! Always put my phone on aeroplane mode onstage anyway, can't stand interference!!

http://www.stefanhauk.com

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9 Reply by helrazr84 (edited by helrazr84 2012-05-28 02:16:32)

  • From: York, PA
  • Registered: 2010-08-27
  • Posts: 1,749

Re: Gear Troubles

Stefan, I gig a pair of class 5s. Either 2 of the head versions into a 2x12, or 2 combo versions. Its a perfect gigging rig! I have a pair of Auralex grammas, the regular size ones, and they help keep the combo especially tight sounding.

And speaking of the splitting of the pants, I too had that happen to me at a 7th grade dance..Not cool! -Seth

10 Reply by sonicpete (edited by sonicpete 2012-05-28 13:36:27)

  • Registered: 2012-03-29
  • Posts: 84

Re: Gear Troubles

Every gigging guitarist can recall tales of epic gear failure. It happens to the everyone. I played a gig once with a tiny bee in a jam jar marshall after my amp and pedal board were taken out by a venues faulty mains.
I like the tales of Rory Gallaghers amp setting fire on stage and he carried on playing. I fell off the stage too once when i stepped backwards and didn't realise i was stepping into space...my les paul survived unscathed but my tooth didn't. I hasten to add a lot of therapeutic red wine was drunk that night.
Your not cursed at all. Your rock and roll

Smitty Custom classic Strat in sonic blue
Smitty Custom classic Gold top Hog tele
DR Z m12
  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Gear Troubles

Broken down rig is a good thing!  It means your using your equipment, and your having fun.  I'm impressed you had enough amps as backup from other people.  All that means is you've got a lot of friends!  Don't take it too hard, and remember your young and having the time of your life!

AD3THREE's Website

12 Reply by kestrou (edited by kestrou 2012-05-28 22:31:18)

  • From: Danville, IL
  • Registered: 2012-02-18
  • Posts: 458

Re: Gear Troubles

Stefan,

Not sure how readily available they are in Oz - but my backup head is a Crate PowerBlock - solid state (told you this was backup, right? smile ), 150 watts, very light/compact and can be had off EBay (since they're no longer made) for around $100USD.

Not the first choice for a gig - but very cheap/functional insurance.

Keep rocking, kid! wink

kestrou

  • From: Southampton, UK
  • Registered: 2011-09-06
  • Posts: 231

Re: Gear Troubles

I'm impressed you had those backup options Stefan!  As we all know, the show must go on!  I've had similar issue with Peavey gear on stage - never again, because I'll never gig gear twice that is found out to have reliability issues.

With everything crossed, I will say that my Fender Blues Deville, my Roland Cube and my Marshall gear have always been reliable.  I will not comment on the Bugera gear yet - because of the Behringer connection they do seem to retain a bad reputation for reliability, however it seems to me that certainly my VT55H head is very well constructed and not about to give up easily. 

Now I've moved over to a double amp rig for most gigs, I always know that with a bit of tweaking I've got a backup option right there on stage with me.

Gibson LP '89 Custom * Gibson LP '04 Classic * Gibson JB LP Studio * Fender 50th Ann. Deluxe Strat * Gibson Explorer Pro * Epiphone Korina SG * Michael Kelly Patriot Premium * Ibanez 105NT Artcore Custom * Takamine acoustics * Fender Blues Deville 4x10" * Marshall DSL100 and DSL50 * Marshall 1960A * Laney LH55 * Bugera V55HD * Bugera 212VT * Marshall 1912 * Roland Cube 60

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  • Registered: 2012-03-29
  • Posts: 84

Re: Gear Troubles

kestrou wrote:

Stefan,

Not sure how readily available they are in Oz - but my backup head is a Crate PowerBlock - solid state (told you this was backup, right? smile ), 150 watts, very light/compact and can be had off EBay (since they're no longer made) for around $100USD.

Not the first choice for a gig - but very cheap/functional insurance.

Keep rocking, kid! wink

kestrou

Thats an awesome idea as a backup. With my valve drive that could be a great backup

Smitty Custom classic Strat in sonic blue
Smitty Custom classic Gold top Hog tele
DR Z m12

15 Reply by NPB_EST.1979 (edited by NPB_EST.1979 2012-05-29 14:25:55)

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Gear Troubles

I played a gig without a drummer once hmm

Hey, It sounds like there was bad power issues in that place. Sometimes when you gig places, the stage has questionable power quality... even if you have a good powerstrip.

Do you plug all your stuff into a power conditioner? it's like a powerstrip but it makes sure no surges comes through, and makes your amp sound a LOT less buzzy. Furmman makes them, and so does Monster. I see JB has at least two of the big monster ones....
http://tinyurl.com/72npvuw

I have the smaller version:
http://tinyurl.com/d2bwp3x

With all my amps/pedals plugged into the Monster power conditioner, and the the amp sitting on the Aurelex pad, I can guarantee my tone is consistent from place to place and nothing is going to blow up on me. cool

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool