Stage gear

[Hardtail]

Hey all,

 

I'm slowly moving from jamming by myself to jamming with others. It's only a matter of time before I start doing gigs. Count on it!

 

Anyway... I'm kind of stressing over stuff like gear, tone, stomp boxes... etc.

 

Right now I simply have my Strat, my LP, my Hot Rod Deluxe, and a crybaby pedal.

 

I'm a bit confused about a lot of things to prepare myself for this stuff. The only thing I know right now is that the tone I dial in at home and sounds good could sound like crap with the rest of the band.

 

As far as gear goes, the only thing I can say at this point is that I probably want an amp that's... well... that's loud. I'm not saying that I want to split people's heads but I definitely want to play with a "presence".

 

Any thoughts or direction would be welcome.

 

 

[Hardtail]

BTW... if I sound confused. I am. LOL!

[The Geoff]

The tone thing happened to me when I went back to playing/jamming.

 

I like a treble/bass in the bedroom with little or no middles - doesn't work with others!

 

You need the MIDS in there. Take my word - it sounds good when you are LOUD.

 

Remember - the human ear is bass-deficient. That means that as the volume goes up, the ear becomes more sensitive to lows.

 

I found that I needed to set my amp at : Treble:-2 o'clock,; Mids:- 2 o'clock; Bass:- 10 o'clock when I was playing loud.

 

Try those for starters & work from there.

 

As for an amp? I just bought a Laney.

 

 

Geoff

[mdrs]

I'm a firm believer in the "Keep it simple, stupid" philosophy.

 

I'd add a good overdrive pedal, and a stomp tuner, and just use the rest of what you already have. Once you play with your band for a while it will become clear if you need another amp.

 

Then you can get your Marshall!!! :grin:

 

Personally, here's what I'd get;

 

Tuner;

 

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Korg-DT10BK-Chromatic-Pedal-Tuner?sku=210072

 

Overdrive pedal (or a Klon OR COURSE, RIGHT LEE?? LMAO );

 

Obsessive Compulsive Drive, by Fulltone;

 

http://www.fulltone.com/stpframe.html

 

I like Planet Waves guitar cables. They compare very very well with some of the REAL EXPENSIVE ones I've tried.

 

My 5 cents....

[audiac82]

Just something to keep in mind:

 

When you start gigging in small to mid-sized clubs, you won't need an amp more powerful than 50 watts.

 

You'll be disappointed if you go and buy a 100-watt Marshall half-stack, only to realize you can't get the sweet tone you want because you can't turn it up past 4 without blowing everyone's eardrums.

 

Your Hot Rod Deluxe is probably perfect for the types of venues you'll be playing in the beginning.

 

Hope that helps

[Kramer Ferrington III.]

I think the important thing is to worry about volume relative to the rest of the band. The PA can take up the slack when the rooms get big enough.

 

Our guitarist uses a Fender Bassman Reissue and that's a pretty loud amp right there. The Hot Rod's about the same wattage, isn't it?

 

 

[mdrs]

Yea Vince...The Bassman reissue is 50 watts....It's got some great bluesy tone, and great clean, and IT'S LOUD

 

The HRD is 40 watts. If it's like most quality Fender combos, it's LOUD!!

[Dr. Ellwood]

Right on Doc LOL!! but I think HT is looking for some nominal set ups for stage work here. He is going to call his guys and find out exactly what they are using for a PA, mikes, DI's, how they monitor, size of the venues etc. I think to start out a nominal approach to his initial amp settings will get him half way there. I like to start out with like has been said by Geoff with a boost in the mid range and more gain towards the treble side of the controls. I know this because in every case I have had to run way more treble and mid range on the amp than I would playing without the band. Then he will have to work with the soundguy to get the guitar tone he wants to hear through the PA! Some work with where to place the amp mike relative to his amp, looking for the sweet spot for his live rig much the same as when you are looking for it in recording. He will have to find his stage volume in the mix so he can hear himself if they are not using amp moitoring. In fact one of the reasons I went to a wireless rig was to be able to walk out by the board and listen to my mix. He should pick certain songs where he must have a signature sound to his rig and work with his settings to make sure they come through the PA in a way that is pleasing to his taste, and so he will have a good idea of how it will sound to the audience. We know that every amp setting he loved during his time playing in the bedroom will be right out the window in a live band mix. It's fun stuff!!!

[Zuben]

Listen to Ellwood.

 

He will give you a lot of info you are going to need. What the band needs.

 

A lot of trial and error

 

Peace

[Hardtail]

Our guitarist uses a Fender Bassman Reissue and that's a pretty loud amp right there. The Hot Rod's about the same wattage, isn't it?

 

Yeah.. the HRD (40 watts) will get loud. It should be sufficient for the next year or so.

 

[Dr. Ellwood]

Thanks Zub for the vote of confidence! I can only comment on this from a players point of view, the magic the soundman does is his territory, I just know if it works or it doesn't LOL! When the live sound reinforcement guys come on here like NEIL, he will get some other great tips I have no doubt! There are some that say, just make your amp sound like you want it to sound no matter what the rest of the instruments are doing! and let the soundguy EQ your way into the mix from his vantage point at the mixing desk, our guy does not really buy into that thinking...he hits a level based on how your rig will perform for you as your are hearing it on stage and how the audience will percieve it in the room. He encourages us to walk out and hear his mix and work with him on it especially in a new venu.

[Guitar55]

Keith...see Zephyr's thread about HARSHNESS. When you play with a band, stand far enough away from the amp to hear how it sounds to OTHERS. Set it up to sound good that way and don't worry when you are close to ti and it sounds a bit muffled.

 

Your equipment should be fine for most playing situations.

[Dr. Ellwood]

Right on Dennis, Neil just posted a good one and it would do well on this thread also..I hope he comes over to this one too!!

[Hardtail]

Keith...see Zephyr's thread about HARSHNESS. When you play with a band, stand far enough away from the amp to hear how it sounds to OTHERS. Set it up to sound good that way and don't worry when you are close to ti and it sounds a bit muffled.

 

Your equipment should be fine for most playing situations.

 

Dennis,

 

What are some of the things you do to make yourself fit in with a large band? You also have another guitarist, right?

[Guitar55]

the other guitarist plays stictly acoustic, so we don't get in each other's way that much. I try to keep my rhythm playing at a reasonable level and crank it up for solos, although we mostly use the same sound company, so he always knows when to bring me up in the mix, which is a tremendous help. I'm also findinng more and more that I need less distortion than I usually think I do.

[Hardtail]

I'm also findinng more and more that I need less distortion than I usually think I do.

 

That sounds like something I probably have to come to grips to as well.

 

Right now, by myself, I'm messing around with the Strat clean with lots of reverb. This is a place I don't find myself at too much these days. I forgot how great it sounds though. It's much more punchy.

[Strategery]

Cool dewd!! :grin:

 

You want to sound FULL...not so loud you're blasting everyone.

 

If you have all the pedals you want, just get in the club early and do a sound check and screw around with your amp EQ.

After you get to the club and the people get in, you'll find you'll have to turn up a little.

If you're mic'd...check with your mixer man before you do though. :grin:

 

Me, pedal wise, I always like to have amp reverb, delay, modulation/chorus, and tremolo if you have it.

Those are the main three.

A wah pedal is cool if you use it.

 

Man, with your amp...you should be fine. You'll be able to crank with that amp and get a great sound.

 

Hey, does your amp have tilt back legs or do you have a stand for it?

That would help you hear yourself better and save the ears of the front row. :grin:

 

Good luck!

 

Randy

[Bluesape]

The veterans are right on target, Keith. Your amp is fine. PA can bring it up loud enough for any venue. Some very big names(Clapton) are stuck on the tone of a smaller amp, and want to retain it for huge venues via PA.

 

A good tuner and some other fx are nice, but if some of these boutique pedals were in the budget, you'd already have your Tele, 335, PRS, etc., whereas a good multi-fx unit will have your tuner and lots of other goodies within, but if you already have your desired tone with your current rig, fx will scramble it.

[Deacon]

As far as pedals go, it depends on what you're playing. Did you mention if you're doing covers? If you're covering certain songs, certain pedals may be needed. You can't go wrong with a good overdrive, chorus, delay setup. I love tremolo, but only do about two or three songs wiht my band that require it. At home, I use it more often.

 

And the comment about getting out in front to hear the band... absolutley. I always like to stroll out in front to hear everyone, including me, at sound check. When we get a sound check, that is. That's why a 25 foot cable is an essential part of my rig.

[Strategery]

I was down at the New Amsterdam staring at this yellow-haired girl,

Mr. Jones strikes up a conversation with this black-haired flamenco dancer,

She dances while his father plays guitar

She's suddenly beautiful

We all want something beautiful

I wish I was beautiful :grin:

 

Hell yeah, use a wireless if you have one!!

[Omaha]

Few other quick ideas:

 

Get a good stand for each guitar. I prefer the Hamilton.

 

In our outfit, the rule is that each member is responsible for getting himself to the board: Mic, stand and cable for vocals; mic, stand and cable for mic-ing your amp.

 

Bring a good extension cord. Bring a flashlight. Bring ductape.

[Hardtail]

A good tuner and some other fx are nice, but if some of these boutique pedals were in the budget, you'd already have your Tele, 335, PRS, etc., whereas a good multi-fx unit will have your tuner and lots of other goodies within, but if you already have your desired tone with your current rig, fx will scramble it.

 

It's not just budget concerns; I'm very picky about stomp boxes. I don't want to get into the mindset that having "stomp box A" will make me a better guitar player. It won't.

 

That being said, there are one or two I'm eyeballing but I will take my time to decide whether or not they're for me as the prices of those little buggers do add up.

 

Right now, I guess the best thing for me to do is try my own amp out with the rest of the band. I haven't yet done this because I was playing a Marshall that was provided by the studio we played at when I had the audition. Thinking back on that day, I was using way, way too much gain.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Kramer Ferrington III.]

Bring a good extension cord. Bring a flashlight. Bring ductape.

 

Yup. +1

 

And a spare guitar cord and strings. Oh, and spare fuses for your amp. They can be a gig saver and you won't break your back carrying them either! Some people like to have a soldering iron on hand as well, but that may be overdoing the boy scout bit.

[Kramer Ferrington III.]

I love tremolo, but only do about two or three songs wiht my band that require it. At home, I use it more often.

 

Really? I've always bewailed the fact that I love tremolo but it's really dull to use by yourself. I only like it if it's played with other instruments. It wasn't until I bought a looper that using tremolo became feasible. :grin:

[Squ]

I'd personally just stay away from multi fx units...

 

Regardless of the actual pedal you end up using, you absolutely NEED a lead boost. I recently saw a band with two guitars, bass, drums & keyboard and neither guitarists had any sort of boosts, and they also didn't have any volume knob technique. As a result, when they did leads they weren't really heard, and sometimes when they were doing rhythm they were louder than they need to be. Someway of doing dynamics is very important.

 

As for other stage gear...

 

A reliable strap, or strap locks

Now that I have a pedal board I recommend it if you have 4+ pedals.

Flashlights, tape

Spare cables

Ear plugs

Spare guitar strings and a string winder: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Planet-Waves-Pro-String-WinderCutter?sku=360253

 

And the rock. Never forget to bring the rock.

[Deacon]

[quote=Kramer Ferrington III

 

I've always bewailed the fact that I love tremolo but it's really dull to use by yourself. I only like it if it's played with other instruments. It wasn't until I bought a looper that using tremolo became feasible. :grin:

 

Yeah, I suppose it does sound kind of odd by itself, but I still love it. I tend to make up stuff just for that sound.

 

Back on topic - someone mentioned a lead boost. I'm getting a little better at using the guitar volume for this purpose, but I think I still prefer a boost of some kind. I've used a compressor just for a clean boost to good effect. It's still easier for me to stomp it for a lead and stomp it again to go back to rhythm

[miroslav]

 

Right now, I guess the best thing for me to do is try my own amp out with the rest of the band.

 

 

Im sure you will make the required adjustments to your rig as you work into a groove with your new band mates.

No need to run out and get anything at this point in time...as I can see you already have some very solid amp/guitar equipment to start.

 

And while everyone has a favorite sound/effect that they have to have...stomp boxes or whatever...

...heck, I played for a good number of years in several bands doing MOR Rock/Popand 99% of the time it was just the guitar and amp. I think I owned one stomp box (compressor/sustainer) and a Wah that I hardly ever used. :grin:

 

So dont feel compelled to toss money away on a drawer full of boxes.

 

Once you guys start to gelyou'll know if you need to add anything more to your rig.

 

I'm so envious of you hooking up with a band! I was playing my guitar yesterday (tracking some leads for a song)...and all I could think about was how much I missed playing out!

 

[Hardtail]

So dont feel compelled to toss money away on a drawer full of boxes.

 

Yeah; neither do I. There's lots and lots of hype about stomp boxes in general... especially in.. ahem... guitar player magizines. I'm going to take my time and not be swayed by the hype.

 

 

I'm so envious of you hooking up with a band! I was playing my guitar yesterday (tracking some leads for a song)...and all I could think about was how much I missed playing out!

 

Well, it didn't just happen. It's taken a lot of work for a guy like me who knows almost no musicians out here to get together with a few.

 

[Derrick1642607670]

is your crybaby true bypass? if not that might be whats sucking your tone, my crybaby is the standard GCB-95 model and I notice it kills alot of my tone so Im going to mod mine to add some more bass and mid response and make it true bypass. (If I dont break it in the process)

[Strategery]

Hey, Ry Cooder on Crossroads did some pretty cool, stand alone tremelo work.

Geez...I wish I had the talent he has in one of his fingers.