Josh Paxton Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 There's a running joke in my band that I'm a little OCD about making sure my rig is set up and aligned perfectly, and there's a grain of truth to that. My 2-tier Standtastic assures that both boards are at the same height and depth every night. Furthermore, I have a custom-made pedal mat that not only has the spots for the pedals marked (so they're always in the right place), but also has notches cut into it for the legs of my stand and my bench. This insures that the bench is always centered, straight, and the right distance from the boards. All this evolved because I got tired of spending the first 15 minutes of every set fidgeting and trying to get everything into the most comfortable spot. Now everything is automatically in the most comfortable spot from the beginning, and it stays there, and I don't have to think about it. Laugh if you will, but my gigs are considerably more enjoyable and hassle-free since I got this system worked out. But tonight something was just off. I noticed it right away, during the first tune; it felt like I wasn't quite facing my rig head-on, but was somehow twisted to one direction. Not a whole lot, but just enough to feel "not quite right." I checked to see if the bench had slipped out of its notches. Nope, it was fine. So was the stand. And so was the placement of the keyboards on the stand. All the components were probably within 1 degree of being perfectly parallel with each other, yet I still felt twisted to one side. I manually turned the bench a little in the opposite direction. This only made things worse. So I moved it back and tried moving a pedal, so my foot would be in a slightly different spot. Still no help. I tried twisting one of the boards instead. Nada. Finally I stood up to move the board back, and that was when I figured it out. The problem wasn't the boards, the stand, the mat, the pedals or the bench; it was, well... my underwear. Let's just say that much like in an airplane's overhead compartment, items had shifted during transport. Way over to one side, as it turned out. And while seated on my bench, that made it feel like my entire body was twisted off-center, to the point that it was a distraction while playing. In 20 years of gigging, this was a first for me. Has anyone else run into this? Is it a common thing, and I've just been lucky up to now? Talk about things they don't teach you in music school... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Santa Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 Uh... Is there a prize or something for weirdest thread ever? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary75 Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 What happens if you play another persons rig? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pale Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 So, you are basically saying your organ is the center of your rig. And I don't mean hammond. Custom handmade clocks: www.etsy.com/shop/ClockLight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wjwilcox Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 This is what happens when you start threads at 4am.... www.wjwcreative.com www.linkedin.com/in/wjwilcox Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Muscara Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha to FKS and all the hilarious replies. And while I'm at it, to FKS' topic too. No, I've never had *that* problem on a gig. Nor while driving. Or watching TV. Nor anywhere. (Yes, I've had the misalignment happen, but it never made me feel like other things weren't aligned properly. Just my things.) "I'm so crazy, I don't know this is impossible! Hoo hoo!" - Daffy Duck "The good news is that once you start piano you never have to worry about getting laid again. More time to practice!" - MOI Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marzzz Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 Definitely one for the TMI category.....! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrimsonianKing Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 Thread of the decade! "The purple piper plays his tune, The choir softly sing; Three lullabies in an ancient tongue, For the court of the crimson king" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProfD Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 That alignment thing sounds like OCD. OTOH, a wedgie would make a good excuse for hitting a few clams. Hilarious. PD "The greatest thing you'll ever learn, is just to love and be loved in return."--E. Ahbez "Nature Boy" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CEB Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 Played with a drummer about 25 years ago. He was a hell of a studio drummer but playing live caused him to be a nervous wreck.. He could not eat on the day of a gig because he would get sick. It took him a LONGTIME to setup of his kit. He was the most OCD and anal retentive person I have ever heard of when it came to everything just being in the right place. If we were not pressed for time, once in a while our guitar player would "accidentally" bump or move one of his cymbal stands and he would have to start ALL over again setting up his drum kit. Guitar players are evil. He eventually quit playing live and we found a replacement. He never really wanted to play live but we were all friends. We needed a drummer and he was the best man available so he played with us as a favor. Those are good memories. "It doesn't have to be difficult to be cool" - Mitch Towne "A great musician can bring tears to your eyes!!! So can a auto Mechanic." - Stokes Hunt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldwin Funster Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 What happens if you play another persons rig? Or what if you are wearing someone elses ......rig. Yeah, i went there. Although i now regret it. The artist formerly known as Jr Deluxe That was my guitar name. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meisenhower Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 Did you forget to take your meds? Ok, I have my rig marked so the stand (both tiers) are always in the correct position when assembled. My pedals are all mounted to a pedal board and cables properly routed and split loomed together and go under my stand in the same spot. My bench is also marked for the same height every time. Beyond that, I need a certain amount of flexibility in the rest of the rig, since there times that I'll be setting up sideways, on an angle, or with my back against a wall. Sometimes my rack is to my right, sometimes to my left, sometimes under my rig in the front, all depending on my setup. Same goes for my stage monitor. Sometimes those kind of adjustments affect "comfort" a bit, but it's all part of the game. If the underwear thing is a problem, just go commando. Problem solved. Yamaha C7 Grand, My Hammonds: '57 B3, '54 C2, '42 BC, '40 D, '05 XK3 Pro System, Kawai MP9000, Fender Rhodes Mk I 73, Yamaha CP33, Motif ES6, Nord Electro 2, Minimoog Voyager & Model D, Korg MS10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickey Keys Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 There's a running joke in my band that I'm a little OCD about making sure my rig is set up and aligned perfectly, and there's a grain of truth to that.... ....Laugh if you will, but my gigs are considerably more enjoyable and hassle-free since I got this system worked out. I for one ain't laughing.... you should see ME setting up . But if you do, watch from a distance Raymond Babbitt on crack comes to mind. The underwear thing is a bit much I guess, but that's never caused a problem for me because (I just remembered and probably should not be admitting this) I actually DO have a little "step into the batters' box" routine I go thru before sitting down to play -a routine that ensures this will never be a problem (don't ask ). -Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adan Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 a bit off topic, but I wish someone would design a drink holder that attaches to keyboard stands. I play standing up for most of my cover band gigs, and those are also the gigs where I like to have a frosty beverage at hand during sets. Squatting or bending over to pick it up can be annoying. Gigging: Crumar Mojo 61, Hammond SKPro Home: Vintage Vibe 64 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanS Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 Commando! What we record in life, echoes in eternity. MOXF8, Electro 6D, XK1c, Motif XSr, PEKPER, Voyager, Univox MiniKorg. https://www.abandoned-film.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kanker. Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 Is that an RT-3 in your pants, or are you just happy to see me? A ROMpler is just a polyphonic turntable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobadohshe Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 You should use velcro and duct tape down below just as you would the rest of your 'rig'. Kawai C-60 Grand Piano : Hammond A-100 : Hammond SK2 : Yamaha CP4 : Yamaha Montage 7 : Moog Sub 37 My latest album: Funky organ, huge horn section https://bobbycressey.bandcamp.com/album/cali-native Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrimsonianKing Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 You should use velcro and duct tape down below just as you would the rest of your 'rig'. +1 And make sure they're within 1 degree of being perfectly parallel with each other, that'd do. "The purple piper plays his tune, The choir softly sing; Three lullabies in an ancient tongue, For the court of the crimson king" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ksoper Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 I had a rug that fit an 8x8 riser and had stand, pedal, and seat placement marked in tape on the rug. Each pedal had a number that corresponded to a numbered jack on the keyboard. The stands were marked so that the height was right every time. I had a keyboard tech for many years and this was his system, so that no matter how drunk, high, or hungover he was, the boards and pedals were in the right spot. It was up to me to choose the correct underwear. 9 Moog things, 3 Roland things, 2 Hammond things and a computer with stuff on it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meisenhower Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 You should use velcro and duct tape down below just as you would the rest of your 'rig'. NOOOOOOO. No duct tape . . . . musicians only use gaffer tape! Imagine trying to take the duct tape off of your "rig." Yamaha C7 Grand, My Hammonds: '57 B3, '54 C2, '42 BC, '40 D, '05 XK3 Pro System, Kawai MP9000, Fender Rhodes Mk I 73, Yamaha CP33, Motif ES6, Nord Electro 2, Minimoog Voyager & Model D, Korg MS10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fusker Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 Uh, wow. I couldn't tell you which way I lean on average. I guess I'm pretty consistent with most of my set-up, but not completely. My pedal position certainly isn't marked, aside from volume on left, sustain on right. Would you freak out if you left a pedal at home by mistake? Yes, drink holder on KB stand...can't believe this isn't a standard option. Steinway L, Yamaha Motif XS-8, NE3 73, Casio PX-5S, iPad, EV ZLX 12-P ZZ(x2), bunch of PA stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CEB Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 I don't use this for gigging but if underwear is an issue I find the compression shorts work great in martial arts. They are like biking short minus the butt pad. I've done Karate and Judo for over 30 years and I got into Brazilian Jiu Jitsu when I was in my 40's and compression shorts allow your gi pants slide however you need them to move. It removes the need to hike your pant legs up squat. Your pants don't stick to you butt. A pair like this should do. Nike shorts "It doesn't have to be difficult to be cool" - Mitch Towne "A great musician can bring tears to your eyes!!! So can a auto Mechanic." - Stokes Hunt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Force Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 To the OP, I dress to my left so I am all set. Steve Force, Durham, North Carolina -------- My Professional Websites Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hookie Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 I wonder what the running joke in the band will be now! I've been hanging to the left for years. I just compensate with the right leg to keep "everything" aligned. Oh, and tight enough undies to keep it all in place. No problems in 33 years of gigging. Yamaha C2, Yamaha MODX7, Hammond SK1, Hammond XK-5 Heritage Pro System, Korg Kronos 2 61, Yamaha CP4, Kurzweil PC4-7, Nord Stage 3 73, Nord Wave 2, QSC 8.2, Motion Sound KP 210S, Key Largo, etc…yeah I have too much… Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldwin Funster Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 I had a rug that fit an 8x8 riser .... So now the subject of "risers" comes up. The artist formerly known as Jr Deluxe That was my guitar name. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle ggurl Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 Definitely one for the TMI category.....! +1 Original Latin Jazz CD Baby "I am not certain how original my contribution to music is as I am obviously an amateur." Patti Smith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrimsonianKing Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 This was the single thread that made me laugh the hardest, you sir are a genius. "The purple piper plays his tune, The choir softly sing; Three lullabies in an ancient tongue, For the court of the crimson king" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dana. Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 a bit off topic, but I wish someone would design a drink holder that attaches to keyboard stands. Talk to Greg Dulli, he has one. Before he quit smoking, he had an ash tray attached to the stand, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pale Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 No need to talk to anyone, there's commercially available solution. I'm actually surprised noone knew about this one: CLONK and another CLONK Custom handmade clocks: www.etsy.com/shop/ClockLight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kanker. Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 No need to talk to anyone, there's commercially available solution. I'm actually surprised noone knew about this one: CLONK and another CLONK There's also THIS A ROMpler is just a polyphonic turntable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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