Posted on Oct 29 2024 10:13 PM
edwardsand wrote:
Whether you can afford to lose something or have it damaged is a big part of the equation. There's never a 100% guarantee, but you can always do things to increase your odds, like bring a couple of friends along to watch over things or make arrangements with other members to take turns looking out for stuff (and handling gear gently).
I'd say I really enjoy certain pieces of my gear - guitars, amps, effects - and for me to play them all together in a live situation would increase the enjoyment. Though I would hesitate to take my '67 Jaguar out for a gid these days (compared to how I used to fling it around without care back in the 80s).
On the other, 95% of most audiences would not know the difference between a Surfybear, Oceans 3/11, or any other reverb, so that shouldn't be a worry.
I’ve been both vigilant and fortunate, and have never had any gear stolen at a gig. I am very vigilant, and guard my axe as if it were my wallet, which is to say I keep it on my person unless it is in a locked, secure location. I don’t have the same degree of attachment to my amp, or my pedalboard, but they are still valuable and I wouldn’t want to lose them.
The band I’ve played with the most, has done a three-man system for loading. One person watching the vehicle end, one at the stage end and the third man carries in his own gear. It’s cumbersome, but fairly safe. If there are any other people along with the band, they are deputized as band security officers.
When I play gigs these days, I usually take one Gretsch, the smallest amp possible, a pedalboard and a backpack with spare cables, my mic’, etc. I’m not presenting myself or the band I play with as some kind super authentic Surf show, and I can get a great sound by putting a mic’ in front of a 5 watt amp, and I use a Source Audio True Spring for reverb … which sounds great.
None of this is to denigrate using a 6G15 or Surfy Bear, and a Showman or another big amp, along with an Offset or Strat. You’ll get a great sound from such gear, and I’m all for it, so long as I don’t have to lug it into a gig. Get me a road crew and I assure you that I would probably use a big amp and a Surfy Bear (lacking a real 6G15).
There’s a big difference between what I would bring to a gig and what I would use for recording. Recordings are forever, and I tend to optimize my gear choices. That isn’t to say that I’ll accept poor sounds on a gig. I wouldn’t hesitate to take my Squier Jaguar on a gig, but it happens to be an excellent sounding instrument. My 5 watt Winfield Typhoon isn’t powerful, but it sounds perfect for Surf, through the PA. I wouldn’t use a True Spring if it didn’t sound good. Not as good as a Surfy Bear, but still sounds darn good.
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The artist formerly known as: Synchro
When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.