Idiot-proofing your rig

Quencho092

Quencho092

New member
I went to this blues fest that they were holding at this Bierhaus bar at the corner of the block. After these guys finished their first set (pretty slick playing, guitarist was playing a gibby hollow body and knew his stuff) the owner of the restaurant stepped on the stage to make a couple of announcements, then some 'doctor guy' came on stage and began advertising this stress test booth that they had next to the stage.

As the pseudo-doctor stepped off the stage he tripped over 2 of the monitors and almost kicked them off the platform. He didn't even say sorry, just kept walking to his booth. The members of the band were sh!tting their pants.

Today as i was routing out the front baffle for my d130 F speaker i decided to put a heavy duty wire mesh in front, then put the grill cloth over it. You can never be too safe i guess.

How carefully do you guys idiot proof your gear? I've had a couple of mishaps with my guitar gear challenged drummer. (unplugged speaker cable when amp was on, spilled water on my cables/pedals bag.... :smack: etc...)
 
Re: Idiot-proofing your rig

I wouldn't say I idiot proof it, as much as I am anal about it. Not super anal, but I don't let people move my amp or set it up at all, that's my job! Same with guitar's, nobody handles them but me or close friends, unless they're in a case.
 
Re: Idiot-proofing your rig

yeah that's what i do right now. I have 2 rules with people touching my equipment:Nobody touches my equipment, and nobody, especially my drummer, touches my equipment.

I let him touch it once and something broke. I mean, it can't be that hard to understand gear. I can already set up and adjust a drum kit as good as he can, but he doesn't know that you shouldnt rip the speaker cable out when turning on an amp.

I'll idiot proof my stuff just in case though. Because i might not always be there to babysit it; maybe when im gone, some a$$ could kick a hole in my speaker or something. That's why i put the heavy gauge wire mesh.
 
Re: Idiot-proofing your rig

Never gig without a signed contract. If they don't sign it, I don't do it. It always helps to throw in the old "this is to protect YOU too".

one of the clauses in the contracts states if any gear is damaged for any reason at any time at a show, they are responsible for it. Drunk guy gets on stage, falls into an amp, bar fight, etc. I used to put in the exception of if we damage our own stuff by accident but I found that leaves a loophole and room to bitch and try to get out of responsibility so that's no longer there.

of course if I drop my guitar or something stupid I don't go after the club owner for it. I just took it out of the agreement because then it leaves no room for argument.
 
Re: Idiot-proofing your rig

I always put those strap lock things on, so no idiot (me) lets the guitar fall from the strap.
 
Re: Idiot-proofing your rig

I just try and have my rig as simple as possible, carry in cases, and keep my eye on it all.
 
Re: Idiot-proofing your rig

rspst14 said:
Make something idiot proof, someone will build a better idiot
Click to expand...

Well, it doesn't hurt to stay one step ahead of them. If your gear is delicate enough, even a non-idiot could damage it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

El Dunco
What goes into producing a song?
Replies
7
Views
2K
El Dunco
El Dunco
Back
Top