flyfisher Posted June 28, 2013 Share Posted June 28, 2013 [quote name='fretmeister' timestamp='1372246861' post='2123280'] I have a Jap Fender P, and it is very good - but it is the bass I keep purely for playing in shithole venues where it might get nicked. I have zero emotional attachment to it. [/quote] The above quote from the "Fender they got it right" topic prompted me to post this question. Similar things have been mentioned in various topics over the years and, apart from wondering why anyone would play a 'shithole venue' in the first place, I wonder how common it is to have instruments or gear stolen or damaged whilst gigging. BC has plenty of gigging bassists, so who has experienced these sorts of problems? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudpup Posted June 28, 2013 Share Posted June 28, 2013 Had a PA cab go over and a flying punter tipped a whole pint into the guitaists Engl pedalboard a couple of weeks ago. Riot of a pub gig with people flying everywhere and we were floor level. Luckily had 2 mates to stand in front of us to fend them off a bit but it was an interesting evening. Bought a hard case for the spare bass last week though just in case. Wasnt a shithole - just a fun crowd enjoying themselves. Got a real buzz from it (luckily the guitarist didnt :-)) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike Vincent Posted June 28, 2013 Share Posted June 28, 2013 (edited) As a bassist, I've been lucky, but as a sound engineer I've had 2 desks ruined by people who don't understand the simple concept of don't put your pint on the mixer...The only thing I've had broken as a bassist was my nose. Long story. Edited June 28, 2013 by Spike Vincent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassTractor Posted June 28, 2013 Share Posted June 28, 2013 No problems of those types ever, if memory serves. Then again, never played in a bar or other place with drunken people, and I gather that is an essential difference. best, bert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRev Posted June 29, 2013 Share Posted June 29, 2013 Last month I had a punter trip/fall/pushed over the front of a low stage, right into my double bass, taking out the bridge and knocking over the soundpost. Luckily it was the second to last number, so I just grabbed my mic and did some ranty vocal for the last song. I couldn't really get to angry about it as we play drinking songs for drunk people and we had put the punter in a badger suit, so occupational hazard as far as I'm concerned. On the other hand, when my bass got knocked over by a pissed punter at one of my jazz trio gigs I went apeshit, so I suppose it depends on what kind of behaviour you expect from your audience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted June 29, 2013 Share Posted June 29, 2013 Shithole venues are sometimes the only choice. Sometimes they get the best crowds too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aende Posted June 29, 2013 Share Posted June 29, 2013 Hopefully my gear is still on the house insurance! Anyone got any deals or good policy advice? My cabs were cheap and are easily replaceable. Peavey tx with eminence beta drivers and the horns and crossovers removed - very low cost to replace or repair. Gk 1001rb ii head would be a bit painful to fix or replace.... I have a cheap USA sterling sub bass that I am not too attached to. However, I am in the market for a Stingray, which may only come out for nice places! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi Posted June 29, 2013 Share Posted June 29, 2013 [quote name='aende' timestamp='1372489098' post='2126285'] Hopefully my gear is still on the house insurance! Anyone got any deals or good policy advice? [/quote] Are you sure your insurance covers you when you are gigging? I've had three or four different companies and none of them have in the UK. If not, you'll need to get separate insurance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iconic Posted June 29, 2013 Share Posted June 29, 2013 (edited) [u]maybe avoid this one [/u] [u][/u] Edited June 29, 2013 by iconic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonnyboy Rotten Posted June 29, 2013 Share Posted June 29, 2013 What is the protocol if some punt(er) damages your gear? Can you ask him for money towards a replacement or do tend to accept that its your equipment and you knew the risks? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Burrito Posted June 29, 2013 Share Posted June 29, 2013 We had a hire van stolen outside of the Forum in Tunbridge Wells back in 1995. We were doing a drum kit share so our drummer's kit was in there. Luckily for me the deal was my amp was used by all otherwise it would have been my amp too. I think there are a lot of players bringing high value kit into venues and you just never know. I insure my kit through New Moon which costs about £60 for £5k worth of gear, having previously insured through Musicguard. If you can take the hit it's worth chancing but I am happy to pay less than a tenner a month for piece of mind. A school friend had a Gibson paid out for via home insurance back in the early 90s but these days I think the companies have really clamped down on paying out for those sorts of claims. You either need to a separate policy or to take your chances. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Len_derby Posted June 29, 2013 Share Posted June 29, 2013 [quote name='fretmeister' timestamp='1372468371' post='2126245'] Shithole venues are sometimes the only choice. [/quote] Getting involved in live music isn't for the faint-hearted. Even in a church I've seen an unsupervised toddler pull a mic-stand over, damaging both the SM58 and the acoustic guitar it smacked into. I think you have to assess the risks, 'gear-up' accordingly (e.g. take a cheapo bass if necessary) and try and stay alert. I don't have much faith in insurance policies (or pensions, or investments or financial products in general but that's a wider issue) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Adams Posted June 29, 2013 Share Posted June 29, 2013 [quote name='iconic' timestamp='1372490170' post='2126295'] [u]maybe avoid this one [/u] [u][/u] [/quote] You'd be alright. Just play Rawhide and Stand by your man all night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Posted June 29, 2013 Share Posted June 29, 2013 [quote name='TheRev' timestamp='1372466553' post='2126230'] as we play drinking songs for drunk people and we had put the punter in a badger suit [/quote] Watching your band live has now made it to my "bucket list" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBod Posted June 29, 2013 Share Posted June 29, 2013 Putting people in Badger suits is just asking for trouble.....have you ever been chased by a Badger??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Junkyard Rocket Posted June 29, 2013 Share Posted June 29, 2013 (edited) I might have been worse if he was dressed as a Honey Badger [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nggAj0cxLro[/media] Edited June 29, 2013 by Junkyard Rocket Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyfisher Posted June 29, 2013 Author Share Posted June 29, 2013 [quote name='Jonnyboy Rotten' timestamp='1372493463' post='2126327'] What is the protocol if some punt(er) damages your gear? Can you ask him for money towards a replacement or do tend to accept that its your equipment and you knew the risks? [/quote] Interesting question. I can see no reason why the punter couldn't be sued for the damages caused. Get a few witness statements confirming what happened and sue through the small claims court. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted June 29, 2013 Share Posted June 29, 2013 [quote name='fretmeister' timestamp='1372468371' post='2126245']Shithole venues are sometimes the only choice. [size=4]Sometimes they get the best crowds too.[/size][/quote] Yep. Rock 'n' Roll, innit? And if it isn't, then you can justifiably twat the perpetrators. Why did they come to see your Polynesian nose flute recital in the first place if they were just going to misbehave? Arseholes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4 Strings Posted June 29, 2013 Share Posted June 29, 2013 So, all the experiences are accidental damage (even is alcohol induced) rather than theft. I've never had any of my gear nicked at gigs in over 30 years of playing and I'm not one to be obsessively keeping things in cases and in view. I know it's happened, our drummer had someone swap drums in cases, he merrily took his cases home only to find a different kit in them! Must be a rare occurrence though, always seem to have friendly people showing interest in gear at gigs. (Had a cab and an amp nicked on separate occasions from locked buildings!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmchich Posted June 29, 2013 Share Posted June 29, 2013 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1372514047' post='2126666'] Yep. Rock 'n' Roll, innit? And if it isn't, then you can justifiably twat the perpetrators. Why did they come to see your Polynesian nose flute recital in the first place if they were just going to misbehave? Arseholes. [/quote] So, err... When was your last polynesian nose flute recital? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peteb Posted June 29, 2013 Share Posted June 29, 2013 In my experience the main danger for theft is loading up the van / car at the end of the night and at multi band gigs at bigger venues where it is not always obvious what gear belongs to who and where people who shouldn’t be there can get access backstage! Fortunately I have never had anything major nicked but there has been the odd microphone and guitar / mic stand go missing… Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Undead Posted June 29, 2013 Share Posted June 29, 2013 I've never had anything stolen but I am careful. Always keep a close eye on my stuff. And I'm insured through a specialist musical instrument policy. Might seem a bit extreme but I can't afford to replace anything that's stolen or damaged. I had a guy once at a gig (fellow bassist from another band that was on) call me a "flashy bastard" for playing a USA Fender... I kept an extra close eye on my stuff that night. Don't know why he thought that flashy though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted June 29, 2013 Share Posted June 29, 2013 (edited) [quote name='jmchich' timestamp='1372515447' post='2126683']So, err... When was your last polynesian nose flute recital? [size=4][/quote][/size] [size=4]Never. I said, '[/size][i]your [/i][size=4]Polynesian nose flute recital.' [/size] [size=4] How did it go, btw..? Nostril still sore?[/size] Edited June 29, 2013 by discreet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmchich Posted June 29, 2013 Share Posted June 29, 2013 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1372517376' post='2126706'] [/size] [size=4]Never. I said, '[/size][i]your [/i][size=4]Polynesian nose flute recital.' [/size] [size=4] How did it go, btw..? Nostril still sore?[/size] [/quote] Oh right, thought I'd found a fellow "nasal flautist". It was alright, until some drunk bloke came and fell onto me and I had to have the flute surgically removed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted June 29, 2013 Share Posted June 29, 2013 [quote name='jmchich' timestamp='1372518875' post='2126734']Oh right, thought I'd found a fellow "nasal flautist". It was alright, until some drunk bloke came and fell onto me and I had to have the flute surgically removed.[/quote] I bet they haven't heard [i]that [/i]one at your local A&E. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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