tonyclaret Posted August 27, 2014 Share Posted August 27, 2014 Hi, Just curious to see what people's thoughts are on carrying a spare amp in case your beloved sound monster dies at a gig. I have never yet (touches head) had an amp die on me in 25 years of playing. Perhaps I have been lucky? However, probably my age! I have become increasingly paranoid about been stuck up the creek without a paddle, so have invested in a small wattage backup amp. Nothing fancy just something to get me out of the sh*t if needed. Discuss.... :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted August 27, 2014 Share Posted August 27, 2014 Had an ashdown, it failed, dont own one anymore, Genz going strong 6 years on plus spare micro amp in a gig bag Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roland Rock Posted August 27, 2014 Share Posted August 27, 2014 I would never bring a backup amp to a gig, but then I play through PAs the vast majority of times, so have the safety net of just DI through the PA. TBH I'm a pretty laid back and optimistic dude, and reckon I wouldn't bring a backup even if I never went through a PA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barkin Posted August 27, 2014 Share Posted August 27, 2014 I had an Acoustic head die mid-gig some 20-something years ago. No spare... Since then I've always carried a spare, and never needed it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icastle Posted August 27, 2014 Share Posted August 27, 2014 I never leave home without one. It takes up no room in my car and I like having a safety net. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBunny Posted August 27, 2014 Share Posted August 27, 2014 I do have a spare amp but never take it to a Gig, I do however carry an Eden WTDI. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beer of the Bass Posted August 27, 2014 Share Posted August 27, 2014 I've had a backup amp save the day three times in the last three or four years. Once was when the valve amp I was using at the time developed a minor fault, one was when a house amp proved to be dead and once when another bassist's head went into protection mode. Although with a half decent PA a DI box may be sufficient backup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted August 27, 2014 Share Posted August 27, 2014 I`ve just bought a TC RH450 for this very reason. Never had an amp go on me, but now, if my combo dies, and we`re playing a venue without FOH I`ll just bring out the RH, connect it up to the ext cab and still get through the gig. If there is a big FOH, well I`ll already be going through that via my Tech21 VT DI so I`ll just ask the soundman for bass in the monitors. Hopefully have most areas covered now with my gear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leroydiamond Posted August 27, 2014 Share Posted August 27, 2014 With the small reasonably priced micros out there, a backup is a must have, particularly if there is no P.A. support. I take 2 amps to every gig. They are both micros and fit neatly into a laptop padded bag. Easy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_5 Posted August 27, 2014 Share Posted August 27, 2014 I never leave home with one. I look after my kit, and have only had an amp break when a guitarist dropped it from the back of his Land Rover when we were packing up. These days I carry my own kit. A little DI/Pre often makes its way into my gig bag though... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doddy Posted August 28, 2014 Share Posted August 28, 2014 One of my old Hartke heads failed on me once.I always carry a DI box so I just had more of me put through my monitor. I've not had a problem with any of my Ashdown stuff. The PiBass is small enough for me to put in the pocket of my gig bag if I felt the need to carry a spare though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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