Backup Gear - Anyone take a spare cab with them?

[Lozz196]

As above really, I know many of us take spare basses/amps to gigs, but anyone take a spare cab with them?

[Dad3353]

Why would one want to..?

[Roland Rock]

No. Spare lead and that's it! Think I'm made of space?!

[largo]

It's the main reason I have a 2 cab rig. Currently have two 2x10s but have had two 1x12s in the past. Never actually had a faulty cab but have had a dodgy speakon that meant one cab not working during a gig. Was able to finish the set before hunting out a replacement lead.

[icastle]

[quote name='largo' timestamp='1457281531' post='2997005']
It's the main reason I have a 2 cab rig. Currently have two 2x10s but have had two 1x12s in the past. Never actually had a faulty cab but have had a dodgy speakon that meant one cab not working during a gig. Was able to finish the set before hunting out a replacement lead.
[/quote]

+1

Being in two halves makes it easier to transport as well.

[EmmettC]

I bring an EBS Microbass DI, so if my amp or cab go down I can just DI the bass, I prefer having an amp, but in an emergency it would be fine just DI'd.

[arthurhenry]

A spare cab is a bit extreme, I think, unless it can be kept permanently in a car/van. The next step would be to take a dep with you to every gig!

[mep]

No. Make sure you have DI capabilities though. Funilly enough a speaker did blow out on me at a gig so the DI was all that was left. I stood next to the PA bass bin and got through ok.

[colgraff]

I take no spares at all.

[Roger2611]

[quote name='colgraff' timestamp='1457287120' post='2997054']
I take no spares at all.
[/quote]

Yeah but you have two 4x10's so surely in the event of a speaker failure you still have the one cab option?

[blue]

[quote name='EmmettC' timestamp='1457282113' post='2997011']
I bring an EBS Microbass DI, so if my amp or cab go down I can just DI the bass, I prefer having an amp, but in an emergency it would be fine just DI'd.
[/quote]

Yeah, the DI is the answer. A cab isn't something you see fail very often.

No way am I lugging a back up cab to a gig. Matter of fact I rareley gig with my big GK stack. I've been using my GK 1 15 combo.

Blue

[vbance]

yep, i take a spare everything and insist the misses follows me to the gig in her car.....just in case;0)

[largo]

Not everyone plays in a band with a PA capable of delivering bass to FOH via a DI though, or monitors to cope either.

[FinnDave]

Keep a DI box in my gig bag 'just in case'. Use it when there isn't enough room for my usual amp & cab.

[Wonky2]

Invest in good quality gear, have it serviced regularaly.
i used to take a few spare valves i had incase transit upset anything.... New amp is d class slow no need.
Spare battery in bass case, spare fuse for amp and kettle lead, di box for just incase, a few tools like allen keys and truss key just incase the climate is extreme, But thats it. Is it dont fit in the case it just dont keave the house
My gear is all good, my leads high quality.....
The only time ive seen things crap out is when they are pushed too hard, know the limitations if your gear!

Edited March 6, 2016 by Wonky2

[warwickhunt]

[quote name='largo' timestamp='1457281531' post='2997005']
It's the main reason I have a 2 cab rig.
[/quote]

This ^ A pair of 2x10's means if one dies I still have monitor.

+ I keep a small active Preamp/DI in my leads case

[Japhet]

My cab has 2 speakon connectors so I'd be surprised if it failed. I have a DI on my amp though and one in a Markbass Super Booster on my effects board too so feel reasonably confident I'm covered. The only recent failure we had was our mixing desk but we put vocals through my backup amp (Streamliner) and they sounded great.

[lowregisterhead]

[quote name='vbance' timestamp='1457292625' post='2997108']
yep, i take a spare everything and insist the misses follows me to the gig in her car.....just in case;0)
[/quote]

Let's hope she doesn't spot the 'spare missus' at the gig...

[bonzodog]

My rig is 2 x TC BC210 and 2 x Hartke LH500. Pretty much covered on both amp and cab should one fail.

[colgraff]

[quote name='Roger2611' timestamp='1457289453' post='2997077']
Yeah but you have two 4x10's so surely in the event of a speaker failure you still have the one cab option?
[/quote]

Yes, but it isn't there as a backup. If they made a 2 ohm cab, I'd only take the one.

[TimR]

Yes. I use 2 210s. So if one goes the other should be ok.

We recently 'upgraded' from huge 15" makie FOH to some small 10" for vocal and guitar. I should probably buy a cheap second hand head now.

[ahpook]

Naaah, that's what Uber's for.

[Phil Starr]

Depends upon the gig but if it's a long way from home or a big event I take my Hartke kickback as spare, it works as my monitor and has a DI out so can feed the PA.

the rest of the time I have the mixer amp salvaged from a Yamaha Stagepas set up. This gives me a four channel mixer, spare PA amp and spare bass amp if needed. I suppose in an emergency even one of the guitards could use it with a pedal or two. It's my gigging swiss army knife

So far I've never needed either.

[neepheid]

No. Suppose I'm being "unprofessional"

[blue]

[quote name='largo' timestamp='1457292966' post='2997115']
Not everyone plays in a band with a PA capable of delivering bass to FOH via a DI though, or monitors to cope either.
[/quote]


That's one of The first things I would ask prospective bands.

Do you own or *rent a pro level PA. That's a deal breaker for me.

Blue

* In Milwaukee most agencies evolved from sound and lighting companies and the bands would essentially be renting sound and it's expensive. Kind of a racket like anything else.

I've heard stories of bands being told it was a 2k gig and find out later it was a 3k gig.Wonder where that other grand went?

Edited March 6, 2016 by blue