Beer of the Bass Posted May 20, 2017 Share Posted May 20, 2017 (edited) Weather permitting, I'm supposed to be playing guitar with my band at a private outdoor party organised by hippies. There will be some sort of sound system and generator, though it's a complete unknown quantity. It's in a location you can't get a vehicle right up to, so I'd imagine it will be a little portable setup, and there's unlikely to be a proper stage. Sounds pretty dodgy, right? I'm a bit wary of running my usual valve combo on this kind of supply, since the grounding might not be done properly and the voltage and AC frequency might vary. The only solid-state setup I have is my small bass rig of a GK MB200 and 1x10 cab. It seems like the switch-mode supply of the GK is less likely to be stressed by power supply variations, and it might feel less risky, it's a bit lighter to carry too, but it's kind of squeaky clean for guitar. Which way would you go in these circumstances (other than not doing the gig)? Any other tips for coping in this situation are also welcome. Edited May 20, 2017 by Beer of the Bass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikel Posted May 20, 2017 Share Posted May 20, 2017 Don't sweat it. A few acid burned hippies put together a sound system, for Woodstock, that could be heard about 5 miles away. And it was reliable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norris Posted May 20, 2017 Share Posted May 20, 2017 Have you got a multi-fx pedal with amp simulation to dirty yourself up with? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Number6 Posted May 20, 2017 Share Posted May 20, 2017 Zoom B1on.....cheap and cheerful and more than capable of sorting out a bit of grime for your sound 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beer of the Bass Posted May 20, 2017 Author Share Posted May 20, 2017 Turns out we're not going ahead, for vague and waffly reasons. It was going to be in an hour or two! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miles'tone Posted May 20, 2017 Share Posted May 20, 2017 Bloody 'ippys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjones Posted May 20, 2017 Share Posted May 20, 2017 (edited) [quote name='Beer of the Bass' timestamp='1495304156' post='3302881'] Weather permitting, I'm supposed to be playing guitar with my band at a private outdoor party organised by hippies. There will be some sort of sound system and generator, though it's a complete unknown quantity. It's in a location you can't get a vehicle right up to, so I'd imagine it will be a little portable setup, and there's unlikely to be a proper stage. Sounds pretty dodgy, right? I'm a bit wary of running my usual valve combo on this kind of supply, since the grounding might not be done properly and the voltage and AC frequency might vary. The only solid-state setup I have is my small bass rig of a GK MB200 and 1x10 cab. It seems like the switch-mode supply of the GK is less likely to be stressed by power supply variations, and it might feel less risky, it's a bit lighter to carry too, but it's kind of squeaky clean for guitar. Which way would you go in these circumstances (other than not doing the gig)? Any other tips for coping in this situation are also welcome. [/quote] Interestingly, not long ago I played a gig in a big old tent, powered by a shonky generator, in the middle of a muddy field. The generator kept on cutting out, for a few seconds, intermittently, which resulted in both the lights and my digital amp head, switching on and off throughout the gig. The guitarist and the harmonica player, in the band, both had valve amps and they weren't affected in the slightest. I can only think that the big capacitors in the valve amps stored enough electricity to keep the amps running during the breaks in current. So if the gig is rescheduled, take the valve head instead of the GK as, according to my experience, it will deal with a dodgy power supply better than a solid state amp. Edited May 21, 2017 by gjones Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue Posted May 21, 2017 Share Posted May 21, 2017 [quote name='Beer of the Bass' timestamp='1495304156' post='3302881'] Weather permitting, I'm supposed to be playing guitar with my band at a private outdoor party organised by hippies.[/quote] You guys still have hippies? Blue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpondonBassed Posted May 21, 2017 Share Posted May 21, 2017 [quote name='blue' timestamp='1495329807' post='3303031'] You guys still have hippies? Blue [/quote] I think it's fairer to say we have druggies who prefer the term hippie, new age traveller, druid etc. If you want me, I'll be in my flame-proof bunker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miles'tone Posted May 21, 2017 Share Posted May 21, 2017 [quote name='blue' timestamp='1495329807' post='3303031'] You guys still have hippies? Blue [/quote] 😂 nice one Blue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikel Posted May 21, 2017 Share Posted May 21, 2017 (edited) [quote name='blue' timestamp='1495329807' post='3303031'] You guys still have hippies? Blue [/quote] Hippie is a state of mind, nothing to do with clothes or hair anymore. Once a Hippie always a Hippie. Anyway, I am looking for a generator and I did a search for the Shonky Company and I cant find them anywhere. Can anyone help? Edited May 21, 2017 by mikel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve-bbb Posted May 21, 2017 Share Posted May 21, 2017 1x10? outdoors? hope theyre all going to sit down and be nice and quiet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted May 21, 2017 Share Posted May 21, 2017 [quote name='blue' timestamp='1495329807' post='3303031'] You guys still have hippies?... [/quote] I'm still here, Blue; an ageing old duffer, just like yourself. CS&N had it about right, unfortunately, when they sang 'It's been a long time coming; s'gonna be a long time gone.' Still, it's fun while it lasts, and I'm determined to make it last as long as I can. Peace. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony_m Posted May 21, 2017 Share Posted May 21, 2017 [quote name='mikel' timestamp='1495350237' post='3303064'] Hippie is a state of mind, nothing to do with clothes or hair anymore. Once a Hippie always a Hippie. Anyway, I am looking for a generator and I did a search for the Shonky Company and I cant find them anywhere. Can anyone help? [/quote] No generators I'm afraid, but they do make some interesting instruments... http://www.shonkymusicalinstruments.co.uk/home Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmccombe7 Posted May 21, 2017 Share Posted May 21, 2017 [quote name='blue' timestamp='1495329807' post='3303031'] You guys still have hippies? Blue [/quote] Yep that would be me to a degree. Jeans and T shirts since 70's. Style never goes out of fashion. Hair a bit shorter from waist length its now shoulder length and white Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beer of the Bass Posted May 21, 2017 Author Share Posted May 21, 2017 (edited) [quote name='steve-bbb' timestamp='1495352470' post='3303083'] 1x10? outdoors? hope theyre all going to sit down and be nice and quiet [/quote] For guitar, with unmic'ed drums. It's not going to cover a huge area, but it should balance OK with the drums. Edited May 21, 2017 by Beer of the Bass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveK Posted May 21, 2017 Share Posted May 21, 2017 Shonky Generator - What a great name for a band! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjones Posted May 21, 2017 Share Posted May 21, 2017 [quote name='blue' timestamp='1495329807' post='3303031'] You guys still have hippies? Blue [/quote] Crusties is the new term. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beer of the Bass Posted May 21, 2017 Author Share Posted May 21, 2017 (edited) [quote name='gjones' timestamp='1495391532' post='3303424'] Crusties is the new term. [/quote] I reckon there are three basic varieties of modern-day hippy, which overlap in a Venn diagram fashion. Many people of a hippyish leaning have some elements of each, in varying extents. -There are your crusty/raver sorts; these are the tail-end of the old free festival scene that later fed into the rave scene, chiefly into imbibing whatever they can get hold of in outdoor settings of dubious legality. They're often weekend warriors, rather than it being a full-time lifestyle. -Then there are your activist/eco-warrior crowd; often found inhabiting protest camps or living in off-grid settings. -Finally, there are your new-age/spiritual people; usually more clean-living than the other sorts, into assorted alternative spiritual woo and pseudo-scientific ideas about diet, and they've often come from better off backgrounds - their kids probably go to the local Steiner school. That's probably a reprehensible bit of stereotyping, but there you go! The party I didn't play at last night would mostly have been frequented by the first group. Edited May 21, 2017 by Beer of the Bass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Browning Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 Never do such a gig without an RCB plug. I did a soundcheck at such a gig once and all was well. Realised I hadn't plugged in my RCD plug and it tripped immediately it was plugged in. Turned out there was no earth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue Posted May 23, 2017 Share Posted May 23, 2017 A few of me and my old mates from "back in the day" (the 60s) that are single frequently say; 'Where are all the hippy chics?" 😁 Blue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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