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Dilemma - nasty amp or DI a pedal?
Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 6:25 pm
by Fran
I'm faced with a problem.
The Essex Pistols are gathering a few gigs but because we (only?) are getting paid it seems the other bands or promoters want us to let all and sundry use our equipment.
This friday for instance there are 5 bands on, we are on second to last at 11.30pm. The promoter wants us to let everyone use our equipment which will mean hanging around till 2.00am not too mention the strain on my Marshalls poor valves. The drummers kit cost over 2, 500 quid so he is'nt happy either.
I dont want to pass up good gigs so i'm thinking of getting a LOUD cheap amp (not concerned about quality just volume, i'll use a pedal to beef it up) or a O/D or Distortion pedal i can DI straight to the PA.
Dont Digitech models do this?
Any suggestions?
Btw, i told that promoter to go fuck himself if he thinks 5 lots of tossers are gonna use my Marshall.
Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 6:46 pm
by Doog
The Behringer V-Tone amp modeller thing is suprisingly good, I think it's a Sansamp clone. Mr Drums from Casa Bonita bought one to run after his pedals to DI straight into the PC and it really does sound pretty good
http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/beh ... i-21/67206
They're like 30 with shipping, pick up 2 and rest easy for all the gigs. They sound good with a pedal in front of, or just using the distortion/OD sounds on there.
Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 7:40 pm
by Mike
That does sound pretty queer. 5 bands is too many anyway, this cunt is clearly trying to make maximum dollar.
Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 7:53 pm
by Fran
Yeah, for sure. But he is
in with the Hells Angels

so unfortunately also a usefull contact to get on at small festivals and stuff.
I like the look and sounds of that Behringer Doog, that looks like the answer in pedal form. Cheap n cheerfull is the essence here, i was also kinda hoping someone would post up a Stagg 1k combo solid state monster link or something

Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 8:19 pm
by jeff
If it's a small club, they may be asking that everyone share gear in order to save space on and around the stage. Or with 5 bands, it may be to minimize set up and breakdown time between acts. It may be different in the UK, but in the US many clubs provide some backline, especially the kind of club that tries to rush 5 bands across the stage in one night. You might try asking the promoter or the club if they have any backline available, or if they'd be willing to rent gear to make the show run more smoothly.
You shouldn't have to buy new gear so the promoter can make more money!
Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 11:57 pm
by Stangfan
Let the first band use your gear, then rip into a mean 4 hour solo!! PROBLEM SOLVED (chicks dig stage hogs)
Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 12:09 am
by mickie08
I've been in this situation before and let it happen with no nad consequences, but those were shows that I helped set up and I knew all the bands fairly well so I was not concerned. Fuck just letting 5 random bands play on 1 bands shit. Also, if they are going to book those kind of shows, then they should set up a backline for all to use if they have a problem with load in or with time. Either way it is not your responsibility.
As far as a DI, nit's not going to sound very good at live stage volumes, unless it is a high-end piece of equipment. Everytime I hear someone playing a line 6 pod live without it going through a decent amp, it is just crap that does not stand out in the mix. I would buy a cheap beat to hell amp if you really need to work something out for this show or if this is going to happen in the future.
Re: Dilemma - nasty amp or DI a pedal?
Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 12:19 am
by Progrockabuse
Fran wrote:I'm faced with a problem.
The Essex Pistols are gathering a few gigs but because we (only?) are getting paid it seems the other bands or promoters want us to let all and sundry use our equipment.
This friday for instance there are 5 bands on, we are on second to last at 11.30pm. The promoter wants us to let everyone use our equipment which will mean hanging around till 2.00am not too mention the strain on my Marshalls poor valves. The drummers kit cost over 2, 500 quid so he is'nt happy either.
I dont want to pass up good gigs so i'm thinking of getting a LOUD cheap amp (not concerned about quality just volume, i'll use a pedal to beef it up) or a O/D or Distortion pedal i can DI straight to the PA.
Dont Digitech models do this?
Any suggestions?
Btw, i told that promoter to go fuck himself if he thinks 5 lots of tossers are gonna use my Marshall.
try getting a cheap amp from cash generator, they sell stuff at silly prices. i got a leslie speaker from the one in derby for 80 quid, they didnt even know what it was. they usually have something like a mg50 or something going cheap.
yeah the digitech pedals have a mixer out on them with speaker emulation, unsure what it would sound like.
is your amp a combo or head and cab? i've know gigs before where bands have shared a cab and brought they're own heads, still risky though.
Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 5:27 pm
by Fran
I got this monstrosity off evilbay. 100 quid, its got 4 x celestions in the cab and it is loud enough to kill a small rodent.
Okay its a bass set up but when i went to the studio rehearsal at Birmingham last week i went through a Laney bass head & cab and got a great sound.
I tried the Carlsbro out last night with a Dod 250/Les Paul and its just the job.
Thanks for the replies.

Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 9:28 pm
by NickD
Raaawk.
Local amp too

Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 9:43 pm
by Doog
HEFTY HEFTY HEFFFTY
Nice one, Fran.
Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 10:10 pm
by Progrockabuse
NickD wrote:Raaawk.
Local amp too

this is a local amp for local people

Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 11:12 pm
by Fran
Its official...
I have SOLD OUT. I have become a middle aged has-been and put a union jack flag on the front of the cab to
fit in with the Pistols imagery.
Social club circuit here i come! I've always wanted to be adored by women in their twilight years..
Aye, the Carlsbro factory is in the next town to me, i'm gonna get this thing serviced after fridays gig.
Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 11:31 pm
by Progrockabuse
Fran wrote:Its official...
I have SOLD OUT. I have become a middle aged has-been and put a union jack flag on the front of the cab to
fit in with the Pistols imagery.
Social club circuit here i come! I've always wanted to be adored by women in their twilight years..
Aye, the Carlsbro factory is in the next town to me, i'm gonna get this thing serviced after fridays gig.
is carlsbro in mansfield then? lol
Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2008 8:36 am
by Mike
Looks like a properly canny score there mate. Nice one.
Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2008 2:38 pm
by Fran
Progrockabuse wrote:Fran wrote:Its official...
I have SOLD OUT. I have become a middle aged has-been and put a union jack flag on the front of the cab to
fit in with the Pistols imagery.
Social club circuit here i come! I've always wanted to be adored by women in their twilight years..
Aye, the Carlsbro factory is in the next town to me, i'm gonna get this thing serviced after fridays gig.
is carlsbro in mansfield then? lol
Kirkby-in-ashfield.
Thanks guys.
Yeah it is hefty Doog. But i only slipped two discs lifting it the other night so i'm pretty good lol, i just hope it fits in the Fiat Brava

Its out on the road tonight at the gig in Nottingham. I'm really looking forward to this as i have'nt been onstage since last year, the drummers missus is on about filming the gig so if i can i'll post a bit of it up for laffs..
Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2008 2:42 pm
by Mike
Awesome dude! We had our first gig in ages last Saturday too, it was brilliant!
We also got some video done so watch this space innit.
Have a blast!
Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2008 3:08 pm
by Fran
YAY!!
We'll be rock stars yet mike

Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2008 3:09 pm
by Mike
We already are mate.
Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2008 3:23 pm
by Fran
Here's how the cab looks now, rofflez. Its all good fun..
