Do you bring a backup amp to gigs?

[stratotastic]

I never have, but the one time my amp died (Trace Elliot Velocette OT blew) I was lucky in that my buddy had brought some red-knob Fender that he let me use.

 

Since steady gigging is on the horizon again, and the finicky nature of Mesas (LSS), I'm actually thinking of picking up a backup amp just in case. Don't want to spend more than say $200, since ideally I'd never use the thing. Maybe some Fender SS or a low budj Peavey or something. Any suggestions?

[Sex Panther]

Yes. Normally just a little crappy amp like a MG50 combo, but anything is better than nothing.

[thinkpad20]

I probably should but I don't. Too much of a PITA.

[jds22]

Gigged pretty steady for about 5yrs, never brought a backup.

 

However, one night towards the end of the very last song, my Trem-o-verb went from gig volume to whisper quiet in about 10 seconds. Turned out to be a preamp tube. I guess if an amp is going to fail, that was the perfect time.

[Singin' Dave]

YES!! Saved my bacon more than a few times from tube failure, sketchy ground loops, speaker failure etc (ah the love of vintage amps). Usually, it's a simple 1x12 combo (typically my Mesa/Boogie 22+). Mic it up and I'm large and in charge again.

[Lucius]

I just bring my Vamp pro and go through the PA for a backup. Never had to use it knock on wood! Cheers, Lucius

[glenecho]

I bring my PodXT just in case...same as Lucius in that I'll plug into the PA if I have to.

[Voltaire]

I bring a crate powerblock for back up+a pedal to get a sound close to what I use.

 

also a few preamp tubes if I gig with a tube amp.

 

but TBH--my amps never went bad on me.

[thinkpad20]

 

I bring my PodXT just in case...same as Lucius in that I'll plug into the PA if I have to.

 

 

I should do that; that would be a lot easier than dragging along another amp.

[Badside]

In some way, the singer plays guitar on half the songs.

He pretty much knows if my amp dies, I'll use his

[moonstone]

Had my Hiwatt go out on me last month. Happened to be a SS

Crate Half stack there I got to use till the end. I guess having

access to the spare amp was great but ... playing through the

crate really made me miss the Hiwatt!

[stratotastic]

 

I just bring my Vamp pro and go through the PA for a backup. Never had to use it knock on wood! Cheers, Lucius

 

 

That's a good idea. I actually have one of those red Behringer DI boxes, but I haven't even tried it out yet. Between that and my Line6 DM4 (which I hate), I guess that could be a better option than lugging a second amp. The prospect of coming through monitors alone creeps me out though.

[Casa-of-Pain]

I always bring a back up, which is a Laney AOR 50. But now I'm using that one as main amp and my Marshall as back up...the nerve.

[Weathered]

I just run 2 at all times.

 

I had a backup save my ass in Phoenix, as well. My JCM800 shut down, and my Laney GH50L hopped in to save my arse.

[starsnuffer]

I used to.

 

Now I just run a DI from my axe-FX if my amp dies.

 

-W

[Stonedtone]

I always bring my little EL84 Trace Velocette because it's so easy to carry and doesn't take up space. Being only 10W with a 10", if couldn't keep up, but if I had to go there, I'd mike it

[Rayneman]

Yes. I have a Randall Cyclone that sits in our van. I never did carry a spare until my brand new CAA OD100 SE+ died on me at a gig. It was only a fuse, but it was in a wierd place and I couldn't find it in my panic. That sucked.

 

I think its important to have something, anything...even if its a damn POD that could be routed thru the sound system.

[anti-flag193]

Nope. I've been gigging for 8 years and haven't needed one yet.

[Urban Ghandi]

I always bring my BOSS GT8 just in case.

 

That said, I have been gigging forever and never had an amp die on me (knock on wood).

[duncan]

nope.