Members TheBoatCanDream Posted November 30, 2006 Members Share Posted November 30, 2006 I have a gig with a jazz trio tommorow night, playing in a santa clause parade. The thing is: - the weather is supposed to be crappy- we're playing rain or shine- we're on a float What can I do to protect my drums? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mraia Posted November 30, 2006 Members Share Posted November 30, 2006 dont go Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bbderek Posted November 30, 2006 Members Share Posted November 30, 2006 a REALLY BIG UMBRELLA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members drumsdb Posted November 30, 2006 Members Share Posted November 30, 2006 This is the kind of situation where a good low line kit comes in handy. It's nice to have a kicking around kit just for gigs like that.(Or an acrylic kit, where water isn't as much of an issue). Outside of that, bring a tarp to cover your drums when you not playing. I would also be willing to assume that you will have some sort of cover if it's raining. Otherwise, ask for one. DB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Walt Disney Posted November 30, 2006 Members Share Posted November 30, 2006 Covering everything but the heads in plastic kitchen foil?Might not look all that good depending on how close you're to your audience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members trackman Posted November 30, 2006 Members Share Posted November 30, 2006 Simplify the kit to only the basics that you will need to get by for the gig... (bass, snare, Hat and ride) Consider a portable canopy (8 x 8 or, 10 X 10 and they even have a 10 x 20 at most Home depot's and lowes lumber) and trim it out with garland or something for the occasion... Good luck... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Old Steve Posted November 30, 2006 Members Share Posted November 30, 2006 Now's a good time to pull a hammy, or conjure up some other injury...."sorry guys, the schrapnel in my knee is acting up...." If you MUST go, I'd keep 'em covered as long as possible. Also, try to keep your kick drum up off the floor of the float (you may end up in a puddle due to the weight of the kit). If your kit is covered, you're better off, as the plastic covering and plastic heads means that there isn't much wood exposed. The key will be making sure everything is dry AFTERWARD. Bring towels (dry ones) and dry everything as you load it back into your car. Then when you get home, take everything out of their cases, and dry them again. If you have any doubt about the drums still being wet, take the heads and rims off, and dry them again. Then blow a fan over them overnight before you reassemble them. Take apart your hardware (tubes out of tubes, etc.) and dry them inside and out, and let the insides air dry overnight. Finally, give your pedals a good going over. You'll likely develop some squeaks if they get wet, so spray moving parts with WD-40 (displaces the water) and give them the whole drying routine. You may need to re-lube some parts. The good news is, your cymbals are probably waterproof. Much easier, IMHO, to bail on the gig. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members WillyRay Posted November 30, 2006 Members Share Posted November 30, 2006 I played a gig in the driving snow at the finish line of the women's alpine slalom at the 2002 Olympics. Luckily, security begin as it was, the venue provided all the gear. I wasn't allowed to bring pedals, cymbals, or any kind of gear other than sticks. I was irritated, until I saw a quarter-inch pool of melted snow forming on the floor tom. Singers started getting zapped off the mics... Bad news. I was pretty glad those weren't my drums! Maybe you can wrap the in garbage bags, or something? /w Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members manoeuver Posted November 30, 2006 Members Share Posted November 30, 2006 play under a big tarp. no supports, either. that'd be hilarious. and just so you don't have any illusions of keeping your stuff dry, mightaswell pour a bucket of water (or soup!) on your drums and self before applying the tarp. happy parading! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members TheBoatCanDream Posted November 30, 2006 Author Members Share Posted November 30, 2006 I wonder if I should bring my earth ride just to show how happy I am with the gig. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Walt Disney Posted November 30, 2006 Members Share Posted November 30, 2006 Also, better to play nude than wearing wet clothes all day.Play nude. What's the finish on your shells? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members TheBoatCanDream Posted November 30, 2006 Author Members Share Posted November 30, 2006 Originally posted by Walt Disney Also, better to play nude than wearing wet clothes all day.Play nude.What's the finish on your shells? Polyurethane - DIY style. :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members sidereal Posted November 30, 2006 Members Share Posted November 30, 2006 I'd take mraia's advice. Don't do it. Did they give you a contract? Or was it a verbal "rain or shine" agreement? In either case, if you hear the words "rain or shine" ask if they've made accommodations in case it does rain. If they don't, don't take the gig. That'd be my advice anyway. No gig is worth ruining gear. Aside from that, though, the request seems odd. They do realize that much of music is electric these days, yes? So if the bass player goes up in flames, do you have to keep playing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members the DW Posted November 30, 2006 Members Share Posted November 30, 2006 I am also of the opinion that if possible, you should bow out. However, if you can't, and there's no covering, the main area that's going to collect rain is the bottom head. The top bearing edge will be protected by the batter head, so that should be fairly safe, but the rain will get in between the shell and the rim of the reso head. Perhaps you could take the bottom heads off and then spread some Vaseline over your bottom bearing edge? That way, the water can't collect and get absorbed by the bearing edge. I had my old Pearl Masters Custom kit rained on, and as soon as I got it home, I took off all the heads and wiped everything off, then used a blow dryer on low to dry up the remaining moisture. Seemed to work ok. $0.02 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members TheBoatCanDream Posted November 30, 2006 Author Members Share Posted November 30, 2006 Originally posted by sidereal I'd take mraia's advice. Don't do it. Did they give you a contract? Or was it a verbal "rain or shine" agreement? In either case, if you hear the words "rain or shine" ask if they've made accommodations in case it does rain. If they don't, don't take the gig.That'd be my advice anyway. No gig is worth ruining gear. Aside from that, though, the request seems odd. They do realize that much of music is electric these days, yes? So if the bass player goes up in flames, do you have to keep playing? Jazz trio. Drums, cornet, trombone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members 1001gear Posted December 1, 2006 Members Share Posted December 1, 2006 Rent. Acousticon, acrylic, carbon fiber, probably forget fiberglass. Take a two or three piece, max. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members TheBoatCanDream Posted December 1, 2006 Author Members Share Posted December 1, 2006 I'm getting $100 for the gig, I don't think it would be economical to rent. It's not economical anyway, but renting a kit would just make things worse I think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members manoeuver Posted December 1, 2006 Members Share Posted December 1, 2006 Originally posted by TheBoatCanDream Jazz trio. Drums, cornet, trombone. hmm. seriously consider a cymbals only setup.got a metal snare? bring that too. If you're driving past your entire audience, what difference will it make? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members tripod trilogy Posted December 1, 2006 Members Share Posted December 1, 2006 the hoffman has sage advice, an all metal setup. or slap together a jug band washboard setup and play that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members RockBass Posted December 1, 2006 Members Share Posted December 1, 2006 Turn all of your cymbals upside down and hit them in slow motion for that awesome music video effect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members TheBoatCanDream Posted December 1, 2006 Author Members Share Posted December 1, 2006 Originally posted by T Hofmann hmm. seriously consider a cymbals only setup.got a metal snare? bring that too.If you're driving past your entire audience, what difference will it make? Might make a difference for a call back. My plan is to bring a minimalist kit - bass, snare, hats, ride, and two small toms. If the weather is crappy, I'll tell the guys I don't want to take my toms out of the van. I've seen pics of these guys playing with other drummers and they've worked with two-piece kits before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Boba-AfterGlow Posted December 1, 2006 Members Share Posted December 1, 2006 Just take a tamborine. say you've chosen to redefine your style! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members tripod trilogy Posted December 1, 2006 Members Share Posted December 1, 2006 Originally posted by TheBoatCanDream Might make a difference for a call back. My plan is to bring a minimalist kit - bass, snare, hats, ride, and two small toms. If the weather is crappy, I'll tell the guys I don't want to take my toms out of the van. I've seen pics of these guys playing with other drummers and they've worked with two-piece kits before. i was thinking more victor delorenzo minimalist Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members TheBoatCanDream Posted December 1, 2006 Author Members Share Posted December 1, 2006 Originally posted by tripod trilogy i was thinking more victor delorenzo minimalist Doesn't he use a four piece? That's a full size kit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members tripod trilogy Posted December 1, 2006 Members Share Posted December 1, 2006 "Victor stands (and leaps) behind a snare and cymbal (when he Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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