Home » VintageKustom.com » Comment Board » Who is gigging New Years Eve?

Show: Today's Messages :: Show Polls :: Message Navigator

Who is gigging New Years Eve? [message #3372] Sat, 27 December 2003 11:44   RoyC Messages: 97 Registered: April 2000 Location: East Central Illinois Member Who all is playing out NYE? We *were* going to play at a private party and had turned down 2 other prospective offers because we thought this one was 'in the bag'. At the last minute these people backed out, citing several reasons - none of them valid. Naturally, us being trusting and good-natured, we didn't request a deposit or anything - so - it looks like I am going to be unencumbered by commitments this NYE. Wow - every new years since about '91 I have been playing out somewhere - I won't know what to do with myself. Report message to a moderator

Re: Who is gigging New Years Eve? [message #3377 is a reply to message #3372] Sat, 27 December 2003 19:36 QModer Messages: 413 Registered: June 2003 Senior Member I feel your pain. I'm susposed to play too but may not. Not because of the owner but the drummer. He feels he plays too loud and he probably does LOL as he's hamfisted. But he could probably do find with a set of hot sticks if he would just try. Its a huge place but the owner does wanna deafen anyone. It would probably have loosened up after a while too but the drummer is really the person who sets the volume. The lead guitarist that is me, the keyboard player, rymthm guitarist, and bass player are ready. We even had a country singer that we were susposed to back up for several songs. I guess they'll have karoke now. Report message to a moderator

Re: Who is gigging New Years Eve? [message #3380 is a reply to message #3377] Sun, 28 December 2003 13:51   RoyC Messages: 97 Registered: April 2000 Location: East Central Illinois Member You're absolutely right about the drummer setting the volume. If it wasn't for the drummer I could get by with my dingy old s.f. Champ. I find keeping the volume under control to be an enormous challenge - but an essential one, to be invited back. Report message to a moderator

Re: Who is gigging New Years Eve? [message #3381 is a reply to message #3372] Sun, 28 December 2003 14:25 JB Messages: 32 Registered: January 2003 Location: Maryland Member Don't feel bad as we've had the same thing happen this year. We'll be jamming with friends instead which is fine for me. I also have drummer woes. Our problem is he beats the devil out of the drums at practice, when we do a gig it's like he's not even there. I have to have the sound man put the bass drum in my monitor. Report message to a moderator

Re: Who is gigging New Years Eve? [message #3382 is a reply to message #3372] Sun, 28 December 2003 14:41 QModer Messages: 413 Registered: June 2003 Senior Member Man what and opposite situation we are in. Sounds like the old comics of Bizzaro Superman does'nt it? I would say its better than having to turn him down. But as and chair threapist I'd say your fella has inferiority problems he' suffereing from. I play with a rymthm player like that. Does matter how low you go he gets lower. But what sounds like a great volume to most of us players is too loud for most people. I use a Pro Jr. for dirt and a Deluxe reverb for clean because of there low wattage and tube tone. So I can't get any louder. The bass player uses two of my Kustom 200 bass amps. We use one Kustom 200 head to power my leslie for keyboards. The rymthm player does'nt matter what he uses it'll be low LOL.. So that leaves mr. Hamfist. The rymthm player is susposed to talking to another drummer about this job. If his talks are successful we'll practise tonight and play if not well you know the answer. If not for the variety of our material we might could get away with a drummer just showing up. That and the little set that country singer is doing we are susposed to back up. But our new set is likely to be unknown to and older drummer and the older stuff likely to be unknown to a young drummer so its almost mandatory at least one practise with the a drummer. Report message to a moderator

Re: Who is gigging New Years Eve? [message #3385 is a reply to message #3382] Sun, 28 December 2003 17:58 Anonymous Dan, I hope Mr. Hamfist doesn't read your post or he'll play extra loud. I did a jazz gig a few years ago and told the drummer he had to use brushes because he plays so loud. He played so hard his brushes disintigrated and he ended up using sticks the rest of the night. Good luck with your gig; I wish I was playing. Brian Report message to a moderator

Re: Who is gigging New Years Eve? [message #3386 is a reply to message #3385] Sun, 28 December 2003 18:31 QModer Messages: 413 Registered: June 2003 Senior Member Brian you are absolutely right. He's like the drummer you played with. He would do it exactly as you said of your drummer did you and do it just for spite LOL.. But he is a self labled low tech redneck. He's always trying get me to email this person or go on that site for him and I have in the past LOL.. But as I said all I'm taking to play thru for me alone is a Pro Jr. and the Deluxe. If he gets loud well everyone will know who's loud LOL.. This type of behavior was acceptable when we were younger playing at sock hops and home comings. In such places as gyms, auditoriums, and giant cafeterias. But now we play in cafes and smaller places. Even though this is a big place compared to many, the owner is expecting a lot of more mature guests who don't wanna go home with their ears ringing LOL.. Report message to a moderator

Re: Who is gigging New Years Eve? [message #3387 is a reply to message #3386] Mon, 29 December 2003 21:33 Anonymous Your right Dan, you have to do what the owner wants. He hired you. If you play for yourselves it may be the last time you get paid for it. I played with a guitar player who could not get that in his head. He's still playing too loud and getting kicked out of bands. Report message to a moderator

Re: Who is gigging New Years Eve? [message #3388 is a reply to message #3372] Mon, 29 December 2003 22:00 QModer Messages: 413 Registered: June 2003 Senior Member Your right Brian. Playing in some worship services I'm sure the volume problems resonate with you. I understand many guitar player problems with getting their favorite tone down low. But you have to find ways around it such as pedals or a smaller amp pushed hard. The problem should really seem to be simpler to drummers to me but it obviously harder than I think. It was a very easy to handle thing to me when I played keyboards too. I've got a kustom head pushing the entire set up in a big old Leslie and sitting right by it I could always hear those beautiful tones and often had to be told to turn up. Bass you need a couple of tens with your bass to hear yourself on stage and a 2x15 for the back of the room. I have one kustom cab that has a 2x10 upper section and 2x12 lower section that really does the trick for bass. We just have to judge the situation and be flexible. I did'nt really understand how the small place low volume situation until the last few years either. Its a shock no dout to go from straining to be heard over the noise to suddenly being too loud. Report message to a moderator

Re: Who is gigging New Years Eve? [message #3389 is a reply to message #3372] Tue, 30 December 2003 00:04 JB Messages: 32 Registered: January 2003 Location: Maryland Member I do agree with you guy's for the most part about keeping gigs and being too loud for some venues BUT If your playing Rock n Roll (old, new, black, white or red, whatever) it's supposed to be loud. Unless people come out expecting to here Julie Andrews and "the sound of music" or Slim Whitman yodeling there's a good chance it's going to be loud. My son and I do a duo where we do the acoustic thing, James Taylor, Jim Croche, Light Beatles and Elvis tunes. They expect to be able to hear themselves talk when a duo is playing. I feel pretty strong that when you go out to play Rock and Roll its got to be loud. They make ear plugs for people with sensitive ears. I hate to sound egotistical, believe me I'm not, but I'd rather stay home then go out and play backround to idle chit chat. Just my opinion Report message to a moderator

Re: Who is gigging New Years Eve? [message #3391 is a reply to message #3389] Tue, 30 December 2003 11:02 Anonymous I'd rather play loud too, JB, but when I club tells you to turn down, it doesn't go over too well to say "we are a rock and roll band, it's supposed to be loud". Besides I've been to too many bars and clubs where the band plays so loud you can't talk or think. Usually they cover up deficiencies in the talent department with volume. I've heard others that are very good but have a horrible mix. There's nothing wrong with being loud if that's what everyone wants. I just object to a band ignoring the wishes of others and playing only for themselves. Report message to a moderator

Re: Who is gigging New Years Eve? [message #3396 is a reply to message #3391] Tue, 30 December 2003 14:08 QModer Messages: 413 Registered: June 2003 Senior Member Brian you are so right I'd rather not play for a cell phone talkers crowd either LOL. But if who ever you play for is complaining about the volume then you've got problems. I'd much rather be told to turn up than down. I used to play in big places with the bands too and I was always trying to figure out ways to increase my volume and all the big bands acts were doing the same thing with their marshall stacks and so on. I have played bass thru as many three kustom heads and four kustom cabs at a time before. I have used a Bassman thru two cabs live A/B'ed with another Twin thru an extension cab live too for lead. That was loud. The volume blew your breaches legs around and I loved it. I playing with impedance values, used the Lpb one and two power boosters, got stronger pickups and all of that to get more volume. Kustom and Fender played the game in the early 70's too coming out with powered cabs that you plugged your head into with another extension in that cab to hook cabs and power amps up forever. Then suddenly like muscle cars it stopped. Sunn introduced micing everything with the colosium Pa's. So people began using smaller amps miced up. Amps that I would'nt give the time of day to before became acceptable. Now the search is on to get that tone but lower. Kids are not even allowed to use the gyms for dances anymore they have to go off campus to like the holiday inn or something. Then the march to the smaller and smaller dance clubs began until now its the coffee house. You can't and won't play loud there but once. The problem is it will be hard to get your tone from the big amp with out being loud. A big amp just sounds flat on low volume. So you have to drag yourself into this century by getting a smaller amp and cranking it for that turned up tone you used to get. Keep the big amp and if you ever get a chance to use it in a big place again you're sitting on ready. But the small amp guy will just signal the soundman to turn his mic up on his little amp. How many here really think that all those 4x12 marshalls are even turned on or even have speakers on this last kiss tour compared to when they started? You even have some singers going around on stage now with a Db meter. Yes I enjoyed the old days too they were great just the stage presence alone was great. Now at an outdoor professional live gig you're lucky to even see an amp on stage LOL.. It certainly has taken some of the fun factor out of it. I must say but we soldier on. Report message to a moderator

Re: Who is gigging New Years Eve? [message #3397 is a reply to message #3372] Tue, 30 December 2003 16:31 JB Messages: 32 Registered: January 2003 Location: Maryland Member I've been giging since I was 16 and I'm 43 now so I've seen a lot of change and the worst part of it is a club that features "Kroakie" or DJ as entertainment, Live music really has suffered. Now we musicains must go out and try to compete with these two. Any of you do "Booty Call" or "Who let the dogs out"? I don't mean to put anyone down but we shouldn't sell out (unless that is your musical preference of course) if I'm hired to play a "band" gig I'm taking my Kustom K200 or my Vox AC30. If I can't, I stay home. Live music is just that "Live" like any live entertainment it's never totally controlled if it is it'll sound and/or appear sterile. Being loud and taking big amps out hasnt cause us any problems other than back problems, ha, ha. Most club owners could care less as long as you bring a crowd. I guess when folks see the wall of Kustom and Vox amps they know what they are in store for. Same as when people see a group that have line pods plugged into the board then, there are those too drunk to notice ;) Report message to a moderator

Re: Who is gigging New Years Eve? [message #3398 is a reply to message #3372] Tue, 30 December 2003 17:36 QModer Messages: 413 Registered: June 2003 Senior Member Sorry about that anon post. I must not have logged in right on that post. I'll bet all of you knew it was me though LOL.. I think the Karoke was a hot thing with folks for a while but its really died out now. Sort of yesterday's thing. Rock is making a come back now too. So in many ways things are moving back. I wish the the wall of Kustoms was would come back. As in a pic of Kustoms and Fenders I sent Brian. I don't just have a wall. I have Kustom boulavard and Fender Avenue LOL.. Maybe its already started in some of your areas. But right now the places are small and not filled with enought drunks to bring back the volume here just yet. As I said I'm prepared for what ever the inviroment brings my way. Have a great new years all kustom nuts. Report message to a moderator

Re: Who is gigging New Years Eve? [message #3400 is a reply to message #3388] Tue, 30 December 2003 21:00 ET Messages: 146 Registered: October 2000 Location: Charlotte NC Senior Member haven't had that problem in 17 years...traded in my live band for a midi rig back in 1986 and never looked back...yes, I do miss a full live band when it works..when everyone is healthy,has practiced, shows up ontime, is sober, has left their attitudes at home and has their gear in working shape...but for the money..running with a midi rig has been great biz for us...I get to use my kustoms for PA, and run a nice SC combo in the back as well...about twice a year we get booked as a "live band" which means I press my son into service..he's a very good drummer..and very loud, so the venue has to call for it...I've held post as worship director at a 2,000 seat church and even with a shield, the drums do set the volume...but I have much bigger gripes with sound guys than I ever will have with anyone on the stage...another reason why I like my midi rig.. I run the sound from stage and never have complaints..when we used to run a 6 piece live band we used a sound/light guy...always sucked..and he always wanted my twin 2x15 kustom bass rig to turn down on stage so his whimpy yamaha scoops could control the volume levels..fat chance of that....so here's to drummers!... I'm thinkin the best solution to the volume problem is to add some tuck n roll padding to the drum shells...they'd look better, and sound great! Report message to a moderator

Re: Who is gigging New Years Eve? [message #3404 is a reply to message #3397] Wed, 31 December 2003 11:02 Anonymous I like playing as loud as the next guy but I think become more sensative to volume by playing a lot of jazz gigs in small venues. They don't tolerate LOUD. Now when I go hear a RnR band I notice things like blending of each instrument, total volume, reaction of crowd, etc. You need to chose the amp for the room you play in. Just as Dan said, smaller amps turned full up gives you the tone you need without overwhelming everybody. I would love to bring my Marshall half stack everywhere I play just for the tone, but I have to be sensitive to the needs of the room. Come to think of it...I can bring my Plexi because it has a PowerBrake to control the volume. Happy New Year Dan, JB. Report message to a moderator

Re: Who is gigging New Years Eve? [message #3414 is a reply to message #3372] Wed, 31 December 2003 15:59 JB Messages: 32 Registered: January 2003 Location: Maryland Member I totally understand the need for smaller amps I have them as well but found I can't get the clean tone that I get from my favorite amps. Even tho my drummer is a lightfoot it takes more volume than they have at a clean rate. Also we do the "Tribute" thing so the look is an issue as well. Good luck to those playing tonight and have a happy safe new year guys. Report message to a moderator

Re: Who is gigging New Years Eve? [message #3415 is a reply to message #3414] Wed, 31 December 2003 19:36 Anonymous JB, if you need clean headroom I understand completely. That's a whole different story. Also, for a tribute band the look is everything. What/who do you play in the tribute group? What guitars do you use with your AC30 and K-200? It sounds like a lot of fun. Brian Report message to a moderator

Re: Who is gigging New Years Eve? [message #3418 is a reply to message #3415] Wed, 31 December 2003 22:21 QModer Messages: 413 Registered: June 2003 Senior Member Well my new years thing fell thru too as I felt it might. Thats too bad for the bass player, the metal singer, the country singer, the blues singer, and all the guests who they were gonna have a good family style time with free food, Oh yeah and me LOL.. But you can't win em all. Yes to guote Brian the tribute thing sounds like a lota fun. Got any extra wigs? Report message to a moderator

Re: Who is gigging New Years Eve? [message #3422 is a reply to message #3372] Thu, 01 January 2004 04:02 JB Messages: 32 Registered: January 2003 Location: Maryland Member Dan, sorry to hear your gig fell thru. Don't feel bad we had 3 possible big paying gigs fall short for NYE. I too feel bad for the other members of my group that lost out. I think people are trying to save money? who knows. Brian, the "trib" is fun. We do a Beatles/CCR show, we started out with Beatles and then evetually began opening the act with some various CCR/Doors/Guess Who. Now we have separated the 2 shows cause our following wants more of both and cuz I'm a stickler for using the proper gear. I play the part of Lennon/Fogerty. My gear consists of; 62 Tan AC30 and a 64 Black TB AC30 I use these guitars with the AC30's 325c58 jetglo and Alderglo, 62-J160E, Epi 65 Reissue(Lennon)Casino. 3-K200a-4 (I have to rotate the Kustom heads cuz one is always being repaired:( 1980 fireglo 320 converted to a 325w/bigsby. 1970 Black Les Paul Custom. 1954 Guild Aristocrat (don't know if Fogerty had one, it just plays and sounds awsome for Rockabilly) Report message to a moderator

Re: Who is gigging New Years Eve? [message #3423 is a reply to message #3422] Thu, 01 January 2004 12:48   RoyC Messages: 97 Registered: April 2000 Location: East Central Illinois Member Hey JB - I checked out your website - I think the trib thing is cool. You said you guys are doin' the CCR thing as well. I wish I could sing like Fogerty. He's 'da man! I've got the 'Premonition' DVD and I enjoy it immensely. We do a semi-extended version of Suzy Q that I'm kinda proud of - it keeps the CCR flavor but adds like a Warren Haynes vibe to it. You mentioned The Doors - (I'm bragging again) we do an 'intense' version of L.A.Woman that we always conclude a set with. The only Beatles tune we do, once in a while we'll stick "Come Together" on the setlist. I'm not much of a Beatles fan - even though I readily acknowledge their enormous contribution to 'modern' music - I'm still not quite recovered from the late 60's, when WLS am radio 'overplayed' the Beatles quite a bit - it seems every 4th song was a Beatles tune. With that many hits, I guess it was inevitable. Report message to a moderator

Re: Who is gigging New Years Eve? [message #3425 is a reply to message #3422] Thu, 01 January 2004 14:35 Anonymous John, that's quite a list of fab gear. I assume you had a Rick 325V59 before the C58. Do you hear much difference between the two? Do you dress up in Beatle outfits as well? I go and see The Return (Beatles trib band) quite often because we live only one town from each other. Are you familiar with them? Report message to a moderator

Re: Who is gigging New Years Eve? [message #3426 is a reply to message #3372] Thu, 01 January 2004 15:01 JB Messages: 32 Registered: January 2003 Location: Maryland Member Hey Roy, Thanks for checking out the site. It needs to be updated, the songs are a couple of years old and hopefully we've improved a bit. When requested we do the extended versions of "Suzie" and "Grapevine" Your right Fogerty is "da man" and sure is a challenge. "Premonition" is great. Take a look at the "Oakland concert 1970" awesome video, it's hard to take your eyes off of "Cosmos" I don't care what anyone else says I think he's a fantastic drummer, you can tell he loved/loves what he was doing. "LA Woman" is a great tune, we'll be expanding our song list soon and more "Doors" will be a priority. I do love the Beatles but doing some variety is good for the soul : ) We do the standards "I wanna hold your hand" and "She Loves you" but we do the off the wall songs too "She Said" "And you Bird" "Hey Bulldog" and we're working on one whole side of Abbey Road" Then we do a "Cavern" set that includes BBC cover songs from pre "Beatlemania" days, (My favorite) Hope I'm not sounding like a "used car salesman" ha, ha? Brian, yes I've heard of "The Return" When we played the "Hard Rock cafe" in Baltimore city MD (My hometown) I was told they played there the year before last. I've heard good things about them. Maybe if they come back I'll get a chance to check them out. I did have a v59, it was a fine guitar but I love my c58's. They nail the tone and are more fun and easy to play, very light and resonate guitars. Yes, we do the suits, Paul and Ringo wear wigs. My son and I are used to looking out of place so we grow our own, ha, ha. Report message to a moderator

Re: Who is gigging New Years Eve? [message #3430 is a reply to message #3372] Thu, 01 January 2004 17:36 QModer Messages: 413 Registered: June 2003 Senior Member The period thing is cool. Report message to a moderator

Re: Who is gigging New Years Eve? [message #3433 is a reply to message #3426] Thu, 01 January 2004 20:13 Anonymous She Said She Said. One of my all-time favorite songs. I love the SG thru Vox tone of that song and all of Revolver. Paperback Writer, Bulldog, Dr. Robert, etc. I wish I still had my 1964 SG standard. Sold it and bought a 1969 SG Standard. It's still a good guitar but not like the '64. Report message to a moderator

Re: Who is gigging New Years Eve? [message #3439 is a reply to message #3430] Fri, 02 January 2004 10:43 C4ster Messages: 686 Registered: June 2001 Location: Mukwonago, WI (Milwaukee... Senior Member Just curious, is there a address list of the contributers to this site? I know you get together in the summers, but how about a date book for you gigging guys so we could see the performances? I have no idea where you guys are and you don't know where I am. The old timers have a distinct advantage. I am in the Milwaukee area and would be interested in others in this area. And I am sure there are more like me, 52, pot belly, all my hair, and guitars with dust on them. I need to start playing again!!!!! Conrad Report message to a moderator

Re: Who is gigging New Years Eve? [message #3443 is a reply to message #3439] Fri, 02 January 2004 11:45   Jc Messages: 217 Registered: March 2000 Location: N.W. Chicago Suburb Senior Member Well......except for the hair part! That's me! Jc Report message to a moderator

Re: Who is gigging New Years Eve? [message #3458 is a reply to message #3372] Sat, 03 January 2004 17:29 Bill Messages: 64 Registered: March 2002 Location: Kansas Member We took a little less money to stay in town and not be on the highway for NYE. The comments on the tribute brought back good memories from my old band...an hour of Chicago and an hour of Creedence, an hour of mixed music. Currently we play everything from Hank, Sr. to Ozzy. Quite a mix...tends to freak out the kids when us OLD guys light up Paranoid. haha. By the way, just bought a DeArmond Starfire bass, very easy to play and versatile with pickup selection switch. Also using an old Univox Lectra for those old Beatle songs. Not quite as cool as Hofner, but sounds good. Besides it is easier on the back than the Jazz. Thrill Bill Report message to a moderator

Re: Who is gigging New Years Eve? [message #3461 is a reply to message #3458] Sat, 03 January 2004 21:23 QModer Messages: 413 Registered: June 2003 Senior Member I know what you mean about lighting up the kids. My nephew came out one night and started the intro to Iron Man and I finished the song for him. He did'nt know he was playing with the first guy who learned in town LOL.. Report message to a moderator

Previous Topic:	Serial Number chart
Next Topic:	Installed new mains cord

Goto Forum:

- VintageKustom.com  Comment Board  Replacement Part Suggestions  Repairing Kustom Amps- Classified Ads  For Sale  Wanted- FUDforum Questions & Problems  Questions & Problems about FUDforum