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31 Oct 04 - 01:17 PM (#1312295) Subject: In its case or on the stage? From: Pete Jennings With the temperatures dropping here in the UK as winter approaches, the problem of taking guitars into cold folk clubs, with the susbsequent impact on tuning, rears its head again. I get the guitar out and onto its stand asap, preferably near to the performing area so that it can settle into the ambient temperature there, then I re-check the tuning, say, 20 minutes later. Seems to work reasonably well, but I see a lot of folk who take their guitar (and other instruments) out of the case just prior to performing and that, too, seems to work. What do you do? Any useful tips, anyone? Pete |
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31 Oct 04 - 01:31 PM (#1312309) Subject: RE: In its case or on the stage? From: Chris Green I turned up late for a gig once - came straight out of the car, put the case on stage, then ran off for a quick pint. The MC introduced me. I bounded onto the stage, opened my case, paused for a couple of seconds and then went up to the mike and said "Has anyone got a spare guitar?" Stage definitely - only so you know for sure you've brought the bloody thing with you! :) |
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31 Oct 04 - 01:46 PM (#1312321) Subject: RE: In its case or on the stage? From: C-flat I often use nylon strings and find I need to let the guitar acclimatise before using it, so "stage" again for me. C-flat. |
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31 Oct 04 - 01:49 PM (#1312322) Subject: RE: In its case or on the stage? From: PennyBlack usually take instruments on stage for the sound check, and leave them their till we perform - nearly always need a re-tune before starting though, but once tuned tend to stay in tune for a lot longer once "aired". PB |
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31 Oct 04 - 02:05 PM (#1312349) Subject: RE: In its case or on the stage? From: Alaska Mike it gets cold here. If the guitar has been inside the case but has been seriously chilled, I leave it in the case for a long time before opening. The varnish on the guitar will crack and spiderweb if it is subjected to quick temperature changes. Once the case has warmed up considerably, I'll pull the guitar out and warm it to the room. Then I'll tune before playing. On cold nights, I usually arrive early. Mike |
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31 Oct 04 - 02:21 PM (#1312368) Subject: RE: In its case or on the stage? From: Peace Agree with all above. Arrive early and let the axe warm to room temperature. |
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31 Oct 04 - 08:21 PM (#1312595) Subject: RE: In its case or on the stage? From: Once Famous If you have a cool guitar, put it on the stand and show it off as soon as possible! |
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31 Oct 04 - 09:11 PM (#1312629) Subject: RE: In its case or on the stage? From: Sorcha Agree with A Mike,,,you can always use patter to cover tuning. |
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31 Oct 04 - 11:05 PM (#1312709) Subject: RE: In its case or on the stage? From: DonMeixner When we set up the first things that are unpacked are the instrument stands. The guitars are hung on the stands and left while we set up PA's and drums. We then tune and get a drink. Once we do our mic checks and get the sound set we retune and wait for the gig to start. Since our instruments all have inline electric tuners we worry a little less about acclimation and the effects on tuning. Alaska Mike is quite correct about openning a cold guitar in a warm (hot) pub. I've seen spider webs run through the finish of a Humming Bird and it is neat to watch only if it is someone else's guitar. A little common sense goes a long way in this regard. Don |
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01 Nov 04 - 01:28 AM (#1312778) Subject: RE: In its case or on the stage? From: Seamus Kennedy Alaska Mike, your guitar is just a Martin, so it doesn't matter if it spider-webs or not. Mine is a valuable Takamine..... See you in January, buddy. Let's compare cold-weather guitar opening techniques. Seamus |
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01 Nov 04 - 05:10 AM (#1312874) Subject: RE: In its case or on the stage? From: GUEST, Hamish Don: You obviously work on large stages! I'm always nervous about setting up the gear with my valuables and dingables in the danger zone: especially where there are enthusiastic volunteers around, such as the helpful publican who didn't know how a jack lead can whip that heavy jack plug around if you pull it up too quickly: that got me into an awkward position: he hadn't paid me yet! But, yes by and large agree with the above: stage, on the stand, subject to risk assessment! Hamish |
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01 Nov 04 - 10:15 AM (#1313071) Subject: RE: In its case or on the stage? From: Pete Jennings Seems pretty conclusive. Duellingbouzoukis: I haven't yet managed to take an empty guitar case out of the house, but I often sit looking at the open case, having packed the tuner, capo, etc, thinking "I'm sure there's something else...". I once got as far as closing it up sans guitar but luckily the Minx casually asked If I had forgotten anything! |
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01 Nov 04 - 11:56 AM (#1313199) Subject: RE: In its case or on the stage? From: Seamus Kennedy A new pub that I performed at a week ago where the owner is a musician himself has a row of guitar holders on the wall on stage like a music store. Just open the case, hang the guitar on the wall, and go about the rest of your business. Very thoughtful.But all seriousness aside, when it's cold out, I let my guitar warm up in its case for 20 minutes or so before opening it, even if it is a Tak. Seamus |
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01 Nov 04 - 12:22 PM (#1313230) Subject: RE: In its case or on the stage? From: Big Mick Gradual is the key here. I always leave my case in the venue unopened for at least a half hour if possible. Then I open it and let it be for another 20 minutes or so. This is because my beloved Guild got opened to quick years ago, and the did the afore mentioned cracked finish trick. Fortunately this doesn't harm the sound, but I would rather it wasn't cracked. Mick |
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01 Nov 04 - 12:27 PM (#1313239) Subject: RE: In its case or on the stage? From: Strollin' Johnny I left my Gibson ES335 on a stand on the stage. The stoopid MC kicked it over and, as is the standard result with Gibsons, the head broke off. Expensive. If it's a quality instrument, in the case definitely, absolutely, no argument (stops pillocks trying to play it too). |
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01 Nov 04 - 12:40 PM (#1313257) Subject: RE: In its case or on the stage? From: DonMeixner The only damage my guitar or banjo has ever sustained during a performance happened in the third week of ownership. Bill Delaney, the 60 year old 15 year old,whom I play with did a MIck Jagger backwards into the mic stand and dumped my brand new JC-16 Martin over on it's face. Well after the warm up period was over. I'd prefer the spiderwebs in the finish to the divots the geriatric nitwit left in the wood. Don |
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01 Nov 04 - 03:15 PM (#1313419) Subject: RE: In its case or on the stage? From: Seamus Kennedy Don, I'm tellin' Bill what you said about him!! How dare you call that dumb old fart "a geriatric nitwit." Seamus |
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01 Nov 04 - 03:22 PM (#1313429) Subject: RE: In its case or on the stage? From: DonMeixner Seamus, You are correct, I should be ashamed of myself. When one who is so stooopid is also so geriatric they really should be a "Gnatwit". They've lived long enough to deserve the title. Don |
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01 Nov 04 - 04:09 PM (#1313468) Subject: RE: In its case or on the stage? From: Cluin Good advice above. On the stage to acclimate for tuning, but leave it in the case for a good while if there is a severe temperature change to deal with. Gig equipment disaster stories?... Not one that happened to me personally, but one a friend told me about: Seems he was playing a dance where the band was on the floor mwith the crowd. The guitarist- lead vocalist of the group had recently acquired a new Gibson Jumbo and it was his first gig out with it. Of course the requisite drunk had to take up a position in front of him and after a favourite song of his was finished, the drunk leaned forward to offer his conspiratorial encouragement and accidentally dumped pretty much a whole glass of beer straight into the soundhole of the player's new Gibson. The player felt slightly bad much later for cold-cocking the drunk. |
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01 Nov 04 - 04:36 PM (#1313507) Subject: RE: In its case or on the stage? From: ThreeSheds Dear Cluin Any chance of a translation into UK english of the phrase "cold cocking a drunk" |
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01 Nov 04 - 04:41 PM (#1313514) Subject: RE: In its case or on the stage? From: DonMeixner Three Sheds, The would be placing most of your available fist at high velocity right between the drunks eyes with out the benefit of warning. Don |
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01 Nov 04 - 04:59 PM (#1313538) Subject: RE: In its case or on the stage? From: ThreeSheds Thanks for that Don I doubt whether anyone in UK thought it meant that |
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01 Nov 04 - 08:33 PM (#1313712) Subject: RE: In its case or on the stage? From: DonMeixner You probably thought it involved a frozen rooster in some manner, huh? |
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02 Nov 04 - 08:10 AM (#1314019) Subject: RE: In its case or on the stage? From: Pete Jennings Don, believe it or not there was a divorce case in England (Wigan?) a few years ago when the wife said the last straw was when she came downstairs in the early hours to find her naked husband doing you-know-what with a frozen chicken. Apparently her first reaction was "You b*st*rd, that's my Sunday lunch". LOL. Serious thread creep warning! |
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02 Nov 04 - 10:45 AM (#1314134) Subject: RE: In its case or on the stage? From: GUEST,davy I once got to a gig, opened the case to find a bouzuki where I expected a guitar....Bluffed it out though! |
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02 Nov 04 - 11:06 AM (#1314148) Subject: RE: In its case or on the stage? From: Mooh Went to a show a year or two ago with everything I needed exccept my guitars. Lucckily it was only 20 minutes from home and I had left pretty early. Generally I follow the advice given here, it's just a matter of self disccipline. My guitars are last loaded and first unloaded, they ride in the heated part of the ccar, they sit and wait while stage gear is set-up to give them time to accclimate, though tuned when they arrive, they're tuned before playing too. I have one finish crack that I've noticed, but I don't care much. Beyond being loved ones which get extreme care, guitars are tools, and tools get used. The worst temperature variables I get are the bi-weekly nursing home shows. In winter, even if I preheat the vehicle, the sudden extremes from outside to the home can be a bit much. They really keep those homes hot! Peace, Mooh. |
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02 Nov 04 - 11:08 AM (#1314152) Subject: RE: In its case or on the stage? From: Mooh Hey, what's with the extra "ccc"s in my post? Sorry about that folks! Mooh. |
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02 Nov 04 - 05:22 PM (#1314526) Subject: RE: In its case or on the stage? From: Cluin Ever slack off your strings on an instrument you don't play all that regularly? |
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03 Nov 04 - 09:44 AM (#1315171) Subject: RE: In its case or on the stage? From: Mooh Cluin...Short answer, nope. Long answer, never had to. I'd have to go years without playing to make that worthwhile, and I don't know what the difference between playing and not playing a strung guitar is to the guitar itself. Except that maybe a neck reset might be forstalled I wouldn't slacken the strings, and how often would a reset be required? Peace, Mooh. |