[Harp-L] Re: gear creep

[Tom Skailes <tom.skailes@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

With one of the bands I play with I carry:

my harp box I made myself many years ago that carries 20 diatonics 
(several spares and odd keys I rarely use) - it's about laptop size in plan
a Special 6 combo or 59 RI Bassman depending on the size of venue (the 
Bassman has spare valves, a small toolkit with fuses etc and a Weber 
Minimass 50 with associated leads in the cavity)
a tenor sax in hard case with shoulder strap
an alto sax in hard case
a long handled canvas bag that has my mic, leads, power breaker and 
strip, clip on perspex microphone shield monitor for the sax, sax stand, 
delay pedal (which I usually don't use), and an impedance matching box

So you see, no compromise on gear needed/carried - you never know what 
you'll need. I put the harp case in the canvas bag and sling it over a 
shoulder, along with the tenor sax, carry the alto sax in my left hand, 
the amp in my right and walk. Just not too far with the Bassman... 
sometimes I use a folding sack truck to carry that longer distances. And 
just hope there's not too many stairs at the venue. It's fun on busy 
pavements (aka sidewalks).

Without the saxes, and with Special 6 rather than the Bassman that's a 
pretty easy carry.

Hey, even though I play sax I don't play over the harp player if there's 
one there - unless of course they're better than me ;)

Tom

> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 12
> Date: Tue, 19 Jul 2011 09:14:00 -0400
> From: Elizabeth Hess<TrackHarpL@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Gear Creep
> To: The Iceman<icemanle@xxxxxxx>
> Cc: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
> Message-ID:<DEE71B7F-CE8B-4FBE-A0D8-FF2D4A15D422@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed; delsp=yes
>
> Yes, that was my first thought at the time.  My larger question is one
> of efficient and compact transport.  Maybe an even larger harp case
> with room for extra stuff.  Maybe trim the set of harps I carry around
> (I really do think I could leave the Paddy Richters at home most of
> the time, for example), and get a different and/or custom-cut foam
> insert for the hard case I have, so as to accommodate fewer harps and
> more stuff.  Or maybe a larger case that would hold the harp case
> inside it AND ancillary items.  Or a third general-purpose container
> such as a knapsack.
>
> When you (any of you) gig, how many separate items do you carry with
> you into the club, not counting the contents of your pockets?  What
> trade-offs do you make between things you must have, things you like
> to have, and things you  *might*  want or need, but usually do not?
> E.g. extra batteries for battery-powered items.
>
> I can see this escalating to the point where I have a steamer trunk
> and a dolly, and I shudder.
>
>
>
> On Jul 19, 2011, at 8:28 AM, The Iceman wrote:
>
> > a power strip or extension cord should be part of your gig kit.
> > smallest item could be one of those hard rubber triple plug outlet
> > thingies, but be aware of the need for three prong grounded plug
> > needs.
>
>
> End of Harp-L Digest, Vol 95, Issue 45
> **************************************