Anyone else get scared...

[horsehead]

when you tot up how much you spend on guitars or are going to? With joining this band I just worked out how much to upgrade some of my gear....help :?  I need another bloody mortgage

[maverickf1jockey]

set up a 'pot'.

A set proportion of earnings from shows and other related things goes into the pot to be spent only when there is a general consensus that it is strictly necessary. The idea being that it is there for if some gear breaks and needs to be repaired/replaced there is money to do it and you don't have to take out odd jobs in order to pay for it. In the example of your equipment upgrades you would have to do them over a long period or supplement it with another source of income (i.e. day job). The benefit is that you are stopped from going silly and buying on a whim by the other members of the band and you have money left to spend on the rent (or mortgage in your case), food and paying bills.

The trouble is that, as a democratic method of band management, you could end up with some dickheads who buy shiteloads of gear for themselves without consulting the rest of the band, or alternatively one tight bar-steward who won't give you any lee-way to buy stuff he doesn't understand your need for (if you want to upgrade to a new amp this person might be the one who's stopping you getting it because he doesn't realize your actual want for it is further inflamed by being told that you are not allowed to get one.) This may lead to tensions in the band and the collapse of your group relationship. If you get into similar situations it is always better to have it out with said person and threaten them with replacement or at least hard animosity.

[TwilightOdyssey]

when you tot up how much you spend on guitars or are going to? With joining this band I just worked out how much to upgrade some of my gear....help :?  I need another bloody mortgage

Being in a band can cost a fortune, especially if you're serious about it.

It is, however, a labour of love.

Best of luck to ya!!

[HTH AMPS]

Set up a 'pot'. A set proportion of earnings from shows and other related things goes into the pot to be spent only when there is a general consensus that it is strictly necessary.

My old band did this - we'd put together money from gigs to upgrade the gear.  We started off with a £3000 loan and bought a Transit van (£1200), a Mackie 1000w PA (£1200 at trade cost) and £500 for a lighting rig.  The other £100 went on mic stands and a few beers.  That got us on the road so we could make money gigging (we already had some other gear between us from previous bands like a mixing desk, leads etc...)

Bit by bit we gradually got specific mics for the cabs (D112 and SM57), mics for the drums (D112, SM57, Groove Tube GT-55s) and Shure Beta58 vocal mics.

We got some outboard to make our sound punchier - 6 channels of compression/limiting/gating and a reverb unit to sprinkle some sauce on the vocals when needed.  Oh, and there was two channels of 31-band EQ that was used to shape the kick and snare sounds through the PA.

That same 'pot' of money paid for a lighting rig, monitors, smoke machines and a rehearsal room we rented out for our sole use 24/7.

 :twisted:

[38thBeatle]

I am in the fortunate position of having earned, over the years, way more than my gear ever cost so it is free in effect.That does not stop me from baulking at buying stuff.I just have to remind myself that my gear has helped me earn and I have had my busiest year ever and things seem to be getting busier.This is probably sounding smug but the point I am trying to make is that if you can use your gear to earn cash, in the end you will be quids in.

[WezV]

ahhh - at the moment i am quite happy to be mostly building guitars for other people, with the occasional quirky side project for myself. In theory that means i am getting more money than i am spending but but those little bits i cant possibly live without keep getting in the way!!

[blue]

but but those little bits i cant possibly live without keep getting in the way!!

you're not talking about the whiskys from the other thread, are you? :roll:

[horsehead]

but but those little bits i cant possibly live without keep getting in the way!!

you're not talking about the whiskys from the other thread, are you? :roll:

Not yet, but give him time :lol:

[Henk]

We always had a pot, so all we made from gigs would be spend on gear and beer. If thats not done with this band, just say you will upgrade your gear from your end of the gigs and just provide the most basic needs yourself (good stage amp and ditto guitar/effects/speaker mic).

[WezV]

but but those little bits i cant possibly live without keep getting in the way!!

you're not talking about the whiskys from the other thread, are you? :roll:

actually i try and limit the amount of whisky i buy now - i was getting through the good stuff far too fast and that makes it hard to justify the price.  Maybe a couple of bottles a year now rather than a couple a month.

[HTH AMPS]

but but those little bits i cant possibly live without keep getting in the way!!

you're not talking about the whiskys from the other thread, are you? :roll:

actually i try and limit the amount of whisky i buy now - i was getting through the good stuff far too fast and that makes it hard to justify the price.  Maybe a couple of bottles a year now rather than a couple a month.

Are we talking whiskey or burbon? - I got some Makers Mark a couple of months back, it was the best I could find even in a specialist whiskey shop.  

I've been off the drink for three months now and promised myself something nice for when I can drink again.

Got any recommendations for a nice burbon?

 :twisted:

[Mr Ed]

Being in a band can cost a fortune, especially if you're serious about it.

It is, however, a labour of love.

Best of luck to ya!!

That's exactly what I'd say... if you wanna do music, I'm always in the do "do it properly" corner.

It freaks me out that onthe way to a gig, I'm generally carrying at least £3,000's worth of stuff.

That's why it's all insured to hell!!  8)

[gingataff]

Got any recommendations for a nice bourbon?

 :twisted:

Recently I've been drinking Evan Williams, it's quite nice and I can get it for about 5 quid a bottle (low tax on alcohol over here!) the red label is very nice if you can find it but I drink the black label and it's ok too.
Something a bit more upmarket that I want to try is Booker's. Many people rate it highly, but I'm fairly new to bourbon, Islays are my main whisky.

[TwilightOdyssey]

There is already a current whiskey/whisky/bourbon/hard alcohol thread in progress.

PLEASE keep this thread on topic so I'm not forced to pull out my red pen and scissors. PDT_008

[blue]

it IS scary how much money is sitting there in wood, metal and plastic in a little room downstairs!  just my Les Pauls and amp add up to about five grand's worth! and i don't have it all insured, really must get my finger out about that.  anyone recommend a good musical instrument insurer?