Last week we played a gig on Rye beach. Great time however it rained right at the start of our second and final set. We covered all the gear but stuff got wet. After a 20 minute delay we began playing again but my XT Live rig got wet and wouldn't work. I pulled out the Fender Frontman 25w, mic'd it up and we were able to finish up the night in grand fashion.

So the question is are you prepared when your gear goes down?
Bad tube? blown fuses? blown speaker? amp head fries? cords break? What's your backup plan?

Duct tape-

that's why it's good sometimes to be on a bill with other bands

The Dodge Street Bar and Grille in Salem has enough drums in the back for at least eight drum kits- the last time we played there George went through four snares

How about "Don't play in the rain" ? 8')

Well we didn't plan on playing in the rain. Matter of fact we were under a deck. We tossed a tarp on the deck (KK's idea) and that kept the rain off us. We did get some wind though and it was just wet everywhere. The point is gear can go down for a number of reasons. Are you ready for it when it does or do you just tell the client your done because you blew a tube?

and doing repairs at a gig are the suckiest thing in the world.
It's best to have all your repairs and maintenance taken care of during the week.

Whenever you play outdoors bring a roll of large heavy duty trash bags. You can cover your monitors or tops FOH without taking them down, amps, mics right on the stand or even guitars on their stand, stuff your pedals in, and just about anything in a pinch except a drum kit.

Morganic,
Sounds familar with the little trouble at the benifit ride that sunday afternoon. You ever figure out what that was?

Since we do a few outdoors things I'm picking up a few painters plastic tarps for emergency coverage.

I like the comment about not relying on too many electronics. Obviously withthe XT Live I have lots of cools sounds for certain songs. When I switched to the Fender that was it. No delays, choruses, wha... The tone was great though so iI wasn't bummed and still was able to finish the gig strong. I really enjoyed that part of it!

Get one of those resealable plastic bags that is just big enough to fit your Pot or other pedal board. Put the board inside it and seal it.

Make a SMALL hole where each of the cables plug in and then seat the cables in that small hole so that they are snug and sealed.

If you do it right, the inside of the plastic should be nice and dry no matter what.

Use clear plastic tho, you want to be able to see the settings on the pedal ;-)

Don't do it if your pedalboard tends to get hot like some do.

I have been playing within emergency driving distance of my house so I only have one amp. Always have a 2nd guitar. I have a laptop bag turned tech kit.
As far as playing outside I will never do it unless there is a tent / tarp set up before I start playing. I remember a biker party I was playing. I asked where we were setting up and the guy points to the middle of his yard. As politely as possible I mentioned that we all had to much expensive gear to risk a downpour. Turns out he had a fence company and in short order he had a crew out there putting up a stage and a huge tarp. It did pour heavily as well as thunder and lightening. No casualties although I did see 10 gallons of roof rain water pour into and through G-Mans floor fan that was on and spraying water at him.

well,,,,,we have our rain stories. we were playing at the naswa beach resort(laconia) on a covered stage. got caught in a monsoon during the 3rd set. i brought my plastic bags,,,but the water was pouring from the backside down a hill onto the stage. talk about freakin! everything got wet but it still works.
we did a backyard party in tyngsboro last week under a deck. million dollar home. the lemonade jug was on top of us where the food was served. didnt realize the kids just let it fly. all my electronics got sticky before i realized it. what a hassle cleaning everthing off!
i carry an extra minidisc player and a small handheld boss processor for my guitar. then i hold my breath when the rains come!

yes,,wayne,,i remember when it was j. rags and i played on thurs. nites there. that glass canopy always leaked! crazy!