Your finest Les Pauls used on outdoor gigs?

[brianbzed]

Used my Gary Moore recently on an outdoor gig. Lots of rowdy drunks and very little Security. Made me a little nervous, so I took my breaks on the stage within arms reach of my guitar. Paranoia on my part? Maybe. Back in my pro days (early 90's), a drunken cowboy came from the unguarded back of the stage and caught his boot on the cable attached to my '59 Reissue. AAAHHHH!! down she went, face first onto the stage. Minor damage...thank the Lord. I've started to learn that I should take my LEAST valuable Les Pauls into harms way.
What say you?

 

[Gar]

I always kept my guitars within arms reach. It's stories like this why I used to keep my best guitars at home. Now I finally got my 2 Les Pauls insured so I can feel better about taking them out to gigs. I know guitars are 'meant to be played' but they're alot of money too so I highly reccomend getting insurance to 'soften the blow' if the worst should happen.

 

[brianbzed]

Damn fine advice. I will check my homeowner's policy tomorrow. I think insuring individual instruments is too expensive..........it is not like I own a real '58 or '59!

 

[Donal]

I like using one of these when playing live

Firstly it saves space and I feel safer with my guitars stored that way. It is hard to knock one out. Also I have no cables connected to them, I replug my wireless (mostly in my back pocket).

Once when helping out a befriended band where the guitarist had a problem with his arm I used one of these, which was his and as they were the house band it was already on the stage. I thought great, I don't need to carry to much and used it.

Well I nearly ****ted myself every time even the band members were moving around on stage.

 

[Cjsinla]

I put mine in a case or gig bag between sets. You can easily carry around a gig bag to keep an eye on it, too. I try to travel light, one guitar if I need to, two if I'm comfortable with the venue.

 

[brianbzed]

I put mine in a case or gig bag between sets. You can easily carry around a gig bag to keep an eye on it, too. I try to travel light, one guitar if I need to, two if I'm comfortable with the venue.

Wow! Cj, you have quite a nice collection. You hit the nail on the head.."if I'm comfortable with the venue."

 

[brianbzed]

I like using one of these when playing live

Firstly it saves space and I feel safer with my guitars stored that way. It is hard to knock one out. Also I have no cables connected to them, I replug my wireless (mostly in my back pocket).

Once when helping out a befriended band where the guitarist had a problem with his arm I used one of these, which was his and as they were the house band it was already on the stage. I thought great, I don't need to carry to much and used it.

Well I nearly ****ted myself every time even the band members were moving around on stage.

Thanks, Donal. That vertical/diagonal multiple stand looks like a fine idea. Those vertical triple stands look great in your living room when you're displaying your prized Lesters, but they scared me (had one and trashed it!)

 

[filtersweep]

Damn fine advice. I will check my homeowner's policy tomorrow. I think insuring individual instruments is too expensive..........it is not like I own a real '58 or '59!

Let us know how that turns out. I needed a separate rider. Also, if you use them professionally, it really changes how insurance regards them.

 

[StoneCutter]

I always bring my Traditional to outdoor gigs. I just make sure to keep it by my side in between sets. Playing outdoors is the best way to let your Lester show off its voice imo.

On the other hand, I don't bring it to many club gigs or jam nights. Too many drunks in close proximity; small stages and stands being knocked over. Even a couple of thefts in the last few months. Those nights I usually bring the LPJ or MIM strat.

 

[dspelman]

Generally, I don't use the good stuff on medium pay outdoor gigs nor on bar gigs.

Given hazards like sun, rain and extra sweat, as well as reliance on the variable levels of PA setups, it doesn't make sense to me. Bars, of course, are their own animal, what with drunks sometimes very close to the band and all manner of bodily fluids and adult beverages being slung around in that environment. I have a pair (now three, actually) of guitars that are my main and backup for that.

 

[Breakrite]

Damn fine advice. I will check my homeowner's policy tomorrow. I think insuring individual instruments is too expensive..........it is not like I own a real '58 or '59!

I had to get a "rider" I guess it's called to cover my guitars. Plain homeowners wouldn't have covered the value of them in or out of the home. Now they are insured to what I think is replacement value. Not all that expensive of additional policy, and both are with USAA.

 

[Thunder Dump]

I recently played one of my R0s in an outdoor gig where it poured, and even though we were under cover we still got wet. It puckered up the lacquer near a couple of the tuning pegs where the water got in. They're meant to be played, and it's part of the guitar's history.

I take very good care of my guitars and they're all insured for gigs, but I'm not going to NOT play them for fear of damaging them. They were made to be played, and that's what I bought them for.

 

[RustyNuts]

I recently played one of my R0s in an outdoor gig where it poured, and even though we were under cover we still got wet. It puckered up the lacquer near a couple of the tuning pegs where the water got in. They're meant to be played, and it's part of the guitar's history.

I take very good care of my guitars and they're all insured for gigs, but I'm not going to NOT play them for fear of damaging them. They were made to be played, and that's what I bought them for.

This has always been my take on it too; I bought them to play, so that's what I do.

 

[dspelman]

I recently played one of my R0s in an outdoor gig where it poured, and even though we were under cover we still got wet. It puckered up the lacquer near a couple of the tuning pegs where the water got in. They're meant to be played, and it's part of the guitar's history.

I take very good care of my guitars and they're all insured for gigs, but I'm not going to NOT play them for fear of damaging them. They were made to be played, and that's what I bought them for.

Better you than me. I've got too much money in my gear and too much left to do with them to not be concerned with damaging them. There are cabinets and power amps and keyboards and electronics and...oh yeah...guitars, and they all get defended against damage. If you don't care, that's on you, but if there's a storm brewin' and it might get wet, the show is over. They were made to make me money, and that's what *I* bought them for.

Truth is, I've got enough gear that I can leave the expensive stuff at home -- they DO get played a lot everywhere OTHER than outdoor gigs and bar gigs, so I really don't need to have puckered up lacquer anywhere. In another act of wanton protectionism, I leave the $3K Taylor 814ce at home when I'm going out to the sand bar to play around the campfire, and I take the $150 (when it was new, whenever that was) Yamaha dread instead. Does this mean I have to turn in my Rock & Roll card?

 

[whoosh]

I play around 30 gigs a year. On most of those I don't really have any worries (bigger stages, private parties, festivals) but some can be a bit hairy (crowded bars, lots of beer).

Only mishaps I had so far:
- getting my coat and wallet stolen from the dressing room area at a big venue.... which had security.... So now I keep my wallet with me on stage....
- one of my Strats fell off the stage, it made like a 5 feet drop. One of the tuning peg bent, no other damage really. Strats are like cokckroaches, they will surivive nuclear war!

I do keep an eye out on my stuff on bar gigs, especially when it's time to get it back in the car.

Getting my instruments insured ouside of my home has become pretty affordable in my country it seems. This thread had me check up on current prices and I'm definitely getting them insured now.

 

[kherman]

Damn fine advice. I will check my homeowner's policy tomorrow. I think insuring individual instruments is too expensive..........it is not like I own a real '58 or '59!

Most "home owners" insurance will not cover instruments at a gig.
They will cover the gear if stolen from your home. Some cover theft from your car or rehearsal space, etc.. but not gigs.
There's a separate policy for gigging. That way they can charge you more.

 

[Pappy58]

My R8 goes to every gig because it's my #1 player. If were worried about things like that we dont take the gig! But I do keep my git's in a 3x Hercules on Stage where they are visible during breaks and it would be obvious if some homer went up there messing around.

 

[P-90GoldTop]

I use my Gibson SGJ for outdoor gigs. My Les Paul Std Plus is for the studio and nice indoor gigs.

 

[AlanH]

I make sure I take full precautions..........









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which is exactly what I said on my wedding night......................









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[dspelman]

Most "home owners" insurance will not cover instruments at a gig.
They will cover the gear if stolen from your home. Some cover theft from your car or rehearsal space, etc.. but not gigs.
There's a separate policy for gigging. That way they can charge you more.

I have "marine" policies for both my camera and music gear. They cover all risks, including my own stupidity (droppage, etc.). They're not cheap, and you do have to specify values on major items (I have photographs of "groups" such as cables, etc., that are also covered). I'm covered for the agreed-upon amounts and the premiums are in a given amount per thousand dollars of stipulated value. My premiums have stayed low because I've avoided claims.

There's no particular additional charge if I'm using the gear professionally, or if I'm traveling outside the country (I did mention that it wasn't cheap in the first place, right?).

if you're relying on your homeowner's insurance to cover your gear, you'll want to carefully review your policy every year or two to make sure that it still meets your needs. I discovered early on that it didn't.