Auckland Fest Saturday 25th July 2015 - LOCK AND LOAD

Info about upcoming gearfests etc

Moderator: Capt. Black

User avatar
Capt. Black
Vintage Post Junkie
Vintage Post Junkie
Posts: 6510
meble-kuchenne.warszawa.pl
Joined: Sat Dec 03, 2005 12:39 am
Location: Valles Marineris
Has liked: 165 times
Been liked: 245 times

Re: Auckland Fest Saturday 25th July 2015 - LOCK AND LOAD

Post by Capt. Black »

When we ran gearfests at the Manor, y'all had three sound proof rooms at your disposal, free parking, chilly bins full of ice to put your cold beer in and the best coffee in town on site.
But despite us labelling the doors saying what room to set up in for what style of gear/music you were into, people still picked the wrong space and complained about the noise.
So there's no such thing as an ideal space. We've held them in some great venues over the years, but there's nowhere with individual studio booths. There's nowhere that you can isolate sound and still see everything. Tough shit. Deal with it. ;)

I've never seen a gearfest in any town where people didn't complain about something! In fact if there were no complaints you probably weren't doing it right.

I think you have to approach a gearfests understanding that there's no way they'll ever suit everyone. But they are almost always fun and worthwhile events.

What they are (or what they are best for) is this.

1 - Putting names to faces. It is always a surprise connecting the online persona to the real life person.
2 - Socialising with fellow forum members. Finding out that despite the bollocks we talk on here, people are pretty good guys in real life.
3 - Seeing and touching guitars and guitar related gear that you may never get near to again in your life! Lets see any shop with a collection of gear like *UNIQUE* or olegmcnoleg can bring which you can be trusted to just pick up and carry off to try with your own rig.
4 - Getting a chance to crank your gear and hear it at volume it was intended to be used at. Unless you live in a soundproof bunker or practice in a band regularly, how many of you guys get above bedroom level without raising hell with family and neighbours?

On the flip-side, Gearfest etiquette probably needs to be better defined. We've done so many of these now and they still turn to aural mush within minutes. It never takes long and NZG people are the best at putting the "Caca" into Cacaphony!

I reckon these are guidelines are worth keeping in mind.

DO - set up and test your gear briefly, then leave it be.
DON'T - blast your own gear for the entire time. It sounds the same as when you last played it. If you need to crank it for 3 - 4 hours, there's a bunch of practice rooms you can hire.
DO - have a look around at what else is nearby before you pick a spot. If it looks like you're going to be competing sonically, find another spot.
DO - have a crack on someone else's gear. Or try your guitar through other amps. Give it a hoon, see what it can do but keep it short. What was my term for that? "2-Minute Noodles" Have go briefly then give it a rest.
DON'T - overcrowd the sonic space. Be aware of other people trying to do what you're trying to do too. Hear a rig at its best. So if you are having your 2-minute noodle and someone else starts up, that's probably your cue to stop and let someone else have a go.
DON'T - complain about the noise. There's gong to be noise. You know that going in. Deal with it.

Whaddayareckon?

User avatar
bender
Darth Fader
Posts: 11838
Joined: Fri Feb 02, 2007 12:46 pm
Location: Dorkland
Has liked: 415 times
Been liked: 1010 times

Re: Auckland Fest Saturday 25th July 2015 - LOCK AND LOAD

Post by bender »

Yes.

User avatar
bender
Darth Fader
Posts: 11838
Joined: Fri Feb 02, 2007 12:46 pm
Location: Dorkland
Has liked: 415 times
Been liked: 1010 times

Re: Auckland Fest Saturday 25th July 2015 - LOCK AND LOAD

Post by bender »

It was loud, but that's what they're supposed to be innit?

I actually thought the whole thing was pretty civilized. Until the massive surge at the end (which should be expected) there was plenty of sonic space to hear things. That space was actually pretty good acoustically too, unlike Corban's which was a concrete standing-wavefest. Definitely good for a one-room type arrangement. I'd go there again for sure.

User avatar
Danger Mouse
Vintage Post Junkie
Vintage Post Junkie
Posts: 11459
Joined: Mon Oct 16, 2006 3:32 pm
Location: Jafa Land
Has liked: 351 times
Been liked: 661 times

Re: Auckland Fest Saturday 25th July 2015 - LOCK AND LOAD

Post by Danger Mouse »

I thought it was quite a civilised fest, the only time it descended into chaos, noise-wise, was after the "talk about your gear" session. I guess once everyone had explained what they'd brought along, everyone had something of someone else's they wanted to play. Plus the lack of separate rooms was easily made up for by being in a pub, gave it a really nice, relaxed atmosphere.

I had a lot of fun, gutted my Greenstone of Doom decided to be the Greenstone of Ddddzzzzzz fart, fart... so didn't make it, but it was cool to meet people and play through and hear some amazing gear, as well as witness some great playing from others. There really are some awesome guitarist on this forum, which we don't often get to appreciate.
The older I get, the more disappointed in myself I become.

User avatar
Vince
Vintage Post Junkie
Vintage Post Junkie
Posts: 7449
Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2008 11:31 pm
Location: Upper Hutt The Brave
Has liked: 383 times
Been liked: 186 times
Contact:

Re: Auckland Fest Saturday 25th July 2015 - LOCK AND LOAD

Post by Vince »

Bg wrote:oh I was thinking summerfest and winterfest :) a bit like namm only without the crowds.
Ooo, that's an interesting idea. And so people know months in advance to leave that weekend free.
"Vince, have you ever tried playing an expensive bass?" - Polarbear.
"And isn't that the finest acoustic bass guitar feedback solo you've ever heard?" - Billy Moose.

My Bandcamp Page
Facebook

User avatar
H671
Vintage Post Junkie
Vintage Post Junkie
Posts: 2316
Joined: Fri Jun 08, 2012 12:33 pm
Location: Auckland
Has liked: 73 times
Been liked: 264 times

Re: Auckland Fest Saturday 25th July 2015 - LOCK AND LOAD

Post by H671 »

As a first time attendee, I thought it was good & the venue had a great vibe! :D
My only suggestion, if we are able to use this venue again would be to keep the side room where *unique* set up, free of equipment. Understandably, there was a lot going on & frankly I found it hard to hear much when I tried to speak to others. This side area would have been a little quieter & the perfect spot to rest our ears and to talk with others.

Actually, I have one more suggestion - have them more often :thumbup:
Epiphone Riviera P93 & EJ200CE, Hagstrom Viking Bass, Doubleneck bass/guitar.
Rivera Clubster 45, Carvin AG100D, Ashton BSK158.

User avatar
jeremyb
Chorus of Organs
Posts: 40885
Joined: Sat Dec 06, 2008 9:03 am
Has liked: 7688 times
Been liked: 4157 times

Re: Auckland Fest Saturday 25th July 2015 - LOCK AND LOAD

Post by jeremyb »

I think it's often good to do the go around the room and everyone shows off their rig in turn kinda thing, and if you're not confident playing in front of others get someone else to play and you do the talking, twiddling knobs etc...
Slowy wrote: That's the problem; everything rewarding is just such hard work. Regret takes much less effort.

User avatar
Capt. Black
Vintage Post Junkie
Vintage Post Junkie
Posts: 6510
Joined: Sat Dec 03, 2005 12:39 am
Location: Valles Marineris
Has liked: 165 times
Been liked: 245 times

Re: Auckland Fest Saturday 25th July 2015 - LOCK AND LOAD

Post by Capt. Black »

H671 wrote:As a first time attendee, I thought it was good & the venue had a great vibe! :D
My only suggestion, if we are able to use this venue again would be to keep the side room where *unique* set up, free of equipment. Understandably, there was a lot going on & frankly I found it hard to hear much when I tried to speak to others. This side area would have been a little quieter & the perfect spot to rest our ears and to talk with others.

Actually, I have one more suggestion - have them more often :thumbup:
That's a very good idea about the side room. The guy that runs the place was saying, once he understood what we were doing, that next time he'd move all the tables from the long side of the room. That's where most of the power points are. We could very easily fit everyone in and then have the side area free.

User avatar
Capt. Black
Vintage Post Junkie
Vintage Post Junkie
Posts: 6510
Joined: Sat Dec 03, 2005 12:39 am
Location: Valles Marineris
Has liked: 165 times
Been liked: 245 times

Re: Auckland Fest Saturday 25th July 2015 - LOCK AND LOAD

Post by Capt. Black »

benderissimo wrote:It was loud, but that's what they're supposed to be innit?
Yes
Danger Mouse wrote:I thought it was quite a civilised fest, the only time it descended into chaos, noise-wise, was after the "talk about your gear" session. I guess once everyone had explained what they'd brought along, everyone had something of someone else's they wanted to play. Plus the lack of separate rooms was easily made up for by being in a pub, gave it a really nice, relaxed atmosphere.

...and yes. It was like a family gathering where the kids behaved until after the speeches then went wild for the last hour. It was kind of cute. LOL

I thought it went really well. And I'm not really telling anyone off per se. My thoughts were an accumulation of every gearfest I've been to since the second one ever.

That was where I first met many of the forum members. Some of whom have left the forum but have remained close friends after all these years.

It was also where I first met the very dashing *UNIQUE*, who did that managerial thing he does making everyone shut up, then go around the room and talk/demo what we brought with us. (That was the one where I brought 2 4x12s, a 4x10, 3 Marshall heads, 2 or 3 guitars, a hefty pedal board and still had room for a case of beer in my little Peugeot 309)

I'm really saying, Gearfests will always be loud and chaotic which is part of their charm. Personally it doesn't bother me. We can make them better for a wider range of people by being a bit more mindful for each other. :)

User avatar
GrantB
ADMIN
Posts: 15843
Joined: Fri Oct 31, 2003 9:04 am
Location: Where I need to be
Has liked: 1353 times
Been liked: 2087 times

Re: Auckland Fest Saturday 25th July 2015 - LOCK AND LOAD

Post by GrantB »

All good suggestions! I guarantee there will be no acoustics at the next one. Rookie mistake ;)

I note there were no soy lattes available, nor vegan gluten free options on the menu. Also lacking was a rest and meditation area, with maybe some scented oils. I was quite tired at the end. So maybe beeg you could sort that out next time? Kthanxbye
"Man is the most insane species. He worships an invisible god and destroys a visible nature. Unaware that this nature he's destroying is this god he's worshipping." - Hubert Reeves

User avatar
godgrinder
Vintage Post Junkie
Vintage Post Junkie
Posts: 1709
Joined: Wed Dec 07, 2011 4:49 pm
Location: 09
Has liked: 28 times
Been liked: 594 times

Re: Auckland Fest Saturday 25th July 2015 - LOCK AND LOAD

Post by godgrinder »

willow13 wrote:Godgrinder what was the tuning on that aluminum jag thing?? .... again the little I could actually hear of it when I played it sounded really interesting. Seemed to lend itself to really interesting sounding chords and riffs
It's a variation of cross note G tuning, GDGDGA#. Basically if you do a big barre chord it's a minor 3rd, then fret the next note on the 1st string it becomes a major 3rd. But yes it's easy to do weird chords in open tuning too.
higainer wrote:Particular items of interest for me, godgrinder's Peters preamp & Ed's Mark V.
Both sounded cool but it was quite tricky to get an idea of their tone over the other gear in the room blasting away :lol:
Feel free to drop by and give it another try sometime haha...
Amps:
Soldano SLO100 x2 | Wizard MC1 & MC2 | Diezel Herbert
Fryette Pittbull CL | Marshall 2203KK | Krank Rev 50 | Mesa Mark 2A

Rack stuff:
VHT/Fryette GP3, GP/DI & 2/90/2 | Peters FSM/Chimera
Verellen Meatsmoke | Synergy SYN1 | Mesa Studio

User avatar
Capt. Black
Vintage Post Junkie
Vintage Post Junkie
Posts: 6510
Joined: Sat Dec 03, 2005 12:39 am
Location: Valles Marineris
Has liked: 165 times
Been liked: 245 times

Re: Auckland Fest Saturday 25th July 2015 - LOCK AND LOAD

Post by Capt. Black »

*UNIQUE* wrote:All good suggestions! I guarantee there will be no acoustics at the next one. Rookie mistake ;)

I note there were no soy lattes available, nor vegan gluten free options on the menu. Also lacking was a rest and meditation area, with maybe some scented oils. I was quite tired at the end. So maybe beeg you could sort that out next time? Kthanxbye
Wrong end of Ponsonby road for that. You want to be at least a mile in the other direction if you want any of that palaver. Or Hamilton... I hear that's really coming up these days. ;)

User avatar
godgrinder
Vintage Post Junkie
Vintage Post Junkie
Posts: 1709
Joined: Wed Dec 07, 2011 4:49 pm
Location: 09
Has liked: 28 times
Been liked: 594 times

Re: Auckland Fest Saturday 25th July 2015 - LOCK AND LOAD

Post by godgrinder »

Capt. Black wrote:Wrong end of Ponsonby road for that. You want to be at least a mile in the other direction if you want any of that palaver. Or Hamilton... I hear that's really coming up these days. ;)
At least there were craft beers hahaha.
Amps:
Soldano SLO100 x2 | Wizard MC1 & MC2 | Diezel Herbert
Fryette Pittbull CL | Marshall 2203KK | Krank Rev 50 | Mesa Mark 2A

Rack stuff:
VHT/Fryette GP3, GP/DI & 2/90/2 | Peters FSM/Chimera
Verellen Meatsmoke | Synergy SYN1 | Mesa Studio

User avatar
GrantB
ADMIN
Posts: 15843
Joined: Fri Oct 31, 2003 9:04 am
Location: Where I need to be
Has liked: 1353 times
Been liked: 2087 times

Re: Auckland Fest Saturday 25th July 2015 - LOCK AND LOAD

Post by GrantB »

Yeah...that APA was starting to taste a little too good....
"Man is the most insane species. He worships an invisible god and destroys a visible nature. Unaware that this nature he's destroying is this god he's worshipping." - Hubert Reeves

User avatar
The Scarecrow
Dial Them Mids IN!
Posts: 3867
Joined: Tue Sep 09, 2003 3:40 pm
Has liked: 202 times
Been liked: 243 times

Re: Auckland Fest Saturday 25th July 2015 - LOCK AND LOAD

Post by The Scarecrow »

Sorry I couldn't make it, just ran out of time between interviewing new flamates and guitarists on the day. Could have used a pint after that for sure. Def keen on the next one.
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/The-Al ... 895?ref=ts

Trade Me: The_Scarecrow

"Friends don't let friends scoop mids."

Post Reply