Cold Weather Advice

Doug Garrick · From: Grand Junction, CO

My band is doing "Christmas in the Park" this year. Sounds like fun but I am terrified about playing an hour long outdoor gig in weather that will be well below freezing. We've been promised that the city will provide portable heat but I'm still quite nervous about it. It's a concrete stage with a wooden clam shell enclosure. A little wind and the heat will be useless.

I have an welded frame EMCI D10 and a very new Carter S10. I am suspecting that the Carter may tolerate the temp better but I was wondering if anyone had any tips or advice about extreme temperature playing that may help me. (I don't have a clue about keeping my right hand working)

tx

Paul Sutherland · From: Placerville, California

I would try to let the steel adjust to the cold temperature for at least a half hour before you have to play. It will go sharp, perhaps a lot, so might be a good idea to detune all strings about a half a step before you set it out in the cold. Then retune when the steel is nice and cold.

If they do provide heaters, don't let them turn the heaters on and off.

As for your hands, try some brandy. And have fun.

Tracy Sheehan · From: Fort Worth, Texas, USA

[quote="Doug Garrick"]My band is doing "Christmas in the Park" this year. Sounds like fun but I am terrified about playing an hour long outdoor gig in weather that will be well below freezing. We've been promised that the city will provide portable heat but I'm still quite nervous about it. It's a concrete stage with a wooden clam shell enclosure. A little wind and the heat will be useless.

I have an welded frame EMCI D10 and a very new Carter S10. I am suspecting that the Carter may tolerate the temp better but I was wondering if anyone had any tips or advice about extreme temperature playing that may help me. (I don't have a clue about keeping my right hand working)

Think i worked every water hole and cattle crossing in Wyo.winters and summers. My advice is stay home. Very Happy

/quote]

Doug Garrick · From: Grand Junction, CO

Thanks Paul. We go on at 7:00 and I think we have to be set up very early. What time should I apply the brandy? Smile

Robert Parent · From: Gillette, WY

I played many of those types of jobs years back in WI. Rule #1) Wear a very warm jacket. If you can keep the core of your body warm you have a chance at hitting most of the notes, if you get cold all hope is lost. Rule #2) Staying in tune will be almost impossible if you have temperature changes. Play your guitar for a few minutes, re-tune, and play the set. If everyone does the same there is a slight chance everyone will sorta stay in-tune with each other. Rule #3) Just enjoy yourself and don't worry about things you normally would, everyone is there to have a funtime.

PS: I remember one very cold job years ago. After four hours of playing I was packing my steel in the case and there was frost on various parts of the under carriage.

Robert

Bill Terry · From: Bastrop, TX

I played outside a week ago at a rodeo in Bulverde, TX. It was 36 degrees when we quit. As for tuning, I didn't have any real problems (Carter D10).

I wore lots of layers, and kept my bar in my pocket between sets. For my right hand, I had a pair of those cotton work gloves, and cut the right thumb, index and middle fingers out just above where the finger and thumb picks stopped. Worked great, although palm blocking was kinda strange. I tried trimming the left glove to hold the bar, but couldn't quite figure a way to make it work, couldn't grip the bar. But since I kept the bar and my hands in my jacket pockets between songs, it stayed warm enough. The key thing was my right hand was warm enough that I could feel something and actually hit the right notes.

Worked pretty well for me.
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Dave Zirbel · From: Sebastopol, CA USA

You can get those pocket and boot warmers that skiers use at sporting goods stores to keep your hands warm when not playing. As far as tuning, good luck!
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Bob Hoffnar · From: Austin, Tx

Along with everything else bring along a small space heater. I like those smallish ceramic cube ones. Have it so the heat comes up from under your steel. Playing in the cold is not fun.
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Bob

Clyde Mattocks · From: Kinston, North Carolina, USA

I do the same as Bob. I carry a couple of those small square Holmes ceramic heaters that you can get from WalMart or Lowes for about 20.00. I put them under the steel as close as I can get without impeding my foot movements. Another thing, get a heavy duty long cord for them and find a separate electrical outlet. Otherwise, you'll be tripping your amp circuit.
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Alan Brookes · From: Brummy living in Southern California

The coldest thing that's going to affect your playing is the tone bar. I've found that Tribotone bars, being ceramic, don't get cold like the stainless steel ones do.

Paul Sutherland · From: Placerville, California

You might want to do a test run in advance of the gig to make sure that whatever lubricant you are using (on the steel, of course) is not going to turn into sticky goo in the cold. Would hate to hear that your pedals &/or levers were sticking all through the gig.

Allan Munro · From: Pennsylvania, USA and Scotland

Been there, done that, don't want to do it again... However, if ye gotta, the most important thing is after the event. Bring your equipment indoors and open all the cases. Not in the hottest room in the house but somewhere that the moisture can dry out before the oxidization gets a grip on it. Also, when you go to set up before the gig, try to let the equipment come to temperature in the cases, if possible. That will minimize condensation on the metalwork.

Good luck with it.
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Doug Garrick · From: Grand Junction, CO

Thanks guys. You've pointed out several things I haven't thought of yet (other than staying home. I thought of that one right away Smile

). I think I am going to do the 'dry run' idea first. My front porch is unheated but enclosed with glass panes. It'll be cold but not windy. Then I can test a couple combinations of the other ideas. (The neighbors will love this.)

Thanks everyone!

John Billings · From: Ohio, USA

Played the closing of the Cleveland Winter Festival years ago. Maybe 10 degrees at the most. No heat provided. They were carving ice sculptures in front of the flatbed we were on. Had no trouble with tuning. The Kline was just fine! Brought those half-fingered gloves that I used hunting. Felt odd, but my fingers stayed reasonably warm. Kept putting the bar , errrr, between my legs when I wasn't playing. Good luck!

Doug Garrick · From: Grand Junction, CO

10 degrees is in the range I'm expecting and preparing for. I've lived here for almost 35 years and I've seen that time of December colder than that but rarely warmer than that. It seems like we get one of our worst cold snaps in early Dec almost like clockwork. This is the first time I've had to deal with it as a musician though. I really appreciate all the feedback. I am cautiously optimistic.

( I really miss my Kline )

John Billings · From: Ohio, USA

"( I really miss my Kline )"

Oh man! You got rid of a Kline! BIG MISTAKE! The most rock solid guitar I've ever owned. Had it since the mid eighties. The only time I ever had to adjust the changer was when I got a mislabeled string.

Doug Garrick · From: Grand Junction, CO

I've made my share of mistakes. Trading the Kline is waaaaay up there though. At the time it seemed right, in retrospect... oops.

Doug Garrick · From: Grand Junction, CO

Just thought of something else. I'm wondering how the Stobo-Flip display is going to respond to a harsh climate?

Stu Schulman · From: Ulster Park New Yawk (deceased)

Doug,the Stroboflip will be fine,get the hand warmers.as far as when to start the Brandy??? The night before,Just remember as cold as it gets I'll be colder! Whoa!

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Bobby D. Jones · From: West Virginia, USA

Start with the stage. If it is concrete I would suggest covering the floor under your steel and seat with either a heavy rug or a piece of plywood to keep your feet off the concrete. Hope you have 2 bars. Get you one of those handwarmers that uses the fuel stick. Put the hand warmer in your left coat pocket.(the one you light and put in a red velvet covered box). Keep one bar in warming and play with one and switch about every song. One of the open and shake hand warmers in the top of your right glove should help keep blood warm going to your right hand and fingers. I agree run a test run on the porch to see if everything works before you go on stage. Good Luck and Happy Steelin.

Adam Sorber · From: Pennsylvania, USA

If you hang out with Jack Daniels you will stay warmer. Smile

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Adam Sorber
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Dave Grafe · From: Hudson River Valley NY

It could be worse, you could be the trumpet player....

Joey Ace · From: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

If your Steel Bar is left in the cold, do not touch it with your tongue.

This advice also applies to the legs and pedal bar.

Steve English · From: Baja, Arizona

On your EMCI: Make sure you have enough play (slack) in your crossbars (front to back). If there's very little play, they could get tighter and restrict the strings from returning to pitch....

Don't know about the Carter, but this can happen on most steels in cold conditions. Whoa!

Andrew Roblin · From: Various places

I'd think twice about using a good instrument at a gig like this. Extreme temperatures, and extreme temperature changes, can lead to cracks in a lacquer finish. Been there.

Me? I'd play kazoo or something else easy to replace and impervious to damage.

Andrew
International Sho-Bud Brotherhood
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Winnipeg branch

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