I'm guessing that you don't want all that though. There are lots of variables, and my examples aren't even really getting into it. You need to have lots of hardware and cymbals, to accomodate guys who want thrones with a backrest or without, double pedals or single, rack toms on the kick drum or on stands, guys want 7 toms and a dozen cymbals, etc. If you're seriously looking into getting into backline, it's a little more complicated than just buying a kit and renting it out. On the low end would be something like a Tama Starclassic, but DW is more typical. In my experience, a typical backline kit goes for $300-$400 a day, with all hardware, stands, and choice of cymbals. Also carry spares for everything.Of course there's a charge for backline. If I am sending a tech I will generally send a bunch of snares and cymbals in case drummers didn't bring theirs. Bring a lot of extra cymbal stands and clamps to cover any circumstance. The way most festivals will work is there will be a shared kit and I always send four toms. Technicians run $350 - $500 per day depending on experience.
Add to that cartage fees which could be $50 -$100 each way if local. They get a little dinged up but are still in excellent shape and are very well maintained at all times.Ī typical rental rates for 4-7 days would be about $450 for a kit, cymbals and new batter heads. I provide top of the line kits: my DW Collectors and Yamaha MCA getting the most action. Plan on gear getting used hard as most drummers have very little consideration for a rental kit. My first suggestion: unless a client requests a vintage drum kit, don't provide one. I own a Backline rental company and do provide those services. It is from this stage set-up that modern monitoring techniques, as well as the concepts of frontline and backline, developed. This changed after the late 1960's, when the band's instrumentation was set behind the PA to create the modern audio stage set-up. In rock music's early days, the PA and the band's amplification were all set in a line, which conceptually grouped PA and instrument amplification together.
PA equipment, which is generally placed in the "frontline" so as to reduce problems of acoustic feedback, is not part of the backline. Backline techs who travel with touring acts are also known as roadies.
Many travelling musicians prefer not to carry their own backline across borders and continents for fear of damage or customs hassles, which makes renting backline equipment while on tour an attractive option.īackline technicians look after, set up and maintain the backline equipment. "What is the backline at O'Malley's Pub? The band wants to know if they need to bring their own drums or amps.")īackline equipment can be rented for touring or studio use. It is often used in this sense to talk generally about the equipment available to or needed by musicians. In the US, backline has expanded in recent years to include the instruments that the musicians play, from guitars and bass guitars, to keyboards and organs, to drum kits and various percussion instruments.
The term backline used to refer just to audio amplification equipment that stands behind the band on stage, including amplifiers for guitars, bass guitars and keyboards.