Challenging setup locations

MntnMan62

MntnMan62

Silver Member
So, my band has our first “gig” (playing for food) in August. The guitarist who set up the gig sent us a pic of where we would be playing and it’s on grass. Has anyone else had to play on grass? I have a drum rug but I don’t think it will provide enough stability by itself. I’m thinking I need a few sheets of plywood to put under the rug. Wondering what the more experienced gigging drummers have done under similar circumstances.
 
MntnMan62 said:
So, my band has our first “gig” (playing for food) in August. The guitarist who set up the gig sent us a pic of where we would be playing and it’s on grass. Has anyone else had to play on grass? I have a drum rug but I don’t think it will provide enough stability by itself. I’m thinking I need a few sheets of plywood to put under the rug. Wondering what the more experienced gigging drummers have done under similar circumstances.
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If you normally use flat-based stands, maybe consider tripod stands instead. I usually just drop my drum rug directly on the grass and roll with it.

IMG_3131.jpeg
 
MntnMan62 said:
Has anyone else had to play on grass?
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yes
the SAAB 900 I was driving had 2 removable wood floor planks in the rear deck area must be a Swedish thing
popped them out and set on top of them


picture2-jpg.297022


see the two removable floor sections? @Tamboreter
1, 2, include the parcel shelf- 3 Ikea
 
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Ok then. I won’t stress about it then. But I will ask the venue if they happen to have any large sheets of plywood available. If the answer is no, then I’ll just roll with it. Thanks for the quick responses.
 
MntnMan62 said:
Ok then. I won’t stress about it then. But I will ask the venue if they happen to have any large sheets of plywood available. If the answer is no, then I’ll just roll with it. Thanks for the quick responses.
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I have had to move my kit around a little to keep pedals or the throne out of a hole. Otherwise you just deal with it. It’s a part of gigging life.
 
I think I've set up on more undulating stages than some outdoor setups. ;) You'll be fine with a sturdy rug. I'd forgo the plywood sheet and double-up your rug with a heavy duty door mat from your local home center. If you never gig with it again, you can always press it into service as a door mat! ;)

If the gig is scheduled for the heat of the day and you won't have overhead cover, bring some headgear a la, @RVC. I'd be more afraid of sunburn than my bass drum scooting. And, it goes without saying, but bears repeating: water, sports drink, etc.

You'll be fine. Please report back with your results and any sage advice when done!
 
Done a grass setup loads of times or marquees where they've just put sack sheet flooring down. Bit awkward for drum and cymbal placement but I get through it. Just make sure you have a rug. The worst ones are where the floor is sloped upwards away from you, watch your back in that situation.

I'd want overhead cover more than anything. Sun damage on wraps, hot cymbals and a hot throne top, rain, sunburn, birdshit......no thankyou!
 
I've set up on grass before, but it was because I forgot my rug. Not a problem.
 

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I'd say you need enough rug for your kick drum to be sat upon, and most importantly, your drum throne. Coming from a big dude, make sure your drum throne is on a rug because you don't want to be eye level with your snare three songs in. Everything else should be ok. I sold my flat-base stands because of all of the sketchy surfaces I have to play on. Regular tripods work much better, and maybe spread their legs out to maximum if you don't already do so.
 
PorkPieGuy said:
I'd say you need enough rug for your kick drum to be sat upon, and most importantly, your drum throne. Coming from a big dude, make sure your drum throne is on a rug because you don't want to be eye level with your snare three songs in. Everything else should be ok. I sold my flat-base stands because of all of the sketchy surfaces I have to play on. Regular tripods work much better, and maybe spread their legs out to maximum if you don't already do so.
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Agreed about the throne, PPG!

There have been times where I’ve had to grab a floor mat from my car to put down to keep from sinking into soft turf. Just found this example in my gig pics album.

IMG_2539.jpeg
 
Never tried this, but what about those stiff plastic mats designed for rolling an office chair on under the drum rug?? Those are pretty rigid and would provide better stability than grass alone. Plus, unlike plywood, you can roll them up. They make them with or without the spikes on one end. Without the spikes would be designed for hardwood floors (the spikes are for carpeted floors). A little more expensive than plywood, but much easier to transport and looks classier than beat up plywood. They come in clear, gray or black. Certainly not as rigid as plywood, but way better than just a rug alone.

Here's a link to Amazon. They are available in a variety of sizes; the biggest being 51" x 63" (4'3" x 5'3"), large enough for most kits.

 
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