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 JOINING A BAND CAN SERIOUSLY 

 DAMAGE YOUR WEALTH! 

So you wanna be in a band. Nothing wrong with that - but I`d like to show you what you`re getting into...
Firstly you have to find some other people that also want to do it, people who are not time wasters, people who are reliable, good time keepers (especially drummers, eh!?), and dedicated. Also, being a bit mad helps. Next comes the cost of forming a group, I`m going to quote the least you should expect to pay for things that are of reasonable quality. I`ll start with a typical guitarist - the same costing can also apply to a bass guitarist.
Right here goes, seat-belts fastened... You`re in for a bumpy ride!

GUITARIST
  • Guitar: £200
  • Amp: £300
  • Effects box: £100
  • Microphone: £100
  • Mike-stand: £30
  • Four quality leads - includes one microphone lead, one guitar-to-effects lead, one effects-to-amp lead and a spare: £80
  • Tuner: £20
  • Guitar case: £40
  • Flight case for amp (home made): £40
  • Gig bag for leads, etc.: £20
  • Stage wear: £50
  • Suit bag: £20
  • Spare strings, plecs, batteries, etc.: £10
So all in all about £1010.

DRUMMER
  • Drum kit £400
  • Cymbals £300
  • Several pairs of sticks £40
  • Microphone £100
  • Mike-stand £30
  • A microphone lead £20
  • Drum cases £100
  • Gig bag for microphone, leads etc £20
  • Stage wear £50
  • Suit bag £20
  • Spare beater and spare drum heads etc £100
So all in all about £1180

So, a traditional line up of 3 guitars and drums would be £4210.
NOW, you need:
  • A PA system - a 300watt Peavey would be about £750
  • Next somewhere to practice at £10 a throw, let's say £50
    (Hey. You`re really quick at learning things!)
Last but not least, something to lug all this gear around in that is fairly reliable and does not need constant maintenance.
  • Second hand van (usually a Ford Transit) on the road and insured at least £2000
Now you can get gigs and it has only cost £7010! Right - so you get your first booking and you are going to get £200. Great! But wait, there is:
  • 17.5% (£35) for the agent
  • £15 for petrol
  • 25% (£37.50) for the taxman...
..leaving the band with £112.50, between four of you! That's about £28 each. Still quite nice isn`t it? What about the payments on the gear, the van and also saving some for next year when the van tax and insurance will need renewing... I think it would be best if you hired an accountant. He can sort your books out for about £200!
Still wanna do it...?
OF COURSE YOU DO!!

...Happy gigging!

Oh yes keep some money aside for chips/curry on the way home..OBLIGATORY!!!

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