Gaff tape

i have auto subscribe via amazon for these... so no hiccups... same order every time. I order 6 rolls every 4 months, which seems to always be just enough... but I have a feeling for the first time I'll have to make a supplemental order as I have 6 more events before my next order and only 1.5 rolls left... granted between august-nov I've had done 26 weddings, so it makes sense for 6 rolls not to last me 26 events.

With that said, I just started using velcro strips and am happy with them but only for low traffic carpet areas, as they're not really the most secure. But in areas where it's more for creating a clean appearance they work perfect. Perhaps will save me some money over time.

I simply maintain a stock of about 8 rolls at a time. 2 Rolls each: white, brown, tan, and black. I don't always need gaff tape but when I do I typically match it to the color of the flooring. Most of the time I need none at all.

There's no difference in price when I buy various colors and there are more than a dozen to choose from. I stock the full range of colors in spike tape which is also a handy way to color code all kinds of things.

There are some venues where I can reuse gaff tape even over extended periods because it's repositionable and reusable. In a theater for example, I can pull up long strips of it after an event and attach them to the steel fire wall on the backside of the proscenium. There, behind the main curtain it's out of sight and know one is aware it exists - providing me with a ready backup source of gaff tape if I happen to find myself without any.

I can often find similar hiding places at some venues I frequent.

sawdust123 said:

I have used Velcro cable runners with good success when the venue has the right kind of carpeting.
View attachment 56749

I also have an inexpensive stereo in-ear monitor system that I bought so I could mix bands from a tablet and still solo individual channels. It is also handy for running signal to remote speakers. It operates at 900 MHz so it has decent range and doesn't step on any of my wireless mics. It has about 8ms latency which is not a problem in my application. The main benefit is eliminating complex cable runs that would otherwise be needed to avoid creating trip hazards. The side benefit is that I don't need tape for those runs either.

Click to expand...

That's exactly what i have for the velcor, and agreed, works well for low traffic areas... but for high traffic areas not so much. For example I do larger productions that go beyond the core audio elements. Likewise I have wireless capabilities for remote speakers, including even battery capable... but for example, this past weekend at our photo booth, women in their dresses, depending on the material would get caught on it or their heel would lift it. Must've had to reset the velcro 3-4 times. In addition, there are some cable runs that are a little bit more in high traffic areas such as sparkler fountains and the cables that extend well beyond the front of the dj booth and are in walkable areas. Those 2 in particular are definitely gaffed rather than velcro'd.

djtaso said:

i have auto subscribe via amazon for these... so no hiccups... same order every time. I order 6 rolls every 4 months

Click to expand...

You use A LOT of Gaffers Tape!

I have only bought 6 rolls MY ENTIRE DJ CAREER! 5 Black and 1 White.

I think I lost my last black roll. I couldn't find it in my bags last event, so I will be ordering a roll soon. That roll will likely last me two years or more.

Also, there is a venue I did in D.C. which made me take my Gaffers Tape up. The only venue I have ever worked at that bans GAFFERS TAPE. They told me that only BLUE PAINTERS tape was acceptable to use there. I could not believe that one. Gaffers Tape would not harm their old floors. I'm not going to buy and carry blue painters tape with me for a single venue. Luckily, they bought me a roll to use.

DJ Ricky B said:

You use A LOT of Gaffers Tape!

I have only bought 6 rolls MY ENTIRE DJ CAREER! 5 Black and 1 White.

I think I lost my last black roll. I couldn't find it in my bags last event, so I will be ordering a roll soon. That roll will likely last me two years or more.

Also, there is a venue I did in D.C. which made me take my Gaffers Tape up. The only venue I have ever worked at that bans GAFFERS TAPE. They told me that only BLUE PAINTERS tape was acceptable to use there. I could not believe that one. Gaffers Tape would not harm their old floors. I'm not going to buy and carry blue painters tape with me for a single venue. Luckily, they bought me a roll to use.

Click to expand...

There are some very cheap gaff brands that will definitely leave residue behind, especially on hot temps or if you leave them in hot areas before use... so I can see why they banned gaff as a whole.

I do 60-65 events a year so 18-20 rolls doesn't seem so bad to me... I'm not just taping down sound and main power though, im taping down power to each moving head truss (2-6), power for 4 sparklers which are almost always in front of my dj setup and an area where guests can walk through, power for photo booth, etc. Some events I'm on a stage where I only need to tape for cosmetic purposes and use fewer amounts, some events i'm in a more exposed area and have to really secure things.

I have a few venues that absolutely eat tape, and a handful I barely use any at all.

I carry black, grey, brown, and white all the time. I've been using a ton of grey lately because we work at a venue called DAR a lot that requires a long run for main power across foot paths that guests use.

I probably only consume a roll or two a year, but it's always a guess on which colors I'll run out of.