To Gaffa or Not

[MBK]

I have an up coming function at a 5* venue and have been asked to avoid if possible using Gaffa tape.
Now here is the problem the plug socckets are situated 18ft away from the stage area so I would have 2 cable runs to the stage area...Now do I tape the cables down or do i bite the bullet and buy some more rubber cable trunk / crossing.

[Megamix]

well as they just said avoid "if possible" - maybe it wont be possible and you tried your best

[Penfold42]

What about the hazzard tape? not gaffa.....and what do others do?

[deltic]

if the venue have asked you not to use gaffa tape maybe they can supply some rubber protector.or at least somethng they would consider appropriate for the job.

[Mark Wild]

What's the reason behind the reluctancy of the venue allowing you to use gaffa tape?

[rob1963]

What's the reason behind the reluctancy of the venue allowing you to use gaffa tape?

Exactly what I was wondering after reading the OP.

It's an awkward one to answer without knowing their REASON for not wanting gaffa tape to be used.

[DeckstarDeluxe]

I'm guessing because it could leave marks, tear off paint etc...

[DJ James Lake]

I tend to use heavy rubber mats to avoid this type of situation. I have them in 8" widths and about 6' long. Does the job nicely

[rob1963]

I'm guessing because it could leave marks, tear off paint etc...

Surely that would depend on a) it's quality & b) what you were sticking it to?

If there's an 18 feet cable run from the stage to the socket, there's a good chance the cable will be run over a carpet, in which case I don't see a problem if using good quality gaffa tape.

At one particular venue I've been Gaffa taping a mains cable to the carpet in exactly the same place every week for the best part of 8 years with no problems.

[MBK]

They have had the function room re-fitted and are worried about the tape leaving a residue on the Oak skirting boards and carpet & edgings.

Prior to the refit there was residue all along the skirting’s and along the edgings and parts of the carpet were thread bare due to the constant removal of the very sticky gaffa tapes.

[rob1963]

They have had the function room re-fitted and are worried about the tape leaving a residue on the Oak skirting boards and carpet & edgings.

Prior to the refit there was residue all along the skirting’s and along the edgings and parts of the carpet were thread bare due to the constant removal of the very sticky gaffa tapes.

In that case, I'd tell them that you use high quality gaffa tape which does not leave a residue (assuming you do, of course!).

[Paul The Party Dj]

Would it possible to ask the venue to provide the power to the stage area - if they are that worried about it, and the stage is regularly located in this position, surely they should make provision.

Cheers, Paul.

[Excalibur]

One of these, with the correct staples should keep the cable neat, tidy and safe, with no sticky residue.

[Corabar Entertainment]

We had one venue once who insisted that we use the heavy-duty, expensive, specialised cable-run rubber matting and wanted us to sign their forms to certify this, confirm that no gaffa would be used, plus a host of other things (that were completely OTT and which many they agreed were not applicable to us, but they refused to let us amend/delete the clauses in any way.)

It stands out in Corabar's history as the only job where we have cancelled the contract, because I refused to sign.

Apart from all the other OTT clauses, I worked out that the matting alone would have cost us somewhere between £200 and £300!!!

[funkymook]

One of these, with the correct staples should keep the cable neat, tidy and safe, with no sticky residue.

Unless you catch your finger!

[leelive]

I tend to use heavy rubber mats to avoid this type of situation. I have them in 8" widths and about 6' long. Does the job nicely

That is a good idea.
Edinburgh Castle won't let me use Tape. I have to block access to either side of my DJing area with a load of bags just so no-one trips at that venue.
I have cable trunking but gave up using it as it still needs to be taped down.
Will buy some wide mats for when I am back there.
Lee


One of these, with the correct staples should keep the cable neat, tidy and safe, with no sticky residue.

I like that. Would love to see the faces of the staff at the Historic Scotland venues if I turned up with one of them.
Lee