Persian rugs?

robgilmo

Why is it when you see some bands playing on big stages they sometimes have Persion rugs under their feet? Is there a reason for the rugs?

Kittyfrisk

It's to help earth the cool.

Fifty9

Guitars breathe better if the player is stood on one

idiotwindow

The rug helps tie the room together.

Roland

I always use rugs, although mine were made in a Belgian factory on the 70s. They’re non-slip, both for my feet and my pedal board. They also avoid the sound bouncing back and forth between two hard surfaces, in my case a pub’s floor and it’s low ceiling.

robgilmo

Are there any tonal differences between rugs? For instance will a Balouch rug sound grittier than a Nahavand? Will a Bokhara warm up a bright tone?
What rugs do you guys use?

HAL9000

I’ve alway understood it as a way of defining your space where you won’t be troubled by other band members.

SteveRobinson

To stop the bass drum from creeping forwards?

thumpingrug

I get a much brighter tone from a shagpile.  

YellowLedBetterMan

Maximo Park front man has one all to himself. Apparently because he's constantly dancing around and concrete floors destroy ankles and knees and it's some base level of padding.

Also - it looks cool, which as we know is the most important part.

Also - I suppose it separates space on stage nicely.

Pete.R

If you've ever done a 4-5 hour gig with or without a rug, your back (spine) tells you the difference

KrisGee

robgilmo said:

Are there any tonal differences between rugs? For instance will a Balouch rug sound grittier than a Nahavand? Will a Bokhara warm up a bright tone?
What rugs do you guys use?

I like the sound of this Murphy Lab one:

LionAquaLooper

Because mink rugs are now illegal

borntohang

Stages are nasty and not great for bouncing on - particularly festival stages which are both unpleasantly rigid and covered in all kinds of mud and crap. Inevitably the crap ends up on your cables and pedals so the rug is an extra layer of insulation between it and your gear.

Also don't underestimate the psychological benefits of having "your space" to work on every night. Touring eats boundaries like nothing else so these little things become important. 

MagicPigDetective

Perhaps it was originally linked with the trade and smuggling of the finest Kashmiri hashish favoured by rock stars, where they also happen to produce fine rugs? 

Philly_Q

KrisGee said:

robgilmo said:

Are there any tonal differences between rugs? For instance will a Balouch rug sound grittier than a Nahavand? Will a Bokhara warm up a bright tone?
What rugs do you guys use?

I like the sound of this Murphy Lab one:

That looks like the carpet in my parents' bedroom.  Except not enough cigarette burns.

DuploLicks

I have wondered why Andertons et al don’t carry a rug section.

MagicPigDetective

Are there Harley Benton rugs? 

Yorkie

Why not? Saves on velcro. 

Zoolooter

Persian rugs always sound better, whether you can hear it or not.

Stuob

I`ve done long gigs on concrete, the rug helps but none of mine Persian.