Thanks for this, I found this after searching for a cheaper alternative to ProGaff. Should have known it's the best. By the way, I always put a cross piece on one end of the cable, then go to the other end and pull it tight, then put a cross piece there. Then tape down the whole middle. Makes a real nice looking straight line. Also I always use 3 inch wide tape, so I don't have to do two runs.
Very helpful and informative video. I need to replenish my supply and wasn't thrilled with trying to sort through Amazon reviews. I went with the Pro Gaff and will be using it to tack down backgrounds at a photoshoot this weekend.
I have used ProGaff and I can't remember if it was Hosa probably or Peavey, I just remember it was slightly cheaper than the progaff and in a retail package. I would say it's pretty decent although it sounds like it would be somewhere between Progaff and Mainstage Gaff slightly more plasticky and kind of less of a fabric. Having the good stuff now I definitely see you get more and it lasts pretty long, it's softer and more matte finish. I would if I had to I would and with no problem the Hosa tape as my second choice. But I'm also curious about the other three brands, I might have to buy some just a test. I also bought for somebody some cheap tape off eBay and well there is certainly hardly any on the role it probably compares to the Amazon stuff.
Gaff tape tip. I was working with one band that one of the members mentioned that it seems such a waste to put down all that tape and rip it up once a month when we did this event. And even though we were using the slightly cheaper I want to say Hosa or Peavey tape ( at the time it came in retail packaging and was I think five to $10 cheaper ) I was like yeah but it's also tape you can't get around that.... Or can you? He mentioned saving it which is some thing I didn't necessarily think of. He took some home and I took some home and that stack lasted me I think 5 years? So now I'm in the habit that whenever I am done I will pull up the tape and alternate it in a stack and then stick it to one of my cases. This then subsequently can get reused until it's either not that sticky or I go someplace and they have a really gross floor and at that point I'm like well I already got 10 uses out of it so I don't care if I throw it away. I also try to route my cabling near walls and avoid walking areas so I use more squares in sections and only do full covering where I have to because I'm going through a foot traffic area.
Good information as usual. Besides taping down wires, in community theater we use gaff tape for spiking set piece locations on the stage floor, labeling on the mic board and light board, and when we’re building scenery we use it over seams in panels and on the edge of rough cut wood to give a smooth finish. A criteria that probably most tech people don’t care about is that it takes paint very well and won’t flake. I have given up ordering it on Amazon, because the product listing will promise that it is Shurtape, or Progaff, or some other name brand and when it arrives it is cheap plastic white duct tape with no name. Back it goes.
Hi, David. I also suggest trying a non-floor test. Every so often I find a need to gaph wires dropped vertically down or horizontally across a wall. ProGaph has no problem at all supporting the weight of the cable, while the Amazon Basic couldn’t handle it-I would come in the next day to find loose cables and un-stuck tape-couldn’t support the weight.
Helpful comparisons. Most of my setups are for just one or two days, but hundreds of people over the tape makes it important to stay stuck! I've noticed that some cables react to the adhesives more than others, leaving more residue. Have you seen this, or is it just me and my cheap cords?
enjoyed the video ... but i gotta question for ya... im a 30 plus yr experienced stage hand so im famaliar with gaff tape... but im also a gearhead & im lookin for a good steering wheel wrap tape for my firebird (set up for auto-x) ...ive tried 3m fabric friction tape & while the texture & size of 3/4" (estimate?) it is WAY to sticky & in 10 seconds of touching the wheel, uve got black tar stuck to ur hands... so who makes a good cotton/fabric backed gaff tape like the pro brand u reccomend, but in a 1" or smaller width? i can always cut the 2" down, but i just thought id ask cause ive looked for 3/4 to 1" width (in flat black) & cant find anything? thank u sir
Yes, they're great for dampening heads or securing things. Use ProGaff though, and don't leave it there forever, you will get residue when you pull it off after several months.
I don't know - like I said in the video, I could have gone nuts and bought every brand possible, but it would have gotten expensive fast, and the brands change quickly. Hope that helps!
Learn Stage Lighting .com Yah I just went with 3M Black 1.88 inch Duct Tape for permanent fixtures, & gaff tape you recommended for stuff on walls like posters, and Wall Art so it doesn’t fk the paint up.
I'm a drummer and I had a roll of the 3M stuff. It's so sticky it's crazy. It ripped the coating off of my drum heads. Not good for my purposes, but maybe really good for taping down cables.
4 to 6 hrs later...yet, cheap stuff hurts because you don’t want to waste 5 to 15 min just applying it. Sticking to itself, is a waste of time and tape when you have to start over.
This is truly a new level of geek. Love it.
Smells great 😂
Thank you so much for taking the time to do this. I was going to do my own comparison. You saved me time and energy! 🙏🏼❣️
Thanks for this, I found this after searching for a cheaper alternative to ProGaff. Should have known it's the best. By the way, I always put a cross piece on one end of the cable, then go to the other end and pull it tight, then put a cross piece there. Then tape down the whole middle. Makes a real nice looking straight line. Also I always use 3 inch wide tape, so I don't have to do two runs.
This was super-helpful, thanks so much for taking the time to do these tests and comparisons.
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you so much! Love comparisons!
Very helpful and informative video. I need to replenish my supply and wasn't thrilled with trying to sort through Amazon reviews. I went with the Pro Gaff and will be using it to tack down backgrounds at a photoshoot this weekend.
Glad to hear it!
I have used ProGaff and I can't remember if it was Hosa probably or Peavey, I just remember it was slightly cheaper than the progaff and in a retail package. I would say it's pretty decent although it sounds like it would be somewhere between Progaff and Mainstage Gaff slightly more plasticky and kind of less of a fabric.
Having the good stuff now I definitely see you get more and it lasts pretty long, it's softer and more matte finish. I would if I had to I would and with no problem the Hosa tape as my second choice. But I'm also curious about the other three brands, I might have to buy some just a test.
I also bought for somebody some cheap tape off eBay and well there is certainly hardly any on the role it probably compares to the Amazon stuff.
I recently discovered that over the pond in the UK they consider gaff tape as what we consider duct tape something you don't wanna mix up with cables!
Gaff tape tip. I was working with one band that one of the members mentioned that it seems such a waste to put down all that tape and rip it up once a month when we did this event. And even though we were using the slightly cheaper I want to say Hosa or Peavey tape ( at the time it came in retail packaging and was I think five to $10 cheaper ) I was like yeah but it's also tape you can't get around that.... Or can you? He mentioned saving it which is some thing I didn't necessarily think of. He took some home and I took some home and that stack lasted me I think 5 years? So now I'm in the habit that whenever I am done I will pull up the tape and alternate it in a stack and then stick it to one of my cases. This then subsequently can get reused until it's either not that sticky or I go someplace and they have a really gross floor and at that point I'm like well I already got 10 uses out of it so I don't care if I throw it away.
I also try to route my cabling near walls and avoid walking areas so I use more squares in sections and only do full covering where I have to because I'm going through a foot traffic area.
My first gaffer tape was LOCKPORT brand and boy oh boy did I become hooked!!!!
Good information as usual. Besides taping down wires, in community theater we use gaff tape for spiking set piece locations on the stage floor, labeling on the mic board and light board, and when we’re building scenery we use it over seams in panels and on the edge of rough cut wood to give a smooth finish. A criteria that probably most tech people don’t care about is that it takes paint very well and won’t flake. I have given up ordering it on Amazon, because the product listing will promise that it is Shurtape, or Progaff, or some other name brand and when it arrives it is cheap plastic white duct tape with no name. Back it goes.
Hi, David. I also suggest trying a non-floor test. Every so often I find a need to gaph wires dropped vertically down or horizontally across a wall. ProGaph has no problem at all supporting the weight of the cable, while the Amazon Basic couldn’t handle it-I would come in the next day to find loose cables and un-stuck tape-couldn’t support the weight.
Helpful comparisons. Most of my setups are for just one or two days, but hundreds of people over the tape makes it important to stay stuck! I've noticed that some cables react to the adhesives more than others, leaving more residue. Have you seen this, or is it just me and my cheap cords?
enjoyed the video ... but i gotta question for ya... im a 30 plus yr experienced stage hand so im famaliar with gaff tape... but im also a gearhead & im lookin for a good steering wheel wrap tape for my firebird (set up for auto-x) ...ive tried 3m fabric friction tape & while the texture & size of 3/4" (estimate?) it is WAY to sticky & in 10 seconds of touching the wheel, uve got black tar stuck to ur hands... so who makes a good cotton/fabric backed gaff tape like the pro brand u reccomend, but in a 1" or smaller width? i can always cut the 2" down, but i just thought id ask cause ive looked for 3/4 to 1" width (in flat black) & cant find anything? thank u sir
Coolness
Does anyone know if these type are good for drums
Yes, they're great for dampening heads or securing things. Use ProGaff though, and don't leave it there forever, you will get residue when you pull it off after several months.
What about the GT2 3M Gaff Tape?? I like 3M Brand is it any good?
I don't know - like I said in the video, I could have gone nuts and bought every brand possible, but it would have gotten expensive fast, and the brands change quickly. Hope that helps!
Learn Stage Lighting .com Yah I just went with 3M Black 1.88 inch Duct Tape for permanent fixtures, & gaff tape you recommended for stuff on walls like posters, and Wall Art so it doesn’t fk the paint up.
I'm a drummer and I had a roll of the 3M stuff. It's so sticky it's crazy. It ripped the coating off of my drum heads. Not good for my purposes, but maybe really good for taping down cables.
4 to 6 hrs later...yet, cheap stuff hurts because you don’t want to waste 5 to 15 min just applying it. Sticking to itself, is a waste of time and tape when you have to start over.
pro gaff or go home!
On carpet? Zene
Socks!
Socks?
@@LearnStageLighting 9:13 lol sorry I like socks