bringing the big boy toys to the show!
 

Hi as bass player with asperations I like the idea the the audience appreciates all the effort one brings to a show by what is setup for the show. does anyone whos active feel this way? that a paying audience wants to see the big stuff on stage . 8x10 300w all tube amp etc.. this isnt ego entertaining at all. I,d like to see the equipment if i was a paying customer. loud is loud but how sound - sounds loud is cool too! right /wrong! just asking.

The audience doesn't care what equipment you use. The only people that notice are so-called musicians.

+1. 8 10s or a sansamp audience doesn't care

Exactly. The audience is more concerned about vocals. If they are muffled or too low you suck in their opinion.

Not if you play music that appeals to both sexes. The women won't care and the men won't be looking at your gear.

I agree with the posts above. The only exception might be metal bands; at least back in their 80's heyday metal bands were expected to have a wall of Marshall amps (which were often stage props anyway). Any other genre, people do not care.

I disagree, you guys are generalizing and making assumptions. We don't have vocals and big cabs and big amps on stage are part of the show. If i showed up to our gigs with a 210 combo it would look ridiculous. It really all depends on your band and audience. Our audience is very aware of what gear is being used and a lot of times they get a lot of enjoyment out of seeing and hearing our gear. You should see all the smiles when i pull the cover off of my Matamp or vintage SVT.

I use an Ampeg SVTIII pro and a 4x10 cab. I also use some great looking stock and custom basses. No one has ever said a thing about my amp. Even years ago when I used a Traynor all tube rig. Big gear looks cool, but since you can't ever really crank up to 11 at a gig or practice, it always seemed kind of pointless to me anyway.

Yes, some might know the difference and actually care, like those who came specifically to see the band like bassboysam mentioned. But, I would make the assumption that most people are busy with other things on their minds and could care less or even notice. That has been my experience anyway, performing live throughout the 70s into the 90s.

I definitely think most of you guys are making generalizations based on playing in cover bands. It is true that in my cover band most people dont care about gear. I have had several meaningful gear talks at these gigs, though so its not always true. With my original band, it absolutely matters to the band members on stage, the sound engineer and the audience. I always see fans (not just males either) scoping out pedalboards and amps before the show. I have also seen posts on forums where my gear is discussed. My point is this, just because your perception may be that no one cares, doesnt make it true.

Yup - it depends on your situation... My band tends to play pretty good sized places, with a crowd that's there to party, and watch and listen to the band - we are never "background music" for a dart or pool game, or TV sporting event... We're forunate enough to have fans that are right up against the stage, every night - I would guarantee that if we downsized our backline, they would notice the difference immediately, as there would be a huge difference in how we sound right in front of the stage...

Personally, I play for my own enjoyment and the interaction with my bandmates nearly as much as the pay and crowd reaction - if we're not enjoying ourselves, I'm sure it would translate to our audience... As a bassist, I also always strive to lock in with my drummer - and I have never had a drummer complain about my big cabs(610, 810, 215)... In fact, most drummers I've ever played with have voiced their appreciation for my bass rig thumping off one corner of their drum riser...

As always, use what works for your situation, and don't bother worrying about what others use - that really shouldn't matter to you, IMO...


- georgestrings

I know many non-musicians who want to see a Killer Equipment show on stage. Especially a "Real" Drum Kit. Followed closely by a Marshall Stack for the Guitards and finally a sweet Ampeg Rig for the Bass. I admit it.....My Hartke and Avatar rig looks anaemic on a good size stage. :atoz:

I wouldn't bring a Smart car to a monster truck rally or anything.

A stage is a stage and should look right in the context of whatever the performance is. If that's big gear gear, then fine. If it's go-go dancers, washing machines, or inflatable Easter bunnies, that's fine too. So long as someone cares enough to give it some thought, that's good enough for me.

The only audience members impressed by a big stage rig are other musicians. Most people won't care as long as you sound good and put on a good show!

Done it both ways (big and little) and, apart from playing an area-sized venue - small to modest size rigs that blow a lot of air and fill the room are the best approach. Look at it this way: The crowd couldn't usually care less and it's fun to have other bass players come up during the break and ask "What the hell are you using to get that huge sound??"

I believe in minimalist attitudes - take what the gig requires.
I know a guy who hauls an 810 with 6 space rack to bar gigs. I think, as most all of my musician friends do, it's ridiculous.

Geddy Lee is a great example - coin operated dryers and vending machines where a wall of speakers should be.

I imagine a poll would result in a majority
of *audience doesn't care/notice*
I don't care, although I like a nice, solid rig for the feel and confidence factor.

Bring the big rigs ...

they dont "care," however if the gear (and therefore sound) is not quality, they will notice it. not directly, but if the bass sounds all muddy and awful they just won't think the band sounds good. they dont realize its a junky amplifier, or a crappy bass, or whatever. it's like hearing a great band using a guitar amp for vocals vs a high end PA. they might still make it work if the band is good, but the quality of sound, to a non-musician, is part of their decision in weather or not the band was any good.

this is all assuming that your band IS in fact good. none of this even begins to matter until your all competent musicians, playing appropriate material, and well rehearsed.

t