Recommendations for live amp

goodVERSUSevil · #1 04-08-2010, 02:02 PM

Hi - first day here, read alot of posts but wanted some fresh input. I'm a newbie bass player (have a Fender Aerodyne Jazz) and am playing with a startup classic rock band. In the near future we'll be playing out but I don't have an amp. I have an Ampeg BA-115 combo I bought for practice, but it's obviously not enough for playing live. I've been googling and scouring these boards trying to find a good recommendation for an amp setup.

My main question - do I really need a bass amp/cab rig? I'm seeing an absolutely bewildering array of amp/cab/effects combinations and have no idea what I should buy, and hate the thought of buying something that ends up sucking. And don't you just typically end up getting mic'd or directly input to the PA? Do you ever drive the entire bass sound directly from the amp (without using the PA)?

Given that I'm a techie by day, I'm really drawn to some of the modeling solutions given the variety of sounds available thru one piece of equipment. Could I realistically get by using a Bass POD XT, SansAmp, or similar directly into the PA? If necessary, could I use one of these units to drive both the PA directly and my Ampeg for stage volume and/or a monitor? I've seen a number of local bands playing with just these POD type units and they sounded ok to me.

As you can tell by my questions, I'm not a pro, will most likely never come close, just a garage band guy wanting a good variety of sounds with the least amount of hassle. Any help is appreciated, and feel free to blast away at my stupidity if necessary ;>)

jokerjkny · #2 04-08-2010, 02:14 PM

you could use a DI into the house and have the monitors hit you, but frankly, your bandmates, not to mention yourself, will appreciate real air hitting your back onstage.

for rock, any amp at least 500 watts @ 4ohms, and a 4x10 or 2x12 cab should do nicely. look into some "neodymium" speakers to help lessen the load. the lighter speakers, also means lighter wood and bracing making for an overall lighter cab.

for the cheap, there's avatar. if you got cash, bergantino's ae series is pretty nice.

www.avatarspeakers.com
www.bergantino.com

RickenBoogie · #3 04-08-2010, 05:49 PM

Going "ampless" is fine, IF you're ALWAYS playing somewhere that has a complete PA with side fills. But, what about practice, or small dives with inadequet PA's. You won't catch me at a gig, even one with a killer PA, without my trusty bass rig. 300 watts through 2 12's. Simple, lightweight, and effective.

t bake · #4 04-09-2010, 11:59 AM

+1 500 4x10 I found a lott house pa monitors suck gust getting vocals is work. Counting on haveing bass in the mons not me . If you know that you will have good pa support a combo will work great, But filling the house from stage? you IMOM I belive bigger the rig the better you can allways turn down( no really i swear you can turn down) but big rigs need wheels or dollys.Im with RickenBoogig NEVER trust that the pa will bo the job. ya got a good combo get ya something big and you have most gigs covered. God Bless Gig On!!!!!!

Barisaxman · #5 04-09-2010, 12:16 PM

Using your BA115 for stage monitoring only should work fine as long as you can count on PA for your gigs. Run your POD into that and the PA and be done. Been there, done that, and it works fine. Your bandmates may want thunderous bass onstage, but the soundguy will be very happy if your rig is enough for you without creating an enormous amount of stage volume, and he can put some in the wedges for everyone else if necessary. If that's not enough volume buy something bigger, and start saving for hearing aids

Disclaimer: There are plenty of situations where a bigger stage rig is appropriate. For a classic rock band in all but the biggest clubs...no.

Gearhead17 · #6 04-09-2010, 01:20 PM

As was said earlier, unless the stage has great monitors - getting your bass through the monitors aat a decent tone and volume is going to be impossible. The nicer venues have these powerful monitors - every other bar DOES NOT! Trust me on this one!

It really depends on how loud your dummer and the rest of the band is for the BA115 to useful. If it works in practice, it would probably work out live just fine. I always bring more than what I should onstage because it is much easier to turn it down than turn it up.

The BA115 at shows will most likely be a monitor for you as long as the PA is equipped to handle your bass (must have subs). If the PA system has no subs, and the soundguy does nothing for you - it's all up to you to supply your bass tone to the auience. Situations like that suck big time. I should add that a soundsystem in a club without subwoofers can do still put out your bass tone, just don't expect any low end thunder going to the audience.