Well, we all know how things sound different from one place to another. And, we know that what you hear in the store doesn't tell you what it will be like at a gig.
I had been playing my rig at home this week, in the living room, heh, heh. It's a Markbass Little Mark III with a Traveler 151P cab. While the head is widely acclaimed as having a slightyly warm sound to be so transparent, the cab is not known for being too deep, but rather a bit rich in mids. I've played some gigs with it, though, when it seemed to handle more lows than I expected, up to a certain volume, of course. But, at home this week I was a bit worried about it. The mids really shined, and the lows were hard to coax out, it seemed. I kept thinking that maybe it isn't the best cab for what I do. Aw...
So, I go to the gig last night, set up, and begin to test the sound. The amp was flat, no filters. What the...? I had to look twice at the knobs. The highs and mids didn't stand out, but the bottom sure did. Hm. Now lemme see here...
I tried a setting I had liked at home with just a bit of VPF filter and the VLE up to around noon. I also usually cut the high mids some to keep the sound of my fingernails at bay a bit (this was a blues gig, too, so...). Played a tune that way and it was way too bassy, too deep. Finally, I rolled the VPF back to about 8:00, barely on. Aha, much better. Still the mids and highs were not jumping out at me like at home.
After a set another group was to play (this was a blues jam). he played my bass (Fender Jazz) and my amp, set just like i left it. I was so ready to go out there and listen to my own rig. Of course, he would play without any fingernails and in his own way, but still...
Awesome. I mean, the bass sounded like a bass oughta. Fine, fat tone, no shimmering highs, no honking mids, very nice for blues. I was very pleased---and relieved that my 151P cab can indeed produce good lows with thump. I was also puzzled why it could sound so very different. I was, actually, amazed at HOW different the rig sounded at the gig from how it sounded back at home.
I wanted to post this for all those of us who go play stuff in the store and wonder how it will perform at a gig. I think the real answer is to borrow it to play a gig with, if possible. However, just one gig may not tell the whole story. The very next venue may be a nightmare. You never know. I have aother gig at a small retaurant Friday night, a place I've never played before. Can't wait to hear how it will be different again.
