What do y'all city folk use for gigs?

[IntrepidCellist]

Sorry for the ironic title, I'm a suburban kid from Vermont who just moved to White Plains and will be in Manhattan for grad school come August.

Out in the 'boonies' of Vermont, it's no problem to drive a car right up to a venue and unload my rig (2x12 and/or 2x10, and either a solid state WT400 or tube E300T). Out here though, things are different! Driving and parking near a venue in White Plains is tricky, and when I'm in Manhattan I won't have a car at all!

I suppose I just need to find a small, light, and efficient cab really; I can put my bass and cables on my back, sling my WT400 in its carry bag on my shoulder, and find some small light cab to carry on the subway with me.

Also, any recommendations will have to be fulfilled on a student's budget! I want to keep the Eden stuff around (at least the WT and the 212) as I love the way it sounds for electric cello.

Any tips, hints, or ideas are appreciated. Do a lot of clubs have backline gear or just run bass DI?

[nostatic]

Some places have a backline, others don't. All over the map IME. I can carry my entire setup in one trip if need be: bass in a gig bag with cables, strap and tuner in the pockets. MB LMTube head in a carry bag with a few more cables, and either Berg AE112 or AE210 cab depending on the group.

As for student budget, that likely isn't Berg territory but frankly I'm a fan of buying good stuff once rather than ok stuff multiple times. ymmv.

[jarrhead]

I use Gallien-Krueger NEO cabinets. Not only is the 2x12 only 60 pounds, but the handles are placed perfectly, and it comes with casters. It feels much lighter.

My NEO 112 does not have casters but is about 25 pounds and has perfect handles - lighter than my first crap behringer 1x10 combo.

Corners also interlock to make stacking them a bit easier - even sideways and upside down.

[MysticMichael]

Originally Posted by IntrepidCellist

I suppose I just need to find a small, light, and efficient cab really; I can put my bass and cables on my back, sling my WT400 in its carry bag on my shoulder, and find some small light cab to carry on the subway with me.

No need to lift and carry the cab to every gig. Or your amp and cable bag either, for that matter.

Get a relatively lightweight, compact cart of some sort, strap your amp and cable bag down tightly on top of the cab, and roll the rig along. (In time, you'll learn and remember the subway stations that have elevators - and the ones that don't...)

MM

[mkrtu9]

Originally Posted by MysticMichael

No need to lift and carry the cab to every gig. Or your amp and cable bag either, for that matter.

Get a relatively lightweight, compact cart of some sort, strap your amp and cable bag down tightly on top of the cab, and roll the rig along. (In time, you'll learn and remember the subway stations that have elevators - and the ones that don't...)

MM

+1 Was going to suggest a dolly

[TheBasicBassist]

I rock a Mesa Walkabout 1x12 at every gig w/o a back line. Easy to transport and killer tone. I'm around Manhattan too.

[Joebone]

NYC means taxis, maybe the subway, maybe trains to gigs in the burbs or NJ. When I gigged in NYC I was a trombonist so this one was easy for me, but I saw bassists deal with difficulty...of course, this was in the 1980's when small, potent combos did not extend beyond Polytone or small GK units, or maybe someone had a Walter Woods head, and the original Roland Cubes were a game-changer for a lot of folks. Anyhow, it's now the golden age of small combos or lightweight heads and light cabinets; markbass, genz benz, all kinds of stuff.

If you think you'll be stuck with the subway, buy a combo so you can ideally do the gig with just the combo and your bass, with all of your cables and stuff in the bass bag. IF YOU ARE STUCK WITH THE SUBWAY, YOU REALLY WANT TO MINIMIZE THE NUMBER OF THINGS YOU NEED TO ACCOUNT FOR AS YOU"RE IN AND OUT. Seriously...someone posted several days ago about leaving their bass on the subway! Keeping it minimal will avoid loss and also help diminish the theft hazard. You'll also want to explore a strong, light luggage dolly, like folding airport-style stuff, so you can strap the cab. to the dolly and roll whenever possible.

Minimal moving parts is also a good rule for taxicabs...you'll be pulling your stuff together to exit, and some impatient jerk will simultaneously be sliding into your seat while it's still warm...again, consolidating your stuff will reduce risk of loss.

Oh, and definitely get a good cover for your combo or cabinet. Street slush, splashed at you by passing vehicles, will be a given in a NYC winter. Even better if you can figure out a way to ensure the bottom of the cab. stays dry.

Good luck - NYC infrastructure is a pain, especially in the winter, but the pool of musicians -- and musical opportunities -- is superb.

[Jazzdogg]

IIRC, there an EA 1x10 with backpack in the TB classifieds.

[big90sbasshorns]

Markbass mini cmd121

[corradoc]

the good news is that most clubs in NYC 'get it' and provide a half way decent back line. they usually have at least a cab, so i often get away with just bringing my bass and shuttle 6.0.

[MonkeyBass]

Yeah most places have a backline. They usually post what they have on their website. For the occasional gigs that don't have an amp at the venue I use a MarkBass rig. But I usually do my best to avoid any gig that requires me hauling my whole bass rig through the subway.

[eastcoasteddie]

Originally Posted by corradoc

the good news is that most clubs in NYC 'get it' and provide a half way decent back line. they usually have at least a cab, so i often get away with just bringing my bass and shuttle 6.0.

+1

one place my brother played even had a Shuttle 6.0 as part of their backline. These days, very few places don't have their own gear. I'd say get a micro-head of your choice and a Neo cab for those "just in case" deals.

[butchblack]

You might want to look into the GK MB210 combo 33lbs, 350W alone 500W with an 8Ω extension cab. You didn't mention what kind of music you play or how loud you need to be but I can't see that not being enough for most of the clubs you'd play, especially if they have a 2nd cab you could use.

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by big90sbasshorns

Markbass mini cmd121

this or a shuttle 6.0 would be my thing for city gigs where taking a car would suck. or maybe an svt/810.

[Spencer!]

As has been said already, most places in the city have at least a cab, and sometimes an amp. I show up with my bass and a Markbass amp that fits in my gig bag, which makes travel by subway easy. For the rare gigs where a backline isn't provided at all, I strapped a couple of Epifani cabs to a hand truck and wheeled it around the city.

[pasta4lnch]

+1 to the cart and +1 to most clubs at least providing a cab. I think you can get away w/ a small 1x12 or 2x10 on a subway or cab. the MB traveler stuff is super small. I think Eden just came out w/ a super small 1x12 if memory serves at namm too.

I rarely subway it to gigs in NYC but I usually have to park far. Dolly up my aggie 112 (which is not all that small for a 112), MB LMII and cables/fan, w/ my bass in a gig bag around my back and walk it . . . still manage to have a hand free for coffee

[Spencer!]

Originally Posted by pasta4lnch

I think you can get away w/ a small 1x12 or 2x10 on a subway or cab.

My Epifani 112 fit easily in the trunk of a cab, so if you only need a 112 that's a viable option. A 210 may fit in the trunk of a cab, depending on which 210 it is.

[pasta4lnch]

this? if you like Eden . . .

Originally Posted by Spencer!

A 210 may fit in the trunk of a cab, depending on which 210 it is.

some definitely will - I also do some gigs and all my rehearsals w/ a markbass minimark. 20lbs is a walk in the park!!

[CosmicRay]

Hey, welcome to NYC!
Yeah, most venues in the city have a backline. And it varies as do the clubs. But for the 45 minutes you get to play, use their backline.
Pack a micro head to be safe, but unless you're the only band,
tweak the house rig and enjoy an easy in and easy out.
Did I mention some clubs are on the second floor....?
Good Luck!

[barrybass33]

Get a good gig bag and a small folding hand cart. you can pick one up at sears..
for about $30 bucks