outside gig

[lowfrq]

I just found out that my bands wedding gig next weekend is going to be outside.
We are suposed to set up @ outside of pool area ( no walls nearby,on concrete)We play mostly classic rock & have a loud drummer!
I play thru avatar 410 & 212 W/ 350 watts ea cab. going thru the pa is not an option (small). any suggestions?

[toobalicious]

heh, 6 speakers pushed with 700 watts ought to be more than plenty. i currently own my most powerful bass amp to date, a 380 watt (+50 ) 700RB. while i push it into "growl" territory with some frequency (no pun intended), i have never felt like it was inadequate for any show, including those in the middle of a big parking lot with no walls within 100 feet in any direction. i generally use a 2x15 for the "big" ones, and a 1x15 for the "little" ones.

[groove pump]

Outdoor gigs can seem odd when you don't play that way too much. When I've done it, I worry about my low-ish mid's more than my lowest freq's; it seems like those low mid tones carry my sound the most without a roof over my head. I go for a rather old school sound on a J-bass without any treble. While you're setting up, see if you can have someone play a few notes with your intended settings while you're on the floor in front of the stage so you can hear what carries in that setting. If I'm inside, I often like to play my Jazz with the bridge p/u slightly cut for a more warm n' round sound, but if I need my tone to cut a bit more, I'll run both p/u's all the way up.

[nsmar4211]

Bring a piece of carpet and put your drummer on it....... it'll help a little. The thicker the better...

Beware of splashers, try to keep the equipment awayyyyyyy from the pool and make sure it doesn't look like a convienent table for people to set drinks. Whatever you do keep the instruments in cases because people milling around can and will knock them over.

Sound is weird outside, you may not have as loud of a drummer as you think once you're outside. Have fun Oh, and bring garbage bags/tarps to cover stuff in case it rains.

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by lowfrq

I just found out that my bands wedding gig next weekend is going to be outside.
We are suposed to set up @ outside of pool area ( no walls nearby,on concrete)We play mostly classic rock & have a loud drummer!
I play thru avatar 410 & 212 W/ 350 watts ea cab. going thru the pa is not an option (small). any suggestions?

Keep water away from the equipment. Otherwise, just do what you'd ordinarily do.

[seanm]

I play a lot of outdoor gigs. I actually have a B rig I use if there is a chance of rain.

It sounds like you have more than enough speaker. Just play and have fun.

[dougjwray]

If there's any wind at all, lie your bass down on its case or gig bag when you're not playing it. (In other words, forget about using a stand.) (I learned the hard way.)

[Marley's Ghost]

Get your rig up off the ground with a Gramma pad or something. Escpeically if there is water nearby.