On stage bass monitor and PA systems, First Gig

[72LML]

I need a little advice. Our church praise and worship group has been invited to play at the Crossroads Chapel at the Minnesota State Fair this year. We’re looking forward to playing the gig but I have some concerns.

According to our contact all musicians are given a DI box and then play through the PA system. Supposedly we are going to have a couple of stage monitors but that's it. I'm a little concerned that I'm going to have a hard time hearing myself on stage with just being pumped through the PA system. So how many of you would suggest bringing some sort of small amp/cab to have on stage to use as a separate bass monitor for myself?

I've got a Fender Frontman 75 watt 25B combo amp, 12in speaker, that I use at home for practicing. Would that be enough? The building holds about 100 people plus the stage where I will all be standing in the back of looks like a recessed large rectangle opening cut into one wall with a low ceiling. Approx 25ft wide, 20 ft deep, with 8ft celings. I know the 75 watts isn’t large enough the fill the room with thumping bass but I was planning on using the PA system to fill the sound out.

The other option is to haul in a cab with a 15in speaker and seperate head. It would sound much better than the practice amp but logistically it much more of a pain (it's about 70lbs) to move around, especially trying to transport it through a crowd of people with no casters (which I could add). Or, would I be better off renting some sort of 2x10 or 2x12 cab and using that?

Last, PA systems and a 5-string bass? Good, bad, or really ugly? I'm concerned the Low B is going to sound like crap.

Thanks everybody!

[JimmyM]

through a pa system, unless it really really sucks, the low B should sound great. and yes, i would use the 75w amp as a stage monitor. i regularly gig with a 25w amp and a 75w amp and they can get pretty loud when you need it.

[tony_clifton]

You will be fine.

However, provided DIs just connect your bass to the PA system, without any tone shaping by a preamp. If you are gonna gig more often I'd personally buy a Sansamp PDDI. That way you can still go to a gig with just your gigbag.
If you wish to have sub-100 hz tones on stage you can plug in your practice amp in the Sansamp's bypass. That way you'll always have a good tone to the board and a familiar sound on stage.
Doesn't break the bank nor your back



Personally I'd bring your practice amp. My first stage monitor-only experience was totally different than I was used to: first gig outdoors I forgot to turn up louder than I do indoors. The amp was miked so I was stuck with an amp I couldn't hear and the monitors gave a very clanky sound.

Overall it was less comfortable/familiar but no drama whatsoever. But to me it's clear I want to have my own amp on stage, and the board gets a decent feed so the rest is up to them.

[72LML]

Thanks guys, I think I'll go with the practice amp as you suggested. That way I can hop on the shuttle bus and catch a ride to the fairgrounds rather than try to park near the fair and move that huge cab with the 15in speaker in it.

I do have a MXR Bass Di + that I may throw in that does have some tone shaping capabilities. That may come in handy rather that the provided DI box. Once again thanks.

[Stumbo]

Since your amp will be a monitor, I'd tilt it up or raise it up so you can hear it better and will be able to keep the amp volume under control. If the sound people don't want your amp facing the audience, put it out front of you( on its side and tilted. You'll have your own exclusive bass monitor.

Good luck.

[Never_grew_up]

A lot depends on the quality of the PA & monitor system. It sounds like they might be bringing in a sound company to run the event. Can you ask for more info about the PA system?