What small amp to use as DI and stage monitor ?

[Bass301]

I am looking for a combo amp to use as a stage monitor and to DI to the PA system . I prefer to not send the bass through the stage monitors.

My tone is a traditional P-Bass tone as in 1970s rock and 1960s R&B.

My priority is to send a good tone to the PA system.
Amp volume only needs to be loud enough for the stage to hear.

The size of speaker does not seem to be an issue because the DI will bypass the speaker , and as a stage monitor the tone is not a big concern for me. I am more concerned about a great tone for the audience than for me.

What equipment would you recommend ?

[Stumbo]

If the PA is loud and your band is loud, you'll still need a good sized amp to hear it on stage.

[RikiTiki2]

the Bassman 100 has DI, weighs only 25 pounds, and has tilt-back

[hockey_head]

those small kickback GKs are really sweet.

[bassman1185]

The Tech21 Landmark amps have their SansAmp DI built in. I've played around on the 60, and I think it would suit you really well.

[SteveC]

Genz Benz Shuttle 3.0-10T combo. Nice DI and plenty of stage volume for monitoring...unless your bands stage volume is out of control...

[TimmyP]

The amp is just for you to hear yourself. I sometimes mic the amp, but that is secondary to a DI (Pro48 or J48) off the bass, as I've yet to find the mic useful indoors, as the amp has always been more than loud enough

There's a little SWR single 12" that sounds pretty good - I forget the model - it has a blue front panel.

The Phil Jones amps are said to be very good - and loud - for their size.

[Bass301]

Thanks to everyone for the replies.

How about the Line 6 Lowdown series ?
Studio 110 ...... 75 watts and 10 inch speaker.

[SteveC]

Originally Posted by Bass301

Thanks to everyone for the replies.

How about the Line 6 Lowdown series ?
Studio 110 ...... 75 watts and 10 inch speaker.

Not a good amp - IMO. I played it and there was no comparison between it and my Genz Benz for exmple.

[Ben-Jammin]

I've now ditched any heads/amps for in-ears.

As for DI -- most amp DI's are noisy/distorted, even on high end heads. I had both an Eden that produced noise and a hartke which provided distortion. There have been many-a-time where I've had to get bass players to run through an external DI because of this running FOH for big gigs.

If you're in a situation where good DI's aren't supplied for you, I would pick up a decent DI for travelling with you.
A Cable Factory DI-Pro(Lundahl Transformer) is a great choice or Radial(Jensen Transformer).

[guylewis]

Roland Bass Cube 100 for me.

Its loud enough for stage monitoring/rehearsals, small and light, sounds great and has good post/pre options for DI out.

A very "musical" choice if you take a little time to find your sound . . . forget the effects though!

Its also cheaper than most of the previous suggestions!

[cwhitaker]

A nice Direct box and use in-ears, you hear better (much better) with your own mix and you can add what ever else you need and seperate volumes. A bass amp is really just a monitor on stage and sound professionals want a clean sound anyway. Lots of times at smaller clubs the sound guy ends up taking the bass out of the mix due to the fact the stage volume is too high any way.

That's my thought and experience of over 15 years of professional playing live.

[Tommy el Gato]

I'm going to second the Roland Cube. It's got a very good DI on it, wide range of tones, and is loud enough for what you're looking for.