Am I screwed?

[b4nny]

My friend, let's call him N, and another guy, S, from my school asked me to be the bassist in a band they were starting. I said "Hell yeah!" and they told me they would ask the drummer (they are both guitarists). This week they said they found "a singer" which is someone from school that I'm not familiar with. Cool, so it appears to be working out fine. On Friday N told me that we should get together for a practice next weekend.

It didn't really hit me until that moment. All I've got is a practice amp. Am I totally screwed for rehearsal? Drummer whom I have never played with.. I was told he "is a metal drummer".. Lead guitarist is N with a 100 or so watt Line 6 combo and S is the rhythm guitarist with a 60 watt combo. I don't think N is the kind of guy that would blast his amp, the other guy, not so sure. What do you think? Any chances of being heard?

[tom once dead]

pretty much. unless they have a PA which you could run through.

[b4nny]

Originally Posted by tom once dead

pretty much. unless they have a PA which you could run through.

I haven't heard of any PA... we're just a bunch of 14 year olds getting together in the garage. Damn.

[jmattbassplaya]

Oh yeah.. You may want to think about investing into a 2x10 or a 4x10.

[arguijot]

If they are using combo amp,s what would have to be worried about dude. Just turn the damn thing up. and if they have a singer, Hell yeah run thru his gear. If they dont want you to do that then why bother. sounds like they (guitarists)might be a bit big headed any way. Good luck.

[tom once dead]

I've done a few practices where I couldnt hear anything. But if they have a singer, he might have a PA.

[Low Tone]

If your amp is only 20W, you might start looking for something used and cheap but with a bit more power.

[COOL AND DEADLY]

Try it out, if it's not loud enough look for a cheap used combo. I ran through a Peavy ED unit for the first few months in a band. It was for electronic drums. I actually got a compliment about my tone through that thing once. I think you can get by until you come up with something with a bit more power, I wouldn't say you are screwed.

[JLP]

Go ahead and do it. You won,t know until you do.

[RJC1811]

Hey it's just a first practice. Go for it. If you can't hear yourself put your amp up at head level. If this is going somewhere, even if it's just for fun start looking for a better rig. You can find some great stuff used cheap if you watch craigslist. I don't know how patient your mom will be driving you around to try out gear.

[steveksux]

Generally you need more watts on bass to compete with guitars. 20 watt single 10" bass vs 60 watt guitar amp, good luck. I wouldn't say you are screwed, I'd say you are so far beyond screwed it would take a million years for the light from planet Screwed to reach you...

Rookies play loud enough that they can hear themselves over everyone else. Good players play quietly enough so they can hear everyone else. That doesn't usually occur until people are much more experienced, so I don't think that's going to save you.

Guitarists are going to be really loud to get their "tone", and you will be lost in the mix. Welcome to the world of bands! This won't be the first time you'll be drowned out...

Be careful not to try to turn up so loud that you blow your speaker. Though with 20 watts, not sure that's possible. Make them turn down if you have to, or go through the PA. Upgrade your equipment as you can, its a never ending process...

And good luck, and enjoy yourself.

Randy

[Stingray_EB]

Some advice here; dont spend big bucks on a bigger amp to accomodate your first practise with these guys. You may find after 3 weeks of being together they decide they dont want a band or you playing with them. Sorry to be harsh but it happens.

See how they react, explain to them that you dont want to spend money on a bigger amp until you know its a series project. You dont want to spend money on an amp now that you may not need for another 6 months, year or even longer.

If you want to be in a band you need a bigger amp than a practice amp. I wouldn't go crazy though, a simple 1x15 combo either ampeg or ashdown or peavey would be fine. I don't know if they sell ashdowns in the US, but I had a 1x15 electric blue for a number of years when I started out and it was an excellent amp - and not too heavy!!!

Don't panic but you will need to buy a bigger amp than a practice amp. Have fun.

[mellowgerman]

I'd say your best bet is to put the amp up on a chair or table rather than the floor. Might project your sound a little better. What kind of practice amp is it? I used to have a Peavey Microbass 20watt and that thing was really loud for its size; easily twice as loud as some fender 15watt amps I've heard

[stflbn]

I prefer a 10:1 ratio for bass amp vs guitar amp. Seriously.


.

[lorenk]

it might work...i'd defintaely think about getting a larger amp at some point, especially if you are planning on playing in a band.

I used a Fender 100watt SS Bassman in a band, my guitarist had a 60w combo and my drummer hit super hard, and they where constantly asking me to turn it town (bwhahahaha). You don't always need to fork out major dough to get something you can play with...

[Low Tone]

Originally Posted by stflbn

I prefer a 10:1 ratio for bass amp vs guitar amp. Seriously.


.

I like the cut of your jib, sailor.

I'm still trying to convince my drummer I need another 500W.

[phatbass]

You're 14; unless you live in Beverly Hills I don't think anyone should get their panties in a bunch if you don't have a 1000 watt stack.

[precision punk]

invest in a acoustic b200 great amps... 200 watts, 15in combo, and 6 band eq for 350 bills mine is plentyyyy loud for jus garage jams

[stflbn]

and... a 100w Guitar amp for a 14 year old is 'excessive' to put it mildly. I'm sure his neighbors hate him immensely.