Acceptable backline amp for outdoor festivals

[Toddbass65]

Wasn't sure exactly where this fit best, so trying it here.
I've been hired to run sound and provide a backline for a few outdoor
blues festivals. Bands are pretty much local type bands and it will be
used by 3-4 bands. I'm nervous about allowing people to use my own
rig (Mesa D800 and NV610 cab). So I'm thinking of picking up some type
of combo....hopefully used.... to provide as the backline. Of course everything
will be going through the FOH, so primarily for stage monitor.
What would you think would be a decent backline amp for this situation?
I may even use the amp myself now and then at small gigs or if I run an open mic.
Ideas???
Thanks in advance!

 

[JimmyM]

300-500w and a 410 should cover it.

 

[seamonkey]

FOH

 

[Toddbass65]

Front of hall.....the PA.

 

[Kro]

300-500w and a 410 should cover it.

+1

Not my personally preferred format, but I've never been unhappy to see that type of setup as a backline. I would agree that's a reasonably sized standard of sorts for when a full fridge is overkill.

 

[oldrocker]

I agree with the 300-500 watts with the 4x10.

Off the top of my head and if price was important I would consider a Hartke HA3500 / 410 combo. Pretty good bang for the $$$

 

[agedhorse]

Your own amp and cabinet are probably the best bet,

 

[Pat C.]

I'm nervous about allowing people to use my own
rig (Mesa D800 and NV610 cab). So I'm thinking of picking up some type
of combo....hopefully used

I understand being concerned about others using your regular gigging rig. But I think the risk of someone over driving a combo amp at an outdoor gig is actually greater than the risk of your larger, more powerful amp/cab being abused.

When someone says outdoor festival I immediately think 8x10 or multiple smaller cabs. Kro commented about there being times when a fridge is overkill, but one can always just turn the amp down.

You've already got a fridge-type rig, I'd go with that. Maybe pick up an outboard HPF (FDeck, Broughton, etc.) and insist on it's use with your rig for some piece of mind.

Going through the expense of buying a possibly inadequate combo is not worth it. Buying and 4x10 and another amp doesn't make sense if it's not budgeted for and you don't have an additional need for it.

 

[lokikallas]

Hartke 410 and a RB800 was the standard for many years as the B rig at my old sound company. A rig got the 4 Pro and 810.

 

[S-Bigbottom]

How would you feel showing up to play this and finding a small combo to plug into?


If you turn your Mesa's impedance selector to 2 Ohms this will limit the power of your D-800 to around 600 watts if that makes you feel better about using your head and cab.

 

[JimChjones]

The big question is what the rest of the backline is going to be. If the guitar players are going to be using 20W combos and on stage volume low then thatzt one game, but if the rest of the backline is going to be Marshall stacks you won't be loved if you bring out a 100W combo for the bass...

 

[agedhorse]

I think that for an outdoor festival, few players would be happy with a 100 watt combo regardless of what the guitar amps are.

 

[Stumbo]

Wasn't sure exactly where this fit best, so trying it here.
I've been hired to run sound and provide a backline for a few outdoor
blues festivals. Bands are pretty much local type bands and it will be
used by 3-4 bands. I'm nervous about allowing people to use my own
rig (Mesa D800 and NV610 cab). So I'm thinking of picking up some type
of combo....hopefully used.... to provide as the backline. Of course everything
will be going through the FOH, so primarily for stage monitor.
What would you think would be a decent backline amp for this situation?
I may even use the amp myself now and then at small gigs or if I run an open mic.
Ideas???
Thanks in advance!

Since everything will be FOH, seems to me, by providing a 3-500w amp you run the risk of one of the bsss players turning it up too loud and messing with the mix.

A Rumble 200 combo up on a stand with an HPF should be fine as a monitor.

 

[Al Kraft]

Your own amp and cabinet are probably the best bet,

While I agree that Mesa D-800 and Berg NV610 as the back-line would put a smile on just about any bass player's face (me included), unless I knew the other bass players personally I wouldn't offer that gear up if it were mine. That said, a small combo isn't likely to carry the day with any kind of headroom. I'm in the 500 Watt with a 410 or 215 camp as being likely quite suitable on this one. For me a good outdoor rig has been a PH410 with Carbine M6/9.

 

[Lesfunk]

Like Jimmy M said, a 500watt head and a 4x10 is pretty much standard most of these types

 

[Joebone]

Like Jimmy M said, a 500watt head and a 4x10 is pretty much standard most of these types

Indeed. I don't often do backline gigs, but almost always run into an Ampeg head - either the SVT or some sort of solid-state thing - along with an Ampeg 4-10 or the 8-10, when I do.

 

[tjh]

… GK 800RB and decent 410, 215 (or even an old 810 would be cheap)

 

[Zbysek]

I wouldn't recommend buying an unknown used rig for backline.

Your cab would be perfect for the job, IMO. If you don't want to provide your amp, you can buy cheap reliable solid state head, such as Hartke HA3500 or LH500.

 

[Downunderwonder]

An Elf is a handy backup amp to have. The 200w through your cab is oodles of monitor and the DI is fine if you're into that sort of caper.

 

[tradernick]

Your own amp and cabinet are probably the best bet,

agedhorse, I gotta say I'm a little surprised at this post, unless I'm misreading it? You mean each player bringing their own gear would be best? No... I'm sure you're aware that that won't work on a festival stage with multiple changeovers.

Or did you mean the OP's rig which he described (D800/NV610) would be best to provide as backline?

If the latter, I have to take the other side of that. There is no freakin' way I would allow a bunch of festival acts to run through my personal rig. Rent a head and cab, and make sure you're billing in such a way as to cover your expenses.

I think I'm missing something here.

...an Ampeg head - either the SVT or some sort of solid-state thing

Sorry to say it but when I do a backline gig and see one of those solid state Ampeg heads, my heart sinks.