I remember seeing on many occasions around my area Paul Goddard using a Peavey combo with a single fifteen on some big stages with a blues band. It sounded great and it looked like Paul didn’t mind it one bit.
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Acceptable backline amp for outdoor festivals
- Thread starter Toddbass65
- Start date
I agree with the guys that say use your head and just get another cabinet to use , a 410,2-15 0r a fridge . Chances of yor head getting damaged are small . Your head will give everyone a good DI out , have a built in highpass filter and is known for good tone . Even a Peavey 410TX would work fine and are cheap .
Retired old-time PA guy here...I've also done a ton of festivals. I agree with @agedhorse that the OP could just use his rig. I guess if you're all that concerned, you could rent a 4-10 cab, or just buy a used semi-decent one...that would have to be cheaper than buying an appropriately sized combo. And a combo is definitely not the right thing for any outdoor situation unless it's something small like a restaurant patio or a beer garden. Not that it might not be enough amp, but to some players, a combo amp just says 'small potatoes', no matter how cool the amp might be, or how appropriate it might actually be for the gig. Plus, you want to make sure you provide enough horsepower to assure that even the loudest player won't be slamming the amp.
Also, simpler is better. Fewer controls and options reduce the chance of something being set to the wrong position. Even the concept of a master volume control and input gain knob is too complicated for some people...I've seen players flummoxed by something as basic as a built-in 5-band graphic EQ. I mention this in reference to using an external HP filter...as much as I endorse using one, unless you're prepared to spend a couple of minutes explaining to each player how to use it, along with the reasons for doing so, I'd probably give that a pass. Maybe if you have it sort of permanently "installed" and patched-in on top of the bass rig, near the amp input, and clearly labelled as the 'bass input', you can get away with a minimal amount of dialog about it, but even then, I'd probably just represent it to the players as "the bass DI" and try to avoid further discussion about it. During a set-change at a festival, I've generally got other things to worry about and I think the bass rig should be as automatic and self-explanatory as possible. If I'm playing such a gig myself, I want to find a familiar brand of amp sitting on top of a decently-sized speaker system...a 410 or something of that caliber. If I walk in and find a combo amp, I'd start looking for other signs that the production is not really all that professional. (This is specific to outdoor shows, not indoor venues.) I also don't want to walk in and find some sort of elaborate, complicated rig involving pedals and things inserted into the effects loop, no matter how cool it is--I just want something simple that doesn't require any explanations.
Also, simpler is better. Fewer controls and options reduce the chance of something being set to the wrong position. Even the concept of a master volume control and input gain knob is too complicated for some people...I've seen players flummoxed by something as basic as a built-in 5-band graphic EQ. I mention this in reference to using an external HP filter...as much as I endorse using one, unless you're prepared to spend a couple of minutes explaining to each player how to use it, along with the reasons for doing so, I'd probably give that a pass. Maybe if you have it sort of permanently "installed" and patched-in on top of the bass rig, near the amp input, and clearly labelled as the 'bass input', you can get away with a minimal amount of dialog about it, but even then, I'd probably just represent it to the players as "the bass DI" and try to avoid further discussion about it. During a set-change at a festival, I've generally got other things to worry about and I think the bass rig should be as automatic and self-explanatory as possible. If I'm playing such a gig myself, I want to find a familiar brand of amp sitting on top of a decently-sized speaker system...a 410 or something of that caliber. If I walk in and find a combo amp, I'd start looking for other signs that the production is not really all that professional. (This is specific to outdoor shows, not indoor venues.) I also don't want to walk in and find some sort of elaborate, complicated rig involving pedals and things inserted into the effects loop, no matter how cool it is--I just want something simple that doesn't require any explanations.
The best part of this thread, 3 pages later, is that you got your answer in the first reply. 
Truthfully I'm not sure why we're talking about this. If you're not in the backwoods somewhere, rent a rig and charge the client. Or, buy a rig and charge the client rental fee on your rig.
Use your personal rig??! Buy a small combo??! These are rookie moves imo.
Use your personal rig??! Buy a small combo??! These are rookie moves imo.
- Jul 7, 2010
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I would get a fender Rumble 500 combo and it has enough power and a good sound/signal to get a good out front mix.
Well, lots of great suggestions here. I guess my thought was that my own rig is definitely more than acceptable, just have a little fear of someone abusing it. I was thinking i'd like to see what most people thought would be an acceptable rig in THEIR opinion. This is a small festival run by a bar with a limited budget. I've run sound for many of these types of shows over the years, I'm not "a rookie". My rookie-ness is in providing a backline. Just wanted to know what others would feel is a decent enough rig. Agedhorse assures me my rig is acceptable and of course bulletproof....so maybe I'll just use my own and be good with that. And watch like a hawk
- Feb 12, 2006
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Generally, when a player gets to play on a really nice and "plenty adequate" rig, they tend to be more respectful than when playing on a beater rig. That's just my experience, I'm sure this may not hold true universally.
Meant no disrespect. The client can def be the rookie. If it's a budget event maybe they get a budget backline? I find that biz owners are always trying to cut costs on this sort of stuff. They want the fest atmosphere but possibly misunderstand how much time and money it takes to do it right.Well, lots of great suggestions here. I guess my thought was that my own rig is definitely more than acceptable, just have a little fear of someone abusing it. I was thinking i'd like to see what most people thought would be an acceptable rig in THEIR opinion. This is a small festival run by a bar with a limited budget. I've run sound for many of these types of shows over the years, I'm not "a rookie". My rookie-ness is in providing a backline. Just wanted to know what others would feel is a decent enough rig. Agedhorse assures me my rig is acceptable and of course bulletproof....so maybe I'll just use my own and be good with that. And watch like a hawk
I'd just say that if this is the case, be aware of how successful the fest is. If the owner is making decent profit and you're out here with your personal rig, I would call that a problem.
My gut reaction was the opposite. Supply the OP's Berg 610 cab with a different head. More speaker area and taller cab means it's easier to hear yourself with less power from the amp, so less likely to have guys cranking the amp into dangerous territory. And IME amps are much more likely to go down at a festival than a sturdy cabinet. Rent a 500W amp for the weekend, and with the 610 that should be plenty. SVT-3PRO, GK, Peavey, whatever.
I've played plenty of backlined outdoor shows with some pretty janky supplied gear, but never with anything less than a 410 on stage. That'd be about the minimum I'd expect.
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"Whatever you'd be happy playing through if you showed up at that gig", is my answer. I remember showing up to an outdoor gig and the bass amp provided was a very small practice type combo amp. More than half of our tunes involve some kind of slap bass, lol! I went direct and had them crank my bass on my monitor, which coincidentally sounded killer...
I'm sure someone destroyed that little amp before the day was through.
I'm sure someone destroyed that little amp before the day was through.
again, depends on venue/crowd.
outdoor bar/patio scene with seated tables for food/drinks, 410 cab w/ peavey head is fine.
Parking lot jam with standing room/dancing area with food trucks & beer tent, better go for the 810 and larger amp.
outdoor bar/patio scene with seated tables for food/drinks, 410 cab w/ peavey head is fine.
Parking lot jam with standing room/dancing area with food trucks & beer tent, better go for the 810 and larger amp.
I've done outdoor festivals with a 2x12 on stage and sounded plenty loud enough on stage
other folks i know "require" an 8X10 (is it just an ego thing? i don't know.)
a 4x10 is what I would pick because it's a pretty standard type of rig and is most certainly not "too small."
other folks i know "require" an 8X10 (is it just an ego thing? i don't know.)
a 4x10 is what I would pick because it's a pretty standard type of rig and is most certainly not "too small."
The biggest outdoor provided backline I have been given was svt3 and 410. The stage is usually a 40ft trailer and the amp is a 112 or 115 or 210. We're pretty darn loud for a jazz band so the only times I have been TOO LOUD is when some idiot has me cranked in the monitors.
If it was 2 40ft trailers of stage and a crowd in the 1000's I might be able to need more than 210 for me in a raucous blues band.
If it was 2 40ft trailers of stage and a crowd in the 1000's I might be able to need more than 210 for me in a raucous blues band.
In the country band I'm in, the stage plot rider calls for an 810 and an all-tube head, but I've never gotten either one.
Better to start at the top and settle for "sufficient", rather than starting out at "adequate" and getting less than that.
As long as I can hear myself and the tone is in the ballpark, that's usually all I need.
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We've all seen the weird things people have wanted to do or done to equipment (just look back through TB). I'd never use my own rig. Last two backline I've been given were both carvin 4x10 and hartke amp (ha3500?). I could hear myself, so good enough, done. I gladly didn't haul my own stuff down even though I probably could have. I've been paying attention, and the last bunch of big acts I've seen had a 4x10 and something. Easy.
I've often thought about an Elf or micro head as a backup to my rig (but with Mesa, doubt I'd ever need one). Perhaps I pick up an Elf and pair that with my 610. Anyone try an Elf with a larger cab like mine? My Mesa head would be the bigger worry as a backline I'd say...as was mentioned earlier. Just a thought...
Thank you for all the ideas here, great discussion!
Thank you for all the ideas here, great discussion!
