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Acceptable backline amp for outdoor festivals

#61
If I show up to an "outdoor festival" (when I hear festival I'm assuming one to two thousand people) and there is a "combo" of any sort waiting for me on the stage there you're not going to be able to hear the bands over my constant complaining and whining.

Best outdoor backline I've gotten in the last few years was a GK 1001RB and two of GK's lower-end 4x10 cabs. That was a damn cheap rig and I was running it "barely on" and it was more than loud enough. I appreciated it and let everyone know. Could I have used a combo? Yeah, because they had more than enough FOH and stage monitors, but frankly under circumstances like that I'd rather just have a direct line and get the combo off the stage so I don't look like I'm playing with a junior high band.

OP, I do agree with your stance on not using your own rig. I wouldn't either. That's never gone well for me and I won't do it again.
 
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#62
Why would the amp head be your bigger concern?

It's pretty difficult to cause an amp to malfunction. But it's pretty easy to damage speaker cabs through over excursion.


Toddbass65 said:
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!
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#67
Ashdown make a dirt cheap 300w head and 410 cab. They're sold through Thomann in europe, dunno who the distributor is in the states.
I needed a half stack quick and had no money.
Guess what? Couple of Eden pedals in front and it sounds great. Still use it now, four years down the line.
Solid State, so no maintenance, robust, and hey, if a speaker explodes (hasn't happened to me yet) no big bill for a replacement.
Comes with a built in octaver, fuzz, compressor and switchable EQ, plus deep and bright switches. Has a DI out.

If it's onstage air movement on a budget you're looking for, give it a look. Only downside is that it weighs a ton, but that'll just make it more difficult for some a$$ to try and steal.

It's the one in my profile pic.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Cheers, SoundSupport
 
#68
The benefit of the Elf is primarily it can't hurt your cab. But also:

Less chance of getting nuisance level of stage bass from your big cab nessing up FOH.

You gain a backup, new toy, and an education on how freaky loud 200w is through a big sensitive cab. I expect you might need to either turn it down or turn off the PA bass for 300 people in a courtyard.
 
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#69
I've been running the entertainment side of a small charity beer festival for eight years now. For the last six, as well as PA, I have provided drum kit and backline. The stage is 16' x 8' at one end of a large marquee. About 7-800 attend the event. During the day folks wander in buy a beer and perhaps hang around to listen. In the evening 2-300 will pack into the marquee to watch the bands. The site adjoins a park home (trailer) site so I need to have control of sound levels (the agreement I have with the local Environmental Health department requires I take sound level readings at six points on the boundary every 15 minutes throughout the event). Each year between 1:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. we put on between eight and twelve acts, with only 10-15 minutes between each. Two 15" powered subs and two powered 15" tops running a total of 3Kw gives me more than enough FOH for when the marquee is packed. I just need to keep onstage levels reasonable and make changeovers as simple as possible. This year I'm moving over to IEMs to give more room on stage, reduce the opportunity of feedback caused by monitors and generally clean up FOH. I have two relatively inexperienced helpers so I need to make things as simple as possible.

Backline consists of a Marshall 18 watt clone head with a 2x12 cabinet, VHT Special 12/20 1x12 Combo plus 1x12 extension cabinet. A 15 watt Fender Deluxe clone head sits backstage as a spare, Peavey KBA 60 1x15 keyboard Combo, Fishman Loudbox Mini Acoustic Combo. My bass player provides a 180 watt head and either a 1x15 or 2x10 cabinet. A DI is taken from each amp. I mike the kit (kick, snare + 2 overheads) but none of the amps.

All acts perform for free, from the start they know that we provide backline. I e-mail them with manuals for all the backline once they have agreed to play. Guitarists are given the choice of which amp to use. Vocalists can choose their mike from my collection. If I can give them a fresh mike I will, if not we wipe the body and grille with sanistising wipes between bands. Some take me up on my offer to come and try the amps with their own instruments and effects.

In the evening it gets loud, but all the bassists have been able to work with the 180 watt head and a cab, they can hear themselves, as can their bandmates. FOH makes sure that the audience can hear everything.
 
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#70
Toddbass65 said:
Sorry missed the question earlier....crowd maybe 300-400
I'd say.
@agedhorse safer to use my/your head :)
Or pick up an Elf or other micro head?
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I think everybody (including you) will be happier using you head. Just make sure the input cable is secured to the cabinet before it plugs into the amp so that those unfamiliar with small light weight heads won't pull it off ;)

Amp's not going to get hot, it's protected against power supply issues, it's going to be just fine. It's a pro piece intended to work like like this.
 
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#71
agedhorse said:
Just make sure the input cable is secured to the cabinet before it plugs into the amp so that those unfamiliar with small light weight heads won't pull it off
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This is the only down side to small, light-weight heads IME. I always have to be careful that it isn't easily dislodged from on top of the cab. The lead sled guys have to be watched like a hawk when they plug in and use the light heads for the first time. I always loop my cord through a cab handle and feel that's especially good advice in these situations.
 
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#72
Al Kraft said:
This is the only down side to small, light-weight heads IME. I always have to be careful that it isn't easily dislodged from on top of the cab. The lead sled guys have to be watched like a hawk when they plug in and use the light heads for the first time. I always loop my cord through a cab handle and feel that's especially good advice in these situations.
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I yanked a lead sled off a cab once. What sucked is it was my own. It was OK but I got a good scare. I'm wireless now.
 
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