Amp to Compete with a Big Band

[JvJazz83]

I don't have any direct suggestions on what you shold buy, but seeing that you are based in the UK, I would suggest you take a look at Basschat, and the for sale section there. It's a forum very much like this one.

 

[Bander]

I'm really on quite a budget (350gbp), so used is definitely fine, and portability is a big plus. I'm just not sure whether offerings like the Peavey Max 208 are worth it.

Your Rumble 30 doesn't have a line out, but the Rumble 40 does, $199 new, state side. Trade up, and run a line to the PA. The Rumble 100 is $299 stateside, and weighs 22 lb. Peavey and others have similar priced/weight products with a line out, and with your budget, you can definitely up the power.

 

[TreySonagras]

I have found the Hartke Kickback 12 to be more than enough for a very loud big band.

 

[Bisounourse]

I played DB in a big band (15 piece horns), and in rehearsals I played the Hartke B60 that was in the rehearsal space. It was enough to be heard and I didn't have to crank it. For live applications I used a GK MBE200 with a Barefaced Big Baby 2 (which is way over your budget).
If you want a combo, I'd look into something that is 100+ watts (and go nuts, buy as much wattage you can afford as you can always turn down).
Other brands you might take in consideration are Markbass (a fixture in most big bands over here) or EBS and since you're in UK look at Trace Elliot (however not lightweight) or Ahsdown; they should be available for your budget on the second hand market. Try before you buy though.

 

[spatters]

You're in the UK, so you get free shipping from Thomann. Take advantage of that. Go here, sort by price (low to high), and scroll until you find the nicest combo that fits your budget.

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Even at 350 inc. VAT you can get a 300W+ 1x15, which I would honestly recommend when you need to fill a room large enough to host a big band. Yes, a 1x15 is bigger. Build a shelf over it to give yourself more room, or install a wall hanger for your bass above it.

Harley Benton 300C
Bugera (Behringer) BXD15
They're both German, so you'll get a much better deal vs. American-market stuff like Fender and Ampeg, which costs much more from Thomann at the same performance level. Also, they're both tiltbacks, which is nice.

If you must have a 2x10 and can spend a bit more, you can get an Eden TN210 and a TC BAM200 from Thomann for only slightly over your budget...but honestly I'd stay with the combos.

 

[Matthijs]

I play in a loud big band that also wants the bass to be loud in the mix without pa support. I have an efficient 2*12 and a bam200 that’s sufficient for almost all indoor gigs. Sometimes I bring a amp that’s a bit bigger if I worry about headroom. So I think you should be ok with a reasonably efficient 2*10 and 200 watts. A stacked 2*10 is also a pre because it is less directional: important because in a bigband you’re often on a cramped stage with a lot of people and really close to you amp. I’d say the ashdown seems a reasonable option.

 

[burgerdj]

If you’re familiar and happy with the tone stack of the Rumble, why not upgrade to a larger more powerful model?

 

[4dog]

im with burgerdj...if you like and understand the Rumble...just go bigger.

 

[buldog5151bass]

I don't know the used market where you are, but in that price range that is your better bet.

Big bands are no different than rock bands. Some drummers are very tasty, some are animals. A loud horn section can compare with a loud guitarist.

I'd guess to be safe (since you won't be getting a top quality cab) is a 115 or 410, as best bang for the $$$, and 100 watts.

 

[ColonelZulu]

In ears and a DI to the PA.
Otherwise, they are going to dump you from the mix.
Been there. Done that.

 

[BassFalcon]

That's been my experience too, for some of the traditional big bands I've ran sound production for. Guy Lombardo's Orchestra used an Ampeg upright bass plugged into a small amp. probably 50W tops. That was in about 1986, so I don't remember the details. Mart Kenny's bassist used a bass violin with a piezo bridge pickup, and I believe he was using a Roland cube for an amp. In the big band era, the bass was pretty much acoustic, being somewhat subdued by today's standards.

I remember at our first gig Mart discussing the sound with me before the event, telling me that all I needed was some horn section mics on woodwinds and brass, and the soloists would move in closer to the mic as required. They essentially mixed themselves acoustically. in addition to the sections, I had overheads on the drum kit, piano mic, vocal mic, and guitar and bass mic'ed as well.

With a bit of PA support, the bass could be heard well right to the back of the hall; The dance floor was 6400 sq feet, and it was about 250 feet to the back with about 1000 people in the room, soaking up sound.

Christian McBride kind of addressed this in the early 2000s, you noted the bass was subdued in the classic big band era but it was actually the entire band. he noticed that the early big band bassists played with no amp, so he figured he could to. Ended up with some tendinitis and the conclusion that modern big bands are simply much much louder than back in the day and re-adopted using amplification. In the interim week or two between when my aforementioned Hartke blew up and I was able to get the mesa rig I tried it as well, amplification is a blessing, lol.

 

[abarson]

As you’re in the UK I’d check out Harley Benton from Thomann.
Not only do they have decent combos but they offer head and cab packages for very reasonable prices.
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https://www.thomann.de/gb/bass_half-_full-_stacks.html

 

[Speakz]

I used the 200w Rumble 115 combo and as others shared it might be a good option. You could add an extension cab to it if you wanted to access the full power. The 15 defintely plays and responds differently than the 12 but in a large room it can really get out to your audience a bit more and go lower. I found mine for 275 used in good condition.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

With a big band, you really don't need much power. The situation where you would need the most is an outdoor gig with no PA. Suggestions would be difficult since you're looking at the used market and I'm not sure what's available. Personally I'd look for a 12" combo with about 200W realizing that I'd never use the 200W, but you can always turn down.

 

[BarfanyShart]

For big band, I have found the best thing is to have an amp with an extension cabinet where the amp sits next to you and the drummer, and the extension cab sits on the other side of the horns. You don't need crazy wattage, like 200 total is more than enough for any concert hall, but covering the stage so that the horn players feel the presence of the bass is the most critical thing.

 

[FenderP]

I've used many things with big bands for the past 20 or so years. You don't necessarily need something loud. I've done just fine with a Double Four. I have something with more headroom now but even in something like a 5/4/5 horn config, I've used a B-15 with success and that is well under 50 watts. That was in the 90s. I've been playing in big bands most of the time I've been playing.

 

[byacey]

Christian McBride kind of addressed this in the early 2000s, you noted the bass was subdued in the classic big band era but it was actually the entire band. he noticed that the early big band bassists played with no amp, so he figured he could to. Ended up with some tendinitis and the conclusion that modern big bands are simply much much louder than back in the day and re-adopted using amplification. In the interim week or two between when my aforementioned Hartke blew up and I was able to get the mesa rig I tried it as well, amplification is a blessing, lol.

I'm not saying the bassist wouldn't benefit from amplifier support, but the genre doesn't really call for bass in your face levels, so a large bass rig typically wouldn't be necessary.

 

[Slevage]

I use a Markbass 1-12 combo on top of a 1-12 cabinet (unless the room is small or the big band is reduced to a 10 or 12 piece budget band).

Having the amp elevated on the cabinet is a big plus.

 

[byacey]

For big band, I have found the best thing is to have an amp with an extension cabinet where the amp sits next to you and the drummer, and the extension cab sits on the other side of the horns. You don't need crazy wattage, like 200 total is more than enough for any concert hall, but covering the stage so that the horn players feel the presence of the bass is the most critical thing.

Spreading the bass cabinets out distance wise creates phase cancellation that does more damage than good.

 

[iiipopes]

Do you really mean an amp to "compete" with, or do you mean an amp to "properly support" the band?

I have played in all manner of horn bands, from combos to Motown to full swing bands: 5 sax, 5 bone, 5 trumpet, rhythm. I have accompanied them on everything from unamplified double bass to electric bass with a tall stack. Rarely did I ever need anything more, whatever the size of the band, than a good, clean @200 watt combo amp angled where the rest of the band could hear it. I usually set it up on an amp stand so it is off the ground and slightly angled to avoid rumbling or standing waves.

Also, if you are going to be playing swing big band repertoire on a regular basis, seriously consider learning and purchasing an upright double bass, or even an EUB, because the inherent tone quality of the bloom lends itself to supporting the style better than electric bass, even with a foam mute at the bridge.

One band I used to play for was driving the repertoire too hard. I finally realized it was me: my electric bass had too much sustain. So I bought a double bass. At the next rehearsal, the bloom of the double bass helped everyone relax back into the swing style, and we had a lot more gigs after that.