I've found bringing my amp to the small gigs my highschool band plays is just too much effort, due to its sheer size and bulk. I'd love a pedal I could just keep in my case, put on the floor, plug my bass into and send a DI to the PA system at gigs, I know there are systems Like the POD, but I am on a budget, does anyone have any idea what I could get?
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Amps are too bulky
- Thread starter Davidfern94
- Start date
Lots of good micro heads with DI's. See: MarkBass, Genz-Benz, GK.
Those are powerful, good sounding heads that weigh less than 8 lbs. You could take one with you to your smaller gigs and still have something that will thump when plugged into a good cab.
Those are powerful, good sounding heads that weigh less than 8 lbs. You could take one with you to your smaller gigs and still have something that will thump when plugged into a good cab.
Yup a good micro head is what you need. I've always been a fan of the ashdown superflu, mibass or little giant heads, GK make some good ones too 
Chicks that hang around the bandstand are good to help lug your equipment... when that doesn't work, get some rodies. Just sayin
I'd love to have roadies, but only being 17 without a driving license my problem is going to gigs i mostly use public transport :L
Amps aren't too bulky, cars are just to frikkin small!
Bass players need trucks.
Even the smallest one is better than any car.
Bass players need trucks.
Even the smallest one is better than any car.
You just need to find the right chick...one who owns a truck!
Seriously, the micro head is a good idea.
The only thing about only DI'ing is that you need some way to hear yourself. When the mains are in front of you pointing out to the audience you won't hear a good representation of your sound. Plus, it may sound like a reflection.
Check out a Markbass CMD 121P combo. Or a GK MB112 combo. If you'd rather go modular, take a look at a Markbass Little Mark III head with a New York 121 cab. For your situation a GK MB 200 head would be good, too, for less dough. One of their NEO or MBE cabs would do nicely with it, again for less dough.
Many other options out there, too.
Check out a Markbass CMD 121P combo. Or a GK MB112 combo. If you'd rather go modular, take a look at a Markbass Little Mark III head with a New York 121 cab. For your situation a GK MB 200 head would be good, too, for less dough. One of their NEO or MBE cabs would do nicely with it, again for less dough.
Many other options out there, too.
I am not complaining about the amp itself, yes I consider it a small amp, but for the gigs I am currently doing with a highschool band in small venues about 30 miles away from where I live, carrying any kind of speaker is just inconvienent
- Nov 24, 2008
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I see what you're saying if you have to use public transport to get there at the mo', any way you can share a lift and split the fuel bill with someone? Otherwise DI is the best bet, I have used DI quite a bit in bigger clubs with big monitoring systems, without them it's tricky to hear yourself.
I'd check out a few reviews and keep an eye on Ebay to see what comes up within your budget. I used a passive DI box and adjusted tone from the bass, the engineer has the last call with final mix.
Depends if you want FX to use or something more 'plug in and go'. Personally I'm more a fan of easier plug and go gear, effects I'd add with pedals.
Depends if you want FX to use or something more 'plug in and go'. Personally I'm more a fan of easier plug and go gear, effects I'd add with pedals.
Genz Benz shuttle 3.0 with 8 inch speaker... Weighs 19 pounds with the head on. There is also an optional back pack.
Since an amp is out of the question, if you have to plug into the PA, is there some sort of wireless from the PA bass channel to you with an earplug for you to hear yourself. If there is such an animal.
You're a BASS player - big amps are part of the equation.
You're young - suck it up Wuss!!!
Seriously though there are many threads covering going amp-less and just using the PA. Do a search and you'll no doubt find all you need to know. Just realize that once you go PA only you lose control of how you sound.
