Are bass amps obsolete?

[micgtr71]

^the factor was the great sound guy... still, I can get the sound I want through any amp/pa

 

[BurningSkies]

i was kind of wondering the same thing. i saw metallica, and none of them had amplifiers. My guess was they were all using kemper amps right into the PA.

At that level of gigging it's probably a 50/50. Maybe modeling units, or maybe real amps in isolation rooms under the stage...

 

[swarfrat]

At that level they might have studio musicians under the stage.

 

[Chickenwheels]

Back in the 90s I used to play weekly in this club with a killer sound guy. I walked in with my stingray fretless, a sansamp, and a chord. Great sound in the monitors and out front. Best gig setup ever. I don’t need an amp to find a sound.

Suited the gig, obviously. Which is the key with any gear!

 

[NeonVomit]

At a small- or medium-sized venue, the bass amp helps you and the audience FEEL the bass, not just hear it. Which is to my mind absolutely vital.

At a huge venue with an accordingly huge PA, it won't make any difference.

Small venues I'll take one of my heads and if need be the cabinets (most venues have a house cabinet, I'm not too picky).

Big venues I just add my SansAmp to my pedalboard and we're done.

 

[Zbysek]

I will get used to them because I must join the 21st century if I want to gig, but not altogether enthused. For singing, they're awesome. For playing, not so much.

They can be ok for playing...but not for playing the BASS!

 

[sanwin17]

Wow, 8 pages and nobody has said anything about playing alongside real instruments! I have lots of fun playing in my local JC jazz big band. 15 screaming brass and woodwind instruments to go along with a real drum kit and my electric bass - heaven! Even the concerts we play have minimal micing - piano and soloists only. I'll keep my amp.

Nothing like kickin' in a big band.

 

[sanwin17]

Bass amps are as obsolete as the P bass

Point taken

 

[sanwin17]

You start by offering that you use a bass amp on every gig, then ask if bass amps are obsolete?

Did you mean *BIG* bass amps/rigs?

Most of those seemingly endless new amps sell based on being smaller, lighter, as someone might prefer just for that stage monitoring almost everyone requires.

Then there's the obvious wrinkle that the less someoe gigs the more they tend to "talk" bass and buy gear. The last thing working pro musicians can afford is new gear! So its really not about "need". At least not musical need.

It's an opinion thread. I'm asking a question not making a pronouncement.

 

[Brian Licinski]

Point taken

Woooah woooah i literally just ordered my lb100 yesterday do t say that

 

[BurningSkies]

Did we figure this out? I have to leave for a gig in about an hour and I'm not sure what I'm supposed to be bringing or not bringing.

 

[Passinwind]

Did we figure this out? I have to leave for a gig in about an hour and I'm not sure what I'm supposed to be bringing or not bringing.

Take the obsolete stuff.

 

[BurningSkies]

Take the obsolete stuff.

Cool Will do. Loading up my 2500w class A amp right now. Gotta forklift I can borrow?

 

[sanwin17]

Take the obsolete stuff.

Don’t forget your bass

 

[Passinwind]

Cool Will do. Loading up my 2500w class A amp right now. Gotta forklift I can borrow?

Nope, forklifts are obsolete. Wanna borrow my skyhook?

 

[BurningSkies]

Nope, forklifts are obsolete. Wanna borrow my skyhook?

Say! That sounds great. Can it just drop me and my stuff off in Connecticut instead of me driving for 5 hours today?

...actually, no cabs with me traveling light...just my amp, bass, pedalboard and merch.

I can't wait for the world to invent virtual t-shirts

 

[Passinwind]

I can't wait for the world to invent virtual t-shirts

Here ya go:

 

[BurningSkies]

Here ya go:

View attachment 3306485

Not virtual enough for me. I can see the back of the van full of boxes already.

 

[Passinwind]

Not virtual enough for me. I can see the back of the van full of boxes already.

The micro SD cards with the image aren't really all that big Bro. But I'll sell you a link to the image for twenty dollah.

 

[Downunderwonder]

I can't wait for the world to invent virtual t-shirts

a free virual shirt for all the ladies, must be tried on immediately to claim.