Are bass amps obsolete?

[MrLenny1]

I have FOH support and find that the bass in the PA is so loud and heavy that
I cannot hear my rig. Frustrating. Weak FOH guys IMHO. We had one sound company that
did it really well ,it was heaven.
Don't need monster gear much any more.

 

[Passinwind]

Playing a gig and looking around the room to see much of the audience ignoring the band is a bad feeling.

Standing on stage thrashing about only.to realize most don't have their earbuds in (this can't hear you at all) would be more than a little embarrassing.

You might be even more embarrassed if they had the earbuds in and you realized what they were actually listening to.

 

[gumtown]

And to add to that, bass amps will always live on (for the near future) but in increasingly diminishing size.
I have tube amps and 8x10 fridge, 4x10 and 1x15 stacks, and also a light weight 4x6.5" 500watt combo which is seeing far more gigs than the big stuff.

Having less volume on stage makes the mixing job much easier to control a better balanced tone/volume for the crowds listening pleasure.

But I do enjoy the power beaming from behind you, it is so nice to have your internal organs massaged with bass !!

 

[Igotsoul4u]

I will stubbornly demand to use and amp when I play guitar and bass. There is nothing worse then having no control over what you hear. I am a sound engineer and my philosophy is to let the player be comfortable and I will "reinforce" what is lacking. Of course there are times where you have to tell some doof to turn down, but I would rather that then making someone uncomfortable on stage because I can't handle their amp.

 

[two fingers]

You might be even more embarrassed if they had the earbuds in and you realized what they were actually listening to. View attachment 3303710

But if they keep them in, I can at least convince myself they're jamming among to my band.

 

[gln1955]

Bass amps are not simply about convenience and/or practicality (or the lack thereof) for many of us.

I simply enjoy hearing myself through speakers. When I can, I will bring an amp. If I can get away with it, I'll bring an Ampeg SVT. The sound of that heavy beast makes me smile.

They absolutely will be less common in a decade or so. We'll probably all have wireless basses with transmitters you can't see that send a signal directly to the computer used to run sound (that is the size of a pack of gum). Every audience member will be wearing headphones (tiny earbuds) that allow them to control the volume of their live band. Take out your earbuds and all you will hear are people talking and the sound of sticks hitting electronic drums pads. Your average bar will sound like a library until you put in earbuds.

So, not yet... but it's coming.

The dumps we play are too cheap to do that any time soon...or ever.

 

[Passinwind]

But if they keep them in, I can at least convince myself they're jamming among to my band.

Gotta do what you gotta do!

 

[chadds]

Amp is part of my sound. Now each part is wonderful so if it’s just bass that’s great, just pre that’s great, mic’ed cab that’s great. It’s my choice even in very large settings.

Played Golden Gate Park through a huge PA with a small amp. But lawd it’s was monstrous right through the side fills. Old school when they used those. Make friends with the soundperson give them a good clear noise free signal and you’ll sound like you. Why would they change it?

It’s my job with an amp to make the stage sound. That’s what makes the music happen. That’s what brings the show. That influences all your mates. What, when, where, and how you play is a major aspect of the music. Some places know this and there’s a separate monitor mix engineer. What happens on stage has to be excellent. After that what the FOH engineer does is to get it scaled up. If I show up and they hear what I want then it’s easier than them referring to their idea of what it should sound like. Makes their job easier.

 

[Tim Schnautz]

In every situation I have played in the last several years FOH has controlled the bass, volume and tone. My stage amp, when I have occasion to use one, serves as my personal monitor. This is not only on big stages but also in small clubs when band leader provides sound and mix. FOH always wants the stage volume down so they can control the mix. And yet, it seems almost every day, a new bass amp is out.
Thoughts?

Oh I'm sure there's going to be amps, but you'll find about every mfg. going to 1000w in a lunchbox, instead of 200w weighing like a truck battery.

 

[Chad Michael]

Soon, we will have brain wireless implants - you won't even need to get out of bed to 'perform' live music, or to go and 'listen' to it. sweet /c:

 

[Downunderwonder]

Last one out turn off the server.

 

[Frenchy-Lefty]

Bassists and basses are obsolete in fact.

 

[Basshappi]

The majority of gigging bassplayers in the real world are still playing through amps and will continue to do so. Because of this, amp manufacturers are still producing bass amps in a bewildering array of sizes and styles than at any point in time and continue to design and offer new ones. They wouldn't be doing that if they perceived them to be a failing market.

 

[Greyvagabond]

They aren't obsolete even if they are glorified stage monitors. Being able to hear yourself, and sounding good, over a loud drummer on a stage is extremely useful. And if you have a high-quality bass head with a good DI, that helps the sound going to the DI in the first place.

But yeah, you could replace all bass amps with a good pre-amp running into a powered monitor pointed at yourself, for sure.

 

[Bodeanly]

Spent years trying to find a decent gigging rig, gassing for this or that, but my current projects are ampless. While load in/out is a breeze, I sure miss the feeling of some air being pushed behind me. Even though I am not using them, I do not believe they are obsolete.

 

[BassplayinBob]

As much as I like my bass amp and the old school "live" sound, I'm really happy using IEM and having the ability to create my own mix. I can dial out instruments I don't want to hear, put the drums at a comfortable level, click tracks, extra backing tracks, total control over my sound.

Amps will be here for a while, but technology is pretty sweet.

 

[Turbo Sparky]

IMO it's about vertical consolidation of control.
Beta was/is better, but VHS was cheaper.
LP's have more character, but end product CD's were cheaper.
End users have possession of the information, but MP3's are electrons in an ether.
Give me a 5-speed w/clutch and zero chips, and I'll still be driving when the grid is shutdown. I mean, c'mon; auto-tune???
How much money will the band/performer receive/get when there is a charge/cost to handing out/renting earbuds/headphones? Less control, less revenue, less organic and authentic.
Old school will ALWAYS work. Bandwidth is limited, and will require more deconfliction of frequencies...more cost for house, less available for players...
End of rant.
Just something to think about.

 

[BurningSkies]

I play in a wide range of gig environments, many with quality PA systems and have never had the desire to not have an amp. We even use IEMs and I still have an amp. To go with this, some other thoughts:

-My 'amp' is actually generating tone, which it's delivering to the FOH soundboard. I haven't abdicated tone to the sound engineer.

-Even in places with good PA systems, things happen...and you need to occasionally have volume at your disposal. I can do this without a problem. In the past year alone I can think of a number of gigs where it was good that I had an amp that could handle the job...and in a few cases imperative.

-Volume on stage can be a good, important and inspirational thing. Not just for you, but for your band.

 

[BlueShox]

Get your favorite amp in a DI-Preamp and send that to FOH or demand they take the DI from your amp if yours' has one. No matter what amp you have, I'm sure somebody is making a DI preamp that will get you close.

 

[socialleper]

Are bass amps obsolete?
Definitely not.
First, the idea of a full PA with wedges and a competent sound person is a luxury. I play many shows where the PA is for vocals only, and there are no wedges.
Second, what am I supposed to use when I practice at home or rehearse with my band.

Big touring artists can get away with only cruising around with a preamp or DI box because they are playing theaters, clubs, arenas, or stadiums that have full blown PAs. For the rest of us mere mortals you have no idea what you are going to walk into. Without my amp and cab I wouldn't be able to do anything.