Are bass amps obsolete?

[Nephilymbass]

An Avalon U5 makes a GREAT bass preamp. So warm and fat and punchy. Ever though about just buying a power amp and running the line-out from the U5 right into it? Any EQ'ing you could do from a pedal.

Yeah that’s almost exactly what I do except I’m not using any type of eq on my board to eq my clean tone. I have the line level out feeding a crown xls 1500 power amp which powers any combination of the ampeg classic cabs , the mic level goes to foh. The Avalon does actually have eq but its a one knob thing where you click through presets basically. There’s a few presets for bass and some that If remember right we’re more dialed in for acoustic guitar.

Pedal wise I use a shure glxd wireless, Seymour Duncan studio bass compressor to even things out because we move around a lot. darkglass duality and darkglass Alpha omega for different levels of dirt but I use the A/o probably 50% of the live set and when I do use the duality I’m running it into the A/O which tightens up the duality and makes it sound violent. The darkglass Avalon combo is pretty nice , it was a huge step up in clarity from my previous setup

 

[Revolver]

Bring your own system. It’s never been cheaper, better, and easier to run yourself. Get your tone every time, under your control.

Indeed it's never been cheaper, but what if you don't have the means? Or the band just doesn't want to split the cost? Furthermore, what if you can only afford a system that can't cut it with the whole band plugged in it? Catch my drift? But reading your posts I get it, you come from a sound guy perspective first, hence your 'reservations' about proprietary amp rigs . . .

 

[tradernick]

I'm always late to these threads. 8 pages in a few hours.

Here's a thought experiment. Let's say there was a club that didn't have a stage as we know it. They had a series of totally soundproof glass-fronted booths, one for each performer. Everything coming out the PA was the result of direct inputs with no amps (guitar/bass might have pedals for tone shaping).

Do you think the sound coming out the fronts would be similar to a regular club setup with lots of open mics?

I've said it before in another thread but the best sound man I know told me that the sound of the band coming into the open mics affects the mix. Bands that can play at reasonable levels and mix themselves properly off stage are his fav. Maybe not so much at the Staples Center, but certainly in a club.

 

[Nephilymbass]

Bring your own PA. It’s never been cheaper, better, and easier to run yourself. Get your sound every time, under your control.

Can’t get away with that everywhere though. Here the original music venues have their own PA and if local bands so much as suggest bringing PA they get all butthurt about it. They take it as you’re insulting them, the PA, or the venue. It’s more drama than it’s worth. If we don’t like the PA we just don’t go back. That’s the simplest way to handle the crappy PA thing from my experience.

 

[Big Hoss]

What can I say? I haven't gigged much since Hurricane Harvey, but when I did, and do....my Rumble V3 500 combo + 210 cab carry the bass. The guitar amps do their thing, and the PA such that it is, carries vocals only. The largest venues we play are palapas at marinas by the pool, capacity of about 200.... and the show goers have always loved our sound. Of course I personally think it's pity complements.

My amp rig, Fender Rumble V3 500 combo, Rumble V3 210 extension cab.

Lead Guitarist uses a Fender Champion 100 that he scored recently. 100w 1x12 combo

Rhythmn Guitarist uses my Behringer GTX-60 1x12 combo amp.

PA is super simple super cheap. Behringer XENYX 1202FX mixer, Nady SP5 mics, and Harbinger V2112 powered speakers for monitors, and Harbinger V2115 powered mains.

Have run everything into the PA via my Behringer XENYX X2442USB mixer, and it's okay, we can push stage volume down quite a bit, but the bass response, while there, just isn't "there". We have rented a powered subs before and loved the results. And I have played a couple of gigs going straight from my Zoom B3 into the board.

After that experience, no, I wouldn't give up my amp. Sorry. Just too much of the sound is coming from that.

 

[Hambone70]

Indeed it's never been cheaper, but what if you don't have the means? Or the band just doesn't want to split the cost? Furthermore, what if you can only afford a system that can't cut it with the whole band plugged in it? Catch my drift? But reading your posts I get it, you come from a sound guy perspective first, hence your 'reservations' about proprietary amp rigs . . .

True. It really frustrates me to see really talented bands (or any musician) handicapped by crappy sound. I understand that in many cases it is unavoidable, but there are more choices nowadays, and maybe some of us could channel more resources into improving overall sound rather than the latest/greatest bass/pedal/amp, etc. Just my opinion, for what little it’s worth!

 

[packhowitzer]

Yeah bass amps are probably obsolete. You wanna know how I know?
Because I like them. And most of the things I like seem to be considered obsolete these days.

 

[Fret Buzzard]

And when everybody's deaf from those stupid earbuds, they'll be wondering why the band is so quiet. The band, in response will turn up the PA to accomodate, and the bass will be pounding through it's amp once again. It's the circle of life.

 

[Al Kraft]

Mine are not and they all have volume controls to allow me to be acoustic instrument quiet, or loud enough to carry the house in most cases.

 

[byacey]

Yeah bass amps are probably obsolete. You wanna know how I know?
Because I like them. And most of the things I like seem to be considered obsolete these days.

Bass amps? Not just bass amps, but bass guitars are obsolete too. Synth bass has killed bass guitars in most modern music. However, I couldn't care less about the latest, greatest crap that pollutes the airwaves today, so bass guitars and amps are still valid in my world.

 

[Omega Monkey]

What a silly thing to say. Of course they aren't obsolete. Just because some people dont really care about their tone and/or can't behave themselves with volume doesn't mean amps aren't as useful as they've ever been. As a bass player, the best situation for me is a decent sized stage where everyone is reasonable with volume and I can get an amp and cab going a bit so I can dig in some but not have to kill myself to hear what I'm doing. As a sound guy, the best situation for me is when everyone onstage understands that any macho man BS will ruin the sound of the band, so they play just loud enough to have a nicely balanced, energetic stage sound, so I can put what's needed into FOH for a big album quality sound that will get the audience energized but won't leave any ears ringing afterwards. Considering the inherent volume range of acoustic drums, that requires bass and guitar amps and a singer that doesn't need to be 20 db above the entire mix to sing in tune.

 

[Revolver]

True. It really frustrates me to see really talented bands (or any musician) handicapped by crappy sound. I understand that in many cases it is unavoidable, but there are more choices nowadays, and maybe some of us could channel more resources into improving overall sound rather than the latest/greatest bass/pedal/amp, etc. Just my opinion, for what little it’s worth!

I'm just speaking from 'a bit' of personal experience as well. No more, no less.

 

[byacey]

Back in the old days, we used to tie some garlic bulbs or an onion to the headstock of our favorite axe to attract the chicks. The youngn's with their new-fangled electric pianys will never experience the exhilaration of producing their own bass sound with fingers, strings, a real bass, and an amp.

 

[chadds]

Oh im sure most know regular monitors suck for bass that’s why some of us call our rigs our “bass monitor” because we aren’t putting any bass in the wedges so it’s the only place on stage other than bleedover from foh or in ears that the bass is actually coming from.

You’d think that most don’t know based on responses here and when the occasional engineer wants to put you in the previously blown out wedges.
I’m not rigid. Here right now engineers mic and DI me. I sound like me the band is pumping the peeps are jumpin.

 

[chadds]

not sure whether its something unique to your area or what..but here FOH works with what they are presented..there is never any conversation as to whether an amp is on stage or not..the musicians do as they please..personally myself..I always bring 2 to 3 speaker cabs..and there is not going to be any question about it..the musical presentation is always determined by the musicians playing the songs..its their show..its their call..also..most better groups have their own sound person and they have their own presentation in mind..although I realize a lot of people are not on this level..

That’s the point, isn’t it? Are they telling you what’s going to happen or asking you what would you like? My experience is 100% the latter.

 

[Krisfield]

I've gone through racks of gear, amp heads, and combos. I'm now very interested in Amp-in-a-box pedals, Cabsim/DI pedals, and FRFR cabinets.

 

[swarfrat]

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

It works both ways. They can listen to Brown Eyed Girl and Mustang Sally while you pretend people with dates like Rush, Dream Theater or bebop.

 

[Passinwind]

It works both ways. They can listen to Brown Eyed Girl and Mustang Sally while you pretend people with dates like Rush, Dream Theater or bebop.

Cool, I'll just play tracks for the punters and work on my Charlie Parker chops. Win-win!

 

[Chickenwheels]

I use an amp when there’s a drum kit. I like to be as present acoustically and feel wise as the kit. Good for matching dynamics, too.
I used just the wedge once and the drummer thought I sounded “too far away”. He didn’t have a wedge...
I usually use both amp and wedge. The amp somewhat shapes the sound, too.

 

[JimmyM]

True. It really frustrates me to see really talented bands (or any musician) handicapped by crappy sound. I understand that in many cases it is unavoidable, but there are more choices nowadays, and maybe some of us could channel more resources into improving overall sound rather than the latest/greatest bass/pedal/amp, etc. Just my opinion, for what little it’s worth!

All that's needed to improve live sound is for people to use their ears, learn a little something about acoustic principles and properties, and play better. But the pedals are staying