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Are high-end basses, amps and cabs really necessary?
- Thread starter SoulReflection
- Start date
Basses? Yes, I'd go for better tone and playability if I was in the market for another bass, and would not skimp on quality. Something that's with you through hours of practice, and gig after gig, should be something you really enjoy playing. For some, that's a trusted, economical workhorse. For others, a high end bass.
Amps? Maybe the era of monster rigs will come to an end, but many gigs are still played without any interest in PA support, such as jazz groups, etc. There's still a "chamber music" vibe in those bands, that hasn't found an effective substitute... yet.
Amps? Maybe the era of monster rigs will come to an end, but many gigs are still played without any interest in PA support, such as jazz groups, etc. There's still a "chamber music" vibe in those bands, that hasn't found an effective substitute... yet.
I play live weekly, with IEM’s, and the PA’s cost more than my house did. the majority of the time I am ampless.
So to answer your question: amp and cab? not really a necessity for me 99% of the time. If I do use an amp/cab it’s for monitoring purposes only nowadays and I send DI to FOH beforehand.
I don’t own high end basses by some standards here, but I do own a fender American pro precision V and a stingray special 5 HH. To me, those are professional level instruments, and are high end enough for me.
There is a heated thread over on Invalid Link Removed about microphones and other studio gear. It has suddenly got me looking at myself, at my hoarding of tools in different fields (including music). I have long wanted the "best" tools, so that I could only blame myself for any shortcomings (here including lack of experience). With most of my money converted to "tools", my attitude is changing to tools that can do the job.
Zooming in on basses: I have had two bass guitars for over 40 years now, and I have "recently" added three. My older ones may have been "midrange" back then, my newer ones are "cheap". (I tend to search "tools" filtering the results by "cheapest first", then consider the candidates in that order.)
I assume that every shortcoming of the bass I use could be polished away in post-production, but that hardly any of my own playing could.
A similar (though not parallel) story of purchases goes for my bass amps.
- Dec 21, 2007
- 15,227
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- Disclosures
- Lark in the Morning Instructional Videos; Audix Microphones
None of the above are really necessary. You can sing your bass parts acapella.
But if you enjoy playing good gear, by all means do so!
But if you enjoy playing good gear, by all means do so!
Ouch! That demotes our "open strings" discussion. ;-)
i play small gigs and my amp is often the only bass PA. So yes i need it. What is your high end definition ? My highest bass is the Markbass Kimandu: street price 1700. I had it for 1400 but will upgrade pickups for some Barts. So will reach the street price at the end. It's an awesome bass, high end in my book.
Nothing "high-end" could ever be "necessary," by definition. The very concept of "high-end" products implies the existence of lower-end products that do the same thing. Nobody buys a Rolls Royce because they need one to get to work or get to the grocery store. You can do what's necessary in a used Chevy. People buy high-end gear because they like it and because they can.
My cover band typically does the speaker on a stick thing for vocals and acoustic only, so yeah, I need an amp. But my amp is a small GK combo, which is all I need for most any gig.
Nope.
I played the same venue twice.
First time was with an Ibanez BTB 6 string that had those licensed Bartolinis that are not very good.
I played into a MXR comp into a Sansamp. Not exactly cheap stuff, but not expensive either.
Second time, I played a high end Le Fay into a boutique board, loaded with Noble, Cali76, Broughton ... the whole nine yards.
Both times I was complimented on my tone by attending musicians. People I know well enough to judge that they would have told me if my tone was sub par.
There is a certain threshold where a bass becomes "good". That is when it takes a setup well, is reliable and does not produce unwanted noise.
When you spend aroud 500-1000 on a bass, you can expect all that.
I played the same venue twice.
First time was with an Ibanez BTB 6 string that had those licensed Bartolinis that are not very good.
I played into a MXR comp into a Sansamp. Not exactly cheap stuff, but not expensive either.
Second time, I played a high end Le Fay into a boutique board, loaded with Noble, Cali76, Broughton ... the whole nine yards.
Both times I was complimented on my tone by attending musicians. People I know well enough to judge that they would have told me if my tone was sub par.
There is a certain threshold where a bass becomes "good". That is when it takes a setup well, is reliable and does not produce unwanted noise.
When you spend aroud 500-1000 on a bass, you can expect all that.
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None of the things you mentioned replace good equipment. First, you would be surprised how often you can't use most of that stuff. Second, none of them "make" sound, they just move it or in the case of IRs save you the trouble of mic'ing a cab when recording.
My bass, head, and cab are still integral to my tone, and can't be reproduced with cheaper gear. Believe me, I've tried.
My bass, head, and cab are still integral to my tone, and can't be reproduced with cheaper gear. Believe me, I've tried.
My gigs are now all ampless - my pedalboard is my "amp". Hearing myself with in ears, you hear so much more detail than you ever get on a stage with amps and wedges that subtleties between basses matter more. So, high end amps and cabs? - I have no use for such things at this point. But the right basses and the right pedals? - yeah, those matter more in my situation.
I need an amp, and likely always will. When jamming with a drummer you need something that will match their volume, and walking into a jam session expecting that there will be a PA or even a mixer is unrealistic.
The amp I need is the one that most effectively conveys my playing into soundwaves that my jam- or bandmates use to help them play their parts and move the music forward. Currently it's something pretty nice; I'm not sure where the "high end" line starts.
High end basses are only required when they are the only thing that can get the job done. I'm fine recording with my Yamaha that I've had for 30+ years. But if I need the sound of a Thumb bass or a Zon 8-string, the Yamaha won't do that, so those instruments come out.
The amp I need is the one that most effectively conveys my playing into soundwaves that my jam- or bandmates use to help them play their parts and move the music forward. Currently it's something pretty nice; I'm not sure where the "high end" line starts.
High end basses are only required when they are the only thing that can get the job done. I'm fine recording with my Yamaha that I've had for 30+ years. But if I need the sound of a Thumb bass or a Zon 8-string, the Yamaha won't do that, so those instruments come out.
Average gear : Fender P Bass, Ampeg combo, Shure SM58s. $400 used PA with 12s on sticks. This is the stuff I dreamed of in high school. Never had a complaint Only compliments. If fancier stuff makes you happy, by all means go for it
While it's obvious there are situations where in-ears and the like are the norm,
I'll never be without an amp. Bass through speakers in a room is nothing like iEM or even great headphones, which for me are only necessary but inferior ways to hear myself.
High End is different for each guy. I've done the Alembic/Bag End thing, early on I was All Peavey All the Time, and everything in between. It's just down to what you want and can afford, as always.
I'll never be without an amp. Bass through speakers in a room is nothing like iEM or even great headphones, which for me are only necessary but inferior ways to hear myself.
High End is different for each guy. I've done the Alembic/Bag End thing, early on I was All Peavey All the Time, and everything in between. It's just down to what you want and can afford, as always.
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buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
Depends on your live setup. If FOH through DI is carrying everything to the audience, no - only the band is hearing it.
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