Bass head and cab for pubs and small venues.

[leno2610]

Im looking for something that would enable me to have an adequate sound in a bar sized gig. Can anyone give me a relatively cheap and good quality set up they could recommend. Looking to spend around 700 to 1200 dollars.

Cheers, leno2610

 

[extreme]

I'd say pick up a Bag End S-15D. It's the most efficient small cab I'm aware of, sounds great, and can be found for around $300 used. Then, take your remaining $400 and pick up an old Eden WT400. Or, spend a bit more and get one of the newer Genz Benz heads...whatever Streamliner or Shuttle head fits you.

 

[Downunderwonder]

There's bars and BARS. Venues, as in theatres, halls, stadiums....

Best guess, you want to cover a 50 to 100 strong crowd with no PA?

For $1200 you can take your pick of used gear and a nice used bass with money left over.

 

[pudgychef]

used Guitar Center site has some (imho) very good heads in the $3-400 range..

a few GK800RBs, Peavey Firebass/700s, SVT-3 Pros, Bassman 400H, Markbass LMII

match any of those with a good used cab and you are laughing for well under your budget

 

[zillo]

Here's another option...all tube YBA200-2 @ about $700, and an avatar cab of your choice. The 2X12 or 2X10 neo get you in just under the grand total of $1,200. Those are the prices new.

 

[MarTONEbass]

I recently bought a Carvin BX5009 and I am completely in love with it. My main head is a Genz 9.2, but the Carvin sounds just as good in a smaller package. It was fairly inexpensive new, also

 

[johnnycat42]

Used GK MB500 with a 212 cab. You would have enough power and speakers for most things.

 

[davidjbass]

I use a Mark Bass Little Mark III and one Bag End S15d. Plenty loud enough and very portable.

 

[Dave W]

I agree with the Bag End S15D's. Then get whatever head you can. The Genz and Markbass stuff is great and can be found for good prices.

 

[cchorney]

It depends on the size of the venue, the number of people in it, and how loud your band plays.

Jazz trio into mostly empty bar? 200 watts going into a 2x10, 1x12, or 1x15 should be plenty.

Rock band and the bar is half filled? 300 watts going into a 2x10, 1x12, or 1x15 - but you'll need to cut your lows in order to project your sound thru the mix and to the back of the room.

Rock or metal band into crowded house or guitards involved or you use distortion or you play with lots of lows? 300-500 watts going into dual 2x10, 1x12, 2x15 or a 4x10, 6x10, 8x10 or more.

With any of the above examples, remember that as a gigging musician you don't want to be caught short and get the complaint that the audience couldn't hear you because the rest of the band was playing louder than you could keep up. So remember you can always bring a 4x10 (or two 2x10's) to a gig where you really only needed a 2x10. Just don't turn it up louder than you need to.

Alternately, get any rig you want, use it as a stage monitor only, and run a DI into the PA - assuming your band brings a PA to all its gig because not all bars provide one.

 

[CL400Peavey]

I would get a fEarful 12/6/1, and pair it with your choice of micro head. The cab is light (35-40 pounds) has great power handling (500 watts or so cleanly), and they sound great to boot.

 

[tidder65]

Hi, I ordered a Markbass Little Mark III last week. I tested the 250 watt Mark II version with my Peavey 410TX cab, and was already impressed with that one. Got disappointed with an Ampeg PF-500. Can't wait for the 500 watt Little Mark III to come in!

Cheers,
Theodoor

 

[FunkDragon]

I would have a look on eBay.
There are some ripper deals on (B/New) Genz Benz Shuttle's @ the moment. Especially the Shuttle 6.0 as it has now been superseded by the new 6.2.
Brilliant heads!
Sound great, tiny & portable but sound HUGE.
600 Watt @ 4 ohm
375 Watt @ 8 ohm.

The GK MB heads pack a mighty punch too.

As far as cab's go, I would be looking at a 2x12 or 4x10 minimum.
That should cover you for most gig's.
Again, I would check out Genz Benz.
Very good value for money & they sound great!