"Bring a small amp, there's not much space"..

[glocke1]

Got a call to sub for a gig next week, and was just told there's not a lot of space, so bring a small amp.

It's almost laughable how often I hear this because Im not sure what they are expecting, as my Fearless 2x12 has roughly the same size footprint as my Bag End 1x15 cab and my Rumble 15. the 2x12 is maybe 2-3 inches wider than the other two at the most, not a significant difference IMO and its worth the trade off to have a taller cabinet to me.

When told to bring a small amp, what are you guys bringing? I mean, I could bring the Rumble or BE 1x15, but its going to be taking up just about the same amount of floor space.

 

[FatherTrucker]

I've got an old Carvin 2x10 cab I stand up on end for small gigs and band practice. I assume someone who suggests that at some point had a guy show up with an Ampeg fridge. Haha

 

[LBS-bass]

Got a call to sub for a gig next week, and was just told there's not a lot of space, so bring a small amp.

It's almost laughable how often I hear this because Im not sure what they are expecting, as my Fearless 2x12 has roughly the same size footprint as my Bag End 1x15 cab and my Rumble 15. the 2x12 is maybe 2-3 inches wider than the other two at the most, not a significant difference IMO and its worth the trade off to have a taller cabinet to me.

When told to bring a small amp, what are you guys bringing? I mean, I could bring the Rumble or BE 1x15, but its going to be taking up just about the same amount of floor space.

I ran into this recently in a new band for the first gig I did with them. The BL has a less than stellar Acoustic combo and he was going to bring it to the gig. I told him thanks for being willing to make the effort, but I would bring my own gear. He got all worried about it and started asking me why I thought my Mesa D800/RevSound 210 rig would be better and I just told him he needed to hear it in order to get it. I mean, it's $1000 worth of gear (used) going against a $150 used combo. It's probably going to sound better

But then he started worrying about space, and I had to explain that my "big rig" has a smaller footprint than his combo. It's big in terms of power and output, but it's not big in size.

After that first show I'm pretty sure he won't have any problems with it again. Just bring what you want to bring and remember the proof is in the pudding.

 

[MrLenny1]

I've been there a few times. There was no room
for me never mind an amp.
I was going to suggest standing on your cab but
Father Trucker already did. lol
Good luck.

 

[ctmullins]

 

[Lesfunk]

I bring this.
Surprisingly plenty of volume to drive the stage with P.A. Support

 

[arbiterusa]

I have, out in the garage, my practice rig; small but deep 115, SWR head on top in a rack the same dimensions as the cab. It's small enough and light enough. If I had an acoustic type gig, I'd bring my Eden EX110 and one of my GK MB heads. Which will not, no matter how much I want it to, hold up against a drummer. Even one with brushes.

 

[Flamingo21]

To shut them up, I'd probably bring my little Rumble of 15 Watts. Of course, I'd have my 20"x20" MarkBass in my trunk.

 

[Jefenator]

I've never been told to bring a small amp, but I often think of it myself when I know I'm going to be in tight quarters. (I hate trying to squeeze behind the drum set with a 2x12.)
If my Acme Low-B1 is too big for a stage, that stage is definitely too small! (Especially if they need more sound than that thing can put out.)
I also like my Bergantino HDN210. Light and vertical - definitely not my grandpa's 2x10. I particularly appreciate how shallow it is at 12 1/2". On the cramped stages I've played, it's usually the depth, not the width that is a hassle. (That was a chronic thorn in my side with the old Aguilar GS112.)

 

[Gearhead17]

I have been confused by this statement too. Perhaps they are hoping you don't bring the "BIG" rig and crank it in the practice room. Many people have no idea how big things actually are. When I pull out my tape measure, that typically shuts down the conversation. Bring what you are comfortable with.

What's interesting is the Ampeg 810 - the footprint is similar to MANY other smaller cabinets! Non-bass players measure with their eyes.

 

[Killing Floor]

Rent an SVT and wheel it up, dime it. Done.

 

[Spidey2112]

... remember the proof is in the pudding.

I wish I had known.

 

[joelns]

I think what that really means is don't bring something that "looks" loud (like an 8x10).

 

[Ostie]

Meanwhile, the GP is bringing his Marshall stack, the drummer is bringing his full kit, and the KB is an 88….

 

[MikePlaysBass]

I get a moving dolly and cut it down to the same size as my bass cabinet. I actually have a couple like that depending on which cab I want to brink. The castors isolate the speaker cab as well as an isolation mat so that's my main purpose for it, but in really tight spaces I can roll my rig forward to let the drummer get in and out and then push it back to play. So for really tight spaces it works extremely well.

 

[Thumpin6string]

It seems to me if THEY want you to sub, and THEY want you to have smaller amp, then THEY should supply it. I have a 410 and a choice of 2 heads, so unless they want to supply the backline, they get what I have.

 

[wmhill]

This has a footprint of less than 15"X15"... a small rig.

 

[el murdoque]

I'd grab the usual: Barefaced Super Midget cabinet and my Tonehammer 500.
I've got the cloth grille on the cab and it matches really well with the Tonehammer (Silver face, black sides).
This rig looks small and harmless but can do considerable damage if needed.
I can fit the Tonehammer in my gigbag and dangle the cab, swinging around with two fingers on the handle, making it look as light as it is. Nobody is intimidated by that.

On a day where I feel especially funny, I might bring my Phil Jones Double Four combo and leave the barefaced in the car, just to see the faces when I go 'you said small'.

 

[devnulljp]

 

[punchdrunk]

The BL has a less than stellar Acoustic combo and he was going to bring it to the gig. I told him thanks for being willing to make the effort, but I would bring my own gear. He got all worried about it and started asking me why I thought my Mesa D800/RevSound 210 rig would be better and I just told him he needed to hear it in order to get it. I mean, it's $1000 worth of gear (used) going against a $150 used combo. It's probably going to sound better

But then he started worrying about space,

This BL is suspect.