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

[AMJBASS]

I have two Ampeg 210 AV cabs that make a nice modular platform for a wide variety of situations. With my Aguilar TH500, I can stack a vertical 410 on stage in a 1 sq-ft footprint.

Those are still my favorite cabinets for gigging. They are small, pretty light weight, and have that classic ampeg sound that sits well in a mix. 1 of them will work for a small room, 2 of them sound even better, and you can vertically stack them in a corner.

 

[jeff7bass]

While the guitarist won't like it, this is precisely the correct answer - less floor space, still enough displacement to work well.

With an 800 watt amp, enough to blow them off the stage!

 

[jeff7bass]

Those are still my favorite cabinets for gigging. They are small, pretty light weight, and have that classic ampeg sound that sits well in a mix. 1 of them will work for a small room, 2 of them sound even better, and you can vertically stack them in a corner.

Agreed and if the band is quiet, one is enough. The sound cuts through the mix with them naturally.

 

[funkmaster p]

I bring in my AER Amp One, which I use for all gigs regardless of "small footprint" requirements.

 

[chaosMK]

Maybe get a little more info... pic of the stage or research the venue, ask what the guitarist is bringing. Not to be outdone, I like to judge my volume requirement by the guitarist. If all your rigs are the same size I'd bring the best one. If it's a super quiet gig maybe a tiny amp (1x10) pushed a little would sound better than a big rig running at "1".

 

[swarfrat]

Show up with one of these:

Haha. I love it. It's small it nominally fits the bill, but in a 'dorm fridge's package

 

[chris_b]

My small gig rig is a 500 watt amp and a 112. My big gig rig is 800 watts and 2 112's. Same footprint but a significant difference in SPL.

 

[godofthunder59]

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

I recently left a gig for this very reason! I was alotted 24" on stage sandwiched between a drummer and guitar player who both brought thier full setups and spread out like they were on the deck of a aircraft carrier. The guitar player had a five space stand with three guitars and a space for his bow to rest comfortably and a stand for his mandolin that he uses on one song! I asked both drummer and guitar player to help and make some room, neither would oblige needless to say that was my last gig with them.

 

[micguy]

With an 800 watt amp, enough to blow them off the stage!

If you understand Fletcher Munson loudness curves and the lower efficiency of a rig that will actually reproduce a low B, you'll realize that an 800 watt amp won't "blow most guitar amps off a stage". We're at a SERIOUS disadvantage power wise.

 

[jeff7bass]

If you understand Fletcher Munson loudness curves and the lower efficiency of a rig that will actually reproduce a low B, you'll realize that an 800 watt amp won't "blow most guitar amps off a stage". We're at a SERIOUS disadvantage power wise.

I'll give it a try.

 

[BlueTalon]

I'll give it a try.

Stay off the B string and play up the neck a little bit. You can do it.

 

[jeff7bass]

Stay off the B string and play up the neck a little bit. You can do it.

What's a B string?

 

[Artman]

An active Di box and IEMs.

 

[byacey]

My 212 rig occupies 2.15 square feet of stage, less than most guitar players occupy, not to mention their amps, cabinets, pedals, etc.

I would just take that and not even bother telling them I have anything smaller.

 

[godofthunder59]

I bought a Fender Rumble Stage 800 for a grab and go rig, I use it to rehearse with some bands. I love the amp models and the rig is plenty loud.

 

[Bassclef46]

here is a concept you might want to think about next time you are told to bring a small amp.
Ask the person directly what they expect instead of asking a bunch of random people.

 

[chadds]

Sometimes other people’s idea of “you can plug into the PA” is fraught with peril. Get there and it’s sound on a stick. Very sad. Will you be in the vocal monitors? Are they consumer grade. I’ve played big big gigs and asked to be out of the monitors because they were very ragged out.

Ultimately I want to sound most excellent to bring the best for the music.

Really get enough info to make a good decision. I’d rather have more and not need it. Drummer is only bringing a snare and hi-hat? Ever do a horrible gig? I don’t do that anymore. I’d decline the offer if it’s not clear. If the BL is anxious how will he be on the gig?

What’s your reputation? Hopefully you are or become someone who won’t be asked this.

 

[MCS4]

I've got an old Carvin 2x10 cab I stand up on end for small gigs . . . .

Same.

 

[deff]

View attachment 4315646

I see that is an ashdown something I think and ot sure about the cab. Whatever that set up is, it looks glorious.

 

[A9X]

When told to bring a small amp, what are you guys bringing?

I would ask exactly how much floor area I have for the amp.