• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Cheapest Path to Pro Level Gear?

#62
Your Hartke rig idea is "pro" enough. An outboard pre or two could increase the versatility a lot (Sansamp VT, etc). Beyond that things are more a matter of taste/specialization, GAS, and cork sniffing. The cheapest path to fancy pro gear is probably the following: buy used, resell/trade up (for other used) when you are ready. You can also sniff out highly undervalued stuff that often trails the new trends.
 
Last edited:
#63
One other thing to think about is always being the guy who's prepared for any eventuality, and whose gear is always cleaned and in working order. Make sure your cables are always good, and always have a spare. If you could conceivably need a small screwdriver to carry out routine maintenance on your gear, have it. I carry a Leatherman at all times (but don't forget to put it in your checked bags if you're travelling). If your amp needs a fuse, have a spare. Always carry spare strings even if you don't usually break them. I can't tell you how many times I've been on a gig where someone says 'Does anyone have a ________?' where the blank could be screwdriver, wire cutters, pick, spare cable, fuse. Be the guy who has all that stuff.

Also, don't ever be the guy who's bass falls off in the middle of a tune because one of your strap was improperly fixed to a strap (holder? is that what they're called?). Either be sure or get straplocks.

I have an emergency gig kit in the trunk of my car that has a spare of everything I absolutely must have (cables, strap, AC cord, strings). Overkill? If you have to go to that kit once, then it's not overkill.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: mrufino1 and 13lues
#64
tradernick said:
Ummm...we'll have to agree to disagree about this

To the OP: One other thing to think about is always being the guy who's prepared for any eventuality, and whose gear is always cleaned and in working order. Make sure your cables are always good, and always have a spare. If you could conceivably need a small screwdriver to carry out routine maintenance on your gear, have it. I carry a Leatherman at all times (but don't forget to put it in your checked bags if you're travelling). If your amp needs a fuse, have a spare. Always carry spare strings even if you don't usually break them. I can't tell you how many times I've been on a gig where someone says 'Does anyone have a ________?' where the blank could be screwdriver, wire cutters, pick, spare cable, fuse. Be the guy who has all that stuff.

I have an emergency gig kit in the trunk of my car that has a spare of everything I absolutely must have (cables, strap, AC cord, strings). Overkill? If you have to go to that kit once, then it's not overkill.
Click to expand...
That's about the most "pro" advice I think you can get.
 
#66
Some pretty wild statements flying around in here. I haven't seen a combo in a long time that didn't have an XLR DI out, and almost all of them are switchable pre/post EQ. The ones that aren't are usually POST EQ.
Some of this is going to depends on what kind of music you are playing and what kind of monitoring. I haven't played a gig (bigger than coffee house) where the bass wasn't in the FOH PA for a long time. For some gigs we are all on IEM - so I don't need an amp, but I usually use my GK MB Fusion 500 with a single 15 just for some "feel". The DI on that head is fine. If not on IEM I might use my Avatar B212 Neo - but truth is a single 15 would be fine. I could play any gig I do with your BA210v2 combo. My vote is that you already have pro gear. I would get a matching 210 if you really feel the need.
 
#68
Pro gear means having dependable gear that's fitting for most foreseeable gigging situations the band you're playing with may face. That changes depending on lots of factors from type of music, location and type of venue.

The cheapest way to 'pro gear' is used. That's not to say that will be the last you buy, because playing is a journey...and your gear needs and your personal preferences in tone/sound will change over the years.
 
  • Like
Reactions: RiZzBot and HateyMcAmp
#71
Has the OP been back here? Will they have a PA with this band? Will the venues they hope to play have them? Do you need to be ready for anything? A pro is I suppose.

Pro gear for me is my Roscoe, a good DI and IEM's. The venue has everything else. Big PA, nice board, knowledgable engineer, and I mix my own IEM's via my iPhone. I have a nice enough little 300 watt 2x10 rig for home practice and occasional fill in gigs with jazz quartets and trios around town.
 
#72
Your basses are fine. There are a lot of used old-school (heavy) amps out there for cheap. You might also get lucky like I did and find something nice. I found a GK MB212 combo (500 watts 2X12) for $375 locally about 2 years ago. It has covered all of the gigs I've done nicely.
 
#73
Rmackner said:
I'm pretty sure those guys with combos on stage are DIed or Miced into the PA (and probably has a pretty sub par tone). At that point you would be better off using a sans amp or some other amp emulator pedal that has a good DI.
Click to expand...

You couldn't be more wrong about sub par tone. I have never heard an amp sound better than a good DI tone. I desperately WISH I could get my DI tone out of an amp. I play professionally, tour plenty, and I have never brought more than a small combo amp to a gig. 90% of the time or better, it's nothing but a monitor. Any club small enough to not have PA support, you don't need a big amp to fill the room. Big amps are for chumps stuck in the past who enjoy carrying heavy things.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Emanuel Apascaritei, mrufino1, 13lues and 1 other person
#75
Crater said:
I'll second the suggestion for a 4x10 cab and at least a 300 watt amp head. When I was in this situation, I got an Ampeg PF-500 and a 4-ohm G-K MBE cab, both bought new, and still near your stated price point.
Click to expand...
When I sold all my gear and moved to KY from Seattle, I had to buy something locally to hold me over. I ended up getting a "new condition" Acoustic 4x10 and matching 200 watt head for $200. That was almost four years ago and I still use it (though I replaced the head a couple of months ago strictly because I had GAS).

Now, it doesn't go as low as my old rig and playing through a pair of Avatar 15's a couple of months ago definitely gave me fresh GAS, but frankly, the look, tone and features (plenty of useful outputs to FOH) make it "pro". For 200 clams.
 
#76
I think it goes along with a "pro attitude". Nobody appreciates having their time wasted. If you're auditioning for a gig, represent yourself according to how you wish to be perceived. Metal gig? Tattoos and a pointy headstock is fine. Country gig? Sunburst /rosewood/ tortguard P bass, boots and a 10 gallon hat. Make sure your gear doesn't look and sound cheap or rinky dink. Amps should have the muscle required for the workload (smaller for an acoustic duo, larger for a loud rock band). Show up prepared, on time and without excuses. That's what being a pro is. Just by looking the part and keeping your bass lines simple might be enough to get hired, even if there are better qualified candidates available.
 
#77
tbirdsp said:
Some of this is going to depends on what kind of music you are playing and what kind of monitoring. I haven't played a gig (bigger than coffee house) where the bass wasn't in the FOH PA for a long time. For some gigs we are all on IEM - so I don't need an amp, but I usually use my GK MB Fusion 500 with a single 15 just for some "feel". The DI on that head is fine. If not on IEM I might use my Avatar B212 Neo - but truth is a single 15 would be fine. I could play any gig I do with your BA210v2 combo. My vote is that you already have pro gear. I would get a matching 210 if you really feel the need.
Click to expand...

"Depends on what kind of music" is right... my experience has been the exact opposite of yours. Playing original rock/metal, around 50% of my gigs have no PA support for anything other than vocals and kick drum, and when we do have PA we still often need to get most of our volume from our amps (not to mention the fact that monitors are minimal as well). Every once in a while another bassist on the bill comes in with a small bass amp and they are inevitably buried in the mix. That said, if the OP is going to play in a nicer cover band environment where a good PA and possibly IEMs are always available, then he has a lot less to worry about.
 
#78
13lues said:
6465_10201245474596794_1962232868_n.jpg
Click to expand...
That's great!
 
#79
M0ses said:
You couldn't be more wrong about sub par tone. I have never heard an amp sound better than a good DI tone. I desperately WISH I could get my DI tone out of an amp. I play professionally, tour plenty, and I have never brought more than a small combo amp to a gig. 90% of the time or better, it's nothing but a monitor. Any club small enough to not have PA support, you don't need a big amp to fill the room. Big amps are for chumps stuck in the past who enjoy carrying heavy things.
Click to expand...

99% of people who post percentages on TB are making them up.

Eh. 90% of people who talk on TB will never play professionally or 'tour plenty' and many may never see the rear end of a decent FOH system from stage. I'd quit playing if I had to use a combo amp every time I hit the stage, whether it was a small room or a large room whether there's a decent PA provided or not.

Even if your rig is only a monitor, there's no reason to dwell in the land of lowered expectations.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bass_Pounder
#80
Sorry I haven't got back much. I've been keeping an eye on the replies but haven't had a chance to respond.

You guys made me feel a lot better about my gear choices. I felt fine about my basses but was a little worried about the amp. I've only been playing bass (switched from guitar) about six months. I did a lot of research before spending money and you guys have confirmed I made good choices. Seems like all I need to do is add an extension cab and I should be covered: 2x10 or 4x10. Although somebody mentioned some "phasing" issues between the speakers. If all the speakers are 10s, I'm not sure if this'll still be an issue? Not sure. I know 10s and a 15 is a no no.

Regarding the venues, we will likely be playing some outdoor festival type gigs this summer. There'll probably be some bar gigs thrown in here and there. The rhythm guitarist has mentioned to me about doing some acoustic gigs: just acoustic guitarist/ singer and bass. The rhythm guitarist has PA monitors and stands and the singer has the power amp and mixer. I'm not sure what the power is.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back