Comb, Head/Cab, or DI??

[bostonaxmaster]

How many of you gigging players use combos, DI or head/cab for your rig?

I'm a guitar player recently asked to play bass for a band who does most small club/bar shows. Music is hard rock, STP, Pumpkins, Pearl Jam 90's stuff.

I'm trying to decide if I want a head cab which would allow me to just carry a head and go stright to the DI for small shows, or a 15 combo like http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/TourTKO/

Any huge advantages of one over another? Thanks

 

[SteveC]

I play with a 1x12 375 watt combo. I use the DI from that to the FOH. It's mostly as a stage monitor for me. I could do most of my gigs with a DI. I usually bring my amp anyway - just in case.

I also use my combo for non-PA gigs and practice. I use to use a head/cab but like the easy of a combo. I also have another 112 extension cab if I need it. Really helps low end of the combo.

Life would be sweet if you could just have a Radial JDI in your bag and a good PA/Monitor system at every gig.

 

[JimmyM]

i would never go straight to the board without an excellent monitoring system, which most floor wedges are not. and even iem's can sound kind of thin, though they are better than floor wedges.

if you have a good pa, then the amp is mostly a monitor for you (even if you mic it), and it matters not so much. but if you ever plan on doing gigs without pa, i'd get a big cab. bass = big, end of story. 410 or 215 is about the smallest i'd try to get away with under those circumstances with that kind of music.

 

[RickenBoogie]

+1 A combo is always a compromise, where a 4x10 or 2x15 may sometimes be overkill. I'd always rather KNOW I've got enough, rather than possibly being out gunned.

 

[pfschim]

your going to get replies all over the map on this type of question. Key thing is really your playing situation. I am personally a big fan of pro level combo's (Mesa, MB, GB etc.) that you add a cab to when really needed. As SteveC said, its all about the easy. Of course there is only so much you can expect, even the best made 1x12 or 2x10 to do volume and coverage wise.

That being said, I use a 300w 1x12 combo (with an excellent DI) for 90% of my gigs (not club rock). This combo kicks up to 500w when I add an extension. Plenty of juice for any gig I ever do .. but will that work for you ? only you could say.

good luck


p.s. - take JimmyM's advice carefully - he vacillates between a MB LM 12 combo with an SVT pedal, and a restored 70's era full SVT rig .. so he's all over the map on this question.

peace jimmy

 

[JimmyM]

p.s. - take JimmyM's advice carefully - he vacillates between a MB LM 12 combo with an SVT pedal, and a restored 70's era full SVT rig .. so he's all over the map on this question.

peace jimmy

yes, i can't deny it...i'm all over the map on this one, but i don't have the markbass combo anymore. when i go small, i use an lmii and a b-15 cab these days. ultimately, having more than one rig is the best solution if you play a lot of different venues and types of music. but if i could have only one, i'd go bigger than smaller.