Difference between an amp and a 'pro' amp?

[chadds]

IMHO nothing is more "pro" than using the provided backline and/or IEM's. It shows respect to the sound guy and the audience in my opinion. A true pro shows up with their bass, plugs into whatever, and gets a great tone.

Showing up with a big amp stack is kind of "un-pro" these days, is my observation.

(I would make an exception for rock genres where big amps are part of the showmanship.)

I was playing three nights a week for a year in a big city near me. I carried my own amp and bass. There were no IEM's or backline. I guess I'm not a pro.

Another time I arrived at an outside concert. The prior act bassist was bass into a DI pedal. I asked the engineer if that's what she would prefer. She said, "No." "You spent time and money assembling your gear and we are DIing it and micing it." I heard my rig amplified by thousands of watts sounding just like it does. Audience members commented on the sound of my bass.

Different musicians have different experiences.

 

[Marko 1]

I think “pro gear” means that it can withstand the rigors of the road, performing consistently and dependably.

Back in the day, inexpensive gear was... junk, so “pro gear” meant more.

Nowadays, with advanced technology, lots of inexpensive gear performs well enough to do the job, and only extremely budget gear wouldn't qualify.

Therefore the meaning of “pro gear” today is less meaningful.

 

[PhatBottomBass1]

I think it depends on what the situation calls for, how it actually sounds and if it fits in with whoever is making that decision. Also, as mentioned prior, is it pro from 1989 or is it 2022?

Some players never update their gear... unbelievable, I know, but true.

I'm not a dude with copious cash to burn on gear. I buy right, keep it serviced and don't abuse it. I also have few other priorities that I spend (waste) money on and don't suffer from collectors syndrome, G.A.S. nor ever experienced excessive "backup" syndrome.

I will generally provide a pic of my rig to let others decide if it's pro or not. I'm not going after a gig with people who wouldn't think so, therefore I have little disappointment in this regard for IEM to reasonable self support before a backline would more than likely be provided for Bass, anyway.

 

[Tassieviking]

Pro Amps don't come with a Bass guitar in a bundle along with a lead and a strap. especially for under $200.

 

[monti2889]

Touring and pushing the limits of the equipment is hard on it. Pro gear is designed so that the parts that matter can hold up to the abuse. So instead of a plastic input jack, they're metal. The pot shafts are metal instead of plastic. When you move a knob, it doesn't shake.
To me the difference has little to do with sound quality, but everything to do with build quality.

 

[agedhorse]

Actually, many if not most touring products with 1/4” connectors use “plastic” jacks in order to define the steering of ground currents away from the chassis. the plastics used are generally fiber reinforced engineering resins, they are just as reliable as metal without the issues of isolation bushings, and can support cantilever type contacts with higher spring tension than most metal bushing style jacks are capable of (due to orientation).

many touring consoles are built this way and do not suffer from reliability issues, nor do bass amps using the same jacks.

 

[Zbysek]

I agree that most "Pro" gear has good DI. But again, it is just a moniker. "Pro" has no intrinsic meaning - hence the original question. It is a way, perhaps, to signify that the "serious" buyer may want to look at this model first before the other stuff because of X, Y, Z.

Here are my grading class ranks for bass musicians:

E: Hacks & Noobs & Curious
D: People that like to try to create/play music at home, with friends, or solo - maybe bass is not even their main thing
C: People that attempt to "perform" live in front of people (or these days, online) and are capable of achieving that to any extent.
B: People that perform and really put their heart into it and get paid, work with others, record. They still have a serious day job (or a trust fund or rich spouse).
A: People that attempt to make a living out of playing or at least seriously enough that when asked what they do by stranger or friends answer first, "I'm a Musician"
A+: People that have actually made a ton of money or notoriety by playing music.

Pro equipment gets sold to and used by all of the above.

Anyone Class A or above would likely not be seen with non pro gear. The only differentiating element is that Class A people may not be able to afford the latest Pro gear and that Class A+ people have their own people that make sure such equipment is ready to go at the job and rarely have to deal with it at all. Class A+ people may well smoke a doob with a dedicate stage manager/tech and that person is the real decision maker.

Probably Class B have the best quality gear (after Class A+) even if they don't know how to use it or under use it.

I like your classification of bassists. I used to be group A, now I am group B. I can afford better equipment now.

 

[aus_bass]

If you are using a piece of gear and getting paid for it, then it's "pro" gear. Quality and durability of said gear, is a whole 'nother discussion.