Do I need an amp? Does anyone need an amp anymore?

[Maurice L]

I'm in a bit of a pickle.

I joined a new band just as COVID hit and haven't had a chance to gig since. The BL wants to start again in January.

The problem is I don't have an amplifier anymore.

At home, I play through headphones or monitors via an interface. We rent an equipped studio for rehearsals.

I haven't gigged with an amplier in years...

Should I buy an amplifier or spend the money on a great preamp/DI?

Dors anybody need an amplifier anymore?

 

[Redbrangus]

Dors anybody need an amplifier anymore?

Yes

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

Depends a lot on what the rest of the band is doing.
Does your band have it's own FOH support?
How will everybody monitor everyone else?
Are the other instruments amp-less?

 

[el murdoque]

Can you rely on FOH doing the heavy lifting every time you play out ?
Do you have means to hear yourself on stage when you play (IEM, monitor wedge)?

If both are yes, then you don't need an amp.

 

[fdeck]

This topic comes up from time to time. The answer is that amps still serve a purpose. The reason is that while the "rock band with full FOH support" may still be the predominant playing situation for electric bassists, many of us actually don't play those gigs.

My playing is an example. I play mostly jazz, plus I accompany fiddlers and folk bands from time to time. At a lot of my gigs, the bass is the only amplified instrument on stage. Even when bands have PA support, it's often a small PA that's only sufficient to support a vocalist or wind instrument, and not the bass.

Also, I play with multiple bands, and it doesn't make sense to work out the details of how the bass is going to be supported, with every band that hires me. Sometimes the bandleader doesn't even know how it's going to work out when they book me. There's rarely time for a sound check. There's no way to divide the cost of equipping a PA among the band members when they're all hired guns.

Outside of the rock / pop circuit, a lot of bands are looking for ways to perform in venues where there might not be space for a full PA.

The practical solution is for the amplified instruments (bass, and usually keys or guitar) to show up with a small amp that will take care of any situation. Right now it's a GK MB200 head and a homemade 8" cab. Or I can throw my 12" in the car if it's going to be really loud, which I hope it isn't. I can arrive 15 minutes before down beat and be ready to go.

 

[Jeff Hughes]

A 410 cab and 300-500 watt head will cover most everything. I hate the idea of relying on other people to hear my playing.

 

[Dave W]

We need more information to give you an accurate answer.

Do you have another way to amplify the bass?
If no, you still need an amp

 

[briandavismurph]

This topic comes up from time to time. The answer is that amps still serve a purpose. The reason is that while the "rock band with full FOH support" may still be the predominant playing situation for electric bassists, many of us actually don't play those gigs.

My playing is an example. I play mostly jazz, plus I accompany fiddlers and folk bands from time to time. At a lot of my gigs, the bass is the only amplified instrument on stage. Even when bands have PA support, it's often a small PA that's only sufficient to support a vocalist or wind instrument, and not the bass.

Also, I play with multiple bands, and it doesn't make sense to work out the details of how the bass is going to be supported, with every band that hires me. Sometimes the bandleader doesn't even know how it's going to work out when they book me. There's rarely time for a sound check. There's no way to divide the cost of equipping a PA among the band members when they're all hired guns.

Outside of the rock / pop circuit, a lot of bands are looking for ways to perform in venues where there might not be space for a full PA.

The practical solution is for the amplified instruments (bass, and usually keys or guitar) to show up with a small amp that will take care of any situation. Right now it's a GK MB200 head and a homemade 8" cab. Or I can throw my 12" in the car if it's going to be really loud, which I hope it isn't. I can arrive 15 minutes before down beat and be ready to go.

This amuses me that you use a smaller version of my setup that I consider really small. I use the GK MB500 with a Bag End 12" or Bag End 15" and for these small to medium gigs its really really loud. Ive always heard the MB200 is a formidable little unit. Think Im going to get one for backup.

 

[Slapndbayass]

If you're not set up with modern IEM systems, as pointed out by fdeck, often the bass amp is what is found onstage while other instrument amps are off stage or not amps but processors.

Looks funny without gear on stage and depends on what genre one is into.

We did production for a major act and the only thing making sound on stage was the drums. Everyone else was going through the PA and IEM's.

If you expect to gig, you could invest in one if you're planning on playing live to be at the ready. Not unless you know beforehand what group you're going to be with and they're all not using amps and have the alternatives in place.

Can't be a carpenter without a hammer.

 

[buldog5151bass]

All depends on your PA and monitor setup. But it's always good to have something, just in case. I played a charity gig a few years ago that supposedly was fully backfired. The only way I got through the gig was with my foot against the bass drum peg, so I could at least feel the "1".

 

[SteveC]

I don’t use an amp for my main gigs - church and cover band. I do use one for “pick up” gigs like jazz or singer/songwriter type things. I have a nice little combo that takes care of that. I’d never not have an amp, but I don’t need one much these days and I have as much invested in my DI/IEM board as my combo. Maybe more.

 

[chris_b]

I don't know any bands, on the circuit I play on, who are ampless or use IEMs. All of the (very few) gigs who provide FOH do so only for vocals. I sub in many bands and I am responsible for filling the room with bass.

So yes, I need an amp.

 

[Johnny StingRay]

Yes.

 

[GreyBeard]

In my situation, the band furnishes their own PA. Powered PA head with a pr of 2 way speakers on polls and 4 monitors powered by a separate amp. Drums are not mic'd, guitar and KB use their own amps. I have no choice but to use my own amp. This is old school and it is the way I am most comfortable with. We rely on our wives to tells us what needs turned up or down. In your case you must work in venues that furnish FoH big enough to carry your bass and the other instruments and have a sound tech running the system. Do you need an amp? Only if your situation calls for it. But, you probably already knew this.

 

[Chickenwheels]

Just buy an amp. Better to have and not need than to need and not have. You never know what might happen at a gig. Be prepared, Cub Scout.

 

[Whale guy]

Most practices that I have experienced only amplify vocals. You need an amp.

 

[DaveParker39]

I would say yes. For a small PA, you can do DI into the board in a pinch (particularly at rehearsals) but that combination sounds best with a big full PA with subs.

Personally, I bring a DI to gigs always, but I use my amp. Sometimes if we have big enough sound reinforcement I use the amp DI as the main bass signal but... probably best to own an amp.

The good news is, you don't need to spend a ton. If it's just for practice, a Rumble combo (200) will do.

I use a Hartke LX5500 head into a 2x10 for gigs and it's a reasonably affordable and loud amp.

 

[chadds]

Yes.

 

[chadds]

Be prepared. Could be a jam after the IEM gig. Are you ready? Invite to a small garden party. Nice PA but only for vocals. This is a way for band to get close to fans and build that base. (Play on words)

 

[dvdtlsn]

The way things are drifting...YMMV

I now have 3 "amps" Preamp/DI, TC BAM (micro head), GK1001 RB
and 3 cabs 1-10", Greenboy 12 Cube, and Warwick 410.

In the last couple weeks have played the following combinations:
TC BAM into Greenboy outside with PA support (Classic Rock)
TC BAM into 10" (Bluegrassish band with drum set)
Direct with 2 different bands having PA support (Bose Line array) (bands had percussion but no drum set).

Have not played the 410 since completing the Greenboy build a few years ago (60lb weight differential).
Have not pulled out the GK head this year.

I could have done all of these gigs direct, but felt the monitor/overall sound situation would be better with the amp. If I need to keep up with a drumset without PA support, the GK Head comes out.