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

[JimmyM]

I agree with the others. An amp is necessary because of PAs being smaller and sometimes ill equipped for bass, plus nobody wants to hear you through their monitor unless they are so far away they can’t hear. Does that mean you need a big loud one? Not necessarily. I haven’t needed a big loud one in decades. I still used one from time to time but most gigs I do these days are easily done with lower volume and a small cab.

 

[sawzalot]

I have a Quilter BB800 that I've played out once--admittedly I have only played out once since COVID hit and my band broke up--but mostly prior to that I was fortunate to be playing in a loud high energy band at venues with FOH support. So yes, I needed an amp--the venue's PA amps. For smaller gigs it's nice to have the quilter and I enjoy playing it, though.

 

[Killing Floor]

Depends on the genre.
If the genre is cool you need one.

 

[micguy]

Depends on the genre.
If the genre is cool you need one.

I guess I'm completely uncool. Haven't needed an amp in years. Yes, I gig - a lot, actually

 

[hennessybass]

IME...
I just joined a new group after a COVID band break-up / new job hiatus from music.
We had one informal rehearsal before a run of 4 weekends in a row. When I showed up with an amp they were happy.
The guitar player (who also owns, hauls, and runs FOH for the band) specifically commented to me about the last two guys they had hired, and how neither one of them brought an amp. Basically telling me about how it was a disaster, nobody could hear the bass, it sounded bad, etc, etc... the guy went on about it.

I think it depends on your situation...
If you are in a church where everything is the same every time, and there is a sound guy, then no amp is a lot easier.
If you are in a "band" and the whole band is on the same page, and dedicated to running their production a certain way then I'd go with that.
If you are doing sub work... then I'd have an amp. If you are doing clubs where the FOH situation is not 100% known... then I'd have an amp. If the rest of the band is using amps... then I'd plan on using an amp.
Basically, if there are ANY unknowns, I'd feel a whole lot better about having an amp... or at least a powered monitor that I could hook up to my preamp.


You might be able to rent a combo by the month while things shake out.

 

[logdrum]

What I discovered that there is actually a certain threshold of the venue size and band's loudness to the audience before you can go totally ampless. I am sure some of the church guys will say they haven't been using an amp. Well those venues are big and usually the PA is over 2k watts minimum. Exception probably will be TV or radio stations but you need to classify those as recording facilities.

So if you do not have a fixed venue, you need an amp that can work independently of the PA.

I would suggest getting an amp until you know what your band's PA will be. Also many venues consider amps as part of the instrumentation.

Just consider NPR TinyDesk concerts, As an electric bass player, try going in sans amp -- it will not work. Even as an upright player playing with a Dobro and mandolin, I would falter if I do not have an amp.

I used to have a duo gig with a singer who had a portable PA. Even at really small places it did not work well with my preamp into her PA. Same with a subbed Casino gig. Band preferred bass amp on the stage, but they said in larger stages, BP did not need the bass amp.

Small amp to gel with not fight or compete with a drummer.

 

[Masbutch]

I like using amps myself, I’m one of those guys who drags and svt and 810 to every gig. I’ve had gigs where I’ve had to use a di box (bring it to every gig in case something happens to my amp) and with out a good amp hitting me in a back definitely took a lot of the energy out of that gig for me.

 

[KohanMike]

I need an amp, in fact, I use 3 different ones depending on the situation, and rarely have a sound system available. I play with a 40 person ukulele group, we meet every other Sunday on the patio of a sandwich shop where I'll use my Phil Jones Double Four with battery. I'll also use it in the backyard of one member when we meet every other Wednesday, and for smaller indoor gigs at senior housing and rehab centers.

For bigger rooms, I have a Carvin MB15 amp with battery bank that I've used for holiday shows in a senior center auditorium where I need more output, plus I have a matching 115MBE cabinet if we have a bigger outdoor gig. The only time we had a sound system where I didn't need an amp was for a carnival event under a very large tent.

The third one is a Blackstar Fly3 Duo, to which I added a shoulder strap for when a few of us roam the rooms of a children's hospital playing for the kids. So yes, most times I need an amp.

 

[Kerem Koseoglu]

I didn't carry an amp to a gig since a very long time. Options:

• Rare: Backline provides a bass amp as a personal monitor
• Common: I go through a bass preamp DI to the desk and hear myself through monitors or IEM's

Sound guys also prefer the latter option.

I use an amp at home practicing or at rehearsals on my friends place or something. Not on gigs.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

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?

Yes

 

[bordinco90]

I have a combo amp at home that I have band practice with (Ampeg RB112), but when playing live, I just use a Radial Pro 48 Active DI going to our board. We have a nice full PA system for every show we play, so I just use a powered wedge monitor. I've always liked my tone going through a DI with no amp. I'm probably the minority though. If we play a small gig where we would just use a Main PA speaker only (no subs), I would probably bring my little RB just in case.

 

[Raenil]

Yes. I play church gigs without a sound person. Easier to control levels when we’re dependent on each others volume.

 

[Agent0]

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.

Basically this, for me as well. In jazz, from combo to big band there is just not going to be these situations where you can go without an amp. My Markbass 121p, and extra 121 cab if needed now and then, do the job for any gig or rehearsal. Every now and then my big band plays a festival with a full sound crew and monitors and all, but there is a back line. But I still put the amp in the car just in case.

 

[bucephylus]

The amplification chain depends entirely on the gig. If you only play one kind of gig, then there may be a single answer. Most of us end up in different situations; and then one has to figure out whether to own the different options or flip them. But, gear like molded IEM’s can’t really be flipped; so, there is an element of accumulation in any case.

I personally (vastly) prefer playing with reasonable (low to most players) stage volume amplification with FOH support to the entirely IEM system; but, the ampless stage does make an easier schlep. I find the ampless soundstage to be closer to studio ensemble play than live ensemble play, losing much of the interactive element. But, I’ll do either. YMMV.

 

[LowActionHero]

Even when I had the opportunity to go ampless I kept bringing my amp, I really like/need to feel the floor shake.

I did miss not carrying that much stuff, MANY moons ago before I owned a real bass amp and more than 2 pedals, it all fit in my bass case, nothing extra to carry.

My current playing situation is a much smaller gig, so straight to PA from an amp simulation on my pedalboard.
And now I really miss my amp...

 

[Frank77]

Without even addressing the whole IEM vs actual amp debate: Truth is, probably not.

Headphone practice, fully equipped studio for rehearsals...depending on what is available where you live, you could probably just rent a rig when you have a gig. If you gig very frequently, you might reach a point where it's more cost-efficient to own one, but I know in my case renting would have been the winning option when I consider the money I've spent on amps and cabs AND the number of gigs I played in the last decade. Like, it's not even close. Would have saved a ton of space in my apartment, too. But hey, hindsight is 20/20 and all that. My situation is very similar to yours (headphones at home, backlined studio, very few gigs in the last couple of years).

It's another can of worms, but I think in North America especially we really have a tendency to buy everything instead of borrowing or renting, even for stuff we use very little (ex: I own a drill, I've used it maybe twice).

 

[IanStephenson]

Sit down as a band and make a plan. You can't do this in isolation.

My preferred setup is DI and IEM's, but that's because for most of my gigs I know I'll have a sound guy, good FOH and my own monitor mix (yes - It's a sweet gig!). For other bands that would never have worked. If you don't have the FOH support, or don't have good monitors for everyone then you probably need something loud.

As a band, figure out what FOH you'll be using , and what monitor feeds the desk can provide, and how you'll each be monitoring. Find out what the other guys are planning to use - will they have IEM's? Wedges? Just backline?

Only then can you work out what each of you needs to upgrade (can afford to upgrade, and what compromises each of you will make). A good amp/cab is going to cost you similar( more?) to IEM's and a Pre, but if the band don';t have good FOH or monitors they're not going to be able to hear you without an amp! Conversely if everyone else is on IEM's and FOH is good, then the amp is just an expensive and inconvenient DI.

 

[Altitude]

I've not carried a speaker cabinet to a gig in 4 or 5 years. Not getting rid of mine yet, though - my current outfit is all-IEM but who knows about the next one.

I'm a huge IEM fan and would prefer to gig that way but it is a large investment of money and intention, and not everyone is set up.

 

[Al Kraft]

I've played some indoor and huge outdoor gigs with only my bass and BDDI...the FOH and monitor systems were professionally provided and run and it was dream load in and load out with great sound. In most cases though even with FOH support I need something on stage to serve as a monitor for me and the band. Many smaller venue FOH systems I run across are not set-up to handle bass adequately and I am expected to provide the low end amplification.

As has been said, if your situation is always the same, then one answer will likely work. I play lots of different types of gigs (acoustic type accompaniment to high volume rock/country) in different venues with different bands. In my case, I need a range of tools available to be prepared to deliver on the gig. FWIW, I always pick the smallest and lightest set-up that will carry the day with headroom to spare.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

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.

I think your statment, "the "rock band with full FOH support" may still be the predominant playing situation for electric bassists", may be regional. I live in the Dallas/Fort Worth area of Texas. Those venues with any FOH support are a small minority and those that have more than a beat up old board with more than 3 channels still working and a couple of 12" mains are very rare.

I, like you, play with multiple bands, so I need to be able to adapt to the conditions. I have several amps of various sizes and a nice Ampeg SCR-DI.