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

[SoCal80s]

IF you know a decent PA will be provided at every gig AND you will have a way of monitoring then you don't need an amp. Some might say that's a big if, but not really. In my case, I do own an amp but have not used it in about 7 years, except when I've done a couple of sub gigs. I used to be in a band where one guy brought his PA to every gig and it had subwoofers and I could plug my IEM's into it, so never needed an amp. Then I got into another band where I provided the PA and I always bring a subwoofer so I never need an amp.

BUT, if you are planning on doing any sub work, then you do need an amp because you never know what the other guys will have for a PA (even if they claim to have a great PA). For sub work I always bring an amp, even if it ends up just sitting in the car.

 

[MegaSwing]

Affordable great amps are falling out of the trees these days. One almost could hoard them. IMO, THAT’S the only problem.

 

[HelpImaRock]

I play with a 40 person ukulele group

i need to hear more about this.

 

[rtslinger]

Two answer yes and no
if you have no FOH source to connect to yes
and no if you have FOH you can run a Di bass driver pedal to the mixer and gig without a stage amp
either getting your sound from floor wedge or IEM system

 

[HolmeBass]

For my gigs and projects and pickup sessions I do, I absolutely need an amp.

But I could see for a different project I might not, and indeed might be strongly encouraged to not bring one.

 

[39-Bassist]

Just buy a Fender Rumble 500C w/210, that will cover everything you need.

 

[r_bnks]

Yes

 

[KohanMike]

i need to hear more about this.

There's a link in my signature to see us in action. What else would you like to know?

 

[Pocket Dave]

I definitely need an amp for the little bar and restaurant gigs I pickup or sub in. The good news is with neo speakers and lighter-weight, composite cabs, I no longer have to drag around last-gen heavy/bulky cabs to be loud. Same with modern, class-D transformer heads that fit in a small padded bag vs older heavy-iron heads.

With today's amps, I can still be the last in and first out at gigs. ;-)

It's a great time to be the bass player.

 

[Jogobass]

I wanna feel my pants flap. I'll always need an amp

 

[iiipopes]

For small gigs and venues I have a combo amp. For gigs and venues a little larger I have a 1X15 cab to go with the combo. For large gigs and venues and all gigs with my 10-piece party band, we have a large enough PA that I go direct box with a Hot Spot style monitor for vocals and keys. No amp.

 

[Aussie Player]

If you care about tone you will require an amp.
If you just want anybodies volume supplement to be heard, the world is your oyster.

 

[J Wilson]

For a lot of us, professional FOH, monitors, and IEM's and ampless stages are the exception and not the rule.

There's lots of us paying our dues at rowdy little clubs, flatbed trailers at a kegger, small churches, and the VFW and American Legion.

And besides that, I need an amp to complete my instrument. And that amp, often in a frustrating room, is still how I gage my tone. I've yet to see a thread about my bass sounds best with these headphones or that IEM.

I'll always have an amp.

Remember: Headphones/IEM's means no one will EVER tell you to turn that damn thing down. What would be the point of living . . . . .

 

[joel406]

Best to be ready to go for any situation. If I’m not sure what the situation will be when I head for a gig I bring IEMs with my wireless for it. And an amp. The amps I bring are good for ANY situation. Small light and loud (some would say to loud).

 

[groooooove]

i get that living without one for a lot of folks is legitimately a viable option

but, man... i just like to plug into an amp sometimes... (all the time..)

I don't think amps will ever be obsolete or anything like that. I like that the (insanely heavy 4" voice coil) speakers in my cabinet vibrate a particular way. it's fantastic. no headphones can come close to the same user experience.

 

[chadds]

For a lot of us, professional FOH, monitors, and IEM's and ampless stages are the exception and not the rule.

There's lots of us paying our dues at rowdy little clubs, flatbed trailers at a kegger, small churches, and the VFW and American Legion.

And besides that, I need an amp to complete my instrument. And that amp, often in a frustrating room, is still how I gage my tone. I've yet to see a thread about my bass sounds best with these headphones or that IEM.

I'll always have an amp.

Remember: Headphones/IEM's means no one will EVER tell you to turn that damn thing down. What would be the point of living . . . . .

You mean, "are these IEMs good for Metal?"

 

[salmon256]

YMMV, however while I'm a sucker for PA systems and especially now today with awesome Yamaha battery power ones and lots of tone shaping with basses like Marcus Miller type basses, I still think for most an amp serves a good purpose. I find for me personally I still just like having an amp to direct my tone, I love PA systems as well but it's up to you, I don't think it hurts to have an amp though in the end.

 

[jimmyjames77]

No matter the situation I don’t ever see myself not wanting to feel my bass exploding out of (4) 12” speakers behind me. I’m old though. Grew up playing out with 8x10s slamming behind me.

 

[chuck1073]

I have spent a lot of money on in-ear monitors over the years. Many of them were purchased based on rave reviews by bass players. The resulting sound was unsatisfying to my ears. I wanted to love them, and I am by no means a technophobe or someone resistant to change.

So it will always be an amp for me. I have even gigged with no amp with my bass through the PA mains only and have been more satisfied with the sound over IEMs. I'm weird, I guess.

Assuming that you've gone for high end "molds" for ear buds, like Ultimate Ears, what else did you find lacking? I'm using a nice custom set of molds and a pretty high end Shure TX and pack. Once in a while, when the subs are on the quiet side, or far away, I'll miss a little of the really nice warm low end but....I can hear everything perfectly. That was never the case with stage amps and wedges.

 

[halcyo]

The simple answer is: if the rest of the band is ampless/in-ear monitors only then you’ll be following suit.

I’d definitely just discuss it with the band leader or the rest of the band. Be prepared for other people to assume you’re “being difficult/needy” if you demand to have an amp on stage if they don’t.

If it’s a working cover band, there’s just too many advantages to having as little stage volume as possible, so that you sound as clear and tight as a whole band in the most variety of rooms/venues.

If it’s an original band or a chance to express yourself however you want, then maybe there’s more of a “choose your own weapons” kinda situation.