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Gigging without a cabinet

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#21
Well, I'm going to play devil's advocate here and agree with your band... to some extent.

Just as I would not be happy playing a gig where I couldn't hear the kick drum, drummers don't like not being able to hear the bass. It's easy for us bassists to step forward a little to better hear ourselves in the mains, but that's not an option for the drummer.

I gig regularly in NYC and play a lot of the smaller venues. The monitor situation in most clubs is terrible at best and bands are almost never given a full, proper sound check. Where does that leave us? It leaves us needing to take care of ourselves - and that means having all the tools we need to make the gig happen, regardless of what the club has to offer.

The good news is, most NYC clubs have a backline in place, or at least a cab, so even if you have to buy a cab, you won't need to bring it to most of your gigs.

Your Peavey head, as others have stated is pretty heavy and not very powerful. Investing in a small, lighweight rig and a good equipment cart will make subway gigging much more bearable and easier on your shoulder. Most of the time, you'll only need the head because there'll be a house cab to use.

I have gone direct in clubs many times, but it's always a last-ditch measure. I much prefer having a cab onstage and my drummers certainly appreciate it. I suspect you'd like having one there, too!

I know it's a drag to have to invest in gear that you don't feel you need right now, but you'll need it sooner or later. As a gigging bassist, you're going to need a rig - no matter how small.
 
#22
ChrisB2, I essentially agree with you about the downfalls of going through the PA, in a perfect world, but given logistical/physical/financial limitations, I think the BAND should be flexible too and realize that maybe they're being unrealistic. And yeah, I think that's exactly it...they're "used" to a certain standard and expect it from me.

Which...is fine...I get it. But it also bothers me a little that once again, people just seem to think I have like, Herculean strength and an unlimited budget or something. Like, in what universe do they think that somebody my size would be capable of carrying this stuff anyway, let alone with a shoulder issue? I just don't understand people. I realize 85% of the bassists out there are probably big burly dudes with super dude strength who can dude their way through transporting 200 pounds of speaker cabinet. But times are a-changin and I think that if I'M willing to be flexible, everyone else should extend that courtesy too! Here I am tripping over myself to figure this out...so I can only hope that when I approach them about these issues, they'll be somewhat understanding.

Although, this situation definitely got me thinking....is it possible that I will be limited in the work I can do because of my size and a preexisting issue with my shoulder? Yeah, totally. Is it fair? No, of course not. But whatever. Given that this is not a situation where I can go whining to some sort of Human Resources department for low-budget bands, I'm just gonna figure out some kind of compromise for now, and save up for a lightweight rig in the long run. I mean, this matters enough to me that I want to do it right. So if I "need" a full rig to be a successful bassist, then that's what I'll have to get.

Anyway, I'm gonna at least do some research and maybe just try to find SOMETHING to stick in the rehearsal space for now, since that's the most immediate concern.
 
#23
LOL. Yeah it helps to be a super dude. Thanks, I got a hearty laugh out of that. :p

...although I know that for you, your situation is not funny. But like I said before, it depends on the band. So, like all the rest of us, even us with "super dude" strength haha, not every band is a perfect fit and we all need to find bands that work with our particular situations.

But yeah, also, like others have said... you do need a rig. :p
 
#24
I emailed the band...this is what I said, paraphrased slightly:

Hey guys,
So I'm trying to figure out this cabinet situation, as I don't want it to be an issue going forward. I have a couple of limitations as far as what I'm able to easily transport, due to not having a car and having a bad shoulder, so I can't lift a ton of weight. Having said that, I have a fold-out cart that could probably carry something up to 45 pounds or so, and I'm certainly not opposed to taking a car service to gigs when the need arises.

For the short term, as far as something to put in the rehearsal space, my bass teacher is willing to sell me a 2 x 10 (w/ one 5") Hartke cab for a decent deal. It's 66 pounds and thus, not super portable, but at least I'd have something to play through in the space. He's off the Graham Ave L so I could probably just take a car to the rehearsal space if I get it, and bring it straight there. He's out of town, but I plan to talk to him when he gets back.

As far as gigs for now, I'm just gonna have to use my bass head or a DI or play through whatever the venues have...I'll definitely keep on top of calling ahead to find out and if lack of rig does become an issue, I'll figure out a way to get the Hartke cab over there ahead of time. It'll take a little more planning on my part, but I don't mind since it'll make things easier for everyone when we play out.

In the long run, I'm looking at lightweight rigs...once I get my tax return check I'll have some money to play with so that I can invest in something.

My OTHER option is to get a combo for now. I'm gonna check out Guitar Center and maybe Main Drag today and see if they have one.

What do you guys think? Any other ideas? I want to make this work! :-D Until recently, I haven't been able to ever consider a full rig due largely to financial and logistical concerns, but if it's time, it's time!
 
#26
I don't generally play enough venues with suitable PA that I could forego a cabinet, but I do when I know the system well enough to be able to depend on it. What other band members think doesn't really ever concern me. I play with many different groups - they hire me for how I play, not what I bring to the gig, and if that's their main concern then I couldn't really care less.
 
#28
hernameisrio said:
I'm just gonna figure out some kind of compromise for now, and save up for a lightweight rig in the long run.
Click to expand...

And that's exactly where the rubber meets the road. If you're willing to work out a compromise, then your band should be, too. I see lightweight rigs pop up on Craigslist all the time and one will show up in your price range before long.

If you make your band aware that you're working on it, but that they'll need to be patient until you can find an arrangement that's shoulder-friendly, I would hope they'd be understanding about it and give you time to get set up. If they're not.... well, let's just say you've done everything you're supposed to do. The rest is on them.

As far as the practice space goes, if it's a full-time space you guys have then it's a perfect place to park that Peavey head and any cheap cab you can find. That rig can be as heavy as it wants and just sit there while you look for a used light rig for shows.

EDIT: You posted that email while I was typing the above post. What you said is PERFECT! If they've got a problem with any of that, then they just have a problem! You've handled this very, very well.
 
#30
Simple, sell the head, buy the TC Electronic BG250 - 35 pounds, and a dolly rack, bring that and your bass to gigs. (And if that combo isn't loud enough your band is WAY too loud)
I haven't turned mine above 5 yet at medium size bar gigs. And it projects way too the back of 65 feet deep bars, easily.
 
#31
obimark, not a bad idea but I actually wouldn't mind holding onto this head for at-home recording. I'm at a point where I'd rather start holding onto my gear instead of constantly having to flip it. I dunno, I'll see what they say and just start doing my homework. If the Hartke cab can be a stop-gap solution for the rehearsal space, then for $150 I feel like I should just do that. I might even see if he's willing to take $100 and do it as sort of an extended loan.
 
#32
Hi

I am a big guy, I own a car, and STILL I hate lugging around gear that weights more than 20-25kg, even if it is just from my car. I totally understand your transportation problem.

I just wonder: Do you have rehearsals with this band? What do you use at rehearsals?

I am not an experienced bassist, and currently I own only a EBS Classic Session 60 watt amp. It weighs 16kg /36lbs, and is OK when I have a car. That is the same weight as that TC electronics BG250 combo amp, which has a 15" element and 250W. I guess that could be modded with wheels and a pullout handle like a suitcase if need be.

I kinda understand the band, if the issue is hearing you on stage. But if it is about tone, I think you should stand your ground. it is your instrument and your tone. What it sounds like to the audience is the work of the sound tech anyway.

Good luck in sorting this out with the band. I am sure you'll find a solution.
 
#36
They want you to start bringing a cab?

Tell the drummer to start playing on electric drums and the guitar player to get a semi-hollow body. When they say no, tell them the same damn thing.

Or tell them to eat a big bag of rics.

You are going to put yourself through some major hassles for nothing more than image. No offense, but bass player to bass player, most people don't care and they think your guitar looks weird.

If your drummer wants a cab, like others have said let him buy it, store it, and haul it to shows. The drummer wants the cab for image only, he is probably going to still complain if you show up with anything smaller than a 4x10.

It is your band but personally I wouldn't be inconveniencing myself for the joy of playing with these guys, unless they paid really well.
 
#37
If I missed it, sorry...but an obvious question: is the drummer having trouble hearing you at gigs and practices?

For all the tough talk about "don't let them boss you around about your gear", this seems to be a fundamental question. I am the only one who believes it is the instrumentalist's responsibility to make sure his/her instrument can be heard by the others in the band?
 
#38
If I missed it, sorry...but an obvious question: is the drummer having trouble hearing you at gigs and practices?

For all the tough talk about "don't let them boss you around about your gear", this seems to be a fundamental question. Bands members are (or should be) musically interactive with one another, and music is an aural medium. So............I am the only one who believes it is the instrumentalist's responsibility to make sure his/her instrument can be heard by the others in the band?
 
#40
Here is what works for me. I have a Carvin Bx500 head that weighs about 5 lbs. and a Markbass 1-12 cabinet that weighs in about 28 lbs. and that seems to work well and is easy to transport. I also have a Music Man bass that I keep in a Mono case gig bag and the whole setup can be moved quickly and easily and sounds GREAT! I don't have to contend with a subway situation so I don't know what limitations that puts on the OP but I would think if you wanted to cart this it would be difficult to get the thing down those stairs into the subway. Of course I guess you could unload and break the cart down if worse came to worse and set it up again once you left the subway. Just curious what others would do in that situation.
 
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