Looks like you are on the right track to solve the cab issues but if you really want to go light you can always go this route. 
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Gigging without a cabinet
- Thread starter hernameisrio
- Start date
- Status
hernameisrio, I definitely get where you're coming from. I live in NJ, but I'm gigging in NYC most of the time these days. And yeah, getting your gear around with public transportation is definitely a hassle. Granted, I've got the benefit of a car to get my gear around when I need to bring my own amp. But when I'm taking the subway around Manhattan with my bass it's not easy.
I don't know what venues you've been playing, but most of the spots I play in Manhattan and Brooklyn do have house backlines. And that's huge, because at those gigs I'm really just walking in with my gig bag on my back and a messenger bag. It's easy. Knowing what club has which gear in house is important in this case. I know that on the webpages of most of the clubs we play there's usually a detailed backline listed. MOST clubs will have either a bass combo or a head & cabinet paired. And in other cases I've found that they'll have a house cabinet, but bass players need to bring a head.
As for the places WITHOUT a house backline? That's why I invested in an Eden micro amp head and a 1x12" cabinet with a neodynium driver. The Eden head weighs about 4 pounds on it's own, and I can fit it in the pocket of my gig bag. And my EBS 1x12 cabinet weighs all of 31 pounds, and it's far easier to deal with than my old Hartke 4x10 or SWR Triad. Strap it all to a small luggage cart and you're in business. It'll definitely work in a taxi, or if you're more adventurous on the subway or bus.
As for going DI only through the PA? It's really hit or miss. Some of the NYC sound guys are great and they'll work with you. But others? They're either not up to the challenge or just don't care. Having SOME type of stage amplification for bass is key. I've seen firsthand some of the trouble my bandmates have had in getting keys and acoustic guitar run through a PA. Perhaps it comes down to me just not trusting a house sound man enough for my stage volume.
I don't know what venues you've been playing, but most of the spots I play in Manhattan and Brooklyn do have house backlines. And that's huge, because at those gigs I'm really just walking in with my gig bag on my back and a messenger bag. It's easy. Knowing what club has which gear in house is important in this case. I know that on the webpages of most of the clubs we play there's usually a detailed backline listed. MOST clubs will have either a bass combo or a head & cabinet paired. And in other cases I've found that they'll have a house cabinet, but bass players need to bring a head.
As for the places WITHOUT a house backline? That's why I invested in an Eden micro amp head and a 1x12" cabinet with a neodynium driver. The Eden head weighs about 4 pounds on it's own, and I can fit it in the pocket of my gig bag. And my EBS 1x12 cabinet weighs all of 31 pounds, and it's far easier to deal with than my old Hartke 4x10 or SWR Triad. Strap it all to a small luggage cart and you're in business. It'll definitely work in a taxi, or if you're more adventurous on the subway or bus.
As for going DI only through the PA? It's really hit or miss. Some of the NYC sound guys are great and they'll work with you. But others? They're either not up to the challenge or just don't care. Having SOME type of stage amplification for bass is key. I've seen firsthand some of the trouble my bandmates have had in getting keys and acoustic guitar run through a PA. Perhaps it comes down to me just not trusting a house sound man enough for my stage volume.
My Markbass 112 combo does most of my work.
Add an external cab and it kills.
My go to gig for the subway (and I've actually done it),
is a Line 6 studio 10. Does it kill small animals-No.
But the sound quality is very good IMO.
I use the Clean setting for EUB and jazz gigs.
I use the Rock setting (SVT ish) for heavy tunes, especially on the BG.
Add an external cab and it kills.
My go to gig for the subway (and I've actually done it),
is a Line 6 studio 10. Does it kill small animals-No.
But the sound quality is very good IMO.
I use the Clean setting for EUB and jazz gigs.
I use the Rock setting (SVT ish) for heavy tunes, especially on the BG.
There's an awful lot of chest-thumping and bravado going on here, but the bottom line is the the OP, in her email to the band, already solved all of the issues at hand professionally, maturely and responsibly by offering a very amicable middle-ground. The plan of attack she layed out for the band is completely reasonable in every way and will benefit both her and her band mates. The only thing left is to see how the band reacts.
jive1
Commercial User
Personally, I'd be more concerned if my 95 lb sister was walking alone at 3 AM with $100s-$1000s of equipment on her.......
I've done lots of gigs without a speaker cab. But luckily/unluckily I was also running the sound most of the time as well, so I was sure that I would have adequate monitoring for the bass. But, in the end, it's a good idea to have some type of rig. Even if you can get by and do lots of gigs with only a DI, you may run into a gig where you REALLY need a rig and it's not one that you would want to miss.
I keep a 1x10 Genz Benz 300W combo in the car with me. It's light, and sounds OK. Nice back up rig. I had a gig where the BL told me that all I would need is a DI, and when I got there, the drummer freaked that I didn't have a rig because he would have no way to hear me. I brought out the mini-rig, and it saved the day. You have to keep the drummer in mind, because often they don't get their own monitor. Even if I didn't have a monitor or rig, I could still walk closer to the mains or subwoofer to hear my bass. The drummer doesn't have that option.
I've done lots of gigs without a speaker cab. But luckily/unluckily I was also running the sound most of the time as well, so I was sure that I would have adequate monitoring for the bass. But, in the end, it's a good idea to have some type of rig. Even if you can get by and do lots of gigs with only a DI, you may run into a gig where you REALLY need a rig and it's not one that you would want to miss.
I keep a 1x10 Genz Benz 300W combo in the car with me. It's light, and sounds OK. Nice back up rig. I had a gig where the BL told me that all I would need is a DI, and when I got there, the drummer freaked that I didn't have a rig because he would have no way to hear me. I brought out the mini-rig, and it saved the day. You have to keep the drummer in mind, because often they don't get their own monitor. Even if I didn't have a monitor or rig, I could still walk closer to the mains or subwoofer to hear my bass. The drummer doesn't have that option.
I use my Genz Benz 3.0/10t alot. Weighs 18 pounds. It has a good SI to connect to the PA and you can use the kickstand to aim it at your ears.
Yeah, the Genz Benz seems like a good call. It's kinda pricey for me at this point but maybe in another month or so...?
@Jive, it's funny/sad to me how you're one of the few guys not counting like, my dad, who's expressed concerns about me walking home late at night with expensive gear. I try not to think of how completely defenseless I would be if some creep decided to mess with me. I suppose I could always just hope to be carrying my Cirrus, which is the heaviest bass I have, and clock the guy in the jewels or something. :-/
But let's hope it never comes to that!
@Jive, it's funny/sad to me how you're one of the few guys not counting like, my dad, who's expressed concerns about me walking home late at night with expensive gear. I try not to think of how completely defenseless I would be if some creep decided to mess with me. I suppose I could always just hope to be carrying my Cirrus, which is the heaviest bass I have, and clock the guy in the jewels or something. :-/
But let's hope it never comes to that!
You know Rio, I hadn't even considered for a minute that one of your bandmates wouldn't make sure you were getting home ok.
No chivalry anymore?
To be fair, the drummer in this band has walked me to and from the train. Sometimes he carries my books for me too.
IIRC the shuttle 3.0/10t has been discontinued you may be able to find one fairly cheap.
For the Hip-Hop group that I play with, I wanted a rig that I could walk with or carry on my motorcycle, because I hate parking in downtown Portland.
I use a Line 6 Bass Pod XT with a small 4 channel mixer and wireless IEMs. I take a feed from the mixer and a feed from the POD and use the IEMs to fill in the gap that stage monitors can never seem to cover. I've used it on small stages and large theater shows and it seems to keep everyone bouncing. One of the things that helps is the cabinet emulation on the POD. A preamp alone can sound brittle through a house PA. The cab emulation gives the bass a more natural and robust 'voice'. That takes the bass EQing farther away from the FOH engineer and just leaves them with level. Honestly, they generall know where the level should be and they hate fighting a friggin ampeg 8x10 for level. In fact, every FOH engineer I've worked with loves just having the feed from the POD.
And remember, if your sound engineer is happy, your sound will generally reflect it.
I use a Line 6 Bass Pod XT with a small 4 channel mixer and wireless IEMs. I take a feed from the mixer and a feed from the POD and use the IEMs to fill in the gap that stage monitors can never seem to cover. I've used it on small stages and large theater shows and it seems to keep everyone bouncing. One of the things that helps is the cabinet emulation on the POD. A preamp alone can sound brittle through a house PA. The cab emulation gives the bass a more natural and robust 'voice'. That takes the bass EQing farther away from the FOH engineer and just leaves them with level. Honestly, they generall know where the level should be and they hate fighting a friggin ampeg 8x10 for level. In fact, every FOH engineer I've worked with loves just having the feed from the POD.
And remember, if your sound engineer is happy, your sound will generally reflect it.
Not the only one.
I get that you're little and broken and not rich. If you're gong to be the bassist you're the one who has to put some bass monitoring on the stage. A bassist with no cab isn't much use to the world just yet.
Neo is magic stuff. Micro amps are magic stuff. But a tipping trolley gets you effortlessly from the cab to the stage door if you have a decent cab service. Bandmates do the rest on account of your shoulder.
How's the loading situation at home?
jive1
Commercial User
Maybe instead of the amp, invest in a cocktail dress and bone up on the Top 40 standards and get into a casuals band. You'll get home earlier, and get paid enough to take a cab home from the gig. Some of those bands love a clean stage, and not having a cab may not work against you.
But most of all, take care of yourself out there............
I think my question about rehearsals got lost in all the discussion.
One thing is gigs, where a PA is available, but what do you use at rehearsals?
The reason I ask is that most bands have to transport equipment between rehearsal space to the gig anyway, and given your transport issues, I guess a lightweight cabinet at the rehearsal room could be included in those transport arrangements?
I am currently forming a new band myself, and I will probably have a cabinet located at the rehearsal location to minimize the need of breaking my back (which have some issues already). I am planning on getting a TC Electronics BH250 head for that, which I can easily bring with me in the gig bag, but any of those new high effect, low weight class D amps will do the job, I guess. Apart from my actual instruments (the basses) I tend not to get attached to my equipment, and routinely sell and buy when my requirements change. Given your shoulder issue, I would really suggest that you look into the possibility to replace that heavy bass head of yours.
One thing is gigs, where a PA is available, but what do you use at rehearsals?
The reason I ask is that most bands have to transport equipment between rehearsal space to the gig anyway, and given your transport issues, I guess a lightweight cabinet at the rehearsal room could be included in those transport arrangements?
I am currently forming a new band myself, and I will probably have a cabinet located at the rehearsal location to minimize the need of breaking my back (which have some issues already). I am planning on getting a TC Electronics BH250 head for that, which I can easily bring with me in the gig bag, but any of those new high effect, low weight class D amps will do the job, I guess. Apart from my actual instruments (the basses) I tend not to get attached to my equipment, and routinely sell and buy when my requirements change. Given your shoulder issue, I would really suggest that you look into the possibility to replace that heavy bass head of yours.
Forgive me if I have missed it but do you know for certain why they think you should use a bass rig?
Is it just because they think it will look better, or can they not hear you properly or don't like your tone, are they pressurising you to make you leave, are they just bullying you because they can?
Is it because you don't carry/help to set up the gear, do you arrive two minutes before sound check and expect to plug in and go? I know you have a shoulder issue but do you help with the lighter gear,fixing cables etc?
These guys are your bandmates, there needs to be communication between everyone lest things fester, just ask them straight out to explain the situation.
Is it just because they think it will look better, or can they not hear you properly or don't like your tone, are they pressurising you to make you leave, are they just bullying you because they can?
Is it because you don't carry/help to set up the gear, do you arrive two minutes before sound check and expect to plug in and go? I know you have a shoulder issue but do you help with the lighter gear,fixing cables etc?
These guys are your bandmates, there needs to be communication between everyone lest things fester, just ask them straight out to explain the situation.
You don't need a speaker cabinet, but everyone does need to hear you ok. Especially the drummer. If that's an issue for him/her, I'd maybe look more at putting the money into a better monitor; maybe even IEM, depending on budget. That way, you're buying a speaker (the monitor), but the drummer can be responsible for it.
I like making my drummers happy.
Also, since you're just using the Peavey head as a DI, not even sure I'd look at another head, micro or otherwise. Just go DI. Grab a SansAmp or Radial or MXR or whatever floats your boat. Less than a pound, slips in the gigbag.
I like making my drummers happy.
Also, since you're just using the Peavey head as a DI, not even sure I'd look at another head, micro or otherwise. Just go DI. Grab a SansAmp or Radial or MXR or whatever floats your boat. Less than a pound, slips in the gigbag.
This was my assumption as well.
Heck, I'm a big burly super dude and I count on my bandmates to back me if needed. Some of the places we play, no one is safe, no matter your size or gender...
- Status
Latest posts
-
I asked for feedback here a little while ago, and this is what it turned into- Latest: instrumentlevel
-
-
-
-
