Gigging without a cabinet

[jugglingfreak]

5. Some drummer who I've played a few rehearsals with who isn't paying me who I haven't even properly gigged with yet, seems to be telling me he knows more about my bass gear than I do and that I "should" get all these things that maybe I can't spend the money on right now or don't WANT to spend the money on right now.

This would be enough for me to say "Screw you guys, I'm going home"

Does it make me sound shallow and greedy?

Not in the least. Cliche as it might be, "Money doesn't grow on trees".

I'm sorry if the following seems harsh to you, hernameisrio, but you need to hear it:

1. Why would anyone take a musician seriously if they don't have a means to amplify themselves and expect others to do it for them?

As previously posted, Geddy Lee runs through the PA and has for years for their tours. So, he shouldn't be taken seriously as a musician?

Secondly, she does have means to amplify she has "a bass head with an XLR out which I've always just run through the PA"

Right from the first post.

2. Why would anyone take a musician seriously if they expect (or demand) assistance transporting even the most basic of gear?

She doesn't (Not meaning to speak for you hernameisrio) She has the equipment that she can transport which is noted above. Everyone has their limits based on their personal situation.

 

[guy n. cognito]

This would be enough for me to say "Screw you guys, I'm going home"



Not in the least. Cliche as it might be, "Money doesn't grow on trees".





As previously posted, Geddy Lee runs through the PA and has for years for their tours. So, he shouldn't be taken seriously as a musician?

Secondly, she does have means to amplify she has "a bass head with an XLR out which I've always just run through the PA"

Right from the first post.



She doesn't (Not meaning to speak for you hernameisrio) She has the equipment that she can transport which is noted above. Everyone has their limits based on their personal situation.

Geddy Lee is of no comparison here, unless the OP has a full road crew and professional level, arena sized PA at every gig? Do you think she has that, friend?

Do you play small clubs and bars? I do, and rarely is the event in which the house monitors are suitable for anything except vocals.

Buying a small rig is cheaper, and certainly smarter, than trying to hire away Geddys roadies.

 

[KevInDaBassment]

...I'd tell the band mates to pound sand. Unless they want to buy it and transport it for you.

^
THIS

I always love it when bands want to spend your money FOR you. If the cabless solution works for you and the FoH, then they need to buy and tote a cab for you. Make sure they get something like a fEarful though

 

[hernameisrio]

Buying a small rig is cheaper, and certainly smarter, than trying to hire away Geddys roadies.

Don't give me any ideas!

 

[BassGuyFL]

^
THIS

I always love it when bands want to spend your money FOR you. If the cabless solution works for you and the FoH, then they need to buy and tote a cab for you. Make sure they get something like a fEarful though

+1. I run my bass rig like this and it works great. I have a custom pedalboard and an IEM monitor and the others have bass in their monitors.

We're also a self-contained band and run our own sound so our setup is always the same I can see if you have different soundmen and setups how it can be a pain.

Bottom line if it works stick with it.

 

[jugglingfreak]

Geddy Lee is of no comparison here, unless the OP has a full road crew and professional level, arena sized PA at every gig? Do you think she has that, friend?

She isn't playing arena sized gigs. Also, irrelevant as your statement was plainly

1. Why would anyone take a musician seriously if they don't have a means to amplify themselves and expect others to do it for them?

Geddy Lee does apply by that statement. You did not say "Unless you're a professional, well-known star" As it was stated by you it applies to any musician. Plus weither or not they have roadies is also irrelevant by the second half of your statement. You did not say "Unless you have a professional road crew"

Words have meaning you should choose them more carefully before making asinine blanket statements.

Do you play small clubs and bars? I do, and rarely is the event in which the house monitors are suitable for anything except vocals.

Your opinion. Have you played the places she has and can evaluate their equipment?

Buying a small rig is cheaper, and certainly smarter, than trying to hire away Geddys roadies.

No one suggested anything of the sort, she has a portable solution at present.

 

[Febs]

She isn't playing arena sized gigs.

You just made Guy N. Cognito's point.

Geddy Lee is of no comparison here ....

 

[hernameisrio]

Granted, if I were playing arena-sized gigs, this whole thread wouldn't exist.....!

I am sorry once again that I got all rantypants on you guys. It's kinda been one thing after the other in my life lately and I regret taking it out on people with good intentions who were trying to help.

I'm not sure if I'll even be playing with this band given that we're kinda in a standoff and I now have mixed feelings about it. But at the least, it got me thinking about the next level of things and made me realize that I need to sleep more and do a better job of eliminating obvious stress factors in my life.

 

[jugglingfreak]

You just made Guy N. Cognito's point.

Size of gig is irrelevant Once again, the statement was plainly

Part the First:

1. Why would anyone take a musician seriously if they don't have a means to amplify themselves

At no point is size of venue mentioned in that statement. Geddy Lee is a musician who plays through the PA. Per Guy's logic he should not be taken seriously as a musician.

Where is the venue size mentioned?


Part the second:

and expect others to do it for them?

When you hire a road crew, you expect that the will perform certain tasks, such as transport and setup, etc.

It is irrelevant that it is on a professional level the statement made no caveat for them being paid/hired.

By his statement, they very act of hiring a road crew should prevent you from being taken seriously as a musician as the employment includes that expectation.

 

[Febs]

Size of gig is irrelevant Once again, the statement was plainly

Part the First:


At no point is size of venue mentioned in that statement. Geddy Lee is a musician who plays through the PA. Per Guy's logic he should not be taken seriously as a musician.

Where is the venue size mentioned?


Part the second:


When you hire a road crew, you expect that the will perform certain tasks, such as transport and setup, etc.

It is irrelevant that it is on a professional level the statement made no caveat for them being paid/hired.

By his statement, they very act of hiring a road crew should prevent you from being taken seriously as a musician as the employment includes that expectation.

You're missing the fundamental point here: Geddy Lee does have a means to amplify himself.

 

[dhsierra1]

But at the least, it got me thinking about the next level of things and made me realize that I need to sleep more and do a better job of eliminating obvious stress factors in my life.

^This, the GK112 combo, the folding handcart, and you're golden

 

[NWB]

I'd do a micro head and a neo 112 if I was in your situation.

The perfect solution.

With help from TB members, you can likely find this type rig in your area for much less than your stated $1,000.

I use a micro head and neo 112 because I'm lazy. It's all very light and shouldn't cause you much trouble.

 

[Downunderwonder]

Hey, OP is under no more illusions of pulling off Geddy style sound on Radio Shack budget. Enough of that.

15's are best for loudness per dollar weight. But neo one is probably too heavy, I wouldn't know where to begin suggesting a cab because we don't have any limits.

 

[wcoffey81]

don't' forget the fact that several on-line vendors give you the option of 3-4 payments with no added cost. that's the only possible way i could get a decent new bass. it's a great way to stretch the budget.

 

[JimmyThunder]

At no point is size of venue mentioned in that statement. Geddy Lee is a musician who plays through the PA. Per Guy's logic he should not be taken seriously as a musician.

Where is the venue size mentioned?

You are missing his point. Sure, Geddy is playing through a PA...it's one he BROUGHT WITH HIM. He IS providing "a means to amplify [him]selves". It's just running thru his PA cabs instead of a bass cab.

The OP's plan is to show up without any kind of speakers, expecting to run through the house PA, without knowing in advance if it will be suitable for their needs. That's the difference.

 

[hernameisrio]

Well, I'd call the venue first of course. I thought I'd said that. I don't know...I gotta crunch some numbers and make some calls but I have a few ideas.

 

[guy n. cognito]

She isn't playing arena sized gigs. Also, irrelevant as your statement was plainly

Geddy Lee does apply by that statement. You did not say "Unless you're a professional, well-known star" As it was stated by you it applies to any musician. Plus weither or not they have roadies is also irrelevant by the second half of your statement. You did not say "Unless you have a professional road crew"

Words have meaning you should choose them more carefully before making asinine blanket statements.



Your opinion. Have you played the places she has and can evaluate their equipment?



No one suggested anything of the sort, she has a portable solution at present.

You are correct, Freak. I wrote my above comment assuming any reader of average intelligence would realize the difference. I should have been clearer in anticipation of a broader audience.

Of course, that same reader, average intelligence or not, would also realize that Geddy does, indeed, make plans to insure that he can hear himself. By his efforts (and his promotors, managers and crew), large amounts of PA gear is purchased (or rented), carted, and installed in whatever venue he may be playing that night. He has crew members that are paid to provide that gear, set it up, and run it all night.....so that he can hear himself. He may not have an "amp" on stage, but ample sound reinforcement has been provided, ultimately at his expense.

The OP, on the other hand, has no such luxury. She was making the assumption that PA would be provided, and that the gear provided by others would allow her to hear herself. Some of us recommended that she take matters into her own hands, a sentiment echoed by her drummer.

My comments assumed you could make the distinction. I understand now that was incorrect.

 

[jugglingfreak]

You're missing the fundamental point here: Geddy Lee does have a means to amplify himself.

Your missing the fundamental point here: in her first post she wrote that she had: "a bass head with an XLR out which I've always just run through the PA"

So she does have a means to amplify herself as well.

would also realize that Geddy does, indeed, make plans to insure that he can hear himself. By his efforts (and his promotors, managers and crew), large amounts of PA gear is purchased (or rented), carted, and installed in whatever venue he may be playing that night. He has crew members that are paid to provide that gear, set it up, and run it all night.....so that he can hear himself. He may not have an "amp" on stage, but ample sound reinforcement has been provided, ultimately at his expense.

When you hire a road crew, you expect that the will perform certain tasks, such as transport and setup, etc.

It is irrelevant that it is on a professional level the statement made no caveat for them being paid/hired.

By your statement, they very act of hiring a road crew should prevent you from being taken seriously as a musician as the employment includes that expectation.

Don't get angry at me for your statements

 

[guy n. cognito]

Your missing the fundamental point here: in her first post she wrote that she had: "a bass head with an XLR out which I've always just run through the PA"

So she does have a means to amplify herself as well.

Nope. It means that she has the means to send her signal to the PA, provided by others, and rely on the assumption that it will be sufficient for the band to hear her. Without a cabinet, the amp is nothing more that a large direct box.

 

[JimmyThunder]

Well, I'd call the venue first of course. I thought I'd said that. I don't know...I gotta crunch some numbers and make some calls but I have a few ideas.

Clearly you are thinking straight and on the right path!

Just pointing out tho, you can call and ask "do you have a PA/backline" but the bar's standard of "suitable for your needs" can be a world away from your band's standard. I've seen it many times....a "state-of-the-art PA system" that was meant for street buskers, or a "pro quality backline" that consists of a beat to snot Peavey cab with 2 drivers blown and a staticky input jack.