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Great amp for small stage?

TheBassPreacher

TheBassPreacher

Supporting Member
Jul 7, 2000
1,901
395
43
Texas
#1
Recently I have found myself sometimes needing to play some smaller stages, where I feel like I'm having to be right on top of my amp. Generally I play a 700 watt head with a couple of 1x15s, but that tends to blow everyone across the room away while sometimes I have trouble hearing since I'm having to be so close to my amp.

Long story short, I was thinking maybe I should look in to a kickback style amp or maybe a PJB Flightcase, with the upward firing speakers. I figured maybe I'd come on here and see what thoughts the TalkBass community had on this.
 
#3
MyMusic said:
Why not a 700 watt head with one 1x15?
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I've tried it, but it has been difficult trying to hear myself sometimes having to be so close to the amp. Then I end up so loud that everyone Thats why I was thinking maybe I needed a kickback styled amp that I can get something firing toward my head instead of at my ankles.

I've also thought about taking both cabs and only plugging the top one in, but sometimes that can be a bit cramped on smaller stages as sometimes.
 
#6
It may be not be the perfect solution for your case, but I was shocked at how stage filling (for myself and the drummer especially) one of Duke's Changeling 112T cabs was. I use it frequently in situations like you describe and it works brilliantly.

For the simple and inexpensive win, two fingers' solution above works quite effectively. Angling or raising the cab can also work in some instances, but then you 'll need to address the head sliding off issue.
 
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#7
two fingers said:
I would take one of the cabs to the show. Them have some bass put in your monitor. Don't be that bass player who says "I don't need me no monitor." Either in-ears or a wedge.... doesn't matter..... have a monitor. Put some bass in it when needed.
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Honestly that isn't me. The problem is a lot of times I can't trust the monitor mix at all or we all have to share 1 mix. Poor sound checks and sometimes worse sound guys. Honestly, if I had a consistent type of gig where I could trust that, I actually wouldn't mind going 100% direct ala Geddy Lee.
 
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#8
TheBassPreacher said:
Honestly that isn't me. The problem is a lot of times I can't trust the monitor mix at all or we all have to share 1 mix. Poor sound checks and sometimes worse sound guys. Honestly, if I had a consistent type of gig where I could trust that, I actually wouldn't mind going 100% direct ala Geddy Lee.
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Do you own the PA? Is it all analog? If so, you can get analog mixers for PENNIES these days. A used, nice, analog mixer with the capability of multiple monitor mixes can be had for STUPID cheap.

Either go digital or upgrade your analog mixer. These days, money is NOT a reason for not having multiple monitor mixes.

Offer this guy $250 and walk away with more mixer than you'll ever use.
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#9
two fingers said:
Do you own the PA? Is it all analog? If so, you can get analog mixers for PENNIES these days. A used, nice, analog mixer with the capability of multiple monitor mixes can be had for STUPID cheap.

Either go digital or upgrade your analog mixer. These days, money is NOT a reason for not having multiple monitor mixes.

Offer this guy $250 and walk away with more mixer than you'll ever use.
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No these are areas where we are going on to a small bar or club and they have their own stuff and a lot of these places don't want you bringing in your own stuff for one reason or another. Plus most of this stuff is where I am a fill in and not the main player so I don't really have any control over the band's gear anyway.

Personally I already own a Behringer X32 Rack.

Al Kraft said:
For the simple and inexpensive win, two fingers' solution above works quite effectively. Angling or raising the cab can also work in some instances, but then you 'll need to address the head sliding off issue.
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I own an amp stand, I haven't really tried using it with bass. I might give it a go though, though the one I have is one of those OnStage Brand ones that seem to take up quite a bit of space on its own as well. Maybe instead of looking at a different amp, I should just look at grabbing like one of those Ultimate Stand fold up amp stands or something like that.
 
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#11
I use a GK MB200 into a Peavey Headliner 1x12. Plenty of volume and no problem being heard. Y'all must be loud.

I do the sound for my R&B band. Just bought a Behringer P2 wired in ear monitor($39) because the drummer said he couldn't hear the vocals. Take a monitor feed from the mixer or powered monitor. Plug it in. Plug in some headphones. Adjust volume to your liking. Clips to your belt/guitar strap. Good to go.
 
#14
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#16
edbass said:
Why? I get 90%+ of my stage volume from a floor wedge, works just dandy.
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You just need the right kind of monitor and the right person mixing! Biggest outdoor show I ever played was with no amp...and the sound on stage and for the thousands in the audience was great! The sound crew had pro gear and knew how to use it.
 
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#18
Al Kraft said:
You just need the right kind of monitor and the right person mixing! Biggest outdoor show I ever played was with no amp...and the sound on stage and for the thousands in the audience was great! The sound crew had pro gear and knew how to use it.
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I get two feeds, a FOH without drums or bass and a soloed bass. Control volume, monitor EQ and blend with an iPad.
 
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#20
If you have monitor support and no box, hit the pawn shops and find a floor wedge. If you don’t have monitor support, there are any number of small bass combo amps these days with tilt back cabs. Get one, set it in front of you and run an instrument level signal to it from your main amp or a simple splitter ahead of both amps; instant fully adjustable personal bass monitor. Yes it’s janky, but it works and at the end of the day that’s the important thing.
 

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