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Is there realy any need for huge rigs?

#262
IMO it all depends WHERE you play and HOW you play.

2x10, 1x15 or any other portable rig/ combo is OK, but only if you have PA.

In most clubs in my country you have to pay ( usually way more than you get for the gig ) to get the club's PA. And then you have to pay the soundguy.

Yesteday I almost killed my Ampeg B-200R, because there was so bad acoustic ( something like "bass trap" in the audience ) I had to turn bass and volume way much louder than usuall ( the power LED was blinking as I was plucking the strings ) to be heard ( we played without PA, cause the club was really small! )

If I had bigger rig there would be no problem.
 
#263
Jack said:
This is one thing that really bothers me about this subject. Sorry to quote your post Red Planet, you were just the closest to the 'quote' button. :)

A lot of people seem to have the idea that a big rig somehow means you care more, that that's what the audience wants and that those with small rigs are simply taking the easy way out.

I see things like "I wish I could get away with a small rig" and people dont realise that maybe the sound of the smaller rig is better (to the people who own it).

I'd say I have a medium-sized rig (although that varies a LOT based on venue, PA etc) so I'm not really in one of the camps here. But I'll go for a good quality small combo over a wall of Behringer any day, wouldn't you?
Click to expand...

So you care more if you play a small rig or no rig at all?
 
#265
Red Planet said:
So you care more if you play a small rig or no rig at all?
Click to expand...

As long as your tone and volume needs (and your band's) are met size is irrelevant (IMO).

In my situation, I believe the smallest rig that would meet my needs (and my band's needs) would be a very good 1x15" or 2x12" or 3x10" with 400W or more.
[My 3x10" cab will cover outdoor gigs with little or no PA support, but I don't think most 3x10" cabs could do that.]
 
#267
This is definitely a case of different players,liking different things.It all depends(I feel),on the band,the venue,the player,of course.For instance,I play with a 9 piece latin band(Pucho and the Latin soul Brothers),where I have to contend with 4 drummers(Traps,Timbales,Congas,and Bongos),and I can tell you,it can get pretty intense,up there!In most cases,my Kustom does extremely well.But,in some cases,we may play a smaller venue where,I may bring one of my smaller rigs,...maybe my SWR Black Beauty,or my Fender Bassman 100,where in these cases,I'll send a direct feed,out into the house.I like my sound to be big,rich,and clean,and I have no problem with communicating,with the soundman,to meet this objective.So,again,it comes down to the factors,that I previously stated,...everyone wants to represent THEIR sound,and you should!I personally feel that,a big rig isn't always neccesary,but it's always nice to walk into a venue that you're about to perform in,and see one there,...especially a really good one!
 
#268
It doesn't matter how big the PA is,

most venue's I've played at don't have a dedicated monitor for the bassist, and sometimes only have one monitor mix, so I gotta be able to hear myself on stage.

In my case, that means I have to have a big amp, hence my 810. Being able to hear myself is critical. If I had a monitor every show, I could just go DI. But the monitors are NEVER as loud as the two guitarists half stacks.
 
#271
It is also about the instrumentation in your band. If you play with a full horn section and a B3 player you may have to have a punchy mid range focused sound to cut through.
It seems the groups I've been in I have to cover the whole bottom end as there is no one down there below the lowest drums but me. This requires big power and often two cabs.
Where I used to use two 4x10s technology has given me a 3x10 that does the job of those two.
If you've seen Norah Jones live at the Ryman in Nashville DVD the bassist is using a B-15 for his electric basses and a WW on a tiny Berg for his upright. Why? Tone. Were they loud? No. Does the Ryman's sound man have experience? You bet! OMG Martha the bassist has two amps on stage!
 
#272
chadds said:
If you've seen Norah Jones live at the Ryman in Nashville DVD the bassist is using a B-15 for his electric basses and a WW on a tiny Berg for his upright. Why? Tone. Were they loud? No. Does the Ryman's sound man have experience? You bet! OMG Martha the bassist has two amps on stage!
Click to expand...

Tone, and the fact that he is touring with a professional band with a professional sound person AND monitor engineer where he can exactly tweak his sound in both front of house and through a monitor system...

Those of us who show up at regular shows usually just have a cheap DI box throw at us and the soundguy moves on to the kick drum.
 
#273
megadan said:
Tone, and the fact that he is touring with a professional band with a professional sound person AND monitor engineer where he can exactly tweak his sound in both front of house and through a monitor system...

Those of us who show up at regular shows usually just have a cheap DI box throw at us and the soundguy moves on to the kick drum.
Click to expand...

I'd have to agree that most house sound guys would much rather have the bass only run through the house DI they're used to and be done with it. While that's much easier for both parties, I usually find myself disappointed with the lack of control over my stage sound. I've never played a show where there is a monitor engineer and doubt I ever will. That would be really nice.
 
#275
Chinguschild said:
I insist on being mic'ed. Jimmy understands this better than anyone
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:D I wouldn't say better than anyone, but I do understand it. However, there are times I don't worry about it so much. Sometimes when I use rented gear it's impractical or Bowzer will give me flak for slowing down soundcheck. Getting a VT helped a lot with being able to let it go on some gigs. But when I bring my own rig, I always unplug their DI and plug in a mic. Just sounds better to me.
 
#277
mrkreuzschlitz said:
It doesn't matter how big the PA is,

most venue's I've played at don't have a dedicated monitor for the bassist, and sometimes only have one monitor mix, so I gotta be able to hear myself on stage.

In my case, that means I have to have a big amp, hence my 810. Being able to hear myself is critical. If I had a monitor every show, I could just go DI. But the monitors are NEVER as loud as the two guitarists half stacks.
Click to expand...
I never run my bass through a stage monitor even if one's available, and I never use more than two tens. I never have any problem hearing myself either. I agree about half-stacks being able to go louder than any guitar'd player needs to, but you don't put out a fire by dousing it with gasoline.
 
#280
Ya, Bill's right about that, but again, that's so not why I love the 810. I just love the bigness of the tone. I hardly ever crank it past what my B-15's run at. And let's face it...it doesn't hurt to have a little gasoline to threaten the guitarist with just as a precaution ;)
 

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