• 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.

Last gig with an amp!

bstringrandy

bstringrandy

Aug 18, 2004
712
629
67
Jacksonville, FL
#1
So the popular adage goes with age comes lighter gear. I turn 65 next month, what is wrong with me?
IMG_2289.jpeg
I took this out last weekend. It was a beautiful outdoor gig. I did it partly to prove to myself that I could still load and unload it. It was awesome! We recently upgraded our PA from passive sub/mains to a LD linear array system. The sad thing is that I now have a music room full of amps that I no longer need. We’re on IEMs so we’ll be amp-less on stage. I was using various amps to help fill in the low mids and low end depending on the venue. With the frequency response and power of the new system, it’s not required even at big outdoor venues. I’ll hold onto my stuff for awhile and rotate them as practice amps. From now on, just DI from the pedal board! :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jantelagen, Turn Em Loose, jimfist and 30 others
#5
bstringrandy said:
The sad thing is that I now have a music room full of amps that I no longer need. We’re on IEMs so we’ll be amp-less on stage.
Click to expand...
That would break my heart, lol... :crying:

I don't see ampless/IEMs in my future, but at 66, the cabs I use range from 77 to 95 pounds, and the heads aren't real heavy.

Plus being the "PA Guy" I have to lug stuff anywayz, so I'm not sweating it for now. :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: shoot-r, Admiral Akbar, Spidey2112 and 5 others
#8
pepj said:
Ok if you mix out front otherwise a minefield of potential pain.

If your outfront mix is poor, iem are no use to the band.
Its amazing how many people dont actually get this.
I hear it a lot.
Click to expand...
If that were true, how could bands on IEMs rehearse after soundcheck with no PA (if time allows, or if you are the headliner and you can do as you please:D).

Based on my pro audio experience as well as a bassist that’s been in a couple of all-IEM bands, that doesn’t have to be the case at all.

As with most things, it’s just not that cut and dried.
 
  • Like
Reactions: GroovinOnFunk, drpepper, 31HZ and 2 others
#9
Because rehearsal is rehearsal and its about hearing yourself in relation to others in the band.
Got nothing to do with whats happening outfront.
And if you can't hear the gtr in the FOH and no one is there to fix it...your ears mix is pretty useless to the overall gig.
Classic fail by bands running ears with no FOH mixerman.
 
  • Like
Reactions: shoot-r, bstringrandy and DWBass
#10
pepj said:
Because rehearsal is rehearsal and its about hearing yourself in relation to others in the band.
Got nothing to do with whats happening outfront.
And if you can't hear the gtr in the FOH and no one is there to fix it...your ears mix is pretty useless to the overall gig.
Classic fail by bands running ears with no FOH mixerman.
Click to expand...
Nope. This doesn’t even make sense.

it’s pretty obvious for self-mixing bands that ears won’t work. We’re not even on that topic.

But as with all things….

You do you.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 40Hz, richntiff, GroovinOnFunk and 3 others
#11
bstringrandy said:
So the popular adage goes with age comes lighter gear. I turn 65 next month, what is wrong with me? View attachment 5366754 I took this out last weekend. It was a beautiful outdoor gig. I did it partly to prove to myself that I could still load and unload it. It was awesome! We recently upgraded our PA from passive sub/mains to a LD linear array system. The sad thing is that I now have a music room full of amps that I no longer need. We’re on IEMs so we’ll be amp-less on stage. I was using various amps to help fill in the low mids and low end depending on the venue. With the frequency response and power of the new system, it’s not required even at big outdoor venues. I’ll hold onto my stuff for awhile and rotate them as practice amps. From now on, just DI from the pedal board! :)
Click to expand...
Tell me more about that gorgeous bass? Year? Woods? Pickups? Any mods? Weight?
 
#12
pepj said:
Ok if you mix out front otherwise a minefield of potential pain.

If your out front mix is poor, IEM's are no use to the band.
It's amazing how many people don't actually get this.
I hear it a lot.
Click to expand...
This! Did an In Ear Monitor gig with a mix of midi tracks. Sounded good in the In Ears. No band in FOH! Only the midi tracks! Had no idea until the videos were produced! I was pissed as this was a highly anticipated show.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: bstringrandy
#16
Groove Doctor said:
Tell me more about that gorgeous bass? Year? Woods? Pickups? Any mods? Weight?
Click to expand...
It’s a 2017 4003W. Walnut body, maple neck. Mods are a Nordstrand “Nordenbocker” humbucker in the neck position. Stronger output and eliminates the 60hz hum. Also, a bridge pickup surround that has a thumb rest. All stock otherwise including Rickenbacker strings. Weighs about 9lbs. :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Groove Doctor, ReggieRochester, One Way and 1 other person
#17
WRM said:
Genuine curiosity on IEM gigs - how can/do your guitarists use/get "controlled feedback" when needed? Do they simply go "without"?...
Click to expand...

The fact that you have a volume control where you can turn them as low as you want in your mix is a far more important thing than the whole "look at me, I'm getting feedback" thing - which is always a crapshoot as to if it will work. If you're playing on a wooden stage, and have a FOH person that likes bass, a bassist can often get feedback that way from putting the headstock on the floor.

By the way, Fernandes makes sustainers for that, and there used to be a Boss pedal that did a very good fake feedback.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: WRM and bstringrandy

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back