Lightweight versatile solution for theater pits and small gigs

[BluMunk]

Hi all, occasional reader, first-time caller!

I’m a keyboardist primarily, but have some intermediate bass skills. I just got hired (low stakes/low pay gig) to play for a theater pit, and don’t really have the right amplification set-up, and figure it’s maybe time to remedy that.

Basically, I’m looking for something lightweight and easy to carry, that will give me basic tone options and sounds good at low volume- that I can dial in across a broad range of quiet to find the right volume for a small ensemble in a tight space that is trying to be just loud enough to hear each other and have fun, without being the primary source of amplification for the show.

The last one of these I did with my Shuttle 6.0 using the direct out into a Yamaha DXR 10 (powered PA cab… I’m a keyboardist, remember). That was fine, but the Yamaha on the floor is a little hard to get speaker position and volume right so that I can hear and enjoy myself at what feels like a good level while also getting appropriate sound to the rest of the pit. And, I’d like to keep my bass rig independent of my keys rig.

So, maybe a small 10” cab to pair with the shuttle? Maybe some other combo? Maybe a pre-amp pedal or modeling fx unit (or the shuttle’s direct out) into something powered? I’m not really up on anything in the bass gear world, so any insights would be appreciated.

I’m hoping to keep expenses here around 5-600 at the high end.

 

[Killing Floor]

Have a look at Phil Jones Bass. That’s their thing.

 

[gtirard]

Go for the Barefaced One 10, it is super light (7kg / 15lbs) and sounds amazing. Also it has a great sound dispersion (you'll be able to hear yourself from anywhere, which is not often the case usually with small cabs)

 

[otp57]

Hi all, occasional reader, first-time caller!

I’m a keyboardist primarily, but have some intermediate bass skills. I just got hired (low stakes/low pay gig) to play for a theater pit, and don’t really have the right amplification set-up, and figure it’s maybe time to remedy that.

Basically, I’m looking for something lightweight and easy to carry, that will give me basic tone options and sounds good at low volume- that I can dial in across a broad range of quiet to find the right volume for a small ensemble in a tight space that is trying to be just loud enough to hear each other and have fun, without being the primary source of amplification for the show.

The last one of these I did with my Shuttle 6.0 using the direct out into a Yamaha DXR 10 (powered PA cab… I’m a keyboardist, remember). That was fine, but the Yamaha on the floor is a little hard to get speaker position and volume right so that I can hear and enjoy myself at what feels like a good level while also getting appropriate sound to the rest of the pit. And, I’d like to keep my bass rig independent of my keys rig.
Take a look at the Fender rumble 100

• 100 watts
• 12” Eminence® Special Design speaker
• Compact and lightweight (22 pounds) ported plywood enclosure with removable grille
• Overdrive circuit (controlled manually or with optional footswitch)
• Three-button voicing section (bright, contour, vintage)
• XLR line out with ground lift

So, maybe a small 10” cab to pair with the shuttle? Maybe some other combo? Maybe a pre-amp pedal or modeling fx unit (or the shuttle’s direct out) into something powered? I’m not really up on anything in the bass gear world, so any insights would be appreciated.

I’m hoping to keep expenses here around 5-600 at the high end.

 

[abarson]

The Shuttle 6.0 is a great head. It would pair well with an Acme B1 or Low B1 Wedge.
The Low B-1 – ACME SOUND | Bass, Guitar, Keyboards, PA Cabinets
The Low B-1 Wedge – ACME SOUND | Bass, Guitar, Keyboards, PA Cabinets

The Revsound RS28v might be a good solution as well.
RS28V | RevSound

If you go the combo route, I think an Ibanez P3110 might work for your situation.
P3110 | PROMETHEAN | AMPLIFIERS | PRODUCTS | Ibanez guitars

 

[SJan3]

$449 and sometimes on SALE for less.

 

[MarshallAC50Stack]

The Eden Ex112 is a great cab for the pit!

 

[Wasnex]

Why do you want separate bass and keyboard rigs? You can only play one instrument at a time. I have done many (bass) gigs sharing an amp with a keyboardist with both playing. I have done this with both Roland and Peavey keyboard amps.

You can use a milk crate or amp stand to raise the DXR10 closer to your ears. Or consider putting it on a compact speaker stand.

Add a small mixer with an instrument level/high Z in. Then you can set tone and level for both bass and keys.

The only reason I see to not use the DXR10 is if you prefer a traditional bass sound to FRFR. I prefer FRFR so I would try the DXR10 and save my money for something else.

YMMV.

Good Luck!

 

[Stewie]

I watched a big band play outside at a park, about 15 horns, there might have been a guitar but I’m not sure. Only the soloists were miced.There was an upright bass that sounded really good. A talked to him after the show. He was using a Fender Rumble 40. He told me to pick it up. Not much heavier than my lunch box.
Try one out, they’re cheap, lightweight, and can keep up with a bunch of horns

 

[selowitch]

As was suggested earlier, I would take a look at Phil Jones Pure Sound. Their combos, amps, and cabinets get a lot of love on TB for good reason—they don’t weigh a lot and they sound great!

 

[BobKay]

Phil Jones Double 4. 8lbs, line out, standard controls. Gets much louder than you might think. There is one for sale in the classifieds on the Double Bass side of TB.

 

[57pbass]

You might consider a powered cabinet with a single 12” speaker and a pre amp of your choice… or a Roland Cube with the single speaker.

 

[selowitch]

Phil Jones Double 4. 8lbs, line out, standard controls. Gets much louder than you might think. There is one for sale in the classifieds on the Double Bass side of TB.

For sure. The D4 (BG-75) is my go-to amp for bass.
It even sounds good with a guitar, with keyboards—or, surprisingly—with vocals (It only has one input channel, though, so one at a time)!

 

[BobKay]

I plugged a friend's electronic accordion into it one time. Sounded great. I use mine for both EUB and acoustic upright. PJB Double Four

 

[selowitch]

Another nice thing is that Phil Jones offers a carry bag for the Double Four, which means you can carry the amp, its powerbrick, and a power cord all with one hand and, say, your bass in the other. One trip from the car!

 

[selowitch]

You might consider a powered cabinet with a single 12” speaker and a pre amp of your choice… or a Roland Cube with the single speaker.

Excellent suggestion. There are many good pedal preamps on the market (e.g., the Quilter InterBass, which I guess is technically an amplifier and not preamp but can be used as the latter).

 

[chris_b]

You already have the Shuttle 6, so keep it simple and put all your budget into the best lightweight 112 you can find.

A matching Genz Benz would be a good match, but in reality many/most of the 112's from the market leading companies would do a good job.

 

[57pbass]

Excellent suggestion. There are many good pedal preamps on the market (e.g., the Quilter InterBass, which I guess is technically an amplifier and not preamp but can be used as the latter).

I believe QSC make a sturdy 1x12 powered cab and Bag End does as well.
Plenty of pre amps to choose from these days…so many great options to choose from.
My buddy tours with Cirque de Sole and plays EUB and a 4 string Jazz and uses a Nostrand Pre. He tells us the sound men love it…he’s a great player which always helps.

 

[Slevage]

I recently used my Markbass 112 for a similar situation,

I’m considering getting an Elf 1-10 combo. I have an Elf head only and like it. Combos are more convenient for pit work because I like to tip them back.

 

[bherman]

I agree with others, Shuttle 6 is a perfect amp for this. I’d pair it with a small, light cab on a folding stand (I use a folding step stool from Walmart, less than $20) and you are good to go. Shouldn’t need a preamp with this setup for electric bass, the shuttle has plenty of eq range. Some of the best cabs get pricey- my top choices if $$ was not a factor are RevSound 28 and Barefaced 110. If you are patient, you can probably find something in the Talkbass classifieds but it might take a few weeks or so for the right cab to pop up.