Lightweight versatile solution for theater pits and small gigs

[frankie5string]

Have you confirmed with the musical director if you can even use an amp in the pit going forward? Most of the pit gigs I've done have been in-ears only. Direct in through a preamp (sometimes a Sansamp, sometimes a JDI Bass Bone, and sometimes my Trickfish Trilobite preamp) was the name of the game. The few that let me have an amp were pretty demanding that my bass sound wasn't "bassy," so I ended up actually rolling a bit of bass off on my pit amp.

 

[singlemalt]

Acoustic Image makes some great sounding, compact, light weight stuff.

The ten2 has two tens, a horn, 600 watt 2 channel, removable head, with fx, and kicks butt at under 30lb. About the size of a small floor tom.
Your keys would love it too.

Something like this 1-10 with a slot for a small head might suit as well.

 

[Bassiclees]

MB 112

 

[lomo]

If budget permits, I second the Barefaced One10 (probably get the one with a tweet). Other than the even pricier composite cabs out of Italy (brand name escapes me), it's pretty much the apex of the sound per pound category, and will get faaaaaaar louder and lower than the Phil Jones Double 4 (I have both). With your shuttle, a Barefaced One 10 could play gigs significantly larger than a pit, even with a sane drummer. You could also add another cab to it down the road. The PJB Double 4 is basically limited to VERY quiet situations....no drummer....or brushes.....or cajon....coffee house, etc. Buy once; cry once.

 

[jnewmark]

You might want to pm member, jondiener. He plays both electric and upright in pit orchestras.

 

[BluMunk]

Thanks all for the input so far! Lots of things to think about and research. I’m leaning towards finding something small and light to go with the head I already have… it seems like the best way to leverage existing gear. Those one10s seem great- I just have to consider whether I truly want to spend that kind of $$ (it’s at the top of my budget), or if I’d be just as happy with a $250 option as opposed to $500.

A few specific responses:

Why have a separate keys and bass rig? Technically I don’t have to do that, but there are times when I’ve ended up supplying sound reinforcement for projects I’m on. If I can keep things kind of compartmentalized I like to.

I looked at Acoustic Image’s stuff- I used to work with a bass player who had one and it was awesome in the pit. They are great but probably out of budget at this point in my bass “career”.

Totally there on the question of whether I need an amp at all. Yes 100% for this gig- I am not even that clear on whether they will be running sound from the pit (not an actual pit). Even for more… fully featured theaters I find myself in, it’s very very rare that I’m not supplying my own ambient sound/self-monitoring.

 

[Djadja]

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned the Genzler BA10-2. Designed by the same folk who built your Shuttle but with current technological advances. I prefer it to the Barefaced or the Phil Jones cabs. There are a couple of folk in the Genzler club that use them with the current smaller Genzler head for pit gigs. If you find a used series 1 or even a new one, it will be a bit less expensive.

 

[jon thomas]

The ubiquitous Fender Rumble 40 is silly light for a 10" combo. Would work in a pit as long as you are not trying to keep up with a hard hitting drummer. Bass can be overwhelming in a small space and sometimes less is more if you know what I mean. One of the more affordable superlight cabs, about 1/2 the weight of your Yamahas.

 

[Stinga1990]

I use the DXR15 for bass, and I often use it as wedge when there's pa support. Have you tried switching the dsp to monitor and then using it as a wedge? Points the speaker at you, much easier to hear yourself this way.

 

[BluMunk]

I figure I should update- this week I bought a pjb c4 from someone here on talkbass!

It’s tiny, not the lightest weight possible but still very reasonable for me to carry/move around, and sounds great and plenty loud for my needs paired with the shuttle 6.0. I’ll update again when I actually move out of my room and to the gig, but I think this will do quite well!

 

[kevmac]

To any and all PJB users ,can you help me solve a problem?
I own a Double 4 and a PJ-100 powered speaker.Both suit me fine but I'd love to combine them.Since the D-4 lacks a line in I currently solve this buy incorporating a double cord via 1/4" male to 2x1/4" female from my bass to both amps.Quite clumsy but it works and the added volume is incredible. Can anyone suggest an easier and more convenient solution?

 

[selowitch]

To any and all PJB users ,can you help me solve a problem?
I own a Double 4 and a PJ-100 powered speaker.Both suit me fine but I'd love to combine them.Since the D-4 lacks a line in I currently solve this buy incorporating a double cord via 1/4" male to 2x1/4" female from my bass to both amps.Quite clumsy but it works and the added volume is incredible. Can anyone suggest an easier and more convenient solution?

Do you mean the PB-100? With that setup, you’re supposed to connect the Line Out from the Double Four to the input on the PB-100 and your bass connects to the input on the Double Four.

 

[kevmac]

Do you mean the PB-100? With that setup, you’re supposed to connect the Line Out from the Double Four to the input on the PB-100 and your bass connects to the input on the Double Four.

Sorry,I missed your reply.I will try this tonight.That will be awesome.The way I was doing it with a splitter out of my bass and using 2 guitar chords works but presents it's own set of problems first of is how clumsy it is.But is it ever loud that way,not a bad thing.Anyway I appreciate the info and I'll let you know what happens.