Live pub setup

[JeffC]

Hi all,

I recently was asked to join a new, working, cover band that will be playing local pubs and small venues.

The band is a three piece (git, bass drums) led by the guitarist, a buddy of mine and a pretty good guy and easy to work with. He has his eyes on a new Yorkville PA system that we can grow with, I don't have details now but he is looking to spend about $1,500 CDN. He says he want's to mic everything but I'm not sure what to do with my setup and that's where I could use some help.

I have a beautiful sounding '74 Ampeg V4-B but the Peavey 1820 that I have it siting on is busted and sounds junky. I'd love a bit smaller cab that's better sounding. Is a rig like this (say with a 410) too much for pubs and such, should I just run a DI into the PA if it's a decent system? plz help.

The gear is heavy to move but it's not too big of a deal.

 

[ransombass]

We play at pub here in Tulsa that is tiny. We're a four piece and I use my SVT and a 410HLF. We don't mic anything except the vocals. I adjust my volume accordingly. Some of the other bassists that play there use 810 cabs and others use 115 cabs. They all sound pretty good. I think a V4 into either a 115 or a 410 would be totally appropriate. Use the volume knob wisely, my friend.

 

[DeluxeRed]

Use a 410 and, for the smaller joints, you probably won't have to burden the PA with the bass signal (or, perhaps more importantly, the monitors, which have to do the job if you're just DI). You should have lots of headroom and be able to get some really great tones.

Have your bud look at the Carvin PAs. Good bang for the buck.

Have a DI ready for when you grow, and/or look at a more specialized mic. A SM57-class mic will work, but a 52A-class mic will work better in the long run. The Countryman Type 85 DI can sit behind your amp and send your sound "post", keeping all of the amp's goodness.

Enjoy!

 

[MatticusMania]

Im in a 5 piece band right now, mostly playing pubs and small venues. I got tired of hauling both my PA as well as my 410 to gigs. Since I need the PA for vocals and my synth I began using it for my bass as well. Im actually quite please with the tone Im getting over my Carvin R1000 (and Ive always been a carvin fan).

We use an 8 channel Yamaha PA with 2 15" speakers, and monitors when we need them. 400watt mains & 400watt monitor channels.

 

[JeffC]

Thanks for the quick responses!!

The more I think about it, the more I really would like to use the V4, it's got such a great tone. I'd like to match it up with a Ampeg 410H I think, what is an appropriate price? I saw one recently on craigslist in my area for $400.

 

[modulusman]

$1500.00 might buy a decent set of speakers but would barely be adaquate for a vocals only PA. Better off with a bass cab that will carry the room or a bigger PA.