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Most popular backline BASS AMP?

spindlebox

spindlebox

Guest
Apr 26, 2011
18
2
Kansas City, MO
www.alicesweetalice.com
#1
Hopefully some touring musicians are on here. Looking to tour USA and Europe, maybe South America and Japan.

I am curious as to what most backline companies, or venues that have backline have as "the standard". What can I expect to see, and also, what is available in these areas if I have the choice?

I am thinking, most likely it will be some sort of Ampeg 8x10 Fridge and SVT.

My big question is about the SVT. What model is most popular? I'm thinking of getting one here before we go and spending time with it, so all I have to do is twist a few knobs, plug in my board and bass and I'm ready to roll. I already have the 8x10.

Thanks in advance.
 
#2
spindlebox said:
Hopefully some touring musicians are on here. Looking to tour USA and Europe, maybe South America and Japan.

I am curious as to what most backline companies, or venues that have backline have as "the standard". What can I expect to see, and also, what is available in these areas if I have the choice?

I am thinking, most likely it will be some sort of Ampeg 8x10 Fridge and SVT.

My big question is about the SVT. What model is most popular? I'm thinking of getting one here before we go and spending time with it, so all I have to do is twist a few knobs, plug in my board and bass and I'm ready to roll. I already have the 8x10.

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

I've seen quite a lot of Ampeg 8x10's with SVT Classics here in the UK
Depends on the venue though. Smaller clubs may have a battered old Peavey in the corner
 
#4
IMO I would seriously be looking for some type of pre-amp/modeler like a sans-amp. You get yourself a very small very portable box that can be set up for your tone. Then I would use the house monitors. If they really wanted me to plug into an amp I would just plug the sans-amp right into the power amp using the effects loop if necessary. Now you have a simple set up and a very consistent sound no matter what house equipment you are using.
 
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#6
From these boards it seems an Ampeg set up is most common in the US..

ChrisQuinn91 said:
I've seen quite a lot of Ampeg 8x10's with SVT Classics here in the UK
Depends on the venue though. Smaller clubs may have a battered old Peavey in the corner
Click to expand...

In Scotland at least, not many provide back line - I know one venue who has a Lainey KB amp feeding a Peavey 4x10. Doesn't sound horrendous in fairness, but I bring my own rig for that venue. Similarly, another has a beat up 8x10 Ampeg but no amp. It's more common up here to either bring your own rig regardless of how bad it is, normally one bassist offering to share use to the rest of the bands that night. Fairly decent FOH in most venues to give full support to your sound.

The touring bands I've open for have always picked up something in London and used it for the UK portion. They normally end up with a flight cased 8x10, and have had some variation of Ampeg head, Fender Bassman or an Orange amp.

I'd second getting a Sansamp or other DI pedal preamp incase you end up with something useless.
 
#7
It will be all over the place. One group I work with at a semi national status has a writer stating One Ampeg svt system provided. I’ve got everything from fender rumbles to Carvin at gig.

A lot of “backline provided” clubs will have junk, others pretty good stuff. Like I said, there isn’t a set standard. If you have a preamp or other processing, you can use it in front of an amp. Grab something like a Reddi and life will be easier if that’s a sound that will work for you.
 

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