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Multi-instrumentalists?

H

honestjohnny

Nov 24, 2006
1,341
132
#1
Most of this forum is basically rehashing previous posts, but I haven't found this topic....

IvanMike et al did a great job with the FAQ, but I was wondering about multi-instrumentalists, so...

What amplification setup do/would you multi-instrumentalists use if you could only afford/store/haul one amplification setup. You may choose different pedal boards and/or preamps, but you may only have one power amp/speaker setup. This must be suitable for unsupported gigs, i.e. gigs where only the vocals go to PA.

Have fun. :D
 
#2
honestjohnny said:
Most of this forum is basically rehashing previous posts, but I haven't found this topic....

IvanMike et al did a great job with the FAQ, but I was wondering about multi-instrumentalists, so...

What amplification setup do/would you multi-instrumentalists use if and only if you could have one amplification setup. You may choose different pedal boards and/or preamps, but you may only have one power amp/speaker setup. This must be suitable for unsupported gigs, i.e. gigs where only the vocals go to PA.

Have fun. :D
Click to expand...

You mean if I was playin bass and guitar at the same gig?

I would use my current gear for bass (as a quite wideband system), and add a modeling preamp/effect for guitar..
maybe some higher quality guitar preamp, if I take it serious :)
 
#4
I play bass and guitar (never as part of the same gig yet though). I would probably bring separate gear for each.

I DO play stand up and electric at the same gig, and use the same rig for both (Acoustic Image Clarus head and a couple Bag End 15s). Some mucking with EQ is required, but it does the trick.
 
#5
One of my bands has a keyboardist that also switches off playing either a Gibson ES-335 or various high-end acoustic guitars, mandolins and accordions. He can pretty much afford to buy any expensive gear he wants and has gone through several different multiple/specialty-preamp rack rigs, high-end keyboard, acoustic guitar and tube/solid-state guitar and bass amps trying to find one single stage amp that does a good job on all his instruments at fairly loud stage volumes. (over the last 15 years I've played in serveral different bands with him) He abandoned them all and bought his own Ampeg B-100R after I talked him into just trying one of mine at a gig a couple years ago. He currently runs all his instruments through a small pedal type line-mixer into a Sansamp Comptortion pedal thru a G/T "The Brick" tube DI box and then to the combo.

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#7
Usually not on the same gig, but I do play keys at time. And have included sampled drum sequencing.
What sounds good for keys and drums will sound good for bass.
If you do any modeling with bass - a good full range cab amp is needed, the nuance is in the harmonic content that the modeler needs to have reproduced in the speakers.
Many guitarist using modelers are also finding full range does the job best.
Check out the thread on the Carvin 1523 - looks to be one of the best deals going.
 
#8
I'm a drummer/bassist. My drum setup is occasionally fully electronic and occasionally an acoustic with electronics involved for percussion or loops. I've gone through a variety of setups over the years but the all-around rig that is working for me right now is a CA9 with an Acme B2. I've even had guitarists use it with a POD, though those who are more collectors than players don't typically care for that setup.
 
#10
I play guitar and bass through a Crate 112 combo. It actually sounds really good (aside from being a Crate) However, I have noticed there is some breakup when both instruments are going through it at once (via an Electro-Harmonix 2880 looper), however, this could also be due to the fact that it is a Crate. Has anyone had similar experience.
 
#12
I mix several basses, MIDI bass, upright, Roland electronic drums, theremin, along with my effects chain, and sometimes a sampler.

I run my rig like a mini PA. Several different preamps for each instrument (those that need it). I route through different effects loops, etc. All of those have indiviual DI or line outs. Then its mixed, sent to a Demeter tube pre to warm up the entire signal, and sent to a CA-9, then to (2) Schroeder 1212R.

rackedit.jpg
 
#15
I've done it, and while it's PIA to haul three separate rigs (electric bass, electric guitar, and "acoustic" guitar ), I never found anything that really sounded good with all of them. Closest would be a small PA sort of rig if I used a bass pre-amp. But while I can get an acceptable gigging sound for the bass and the acoustic through a keyboard or small PA rig, getting and acceptable electric guitar sound was the crux. A modeling amp just doesnt' sound or feel right for playing, and what I want from my Strat or Starfire is pretty much what I don't want from my P bass.

So, it was lug three rigs around. The Eden WT-400/D410XLT for bass, the Peavey Ecoustic 112 for the acoustic, and either the Fender Blues Jr or a Peavey Delta Blues 210 for the electric. Plus the guitar pedal board. Plus the volume pedal and tuner for the acoustic. Plus the tuner and SansAmpBDDI for the basses. Plus hauling the amplified acoustic guitar, two electric guitars (gotta have a backup, but the Strat could mimic the acoustic for emergencies so only one acoustic), plus two basses. I took longer to load in and out than the drummer.

I quit that band.

jte
 

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