• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

New Gig, Need New Rig (Advice Needed)

b80

b80

May 12, 2010
23
16
Jackson, MS
#1
Hey Team!

I just accepted a new gig for a regional touring cover band. Mostly playing around the south eastern coast. It's a wide variety of rock/pop punk/country/modern pop. But the songs are all played with more of a "rock" style. I already have a bass. It's a Mark Hoppus signature that I've had since I was a teenager.

So, I'm looking for an amp to take out. Seems like I'd need 500w minimum to keep up with the drums (which aren't super loud, but.... it's drums).

Tons of great options out there since I was last a gigging bassist. The standard combos like the Rumble 500, Rocket Bass, Hartke HD 500 seem cool. Easy grab and go options.

Heads like the Terror Bass 500 or Quilter V803 look cool.

There are a ton of cool cab options as well! I almost don't know where to start!! Maybe a 2x10?

So, first things first: can I get by with just running a combo or do I need a head/cab option. It's not large halls or anything. Mostly outdoor bar stages.

Budget is $1k-ish. So, probably looking at used offerings!!

Super appreciate the help!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bassdirty and DJ Bebop
#5
b80 said:
Always running through a PA and in ears. Amp will be DI'd out front and Cab will be for stage volume / or in case in ears go down
Click to expand...
getBAK said:
It sounds to me like this amp will just be a backup/failsafe. In which case I'm going lightweight
Mesa 800+ head (6.3lbs) paired with a Mesa Subway 1x12 cabinet (33 lbs). Tough, dependable and easy to transport.
Click to expand...
I think that would depend a lot on what the rest of the band is equipped with and how loud they want the stage volume. I would do at least a 210 rig or a 2 x 112 rig if you have a chance of needing to use the rig because in-ears fail or FOH craps out. I find a 112 rig is good for small venues but not for medium sized ones. I found that a 2x112 rig with enough watts behind them will fill small and medium size venues and most large venues unless the room is long - long rooms eat volume levels. If your guitarist and keys are going to be using 100-watt amps, you probably won't hear yourself play though when they get loud.

There are some great 800-watt rms into 4Ω heads out there and Mesa makes a number of them. All of those are lightweight amps with different features between the models. DNA-800 is a great 800-watt head but DNA closed their doors in January of 2023 due to suppliers of some proprietary parts going out of business. If you can find one used they are great amps with a simple EQ system plus a built-in compressor with adjustable threshold and ratio controls. There are other companies such as GK, MarkBass, Ampeg, Aquilar, etc. that make class D 800-watt amps too. You'd be hard pressed though to find something better than one of Mesa's offerings offerings though.

I'm not sure you could put together a good separates package for $1,000. A good amp or a good cab will take all of that just by itself. A couple of combos though that would work fine and don't break the bank are the Fender Rumble 500 and the Ampeg Rocket Bass 210 (RB210). Both use their own 500-watt into 4Ω class D amp into their internal speakers (210 combo) and will accept a 210 extension cab to access all the power that their amps have available.

The Fender Rumble will put out up to 350-watts rms into its internal speakers and if you and a second 8Ω cab to it, it can put out all 500-watts split between the two. With the extension cab connected that would give you a de facto 500-watt, 410 rig, which is enough for just about anywhere. The Combo only price is $650 if I recall correctly. you could buy a second 210 cab to turn it into a 500-watt 410 rig for another $500. Only limitation is that you need to like the Fender sound, because that's the sound it produces. Personally I like that fine, but my first amp was a 1966 Fender Bassman that I bought new in 1966.

Another option would be Ampeg's RB210 combo, which is another 500-watt into 4Ω amp inside an Ampeg 210 cabinet. It puts out 250-watts rms into its internal speakers (8Ω), and you can buy a second 8Ω 210 cab to run with it which also will put out 500-watts split between the two cabs. This is plenty for small and medium venues by itself with the extension cab needed for large and outdoor venues. Only drawback is that you need to like the Ampeg sound, because that's really all it does. It's also around that $650 price and Limitation here is you need to like the Ampeg sound, because that's what it does.

If you like either the Fender sound or the Ampeg sound, both of those should give you the stage volume you need with these lightweight combos. Also they can both be upgraded to a de facto 410 rig for an additional $500 each. Even if you need to get the 210 extension cab with either of those that's only going to put you over budget by about $150.
 
  • Like
Reactions: rockdoc11, WRM, b80 and 2 others
#6
Another thing to possibly think about is the overall stage look the group is going for. Do they have a vibe, style or particular look? Touring cover bands can be very particular. Some bands want vintage, others color , while others might want a fridge style cab because it’s a rock thing.
Also 112 cab might look silly next to the guitarists 212 or 410.
Just questions to ask.
I would think a 210, 115, 212 or 410 will get you there.
Good luck and hope you have a blast.
 
  • Like
Reactions: b80, Kenny056 and InnerCityBass
#7
If the band is using in ear monitors, and you’re running DI to FOH, technically you don’t even need an amp at all.

As a backup to in ears, well, outdoors are TOUGH. The sound just goes - you need a decent sized rig just for the stage. I’m not convinced you need a huge rig as a backup.

That said, I might suggest getting a decent head with good tone, and then a cheap 410 cab you keep in the truck just in case. Plug in to the amp for tone sculpting, and then DI out from there.
 
  • Like
Reactions: KenD and b80
#8
b80 said:
Hey Team!

I just accepted a new gig for a regional touring cover band. Mostly playing around the south eastern coast. It's a wide variety of rock/pop punk/country/modern pop. But the songs are all played with more of a "rock" style. I already have a bass. It's a Mark Hoppus signature that I've had since I was a teenager.

So, I'm looking for an amp to take out. Seems like I'd need 500w minimum to keep up with the drums (which aren't super loud, but.... it's drums).

Tons of great options out there since I was last a gigging bassist. The standard combos like the Rumble 500, Rocket Bass, Hartke HD 500 seem cool. Easy grab and go options.

Heads like the Terror Bass 500 or Quilter V803 look cool.

There are a ton of cool cab options as well! I almost don't know where to start!! Maybe a 2x10?

So, first things first: can I get by with just running a combo or do I need a head/cab option. It's not large halls or anything. Mostly outdoor bar stages.

Budget is $1k-ish. So, probably looking at used offerings!!

Super appreciate the help!
Click to expand...
What is your new bands schtick?
 
  • Like
Reactions: b80
#10
b80 said:
Hey Team!

I just accepted a new gig for a regional touring cover band. Mostly playing around the south eastern coast. It's a wide variety of rock/pop punk/country/modern pop. But the songs are all played with more of a "rock" style. I already have a bass. It's a Mark Hoppus signature that I've had since I was a teenager.

So, I'm looking for an amp to take out. Seems like I'd need 500w minimum to keep up with the drums (which aren't super loud, but.... it's drums).

Tons of great options out there since I was last a gigging bassist. The standard combos like the Rumble 500, Rocket Bass, Hartke HD 500 seem cool. Easy grab and go options.

Heads like the Terror Bass 500 or Quilter V803 look cool.

There are a ton of cool cab options as well! I almost don't know where to start!! Maybe a 2x10?

So, first things first: can I get by with just running a combo or do I need a head/cab option. It's not large halls or anything. Mostly outdoor bar stages.

Budget is $1k-ish. So, probably looking at used offerings!!

Super appreciate the help!
Click to expand...
If you go the Hartke route, the Kickback KB15 is definitely the way to go because of their combos that configuration get the best low end by far, and the kickback feature works really well for gigging.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Hurricane Jimmie and b80
#11
tshapiro said:
If you go the Hartke route, the Kickback KB15 is definitely the way to go because of their combos that configuration get the best low end by far, and the kickback feature works really well for gigging.
Click to expand...
The KB15 is a boat anchor :)
If the amp is only for stage volume, I’d grab a GK MB212 or something similar. It’s not much bigger than the 210 but the oomph is worth it. That’ll cover you for anything that doesn’t have FOH, too (within reason).
 
  • Like
Reactions: tshapiro, LowendG and b80
#13
b80 said:
Hey Team!

I just accepted a new gig for a regional touring cover band. Mostly playing around the south eastern coast. It's a wide variety of rock/pop punk/country/modern pop. But the songs are all played with more of a "rock" style. I already have a bass. It's a Mark Hoppus signature that I've had since I was a teenager.

So, I'm looking for an amp to take out. Seems like I'd need 500w minimum to keep up with the drums (which aren't super loud, but.... it's drums).

Tons of great options out there since I was last a gigging bassist. The standard combos like the Rumble 500, Rocket Bass, Hartke HD 500 seem cool. Easy grab and go options.

Heads like the Terror Bass 500 or Quilter V803 look cool.

There are a ton of cool cab options as well! I almost don't know where to start!! Maybe a 2x10?

So, first things first: can I get by with just running a combo or do I need a head/cab option. It's not large halls or anything. Mostly outdoor bar stages.

Budget is $1k-ish. So, probably looking at used offerings!!

Super appreciate the help!
Click to expand...

Done more than a couple of these type of jobs over the years.

Two questions:

Will these jobs be only over nighters or will you be out weeks or even a month (or more) at a time?

The biggest question in my mind is what method of transport will you be using for all band members and how much room will be available for personal equipment and other personal items.
(You'll be hauling along many other things besides musical instruments.)

Is each member driving their own personal vehicle?
Or,
Everyone in a furnished, small van?
Or,
Furnished, small van and equipment trailer?
Box truck?
Box truck and everyone driving personal vehicles, or everyone in a passenger van.
Bus? Using only under bus storage.
Bus with equipment trailer?
Bus and box truck?
Fly-in and all backline furnished?
Ect.

Knowing how much transport space you'll have for your personal use will dictate if you'll have to use a single 210 or can (if you wanted) use two 810's.

I can only tell you what has worked for me.

Two, 8 ohm, 210 cabinets, (having two allows for the use of only one when needed and using two will cover most jobs you'll encounter, especially with FOH support.)

(Last time I did one of these), Two Mesa M-6 Carbines, (one M-6 was a more than once needed backup head. I "highly recommend" your having some type of backup plan for when Murphy of Murphy's Law shows up to hear you play.)

Only had room for one bass last time where I'd usually have taken two.

Extra strings, batteries, set-up tools, direct boxes, cords, ect.

If your also doing IEM's, spare cords, buds and especially, extra batteries.

Now adays, I'm still gigging with the same two 210 cabs, same bass, but I'm now using two class D amp heads.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: rockdoc11, b80 and Kenny056
#14
I have the Rumble 500 and the matching 2x10 cabinet. I've had it for about a year and absolutely love it. It's waaaay lighter than it has any business being. The combo and cabinet together weigh less than the 75 watt Peavey combo I started out with 20 something years ago. The Rumble 500 combo is plenty loud enough for most places we play. I just found a deal on the matching cabinet and couldn't pass it up!

I use a Zoom ms-60b+ with it and it sounds fantastic to my ears. Yesterday was the first oopportunity to use the Zoom live. We played a local country club, and I received many compliments from the audience as well as my band mates. Good luck on your search!
20241103_123851.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: LowendG and b80
#17
Some good advice above. Also consider how much abuse the gear will get/what kind of covers/cases/bags you'll need. And never leave your bass(es) alone - I'd be pissed if anyone stole an amp or cab or other gear, but I'd be devastated if any of my gigging basses got lifted.
 
  • Like
Reactions: b80

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back