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Outside gig amps

Rolfskylark

Rolfskylark

Guest
Nov 27, 2013
81
3
#1
Our band was hired by Solano stroll which a large street fair in Baerkley. Out of 170 bands that applied we were one of 30 bands that were accepted.
Before this point we have only done inside shows with PA support so my 100 watt 15" amp has worked perfectly so far.
However I am worried that I will not be loud enough in an outside venue.
I have been wanted to get a 410 for a while now however I was wondering if you believe I need to get a larger amp.
The fair officials asked not to be too loud, however I don't want to be drowned out by the crowds which can become very loud.

I am particularly interested in the carvin BR410.

Thanks in advance
 
#7
We will have pa support however it is mostly for vocals, however I will definatly have pa support.
What is backline if you don't mind me asking.
I don't have a bunch of money to spend maybe $700.
But I don't think that is an issue the cab I am looking at is $170 used and has great tone. I don't want to get it if I don't need it quite yet though.
Thanks.
 
#8
Backline is the stage amps, sometimes including drums and keyboards.

Better find out for sure if there is PA for bass and drums. PA is either vocal or full band, huge difference in gear required.

A 4x10 is a poor choice for standalone bass. There's a recent thread about budget drivers. For $700 you could easily build a much better system for outdoors.
 
#9
Congrats on the gig, Rolf. I've done the Stroll a couple of times, and the organizers were pretty serious about keeping the volume at a moderate level. I used a 1x15, however my amp was a GK 400RB, so I assume I had more volume than you do. I recall them telling us at least once to turn down, and we were a jazz choir (jazz quartet with around 12 singers), so they're not kidding when they say don't get loud. That said, this was quite a few years ago, so might be different now.

In any case, it never hurts to have headroom, so I'd say it's worth getting a larger amp if you can. With only a 100-watt amp, you're bound to find yourself in a gig situation where you're gonna need more than that, even if 100 watts turns out to be enough for the Stroll.
 
#11
Rolfskylark said:
We will have pa support however it is mostly for vocals, however I will definatly have pa support.
What is backline if you don't mind me asking.
I don't have a bunch of money to spend maybe $700.
But I don't think that is an issue the cab I am looking at is $170 used and has great tone. I don't want to get it if I don't need it quite yet though.
Thanks.
Click to expand...

When you say $170 cab.... what are you talking about? Don't pass up a great opportunity to buy a great priced piece of equipment!
 
#12
Our band annually plays a huge block party here in FL and I use my SWR WorkingPro 12 as a stage monitor, tilted back; I usually request they move a wedge toward me for a little more support, but these big sound companies can make almost anything work. I bet your amp would be fine if it is sued as a stage monitor. That being said, it is always great when they supply a big rig as a backline. Last year they gave us two giant Aguilar cabs and I was in amp heaven.
 
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#15
I've played the Stroll in recent years, and all they provide is the AC power and a space to set up. The PA support you're going to have is whatever your band is bringing. So if your PA system can't provide bass support you may in fact need more amplification. Even though they encourage you not to play too loud, there is a fair amount of ambient noise from the thousands of people passing by (plus the bands playing 100 yards on either side of you) with which you are competing. Congrats on the gig. And even though access and set up is a logistical nightmare, it can be a lot of fun.
 
#16
Rolfskylark said:
Our band was hired by Solano stroll which a large street fair in Baerkley. Out of 170 bands that applied we were one of 30 bands that were accepted.
Before this point we have only done inside shows with PA support so my 100 watt 15" amp has worked perfectly so far.
However I am worried that I will not be loud enough in an outside venue.
I have been wanted to get a 410 for a while now however I was wondering if you believe I need to get a larger amp.
The fair officials asked not to be too loud, however I don't want to be drowned out by the crowds which can become very loud.

I am particularly interested in the carvin BR410.

Thanks in advance
Click to expand...

IMO and IME you never need a 4×10". i've been draggin' around a rig like that for years. Outside side shows, big, small and medium venues, and it was always overkill!
 
#17
Listen, I do outdoor gigs sometimes with a 35w practice amp. I so do not believe in the premise that outdoor gigs automatically require a bigger rig, especially if you have PA. A bigger rig is great for better tone, and maybe if you were in a very loud onstage band with no PA, you could make a case for it, but you've already been told they don't want loud volume, so I think your current rig is fine.
 
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#18
Thanks for all the help. Ajn you are correct they don't provide anything except power, however our sound guy has a vrx setup which is extremely loud so I doubt we will have any problem being heard plus the restriction on how loud we can be is in our favor this time.
Thanks for your help, at this time I think I will wait to get another cab.
Once again thanks and if you have anymore advice please share.
 
#19
If the PA is only for vocals, then I wouldn't be too worried about carrying the show withg a 115, assuming your band mates buy into the "low volume" request. I've done dozens of outdoor gigs with 115 and no PA support - never a complaint.
 

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