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So, I got all my gear...or do I?

W

waidonchasaisew

Mar 24, 2010
121
1
Oahu, Hawaii
#1
Hello, TBers, so I am a new bassist, been playing for 4 years now (17yrs old) and I'm wondering if I need any extra gear or if there is something missing in my setup/lineup.

I play an all stock Epiphone Thunderbird IV Pro (yes, with neck dive)
Ampeg B2RE head
Hartke VX410
Boss Overdrive pedal ODB-3

Our band pretty much plays live all the time because we cant afford studio time to record a few demos, so this is essentially for a live gig. Just basically wondering if i was missing any hardware from the lineup I already have. I play modern rock/alternative similar to Green Day, Blink, Good Charlotte, and sometimes we tap the Rage Against the Machine style for our originals. I was recommended to buy a Boss Chorus Ensemble by some people on TB and I tried it out, but I didn't find it necessary for close to $100. The only thing I can think is missing is a set of good pedals. I pump all my sound through the amp, no PA needed. Thanks for reading and responding.
 
#2
For the most part, you're pretty well set for a rockin' gig.

If you do want to introduce some textures and fx, I'm pretty happy with my BOSS ME50B mfx pedal. I don't use a lot of fx, but we do a couple of tunes where I'm using some reverb or an octave double or some synth. I run the compressor full time. I also have one of the pre-sets set for my UEB, so when I hit the A/B switch, I also hit that preset and get the eq I want for the upright. A good place to start working with fx, and a great gig tool. Street price is $299, but there are some on eBay, as well. For the price of a couple of stompboxes, you get tons of settings.
 
#3
Looks like you are pretty well covered equipment-wise. Pedals?... meh.

But you didn't mention one essentail peice of gear. Your tool kit. Life is good when everything works, but when you get to a gig & discover a problem with some essential piece of gear, you need to be able to deal with it. At a bare minimum you should have a decent tuner, spare set of strings, spare instrument & speaker cables, fuse for your amp, a power strip and an extension cord or two. Other items to consider are some screwdrivers, wrenches, allen keys, flashlight, knife, wire-cutters, a towel, clean underwear (don't ask). The list could go on. Do a search, ther is a great thread somewhere.

Having some of this stuff along on a gig can be a real life saver. Being prepared is a sign of a real pro.

Dennis
 
#4
I'll second Zenman on the need for tools and spares. I have a kit that pretty much stays in the ride but it's there if I need it. Couple of things you didn't mention; a tuner and IMO it is a gig essential, a stand for your bass also essential. As far as effects go there are no requirements but it never hurts to have a decent quality multi effects on hand for experimenting and just in case, most of them have a decent tuner so there you go.
 
#5
As long as your live rig is getting enough of your sound out there, you're in good shape. As long as your band mates aren't drowning you out in the volume dept., stick with what's working. Well done also, in terms of trying that chorus pedal before assuming you needed it. Your ears count for a lot more than many of our recommendations.

Effects for live sound can be tricky - you may find a super funky gizmo in a shop that you think will light up your tone, but then find that it just doesn't deliver in a mix. Occasionally, you won't find this out until after buying the gadget, but that's all part of the process.

I haven't gone crazy with a lot of multi-effects pedal boards, but I'm sure that a few honeys are out there. I did pick up a 2nd hand Zoom 506 II a while ago for very low dough and it's been a lot of fun to noodle with, since there are several different effects in there. I always have it handy as a tuner, too. I don't play crazy spaced out "lead bass" sort of stuff, so I've been happy to keep my signal chain on the simple side of the street - maybe more gremlin resistant this way.
 
#11
That's a cool rig. But you need everything double if you're doing serious gigging, never underestimate the need of backup gear. And then you need something to give you more variety in your tone, something that looks nice, something that has a cool name... Get it? There's no such thing as "enough gear" :D
 
#12
Burlington said:
Just asking a question, as my band plays alot of all ages shows and those venues have PA systems.
Click to expand...

You could be right, I was just going by when I was in highschool, most of my gigs were in the highschool auditorium, one or two at the local club, and then a handful at local battle of the bands competitions. And I got by with a crate 220 watt head and a 2x10 and 1x15 cab, so Im guessing if he is playing similar places with his current setup, hes in good shape.

The first time I ever had PA support for instruments was at an outdoor show in college.
 
#13
Tool kit and spares and a simple D.I. box.
I know you think you won't need one because you are not going through the P.A. but trust me, if your amp craps out in the middle of your set you will not have time to be trouble shooting your rig. With a D.I. you can be back up and running in about 60 seconds.
 
#14
You are fine -- coming from someone who generally doesn't like to use effects

Although I will say that if you start getting into effects - like chorus, reverb, delay, etc. - check out some analog pedals too. I can't stand most digital effects (like the majority of boss and digitech pedals). They just sound pretty bad to my ears. Analog is much more tolerable.
 
#15
+10000000 zillion on the bag o spare parts. Do a thread search, there's been several lists.

Oh, and straplocks. Get straplocks if you don't have them. Much cheaper than new bass.


Personally, I've only ever played one place where the PA didn't belong to my band, it was a festival (the band before us was Morris Day....), I'm used to bringing a full rig everywhere :). Your rig sounds fine for anything you're going to run into.....and will give you a nice strong back to boot!

Oh, last thing: bass stand, firmly wedged into a corner somewhere. Please don't go leaning your bass against your amp on breaks....I cringe when I see that.......
 
#17
Basshappi said:
Tool kit and spares and a simple D.I. box.
I know you think you won't need one because you are not going through the P.A. but trust me, if your amp craps out in the middle of your set you will not have time to be trouble shooting your rig. With a D.I. you can be back up and running in about 60 seconds.
Click to expand...

can i ask what a D.I. box is? sorry, im really new to this type of equipment and all that.
 
#18
bassbrad said:
I'll second Zenman on the need for tools and spares. I have a kit that pretty much stays in the ride but it's there if I need it. Couple of things you didn't mention; a tuner and IMO it is a gig essential, a stand for your bass also essential. As far as effects go there are no requirements but it never hurts to have a decent quality multi effects on hand for experimenting and just in case, most of them have a decent tuner so there you go.
Click to expand...

sorry, forgot to mention my tuner. Its not a pedal tuner, but it does the job flawless everytime. I tune before EVERY gig and every practice if i feel the bass is out of tune.
I don't usually bring a stand because I own a hardcase and basically i bbust it out to play then put it away. I dont take breaks or leave my bass out. its either in the case or out of the case being played.
 
#20
di box is a separate box with an xlr out to run into the pa like what's on the back of your amp. it's not a bad idea to have one, but i ran for 25 years as a pro bassist without owning one. every gig with pa i ever played they had a di or mic for me anyway. so if you don't want to spend any more money, you're set. overdrive is really the only necessary effect for bass, and on some gigs you don't even need that, so you can coast for a while with just the boss if you want.
 

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