Suggestions to have an "ampless" rig

[Vasezgut]

Hi everyone, this is my first post here, hope I'm posting in the right topic.

So, I´ve been playing bass for around 5 years and maybe 2-3 with real involvement. A couple of months ago I started a cover band that´s finally getting kinda serious in terms of practice and organization in general.

As a common issue being a bass player, being heard and felt is kind of an issue since I´m going toe-to-toe with a loud drummer, a guitarist and a singer, I've been playing with a small Fender Rumble 25, and it´s been my one an only amp (since I got it in 2019 when I started playing, I was a student back then), now that I have an income I want something that can be herd in practice and gigging situations; but due to personal situations, I might me moving from my living country in the future (1-2 years), and I don´t want to spend too much money on a big combo amp or bass head and cabinet that will have to stay.

So I was thinking to get an Sansamp BDDI for the Preamp an DI options, and a Power Skeaper (i don´t know if that´s the right term, or FRFR speaker, I would really appreaciate some guidance in regard this topic).

My actual rig is:

BASS (Ibanez GSR 4 strin) >>>> BOSS GT-1B >>>> AMP or Headphones

I was thinking to go this way:

BASS (Ibanez GSR 4 strin) >>>> BOSS GT-1B >>>> SANSAMP BBDI >>>> ¿Power Speaker? ¿FRFR? (Here is where I really don´t know what to get for amplification and be heard)

The idea is to have a rig that I can carry (Bass, BOSS GT-1B and SANSAMP) if I eventually move on, and sell whatever I end up using for amplificaction and buy something similar once I arrive on new lands.

Thanks in advance

 

[S-Bigbottom]

I want something that can be herd in practice and gigging situations; but due to personal situations, I might me moving from my living country in the future (1-2 years), and I don´t want to spend too much money on a big combo amp or bass head and cabinet that will have to stay.

So I was thinking to get an Sansamp BDDI for the Preamp an DI options, and a Power Skeaper (i don´t know if that´s the right term, or FRFR speaker, I would really appreaciate some guidance in regard this topic).

HAPPY FIRST POST!

The "Powered Speaker" is a PA Top Cab and will be just as big and cost about as much as a good enough bass amp.
Get a Fender Rumble 200 and you will be able to play with almost anyone, and get the Sansamp for the ampless times.

The Sansamp can be used with a Rumble to color your tone more, use it all the time or occasionally, or only ampless, your choice.

When you move, sell the Rumble should be easier than selling a single PA cab.

 

[evs]

It's no surprise that the Rumble 25 is struggling to keep up in that scenario.

I would get an amp that is capable and popular, so that it easy to sell if you do move.
A rumble 500 for example would cover most of your needs now and in the future.

Our band is on IEM and ampless.
It works for us because we have a dedicated sound guy and PA for all of our gigs.
This means that our FOH sound is assured.

It also means that I just bring my bass, IEM and my Sansamp BDDI to those gigs.
I don't bring an amp or speaker at all, as the PA does all of the work.
Super handy, however it only works because we are set up for it.

 

[JimChjones]

The "Powered Speaker" is a PA Top Cab and will be just as big and cost about as much as a good enough bass amp.

This. Whether you get a powered speaker, a more suitably sized combo amp or a seperate amp and cab won't make a lot of difference in the portability stakes. At least unless you buy some old school monster. A lot of us manage to play out with something equivalent to a Rumble 100, although bigger is nice. If 200w and 1x15 or 2x10 isn't enough then you're getting serious hearing damage.

Secondhand and popular/well known brand is good advice. Personally I see little point in the Sansamp for you. If you want one fine, but unless your band is going for IEM it's in my highly controversial opinion, practically speaking little more than a glorified FX pedal. You may as well pick up a bass combo as a powered speaker and unless gear market where you are is different to where I am it will be easier to find and sell on sh market.

 

[KohanMike]

Have you looked at the Phil Jones amp gear? Very compact puts out great sound. I have a Double Four that I use with my 30 person ukulele group, the leader mic'd and amped. The Double Four is 70w and puts out great bass for such a small amp. They have larger more wattage amps too.

 

[hrodbert696]

+1 on what people have already said, that a PA speaker that could keep up in a band for bass is not going to be any more portable than a serviceable combo amp. I'd say about 200 watts and either a 15" or two 10" speakers should cover it. Carvin used to make a nice little 2x10, I think the model was called the MB210, and that would serve you nicely if you found a used one. I kinda regret selling mine.

The other thing is, I'm surprised that Boss put 200 effects into the GT1b and didn't include a DI. How much are you really using the effects in it? Because what I would suggest is selling it and getting a multi-FX pedal that DOES have a DI, and then you're set traveling as long as there's a decent PA to use wherever you go. If you like Boss and all those effects, maybe upgrade to the ME-90B. The Tech 21 Flyrig series are made for this kind of thing - they're simpler with a more basic set of effects, but cover what most of us need 99% of the time. The Trace Elliot Transit B might also work for you, but I haven't used one myself.

 

[chris_b]

For gigs I start at 500 watts and 2 112 cabs.

So depending on the band that's either an Aguilar TH500, TH700 or AG700 and 1 or 2 Barefaced 112 cabs (SC, SC/SM or BB2/SM).

Buy the best, get the best tone. If you only get 2 years out of it, that will be a great 2 years.

 

[Auer]

++1 on what people have already said. I'd go amp+cab.

So many really portable amp+cab combo's out there just pick one with the sound/features that suits you.

If I was to buy my personal tastes would lean towards Orange

EDIT: Take the head with you when you move

 

[Bigwalker]

If you want to go amp-less take a look at the Sushi Finally preamp. Janek did a review and gave it high marks, don’t believe there is another like it. It is the last pedal in my chain
Below isa link to philip manns post

https://www.facebook.com/share/rcQsX83o2w9WPvem/?mibextid=WC7FNe

 

[five7]

This works great for me.

 

[FugaziBomb]

I'm dubious of the "ampless" set up. What if you show up to a bar and their house system is woefully underpowered? You're not going to have a good night.

I would get an amp that is capable and popular, so that it easy to sell if you do move.

This is probably the best advice you'll get. Going ampless is a gamble if you don't have your own PA or consistently play large stages with ample FOH support.

 

[TheLowDown33]

I'm dubious of the "ampless" set up. What if you show up to a bar and their house system is woefully underpowered? You're not going to have a good night.



This is probably the best advice you'll get. Going ampless is a gamble if you don't have your own PA or consistently play large stages with ample FOH support.

I'm gonna push back against this a bit. I use an "ampless" set up as my rig. Originally it was because I played through IEMs almost exclusively, but as I started playing in different formats and needed a more flexible monitoring solution, I found that bringing my own full range speaker (or two) functioned exactly how a cab would. It's also really nice to be able to, at least somewhat, hear what is coming out of the PA since you're monitoring, playing and dialing in your setup using a full-range speaker with a pretty neutral frequency response.

 

[pcake]

i've played in bands where 200 watts wasn't enough, but on the other hand, i've played in bands where it was enough.

i'd say the rumble 500 would be what i'd get. it's 36 1/2 pounds, has 2 speakers (speaker area is as or more important than amp wattage for volume), it can take an extension speaker, it's pretty compact for what it is, and it has line out. while it's not cheap, it's probably the least expensive combo with 2 speakers and 500 watts - i don't know of another.

 

[pepj]

I can't imagine what that Rumble25 sounds like trying to 'keep up'...

I think bigger Rumbles do ok if you dont ask too much from them, but I'd say get 500w of amp and cab power used..plus ear plugs... and enjoy some development time with kit that should actually assist your playing.

FWIW..I played way way too long with poor gear that was never upto the job...
Do yourself a favour, buy well and it should be worth something when you sell on..

 

[FugaziBomb]

I'm gonna push back against this a bit. I use an "ampless" set up as my rig. Originally it was because I played through IEMs almost exclusively, but as I started playing in different formats and needed a more flexible monitoring solution, I found that bringing my own full range speaker (or two) functioned exactly how a cab would. It's also really nice to be able to, at least somewhat, hear what is coming out of the PA since you're monitoring, playing and dialing in your setup using a full-range speaker with a pretty neutral frequency response.

If you bring your own powered speaker, are you still really "ampless"? It's seems like a matter of semantics at that point.

 

[Chris Chong]

I suggest getting a light weight 350-500w class D amp head (100-240v power) with phones out, such as Aguilar AG500/TH500, Mesa D-350.
You can carry your amp head where ever you are going in the future.
Get a second hand bass cab, which you can sell (it to your drummer?) when you are leaving the country.

 

[Brandon Shea]

I'm not sure what your budget is, but I'd look for a Rumble 500 or 800 combo for the sake of simplicity. They're both light for how loud they are, but I mention the 800 because it's ridiculously light at 29lbs/13.15kg. Great thing about the Rumble amps is that they tend to sell pretty quickly if you ever need to move on.

 

[TheLowDown33]

If you bring your own powered speaker, are you still really "ampless"? It's seems like a matter of semantics at that point.

I agree it does get a little silly. Some folks here would likely define it as not having a traditional bass amp + cab, others as not having a means to reproduce the isolated bass outside of the PA.

Not directed at you Fugazi: One has to be able to hear oneself in some capacity. In my case (which is what made me go ampless to begin) the bands I played in ran IEMs, or had/were provided sufficient monitoring, so I never had to have a dedicated "bass monitor" or cabinet. Because I used a modeler, I didn't need to rely on the tone shaping that an amp and cab provide for me to have a satisfactory tone. I also play multiple instruments, sometimes in the same show so having separate bass, guitar, & upright rigs would get downright cumbersome very quickly.

If OP is constantly playing in places where stage sound IS the only sound, or the PA is reserved for vocals only, then having an amp & cab are definitely the way to go. If, like in my case, OP finds that they can play 90% of the time through the PA with sufficient monitoring, maybe a modeler + FRFR speaker is a better way to go.

 

[salmon256]

Oh boy you are talking to the right guy if you want rigs you can carry...
My obsession were small bass rigs that in theory you can walk and take the train with for myself. Now that I have a car I didn't need that BUT having a compact rig can be so helpful for room in a car.

Markbass 1x12 CMD121P Mini may be worth a look for you if you plan to still use a PA system at venues, it's a small little combo with some great tone shaping and is loud.

Now onto the real winner, look into Barefaced cabs. Email or call the owner he is a super cool guy, if you tell him everything you share with us he will give you an amp and one of his amazing cabs. The One10 is seriously insanely loud for its size. I argue with a PA you can be fine with just that but having isn't even that bad at all and are still loud.

Or look into the Big Baby 3 or any of the compact variants, they really aren't big and can be carry if you had to.

There is also Phil Jones which will probably work fine with a PA but I would research each model and go talk with the people at Phil Jones and some members on here at TB.

I also consider some smaller Orange amps but I heard they are So-So and prone to problems from some users on here.

Best of luck OP keep us posted what you plan to go with. At the end of the day, with PA systems at most venues you should be fine with IEMs but life is more fun to me with a cab or combo haha. Also want to warn though none of these options are cheap I mean the One10 isn't that much and a Markbass can be found in the low or on sale if you are patient. Cabs/Combos/Going Ampless is so dependent on each venue and its size and how their PA system is at the end of the day like I said most places are going to have it and a small venue already wouldn't need a monster rig IMO!

 

[Akami]

If you bring your own powered speaker, are you still really "ampless"? It's seems like a matter of semantics at that point.

But ampless at all unless you're going direct, which would only be feasible with an appropriate preamp or other interface.