What's your style, your gigs, and your gear?

[Big Hoss]

With all the discussion that has taken place here and elsewhere about what is best. I rarely see what is best for what application aside for the constant what is the best (whatever) for Metal threads...

I would hope we all are aware that different applications are better suited to different gear. So I was curious to see from fellow members that are in gigging bands, or even solo acts, what your act is like (Solo, 2 piece, 3 piece, 4, etc... Big Band blah blah blah...), What style(s) of music you play, what your typical venue is like, and what your gear is for the task. (Do you have a PA, what sort? Amps, pedals, basses etc...?)

For me...

Presently 3 piece band trying to make the 4th (drummer) persistent. Until drummer commits though, we are 2 guitars. 1 lead guitar / singer, 1 rhythm guitar backing vocals, bass guitar backing vocals, and drum synth.

We play mostly classic blues rock / country (ZZ Top, Skynyrd, George Strait, George Thoroughgood etc...)

Our typical venue is suburban / semi rural block parties. Set up in a driveway, on a trailer, or a deck, OR set up in a barn.

Lead Guitarist is running a 1980s vintage Crate 2x12 combo of some flavor, and the Zoom G3x. (That amp might / most likely is going to be changed VERY soon).

Rhythm Guitarist is using a Behringer GTX-60 1x12 combo as he is too broke to buy his own and he is borrowing my starter / learning to play electric guitar. It's actually messed up my learning curve not having it handy when I need it, but I have bypassed that by noodling around using an iRig... But I digress.

I am using a Fender Rumble V3 500 combo + 210 cab stack, and Zoom B3 + Expression pedal, Fender OD footswitch, and Snark pedal tuner.

We are using older Nady SP-5 dynamic vocal mics, and braided tweed jacket XLR cables from my prior band arrangement in 2004.

We run into a 12x4 100' stage snake, and the sound guy (gal actually, lead guitarists girlfriend), is at the table with a Behringer XENYX X2442USB mixer, and then back out to a pair of Harbinger Vari V2112 12" 600 watt powered speakers on tripod stands. We have on occasion been able to borrow a pair of Behringer 15" powered subs as well.

When we don't have a drummer, we bring in the beats from a drum synth, and buffer / break music is via literally smart phone into the mixer.

Lighting is 4 cheap Amazon LED PAR cans mounted on matte black painted plywood mount boards, and clamped to the top of the speakers via the top handle and electrical taped U clamps to keep ti steady. We also have a fogger, a pair of floor level strobes, and a floor level rotating "water effect" light effect, plus some clamp on work lamps with color gels (Blue / purple) that we use if / when we are under a canopy).

We are not, nor do we try to be exceptionally loud, but we keep the dance floor moving, and audiences have given us tons of compliments for our sound.

No the Harbingers were NEVER intended to be mains, they got pressed into service, and honestly, they have been working well enough we haven't wanted to spend the precious few gig dollars on upgrading them yet. Although long term that is the plan.

There are long term upgrade plans for a lot of the gear, mostly upgrading the guitarists amps (on their dimes) adding good subs, and replacing the mains with better ones and relegating the Harbingers to Monitor duty they were intended for...

So what's your situation look like, and how is the audience reaction to your sound?

 

[two fingers]

Mostly fill-in gigs these days. So my style depends on the act I am supporting. PA varies of course. Other members' gaer varies. Etc.

I run either a Mesa Walkabout Scout 15" combo with matching extension cab or an Ashdown Little Bastard 30W head into a Euphonic Audio VL-210. I have other gear but it rarely sees live action. My main bass these days is a Fender American Standard 5 string P bass. I will grab others from time to time. My personal sound is very technique dependent so I haven't found much sonic ground I couldn't cover with that bass.


As for your situation, save up for good powered speakers, in ear monitors and a digital board. Even if it takes you 5 years to save do it. Once you experience being able to load out your entire system from a minivan, never having a snake again, storing and saving mixes for every venue you frequent, and using iPads to change everything from monitor mixes to front of house, you will wonder how you ever got along any other way. It's just too small, too good, too loud and too simple to bother with any other way.

 

[Bufalo]

4-man band playing medium to kinda-loud barroom rock and countryish covers. (yes, the girls love Wagon Wheel)

1. Lead vocalist also plays rhythm electric and acoustic guitar. Sings through a Sennheiser e935, plays a cheap Tele through a Fender Mustang III that is mic'd with a '57. Acoustic is DI'd.
2. Lead guitarist plays a selection of hollow bodies through a Fender Blues Jr that is mic'd with an e609.
3. Bass is DI'd with a VT-Bass DI, amps are whatever fits the gig, either a GK NEO112 or SWR 8x8 with a GKMB500. Backup vocals through an e935.
4. Drums are a smallish - 3 or 4 piece gretch kit - kick and hat are always mic'd with Audix D-series stuff. Depending on the size of the show, there will be a single overhead or individual tom mics or both - more Audix fusion stuff. Snare is just picked up by the rest of the things.

PA system is small but effective:

1. Mackie DL1608 mixer
2. Yamaha DBR12 mains
3. Yamaha DXS12 sub
4. Alto TS212 monitors

I got one of those Hosa Lil Bro snakes for running signal to the vocal mics, acoustic DI box and for return signal to the front monitors. It is the best 80 bucks I've spent. The powered monitors are the newest addition to the kit. They've worked out great so far, and they take up far less room in the car than the old passive yamaha 12's I had - especially since my rack slimmed down by 2U.

Everything runs through the system and all the instruments and voices can be sent back through the monitors in individual mixes. Stage volume is whatever we want it to be, appropriate to the venue.


Sound is good, people enjoy what we do, never get complaints about volume or harshness or not understanding the singer, never have run out of volume on the mains. Someday I wouldn't mind moving to a more impactful sub, but the DXS12 has been useful and musical while still fitting into the SUV!! iPad mixing wirelessly with the tablet on my mic stand was a revelation when I first got it, and I couldn't imagine fiddling with a physical fader on a board off to the side or behind me ever again.

 

[Big Hoss]

Mostly fill-in gigs these days. So my style depends on the act I am supporting. PA varies of course. Other members' gaer varies. Etc.

I run either a Mesa Walkabout Scout 15" combo with matching extension cab or an Ashdown Little Bastard 30W head into a Euphonic Audio VL-210. I have other gear but it rarely sees live action. My main bass these days is a Fender American Standard 5 string P bass. I will grab others from time to time. My personal sound is very technique dependent so I haven't found much sonic ground I couldn't cover with that bass.


As for your situation, save up for good powered speakers, in ear monitors and a digital board. Even if it takes you 5 years to save do it. Once you experience being able to load out your entire system from a minivan, never having a snake again, storing and saving mixes for every venue you frequent, and using iPads to change everything from monitor mixes to front of house, you will wonder how you ever got along any other way. It's just too small, too good, too loud and too simple to bother with any other way.

Totally agree with you on the need to upgrade long term. Short term isn't so pressing... Budget wise yeah, it will be the 5 year + plan...

The biggest issue I have is that this band is MY idea, and I have footed the bill for the most part to get it going. The guys I play with are far better musicians than I am, but they are also pretty close to dead broke hence the reason the Rhythm guitarist is borrowing my Behringer amp...

I am hoping in the 2 - 3 year outlook having the amps replaced with good ones, and at least subs if not subs and better mains.

Which should between 4 and 5 years out allow me to replace the mixer with a good digital mixer and IEM rig...

For what it's worth, and this is coming from a guy with a bad back... For the MOST PART, I don't mind dealing with a 100' 12x4 snake. I built a cart, with a winder sort of like a hose winder. and it rolls like a hand truck, to load in / load out. I don't have to do hardly any lifting with it at all, all it cost me was scrap wood, recycled screws, some glue, a piece of 1/2" smooth rod, and some would have been thrown away trash can wheels. The analog mixer is definately old tech, but it works well, not too many fancy doo dads to futz with, and pretty much anyone with the basics down can run it and we sound good...

I haven't owned an Apple product, ever, but the iPad Pro has given me LOTS of reasons to do so... Particularly Garage Band...

 

[Bufalo]

I ended up just owning all of the PA gear not because the other guys couldn't, but because they probably wouldn't care if they were still running vocals only through a Crate PA box and mismatched peavey passives from the late 90's. That was the situation when I joined, and even the simple yamaha box that I had at the time with a separate monitor channel and speakers with horns that worked was a massive upgrade. We've gone through a complete and enormous overhaul since 2009.

 

[DirtDog]

Five piece cover band playing classic country, some rock/pop and some blues. Venues range from honkytonk type pubs to meat market bars to small fairs and festivals. Some private parties. Play 25-30 paying gigs a year usually to crowds in the 50 to 150 ppl range. Odd larger festivals for several hundred/thousands of ppl. Core of the band has been together since 2010.

Bass: Fender P/J into Ampeg PF500 +PF115E; DI into PA if required, usually not. TU-2 tuner for pedal.
Guitar: Fender Strat and Tele into '60s Princeton or modern custom Deluxe (Green Eagle); tuner and Tube Screamer and that's it. Sennhieser e906 mic if req'd.
Acoustic Guitars into 2x Radial DI and/or Banjo into A-T lavalier mic into PA
(if we use a different frontman) - Fender Tele into a Fender Hotrod Deluxe, micd with SM57 if req'd. Has a big pedal board but we don't let him use it since it generally only produces mushy tone ;-)
Drums: Gretsch club kit or Pearl rock kit (both four piece, with ample cymbalage); mic'd with Sennheiser drum mic kit. Rolls PM-50, click track device, Shure IEMS
Keys: 88-key Roland controller with various MIDI boxes
Vox - 3x SM58s.

Live Rig: Presonus SL16.4.2 into 2x EV ZLX15P mains and 3x Thump 12A monitors. Drummer aux feed to IEMs. 25' 16x4 snake for cable management. Will rent subs as necessary. Have a modest lighting system (four LED fixtures, small controller). We do our own sound and lights. I own the PA and lights solely, don't ask for remuneration. Sometimes the boys throw me a few bucks, but I never expect it. My choice.

Not our PA and drums, but here us at a recent local fair. Video courtesy of the drummer's son and his iPad. Not great video, but the audio is not too bad!

 

[dlb1001]

I'm playing in a classic rock band that focuses on material from 90's to the present. As of this time, we have three singers, two guitars, bass and drums. The band leader wanted multiple singers, just in case, one of them can't make a gig, which has happen a number of times. We have been trying to get a keyboard player since we do a number of songs that fell empty without it. The band leader has a guitar synth, which he has been using to cover some of the KB parts but it ain't the same.
The PA that band leader has, is some little 200 watt unit with 2 mic inputs and a couple of 10 inch speakers. It works but it gets overwhelmed quickly when we get start getting loud. The band leader has a bigger system (an old Peavey), which is heavy to move and setup. A couple of gigs, when we have used it, he had to get his BIL and his kids to help him move it.

 

[DirtDog]

(yes, the girls love Wagon Wheel)

Indeed they do!

 

[tfer]

5 piece band. Lead singer strums an acoustic (barely audible, but she's a bigger girl, with an incredible voice, and her guitar gives her something to hide behind), lead guitar, rhythm guitar (band leader), bass and drums.

We play classic country (60-89) with a handful of newer songs thrown in and available upon request. We play classic rock predominantly from the 70s (CCR, Steelers Wheels, Ike and Tina Turner, Janis).

For the classic country that used upright, I play an EUB into a Zoom A3 pedal for modelling.

For the rock, and roadhouse style country, I'm using an ESP LTD SM206B into a Line 6 G30 wireless. That is on my pedal board and goes into a Hartke Bass Attack to preamp and shape, then into a Boss ME20B using some compression (always on) and auto wah (when I need it).

For ballads, or softer songs, I play an Ibanez Portamento 5 string fretless. I use another G30 wireless, and that enters a Boss LMB3 compressor/limiter then into a Corona Chorus Mini.

I utilize a couple of Boss AB-2 switches to go between the three basses.

That goes into a Hartke LH-500 head, driving a Hartke 2.5XL and a Hydrive 115.

We carry our own PA, but without subs, so I mic a 10" speaker for some fill, but the cabinets do most of the work.

I use a Beyer Dynamic mic for my vocals and a Mic Mechanic. The rest of the band uses SM58s.

Lead guitarist plays an 80s Les Paul into a Fender Twin.

Rhythm guitarist plays a Fender American Telecaster into a Fender amp.

Singer strums a Breedlove into the PA.

Drummer plays Peavey drums.

We normally play country dances and weddings in community halls, but we play bars about once a month. We gig between 3-8 times a month.

 

[TheDominoKid]

Two original bands...

First--Red Valley Nursery. Trio (guitar-drums-bass) playing dingy Baltimore dive-bars and smaller concert venues.

1. Basses include the Fender American Jazz Deluxe and a Squier Vintage Modified Jaguar tuned to C standard.
   
2. Ampeg SVT III Pro through an Ampeg 4x10HE and an Ampeg 1x15HE.
3. Hotrodd'd Morley Power Wah, Mooer Tender Octaver, Mooer Ninety Orange Phaser, TC electronic Mini Corona, Donner Yellow Fall Delay, Tech 21 Sans Amp, EHX Bass Micro Synth and an old fashioned TU-3.

The drummer is on a beautiful 4-piece DW kit and a bunch of cymbals and high-hat opr something... Guitar player has a beat up Strat and an Ibanez Artcore running through a bunch effects all plugged into a Fender Twin Deville (?). I'm bad on their gear.

That rig was pretty much my old cover/bar band setup as well...just minus the Jaguar bass.

Second--The Shrapnels. Quartet (keys-drums-trumpet-bass) playing funk/jazz/Latin/rock. Playing in dive-bars, at dinner gigs and lots of outdoor festivals in the city. We alter the song selection--a mixture of originals and covers--depending on the gig.

1. Basses include the Fender American Jazz Deluxe and a Mexican Pbass with the frets ripped out (also a badass bridge and some sweet Basslines for PUPS)
   
2. Usually I just drag a TC Electronics BG250-1x15 to most gigs. It has enough power and I can always run through the mains if need be.
3. Hotrodd'd Morley Power Wah, Mooer Tender Octaver, Mooer Ninety Orange Phaser, TC electronic Mini Corona, Donner Yellow Fall Delay, Tech 21 Sans Amp, EHX Bass Micro Synth and an old fashioned TU-3.

Trumpet player has his trumpet, a flugelhorn and a cowbell. Drummer is on a Gretsch with a bunch o' cymbals. Keys player bangs on an 88-key Nord a Yamaha CX-3 (B3 clone) and sometimes an old Fender Stage Rhodes. The CX-3 runs to a Fender Bassman 50-watt head and into a Leslie speaker cab while the other two boards run to a keyboard amp...can't think of the name.

As for sound--both work great in my mind. I haven't run into any problems and the Shrapnels are great because we have no guitarist!

Here's som links...

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[twinjet]

One trio (possibly, quartet): drummer plays a standard kit, with brushes and regular sticks. Sax player uses a tenor. I play a US Fender P and G&L L2K, as well as a Squier Jazz through a GK MB210-II. We do not gig, as it's an informal jam at a buddy's place for Friday night kicks. Just a few dudes who love jazz.

My regular working groups include a roots reggae band which features:
Keyboard/Vocalist
Vocalist
Standard drum set
Aux percussion
Electric bass (Squier J/MB210-II)

When we gig, it's at bars and clubs. We provide our own sound system and dedicated DJ if the event calls for it.

My acoustic duo consists of a female vocalist/guitarist and myself. I play any of the above listed basses through my MB210-II. We use a small PA for outdoors stuff. We play folk, indy, soul, reggae, blues... Quite a lot on our setlist. Our gigs include community events and restaurants.

 

[pappabass]

I used to be a church musician, praise worship for years. Large programs, large church. Now, tired of church politics & favoritism, I play at the local lodge. Mainly open musician type playing. Great guitar players & singers. More of a acoustic setting, no drummer to compete with. Gear ? I played a LTD B205 5 string for church, a 5 is good for nice big lows & when you have to play a song in E or F. SWR workingmans 12 or 15 for monitor. At the lodge, hate to admit this, but I play a Squier VM Jaguar special 4 string. Fits the venue really well. The lodge is really fun laid back playing. Sometimes there are other bass players, so I may only may play a few songs or may play all night.

 

[Mantis Tobaggan]

Metal, divebars

 

[Biggbass]

Style = Americana
Insts = Acoustic guitar, fiddle, pedal steel, melodica, accordion, Drums - 3 vocals
Bass = P/flats, tone 70% rolled off, finger picked, or J/Tapes, similar technique
(Sadowky & Fender options)
Amps = Ampeg V4B/212AV - most gigs
Ampeg SVT7Pro/PF 4x10 - some gigs
Ampeg B15N ('61) or REDDI - or both for Studio
Markbass LM3/2x10 when I have to climb stairs to load in/out
SWR Workingman's 15 w/ext cab-stacked - for rehearsals (stays there)
Gigs = Pubs, clubs, grills, restaurants, theaters, ballrooms, festivals (Spring/Fall)

 

[JimmyM]

I'll play any type of music people want to pay me to play, but currently I'm in two bands...a 50's-60's-70's oldies band with horns and an experimental instrumental rock/jazz trio with guitar and drums. I use all the same equipment for both, with the exception of a couple extra fun pedals for the instrumental band.

 

[chaosMK]

No style
No gig
Full Stack

 

[fly agaric]

At home and with friends I play avant garde stuff. A lot of loops, ambient effects, free jazz noise freakouts, etc. The guitarist I jam with has a lot of "normal" songs to serve as sort of the background for this and it'd be nice to gig this out so I can justify my pedalboard, but the drummer isn't especially committed, being that he's about to be a dad and all. I like to play through a pitchshifter and loop a simple rhythm and improvise off that, using a handful of Eventide effects.

But most of the gigging I do is folk, bluegrass, country kind of stuff. And I sub for a jam band that plays ski towns here and there in the winter time.

My main bag is an original old school bar room country band.

That band has a BIG bass sound, so while I play pretty simple stuff, tonics and fifths, etc., it BOOMS. Nice little sonic foundation for the guitar and steel to do their thing over. It's a lot of fun and gets me on the road. I use a fretless MIM Jazz bass, clean tone with the low at 3 o'clock, the mids at 9 and the treble at noon. Only use a compressor and volume pedal if I use anything at all.

What I'd really like to try is working with a DJ / drum machine programmer and an MC and play bass in a sort of hip-hop trio. But I'm getting a little old to go that far out of my wheelhouse.

I'm a pretty average musician, in all honesty, but I love music and I love how some of the craziest ideas can come together and make some fun sounds. I credit taking a lot of theory and composition classes that had NOTHING to do with my major.

 

[crucislancer]

Style - typically Hard/heavy rock, but have been known to do anything from singer/songwriter support to metal bands.

Gig - up until a few weeks ago, heavy rock originals band called eNegative, playing gigs on the local scene in dive bars up to clubs. 4 piece (guitar/bass/drums/vocals). Currently taking a break from band stuff before diving back in to the fray.

Gear - Fender Jazz and Precision basses, Fender Rumble 500w combo with 210 extension cab, Polytune mini tuner.

Once my little break is over, I hope to get back into another heavy rock band, but it all depends on what feels right at the time.

 

[Matthew Fisher]

Gear: stock TalkBass joke bass (Squier P + sunburst + tort + flats) + Rumble v3 500 combo
Gig: 50s rock 'n roll band that's just barely out of the basement
Style: see above, but angling to get a punk/metal thing going with some guys from work

 

[modulusman]

In a 4 piece mostly country some classic rock band. Most our gigs are weddings, festivals, private parties and a few bar gigs. Playing around 30-35 gigs a year. We have one gig at a guest ranch that we use different amps and PA for that we leave on site at the venue. We play there about a dozen times a summer.

BASS I play a Modulus Quantum 5 through a Genzler Magellan 800 and 2 bass array 12-3. For guest ranch same bass but use Genz Benz 6.0/12t combo.
BANDLEADER plays mostly teles and a Gibson acoustic. A logan amps 100 watt head and 410 cabinet. Guest ranch he use some fender combo.
GUITAR is a lefty with many guitars some custom made he plays a 212 Marshall with a Marshall 100 watt head. Guest ranch a Marshall combo.
DRUMMER plays a pearl kit and uses a Tama at the guest ranch

The PA consist of a QSC touchmix -16 mixer, For cabs we use 4 JBL PRX535s and 6 QSC HPR subs. We scale up or down depending on gig. At the guest ranch we use the same mixer and a EAW PA consisting of 2 tops and 2 subs. For monitors we are all using IEMs and we use them at all the gigs. LIGHTING we have 8 par 64 LEDs and 8 mega Par profiles. We use the mega pars at the guest ranch and all 16 at the other gigs.
WE carry back ups for almost ever piece of mission critical gear. The bandleader has a 14 ft. trailer that has most of our gear. I also own another PA consisting of Yamaha DXR 10s and 12 and a DXS sub. WE sometimes use these speakers as wedges or when I play with another band.