Why bother owning an amp

[Tommygun_ted]

I'm pretty flexible. Based on what you guys are saying I should push more for using the amp. It was an outdoor venue, in an amphitheatre. Shouldn't have had an issue with too much volume. And after asking about micing the cab I pointed out that my head has a line out and he said he was just going to run the bass direct in.

 

[TheLowDown33]

IMO, the best set up for modern times as a bass player is to run a pedalboard into a powered speaker. It doesnt have to be anything crazy. An EQ, tuner and a DI would be plenty. This way you are technically always running into a PA and your tone will be the same regardless, and a less than stellar sound tech doesn't have complete control over your sound. Also in ear monitors are actually the best thing since sliced bread. 100% worth it and you get a damn near studio sound in a live setting.

 

[SteveC]

IMO, the best set up for modern times as a bass player is to run a pedalboard into a powered speaker. It doesnt have to be anything crazy. An EQ, tuner and a DI would be plenty. This way you are technically always running into a PA and your tone will be the same regardless, and a less than stellar sound tech doesn't have complete control over your sound. Also in ear monitors are actually the best thing since sliced bread. 100% worth it and you get a damn near studio sound in a live setting.

I tried to do this but could never find a small powered speaker I liked. I went with a Genzler MG350 combo for times I need an amp. It has worked great. If I could find a powered speaker that sounded as good as my Genzler I would go that route for sure.

And yes - when you have your own mix and can control it with your phone especially - IEM’s are the best.

 

[micguy]

I would have a very, very hard time with a FOH person who told me what to do. They work for me, and that one would spend some time working for nobody.
...
The first page of the FOH rulebook: The artist has complete control.

First page in my handbook: If you work with the Sound Person, he/she will be more likely to make you and your band sound good. Never do anything to piss of a sound person. Yes, the good ones will make you sound good even if you're a jerk, but it's never helpful to be combative - even with a good FOH person, you're wasting time if you're arguing. For the gigs I do, everyone (production folks and performers included) is there to create something together; arguing with the sound person means it's your last time playing there. You'll find that to be true in most circumstances.

 

[TheLowDown33]

I tried to do this but could never find a small powered speaker I liked. I went with a Genzler MG350 combo for times I need an amp. It has worked great. If I could find a powered speaker that sounded as good as my Genzler I would go that route for sure.

And yes - when you have your own mix and can control it with your phone especially - IEM’s are the best.

A small combo definitely works as well! Really any neutral rig will work. For anyone reading this for information, the idea is to not get "tone" from the amp and cab but from all of the components before it, this way the amp and cab play less of a role and your sound is fairly consistent.

 

[Dogbertday]

I LOVE my ampless rig. I honestly wish i didnt have to own one. I dont need on to practice (headphones are mostly what I use anyway).

That being said i have two amp rigs. One primarily for DB and one for EB. Not every gig lets me be ampless (especially DB gigs). I use them for rehearsals and gigs when I have to.

I understand the feeling of having great sounding gear and not using it, but sometimes simpler is better and its easier to just enjoy playing music.

And i love my 5 minute load in/out on my DI gigs!

 

[craigie]

Bass frequencies pervade the stage area and get into the microphones. Sound engineers are increasingly getting rid of the bass cabinet on stage, because the bleed from the bass cabinet into microphones on stage makes the FOH mix more difficult.

There will be other gigs where you will need the cab. That particular gig may just not need a cab. We have to learn to be flexible these days. Things are changing.

But why would they not put a HPF on every mic (except kick drum, floor Tom)?

 

[Dogbertday]

I should follow my last comment with play though what you want! Its supposed to be fun!

 

[NOVAX]

The bass bleeding, and everything bleeding into everything else is freaking rock and roll, people. It's also classical, jazz, blues and dueling digeridoos. Some people are destined to suck the life out of everything they come across. Breathe, people. Breathe.

 

[bucephylus]

But why would they not put a HPF on every mic (except kick drum, floor Tom)?

Good Q. I assume you mean at the board for each channel?

I’m sure the more adept sound engineers do that. But setting each of those channels on the board for, say, 5 vocal mics plus maybe an equal number of drum mics and potentially a couple guitar amp mics, while theoretically possible, may simply not happen on the fly at a given venue.

And, at least in my measurements, the Bass remains pervasive at frequencies well above 200 Hz; and if you start setting your HPF shoulder that high, you actually start compromising the signals that you are trying to manage in a given mic.

 

[bassicallybob]

I don't mind going through the PA, but its nice to have my amp behind me as a monitor.

Regardless, you need an amp for rehearsal. Without rehearsal I'd likely just bring my sansamp and plug in that way.

 

[bucephylus]

The bass bleeding, and everything bleeding into everything else is freaking rock and roll, people. It's also classical, jazz, blues and dueling digeridoos. Some people are destined to suck the life out of everything they come across. Breathe, people. Breathe.

I hear you. But, it does depend on the gig. Getting to a big stage high profile gig and having the sound engineer insist that you turn your bass down to the point where it is barely audible can change your perspective.

 

[Kukulkan61]

Yes you need an amp, what are you gonna do with gigs that don’t provide FOH ? I do a bar gig at a venue that doesn’t have FOH at least twice a month, I use my amp and cabs and nothing else with 5 piece band and loud guitarist and power hitter drummer...

 

[Hounddog409]

So I've been with this folk group for over a year now, and we play with a loud full 5 piece band, singer plays an acoustic guitar, full drum kit and two electric guitars. I own an ampeg V4B reissue 100 watt tube head and so far every show we have played I've been told not to use it. They run me through the PA and Mic everyone else. Is this fairly common practice? If so what's the point of even owning an amp as a bassist. Just a bit of a rant, when you drop a couple of grand on a nice amp you want to use it!

The bass and drums do not go through PA. But we run our own sound, so...

 

[johnson79]

Get a Sansamp or another pre/DI pedal. Run a direct signal from that and use your amp for a stage monitor. You'll at least have some control over your tone with the pre-amp.

 

[saabfender]

Trust no one. Maybe that was a little harsh. Don’t trust the sound man. Bring your rig.

 

[zachoff]

I get angry when FOH wants to run my signal direct.

 

[Rumble Thunder]

Top left you'll see an Ampeg SCR-DI that gives you lots of control and the FOH guy will dig it because his job just got easier. It takes about 3-5 minutes to dial in a sound that's all Ampeg. I love mine and it only costs $200

 

[mikeswals]

They run me through the PA and Mic everyone else. Is this fairly common practice? If so what's the point of even owning an amp as a bassist. Just a bit of a rant, when you drop a couple of grand on a nice amp you want to use it!

as far as monitors go, 99.9% of local show monitors sound like absolute crap. No thanks, I'll use my amp.

The only monitors I've heard sound great were when my last band opened for national acts coming thru town that brought their semi-truck tour rig.

Just say no. I don’t work for the sound guy, he works for me. Unless you want to play amp less of course.

This^, exactly this. People are here to see me, not the sound guy.

 

[Blaze Barlow]

So I've been with this folk group for over a year now, and we play with a loud full 5 piece band, singer plays an acoustic guitar, full drum kit and two electric guitars. I own an ampeg V4B reissue 100 watt tube head and so far every show we have played I've been told not to use it. They run me through the PA and Mic everyone else. Is this fairly common practice? If so what's the point of even owning an amp as a bassist. Just a bit of a rant, when you drop a couple of grand on a nice amp you want to use it!

who is telling you not to use it..?..there is a volume knob..in a polite way..tell them to mind their own business..I use my amps on stage all the time..and its my call..I have my amp on stage and thats all there is to it..