mikel Posted September 29, 2017 Share Posted September 29, 2017 [quote name='radiophonic' timestamp='1506631148' post='3380104'] One thing to remember is that at least as recently as the 90s, your rig was a significant part of FOH. A lot of old gear was built to be run hard and loud night after night and to deliver a sound that could fill a room. Most bands only put the singer in the PA. That world is largely gone and modern kit is often more of a monitor. I'm not sure we're comparing like with like a lot of the time. [/quote] Well said that man. Played hundreds of club and ballroom gigs in the 70s and vocals were the only thing to go through the PAs we had at the time. Played at the Rainbow Room in Newcastle, it was huge, to an audience of about 350 people. Orange amps, WEM cabs, for the whole band, and a 200 watt PA for vocals. The drummer was having to really dig in, but at one point we were asked to turn down!!!! Must admit I fail to see the reasoning behind spending a fortune on a 1000 watt head and a couple of lightweight cabs, then use them essentially as a monitor. If the volume and tone out front are being dictated by the PA why not simply use a pre amp and a monitor? And all this at a pub gig, to less than 100 people. Not taking a pop, simply my take on bass amplification. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bazzbass Posted October 1, 2017 Share Posted October 1, 2017 played an outdoor festival earlier today supplied rig was a beat up GK400RB and an even more beat up Musicman 412 cab from the 70s BEST tone I've ever had, go figure. there's still life in those old amps and cabs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norris Posted October 1, 2017 Share Posted October 1, 2017 Maybe we are unusual in still only putting vocals through the PA and using backline amps. There again for the pubs we play in you really don't need a multi-kilowatt PA. So many landlords tell us it's refreshing that we get a great sound without taking the roof off or spending 3 hours sound checking in the Dog and Duck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Bay Posted October 1, 2017 Share Posted October 1, 2017 [quote name='Norris' timestamp='1506849865' post='3381434'] Maybe we are unusual in still only putting vocals through the PA and using backline amps. There again for the pubs we play in you really don't need a multi-kilowatt PA. So many landlords tell us it's refreshing that we get a great sound without taking the roof off or spending 3 hours sound checking in the Dog and Duck. [/quote] We do the same. It seems the most common way around here in pubs still. Maybe different in the big cities? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casapete Posted October 1, 2017 Share Posted October 1, 2017 [quote name='mikel' timestamp='1506678575' post='3380331'] Well said that man. Played hundreds of club and ballroom gigs in the 70s and vocals were the only thing to go through the PAs we had at the time. Played at the Rainbow Room in Newcastle, it was huge, to an audience of about 350 people. Orange amps, WEM cabs, for the whole band, and a 200 watt PA for vocals. The drummer was having to really dig in, but at one point we were asked to turn down!!!! Must admit I fail to see the reasoning behind spending a fortune on a 1000 watt head and a couple of lightweight cabs, then use them essentially as a monitor. If the volume and tone out front are being dictated by the PA why not simply use a pre amp and a monitor? And all this at a pub gig, to less than 100 people. Not taking a pop, simply my take on bass amplification. [/quote] Must admit, I wonder about this all the time. Think the reason I still prefer my own amp and cab is that it's the sound I'm used to, coming from behind me as it always has done, at a level I like, and looks like a proper stage with gear on it! Maybe stupid I know, but still think people like to see a band's gear onstage to give it that authenticity somehow? Over all this though, I just love the fact that I'm in control of my sound totally, whatever happens. Rest of my band have now moved over to IEM's, leaving me the dinosaur on bass. Am hanging in there at the moment, for how long I'm not sure! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casapete Posted October 1, 2017 Share Posted October 1, 2017 [quote name='T-Bay' timestamp='1506852839' post='3381452'] We do the same. It seems the most common way around here in pubs still. Maybe different in the big cities? [/quote] Pub gigs around here then most bands do the same. Certainly those doing rock covers etc. As usual, mostly defined by the drum sound / level onstage. If I'm depping with one, then I always make sure I take a rig with enough level to cope with loud drummers, rather than rely on crap / non existent monitors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Dare Posted October 2, 2017 Share Posted October 2, 2017 Like the little girl in the nursery rhyme, when it was good, it was very, very good, but when it was bad, it was horrid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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