For most stages I've started running a Vibro Champ and SF Champ in stereo. I have the opportunity to spend some money on gear. There is a Bassman RI, the old kind with the harp friendly speakers, that I can pick up for super cheap. It needs a little TLC, but it can be bought for $300.
I had a Bassman LTD and found it was too loud for most my gigs. However, I am concerned my stereo Champ won't be loud enough for outdoor shows or really big rooms (have some booked in the coming months). The Bassman would be a 5-10 gigs a year max type amp.
Is it worth the investment or should I get a good stereo amp switcher and one of Greg Huemann's modded SM57's? If I have the Champs on amp stands will I be ok outdoors?
My guitar player uses a Princeton Reverb. ---------- Mike Fugazzi http://www.myspace.com/niterailband http://www.youtube.com/user/NiteRail http://www.twitter.com/NiteRail http://www.facebook.com/mike.fugazzi
I don't know what an SF champ is, nor a Bassman LTD. I do know what a Vibro Champ and a Bassman RI are.
I think you're right to be worried about your stereo Champ(s) not being enough power for outdoor stages or really big rooms. I think you need a little more firepower. Champs weren't really meant as gigging amps, even in stereo. As we know, when miked, they can do just fine in some indoor contexts, but it's better to move a little more air in the larger contexts.
It's also important not to kill your guitar player with stage volume. There was an old-school blues guitarist in NYC named Brian Bazesi (sp??) who had a hot-rodded Fender Deluxe, blackface, that could keep up with ANY amp, and it seems to me that what you need is something in that category. Your guitar player's Princeton is actually a little underpowered for the kind of outdoor and large-room gigs you describe. Underpowered for him, I mean. But if you put his amp up against a Bassman and a champ in tandem, I suspect he'd be outgunned.
I've got a tweed Deluxe, 1954, that would work beautifully with one of your Champs, and it seems to me that that's what you need. Again, your guitar player is underpowered if he's playing that Princeton on outdoor gigs. Most guys would want a Twin, or a Bassman. You need a Vibroverb with two 10"s, for example. I played those when a promoter supplied me with a pair of them over in Europe, and they worked in all contexts. 2 x 10" is the perfect adaptable harp amp configuration. A pair of them lets you drive one hard and the other not so hard. If you had one of those and a Champ, you'd be set.
Last Edited by on Oct 03, 2009 7:13 PM
my bassman can have 2 speakers unplugged. swapping 12a pre amp tubes around it could be used in a small or medium room, with all 4 10's plugged in and tubes configured differently, it will work well in bigger rooms or outdoors.
i do have a single 12" silvertone 1482 i use for small rooms and quieter gigs, like with my wife in our duo. it's about 12-15 watts i think. but for big rooms or louder bands, i bring the bassman out.
Thanks, guys. I think I'd be dumb not to pick up the Bassman for so cheap. I would really like to try the Vibroverb, but for $300 the Bassman is a steal.
Adam- the Bassman LTD is the current reissue with lacqured tweed. A SF Champ means silverface. I have a sweet Vibro Champ that not only sounds awesome but is loud. It would kill a Pro Junior. ---------- Mike Fugazzi http://www.myspace.com/niterailband http://www.youtube.com/user/NiteRail http://www.twitter.com/NiteRail http://www.facebook.com/mike.fugazzi
