Bass amp wattage for 3pc. gig?

[BassNugget]

Many years ago, I remember playing a Gallien-Krueger MB150 with and extension cab (it was not my rig, was at the gig). And damn... little thing was loud. I think my current Fender Rumble 100 is lighter than that little tiny amp was. But at the time (late 1990s), that was small-as and light!

 

[Papuzzo]

The last three piece band I saw was a drummer, bassist and keyboardist/vocalist. The PA was just for keys and vox. Bassist used a 1x12 cab. Granted it was an ATS cab, but still, I was surprised how much a single 1x12 can fill out a room.

 

[Larchi]

I got away with a Fender 80w, 15 combo as my first amp in a 3 piece.
That's into the PA of course.
I would tilt it back or put it on top of something.

 

[Papuzzo]

I love how in a single thread we get suggestions to bring Lemmy's rig and at the same time we get people who tell us that a 15W combo can get the job done. I understand that every gig is different, but, in general, I think people can get by without having to invest a lot of money into gear that is difficult to haul. Of course it is cool to have an 8x10 blasting away, and it will cover just about any gig, but when I see just what a decent 1x12 can do it assures me that I don't need an 8x10. I think a 4 ohm 2x12 is probably overkill these days.

 

[vvvmmm]

I want all y'all to just take a minute - as has been said, we all have time right now - and picture in yer mind, his beer at his side, Lemmy playing thru a 15w. combo.

 

[BassNugget]

If I knew I was just going into the board and would not have an amp on stage, I just brought my bass and a DI box. But I played plenty of gigs with the Ampeg BA108 (20 watts 8") on a chair with a mic going to the board or DI from the amp. A buddy of mine used to play in a KISS cover band (guitar) with full-on makeup, costumes, the works. He used a 15 watt combo into a mic for every show. If you can make it work, you can make it work.