Back in the stone age of bar bands (mid-1960s) no one used microphones on guitar amps or drums, so it was unheard of for a bassist to do so. That changes quickly as guitar amps became louder and drummers fought to be heard over the crash. Bass players countered with larger amps but seldom put their wound through the PA. Now it seems that even the smallest bars have house PAs, use microphones on drums & guitars and run DI Line for bass. I'm curious to see what other bassists are doing.

Do you have a small amp and use it primarily as a stage monitor, running a DI to the house? Or are you using a relatively large amp -- 300W or more, with a 4x10 or, 8x10 or other cab?

In my last gigs I opted for smaller sets and DI.

This is a tricky situation because there can be so many variables. DI's are relatively new to the scene. Most sound men will opt to use a DI instead of a direct box because bass players like to have the sound of the amp in the mix with thier effects. Ground issues with british made amps have forced some sound men to use a direct box. My amp has a pre/post button for the DI so I have a choice of clean or with effects.

I've found that using the Radial Bassbone as a DI lets the sound man get the sound of my bass flat and tailor it to the house, and I use the signal from the Bone to my map, which I can set to please myself onstage. When I come out of the DI on my amp, I can't get my stage volume loud enough to suit me and the sound man alike.

I use a 400w amp and a 4x10, both ampeg, and will usually DI if its available, with whatever the house has.