Best Portable Rig?

[popstarrobot]

Hi all,

Im currently looking for a good, reliable and most importantly, PORTABLE bass rig. I have used a big old hartke 4200 (which weights a hefty 200lbs!) with a nice SWR head. Since moving to the Virgin Islands I havent been able to bring the big monsta, so after seeing a friend's MarkBass plugged into an Orange 2x10 Tiny Terror Bass Cab, I felt inspired to downgrade in size but upgrade in tone.

Orange cabs are quite the investment, MarkBass amps are pretty sweet and offer the tone im looking for, punchy with some decent bottom. I was wondering if there are any suggestions for a decent amp that I can gig with but not break my back (or my wallet) but also be able to fly back to the states with once I leave the VI. Im looking for something no less than 400 watt range, something that I can play small clubs but plug into a system for bigger crowds.

Thanks

[brekfustuvluzer]

im looking at getting an aggie ag500 and 2 db112s. sounds like it would suit you if you like that tone.

[Musicbiz60]

I have a Carvin BX500 (500 watts, about 3.5 pounds) and a Scroeder 112L (about 20 pounds) and couldn't be happier with this light weight rig.

Jerry

[Largedon]

I've been using a Markbass F1 with a Epifani UL 410 and its not bad. They also make an Epifani 210 cab that weighs in at 38 lbs which might work better. Another option might be one of Phil Jones rigs. Lot of sound in a small package.

http://www.philjonespuresound.com/products/?c=6

[Aaron_D]

Shuttle 6.0 2x10 combo is amazing for portabiliy without sacrificing tone...add another 2x10 and you are covered for all but the largest outdoor stages. Then--there's always the 9.0 .

[Kwesi]

[retardedpossum]

Originally Posted by Aaron_D

Shuttle 6.0 2x10 combo is amazing for portabiliy without sacrificing tone...add another 2x10 and you are covered for all but the largest outdoor stages. Then--there's always the 9.0 .

I agree my brother! a local gig I do allows me to use my shuttle 6 and uber 210. I'm able to get it all in a minicooper.

[Touch]

Shuttle 9.0 and an EA VL-110 or Acme B-2 is my small solution.

[headstrong4]

i use a phil jones suitcase for church and coffee shop gigs. if i need a little extra i bring a swr goliath jr 2x10. the pjb suitcase has a great di that i can put through the pa.

[countrybass007]

PJB Suitcase does make a great portable rig, add a 4B cab and it will work at about any gig. The direct on all the PJB rigs is one of the best on the market. Not a real cheap investment, but one that really works.

[::::BASSIST::::]

I'd get a used LMII off the TB classifieds. Less than $400 gets you one heck of powerful, nice sounding amp. Pair that up with a couple 30LB 1-12s and you are good to go. Thats what I use most of the time and I am very happy.

[ERIC31]

Ibanez Promethean would be a good choice too.

[ghiadub]

I have been using the GK MB210. It has the ability to plug in an extra cab, it's 350 watts by itself and 500 with the external cab. The line out is great sounding.

I have been using this at bars, and even outdoor festivals with great results.
The 212 version is 500 watts, but no external cab option.

And it weighs 33lbs (the 210)

[thirtypoint87]

My favorite rig ever is my current 'little rig'.

Bass goes into "insert pedalboard effects here" and then a SansAmp DI (they make a few versions; I'm loving my Deluxe VT) with a 1/4" out to a kickback combo amp that's my monitor on stage, and an XLR out to the soundboard. I have yet to meet a sound person who didn't say good things about the SansAmp, and the kickback combo makes it easy for me to hear myself play since the speaker is pointed at my head!

For this to work you have to a) think of the SansAmp DI as what makes/defines your 'sound', and b) be a little less precious about how you hear your tone onstage and trust the person behind the mixing board to make you sound good for the room. We all have our soundman horror stories, but this has worked really well for me.

good luck!

[Joel_bass]

The lightest weight rig I've ever used was my Powerbook running IKmultimedia's SVX through an MBox directly into the PA. Unfortunately, you are at the mercy of the monitoring system. The best part, was packing up my computer and bass in about 45 seconds and going to have a beer while I watched everyone else pack up their gear

[bebop1]

Originally Posted by ::::BASSIST::::

I'd get a used LMII off the TB classifieds. Less than $400 gets you one heck of powerful, nice sounding amp. Pair that up with a couple 30LB 1-12s and you are good to go. Thats what I use most of the time and I am very happy.

I work with a similar setup and it has had no limitations yet - even on huge stages. Markbass 112P combo (LMII built in) and a Markbass 112H cab. The extra 112H cab comes out for about 1/2 the gigs, as required depending on stage volume needed. Uber toneful and portable, and rock-steady.

[Barisaxman]

If you like the SWR sound, you could get an SWR Headlite. I play mine with at TC Electronics RH212 cabinet. Small, loud, and SMOOOOTH. Love it.

[CapnSev]

Originally Posted by bebop1

I work with a similar setup and it has had no limitations yet - even on huge stages. Markbass 121P combo (LMII built in) and a Markbass 121H cab. The extra 112H cab comes out for about 1/2 the gigs, as required depending on stage volume needed. Uber toneful and portable, and rock-steady.

+1 The 121p and the new NY121 cab is my favorite new portable rig combo and will be my next rig investment for sure. Its incredibly loud, small and light, but has a nice warm character to it.

[rockstarbassist]

My faves have been an Eden 212XLT (I could one-hand it easily) and the WT-550.

2x Aggie GS112's + small amp is a good nod though, although that was 3 trips for me usually.

[mongo2]

I'm very happy with my Shuttle 9 and Flite 1x15 loaded with a Kappalite 3015.