Decided on a change of pace Friday night, GK + Carvin

liam_g · #1 03-21-2010, 08:44 AM

I've been gigging with my Hartke LH500 into a Kappalite 3015-loaded EV TL606 almost exclusively for the last 6 weeks or so. This weekend I decided to try out my other rig, a GK 700RB Series I into my Carvin BRX10.2 Neo cab (pic taken in garage, not at the gig lol):

I mostly wanted to try this rig out for a couple of reasons. First, it's nice and portable, a one-trip load in and out. Second, I'm about to start doubling on upright with this band, and I strongly suspect that this rig will work better for upright than the LH500/TL606.

I hadn't really tried before, but I was able to dial in a very warm tone. Not as "clean tube" as the LH500, but very full and warm. Had the boost at noon, treble cut to 10:00, hi mids noon, low mids 1:00, bass cut to 11:00. Contour and presence at zero, and the 5-string button engaged. WIth my fretless P-bass, it was really very nice.

I really like this little rig. I'll be gigging it a bunch, I think. Not that I won't be playing the LH500 though ... I still love that head!

Cheers,
Liam

Limeman · #2 03-21-2010, 11:08 AM

I keep reading great reviews of these Carvin BRX cabs here at TB. I wonder how the 10.2 would match up with my Aguilar GS112s?

liam_g · #3 03-21-2010, 11:25 AM

One of the problems with that is that the 10.2 is only available as a 4 ohm cab. I personally wish they'd offer it in 8 ohm, but oh well ...

Cheers,
Liam

Limeman · #4 03-21-2010, 07:01 PM

I can see the issue with that, but in my case it would be a plus. My Mesa Walkabout is very happy down to 2 ohms and the 4 ohm rating of the 10.2 means I can get great power with the Mesa and it alone, or slay with the 10.2 and two GS112s. Might make for a killer medium size rig. I'm just wondering how the 12s will sound with the 10s.

liam_g · #5 05-30-2010, 08:08 PM

Played this rig again last Friday on a road gig in Augusta GA. I do still love the LH500 / TL606 combo, but using this rig lets us fit the whole 4 piece band into a Nissan Exterra. A single vehicle means less gas money, more in our pockets on these road gigs. The little rig performed flawlessly in a large-ish club. The soundman ended up just letting me carry the room with my amp. I can get by with a 210 because we use a small kit, and acoustic guitar and mandolin through the PA. The tone on this rig is wonderful. I usually end up just cutting the passive tone control on my Pbass just a tad, and things are warm and wonderful. Very impressed still with this little combination.

Cheers,
Liam