Gigging regularly without a car – which amp?

alfaBAT9 · #1 02-03-2012, 10:31 PM

What amp would you own if nobody in the band had a car (not even the bloody drummer!) and you only had access to public transportation and taxis to get you to gigs?

I currently find myself in this exact situation and need help. My amp choice was a no brainer back when I still had a car, but I've since moved to a very central location in my city and every place I need to be is walking distance. Plus, times were kinda tough and I needed the cash.

Just to give you an idea of what our sound is – imagine Wilco meets early Interpol. So, mostly clean (occasionally I'll throw on some light OD via pedal), and massive wattage not neccessary.

This might be an interesting exercise in discovering what the bare minimum is for playing shows.

Ric5 · #2 02-03-2012, 10:35 PM

Get a day job and earn some money.

**B-string** · #3 02-03-2012, 10:38 PM

G-K MB112, MB115 are light 200 watters. MB210 light 350 watt W/O extention cab (500 watt with an extension cab but you would need a third hand).

Jim Carr · #4 02-03-2012, 10:49 PM

Markbass - Mini CMD 121P

renejaime · #5 02-03-2012, 10:53 PM

tried and true GK MB150E/112

or basically find a micro head you dig there are ton out there now

same goes for 110 - 112 cabs

this is a fun thread to search - Mini-Rigs of Doom: Attack of the Cones-Tres

wmheilma · #6 02-03-2012, 10:54 PM

Genz Benz Shuttle 3.0 8T is very light weight, tiny, sounds good all by itself (for as tiny as it is), does a decent job at powering up an additional 8 ohm cab, and has a great DI!

Stumbo · #7 02-03-2012, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by renejaime

this is a fun thread to search - Mini-Rigs of Doom: Attack of the Cones-Tres

Here's another thread to check out with even smaller rigs: Micro-rigs of doom

Do you have a micro-head already?

Also, what's your budget?

What the maximum size and weight that's useful to you?

Do you want to hand carry everything or is a light weight dolly possible?

Limeman · #8 02-03-2012, 11:59 PM

The new Genz Benz Shuttle 6.2 without question. Amazing amp. Small. Light. Fantastic sound! Don't consider anything else! IMO of course!

countrybass007 · #9 02-04-2012, 07:35 AM

Orange Tiny Terror with the 210 Isobaric cab, would be a powerful, light, small rig.

Jim Carr · #10 02-04-2012, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Limeman

The new Genz Benz Shuttle 6.2 without question. Amazing amp. Small. Light. Fantastic sound!...

+1

My "bus/train/taxi rig" is as follows:

1) Shoulder bag with GB shuttle 6.0, all cables, etc. (11lbs, 5kg)
2) Gig bag on my back with bass. (11lbs, 5kg)
3) 210 Speaker cab (UL1 Epifani 210 with cover) in Right hand (34lbs, 14.5kg)

Total weight is about 56 lbs (24.5 kg), which even at my age (62) I can manage up and down a couple flights of stairs to the subway/tube. It all fits in a medium taxi cab with another passenger. Manhattan and Honolulu Bus drivers look cross at me, but let me ride.

Nedmundo · #11 02-04-2012, 08:30 AM

If this were my normal situation, I'd find the smallest good-sounding 1x12 cab I could find, and pair it with my G-K MB500. For public transportation, I'd want something with tighter dimensions than my G-K Neo112 cabs, though they could work.

Otherwise, I'd just grab my Roland Cube 100. At 38 lbs. it isn't super light, but it's smaller than most cabs which makes transport easier in some ways, and it's much louder than the 100 watt 1x12 format would lead you to believe. It has a DI also. With good PA support it can cover gigs. The newer Cube 120xl is slightly larger, but this makes it sound deeper, and the built-in tuner adds more convenience. (If it's purely a stage monitor, maybe you could go with the Cube 60xl, which has the same features with less power and a 10" speaker.) The G-K MB combos are lighter and sound great, but the Rolands have different features that could make them a better option for some players.

alfaBAT9 · #12 02-04-2012, 12:05 PM

Holy cow these are all great suggestions. Looks like I have even more research to do now!

Btw, I'm LOVING the mini rigs of doom thread!

christw · #13 02-04-2012, 12:38 PM

I'll use my Genz Benz ShuttleMax 12 with a "TB110" - a 110 cab built out of parts express components and an Eminence S2010. There's a club for them somewhere...

michael_atw · #14 02-04-2012, 12:40 PM

1970 Ampeg SVT with two 8x10's.

Sav'nBass · #15 02-04-2012, 01:32 PM

Any of the Shuttles or even a SL with a UL 210 or 112 cab .. Even a MkB head .. (although I have only tried them in the store and I am a diehard GB fan ... ) I would want a component rig .. not a combo .. more flexible IMO ... but if a combo was in the picture I have heard good stuff about the GK MBs and I also hear that the Carvin Micros are pretty nice.

OzzyGreg · #16 02-04-2012, 02:11 PM

.
Buy an amp simulator (eg Sansamp) and plug straight into the PA (ie. don't use a bass amp) until you can afford a car!

Greg

cableguy · #17 02-04-2012, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OzzyGreg

.
Buy an amp simulator (eg Sansamp) and plug straight into the PA (ie. don't use a bass amp) until you can afford a car!

Greg

+1

BDDI or VT Deluxe come to mind.

BassmanPaul · #18 02-04-2012, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OzzyGreg

.
Buy an amp simulator (eg Sansamp) and plug straight into the PA (ie. don't use a bass amp) until you can afford a car!

Greg

Not all venues in this fair city have a decent PA!

**B-string** · #19 02-04-2012, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassmanPaul

Not all venues in this fair city have a decent PA!

None of the venues here do unless you bring it yourself

bassgod0dmw · #20 02-04-2012, 02:42 PM

If it had to be a combo, I'd go for something from Markbass. I would also consider the Ampeg Portaflex stuff. If it was okay to have a head/cab, I carry my GB Streamline 900 and a cab of choice. Or a GK MB series head.

I'd prefer a 1X12 of some sort, but I would consider a 1X15 depending on how large & heavy it was compared to the 1X12.