Goodbye Avatar! It's been fun!

DWBass · #1 01-03-2011, 06:10 AM

Well, after 7-8 years of playing through Avatar cabs, I've decided I need to move on to another brand/sound as well as lighter cabs. I've decided on the GK Neo 1x12's. Got one on order and will be ordering a second one after I sell off my Avatars. I've got to say, the Avatars have never failed me and have always performed flawlessly. I never thought they would last as long as they have and they still have a long life ahead of them (provided the next owners take care of them as I did)! Thank you Dave!

My motivation? Had 2 gigs this past weekend and while one had a very convenient loading ramp, the second was at a 'mansion' with nothing but stairs (2 sets of stairs to a floor and we were on the second floor)! I'm 51 and the thought of having to carry 2 cabs (1@48lbs and 1@55lbs) disturbed me! I got through it (carried up 1 at a time) but now my back hurts and I'm sore. I also have a slight hernia! Went to GC yesterday to see if they had any! Of course they didn't! Duh! They only had the cheaper non Neo 1x15's and 4x10's so I had them order 1 for me. While I was there I spotted a Markbass NYC121. Nice small 1x12 cab that weighed 29lbs! Holy crap that thing was light (but d@mn expensive @ almost $500). The GK is only 1lb heavier! I'm looking forward to not only have much lighter cabs but to having a change in sound as well.

Anyone else going through the same thing?

bolophonic · #2 01-03-2011, 06:14 AM

I hear you... I sold off a heavy Ampeg rig and replaced it with a GK head and two smaller Neo cabs. I can carry both cabs easier than just the one Ampeg cabinet.

chadds · #3 01-03-2011, 06:41 AM

No one would help you carry?
Hey, I understand moving your own gear. I do 2 1x12s. Yet when the gig requires and band likes more boom. I get help. Everyone including the singers moves everyones stuff and sets up and takes down.

KJung · #4 01-03-2011, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chadds

No one would help you carry?

Not sure about the OP's situation, but if you are freelancing, it is TOTALLY uncool to expect or ask others to help you with your gear in any way IME.

fenderhutz · #5 01-03-2011, 06:45 AM

The Avatar 112 is 39 lbs. Not too shabby either. The GK NEO's are slightly cheaper and slightly lighter.

pasta4lnch · #6 01-03-2011, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KJung

Not sure about the OP's situation, but if you are freelancing, it is TOTALLY uncool to expect or ask others to help you with your gear in any way IME.

Fwiw i think its kinda rude to be at a venue w all my stuff in and watch a bandmate load in w multiple trips w/o asking to help...even a sub etc but thats me.

Ive gotten my rig down to one trip. Even my avarar 212. 2 trips if there is more than a few steps. Fwiw id like to get to a 2 112 set up...

KJung · #7 01-03-2011, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pasta4lnch

Fwiw i think its kinda rude to be at a venue w all my stuff in and watch a bandmate load in w multiple trips w/o asking to help...even a sub etc but thats me.

Ive gotten my rig down to one trip. Even my avarar 212. 2 trips if there is more than a few steps. Fwiw id like to get to a 2 112 set up...

IMO, not really the way it works. However, 'offering to help' is one thing... asking for help is another. IMO, in a freelance/subbing situation, asking for help is totally uncool and unprofessional (at least in my gigging universe). If you are 'in a band', that's a totally different thing.

jgroh · #8 01-03-2011, 06:58 AM

I hear you. I think I am going to sell my Ampeg SVT410HLF (at what...a 100 lbs or so?) and get a second Ampeg 210AV cab. I already have one and its something like 26 lbs, but there are times I need more volume, so with two that should work and be very modular. Not to mention that the 410 wont fit into my car (a VW Jetta).

craig.p · #9 01-03-2011, 07:11 AM

I don't carry my Avatars up and down stairs; I roll them end over end. Piece o' cake. That's what's nice about having a more or less square cab. Another option is a hand truck with stair climbers.

Peredur · #10 01-03-2011, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chadds

Everyone including the singers moves everyones stuff and sets up and takes down.

The singers? I don't believe you

sonic assassin · #11 01-03-2011, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by craig.p

Another option is a hand truck with stair climbers.

a little hand cart saved the spine's of my entire back. mostly mine. ive been plagued with lower back pain for years and have a bad habit of going into a gig sore. then taking that pain to work and so on.

we put 2x12 guitar amps on there. no shame in it at all.

DWBass · #12 01-03-2011, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fenderhutz

The Avatar 112 is 39 lbs. Not too shabby either. The GK NEO's are slightly cheaper and slightly lighter.

My Avatars are the older, heavier ones. My 1x12 is definitely NOT 39lbs!

It's way easier/faster to grab a cab and carry it then to use a hand cart and try to 'roll' them up stairs. The point is not that they were 'so' heavy but they were heavy enough to wear me out. I'm not young anymore! I do have a cart but when we got to the house, there was no other way but stairs! Lots of stairs! At the end of the night, they begged us to play another hour (on top of the 4 we just did!). Suffice it to say, I was ready to shut down after I finished loading my car to go home. Still had to drive an hour home!

As for asking for help.....wellllll.......I'm one of those selfish cats that does not like touching anyone else's stuff! So I don't expect anyone to aide me. Other than my cabs, everything else is a breeze thanks to micro amps and gig bags!

pasta4lnch · #13 01-03-2011, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peredur

The singers? I don't believe you

I subbed for a band once that rehearsed at one of the singers houses. both guitar players left their gear there and he lugged it to the shows along w/ the PA. In one case, the guitard split w/o helping load the stuff back in the singers car. . .

KJung - I hear ya on that not being cool, I would never expect or ask for help. Maybe I'm a nice guy, or I've gigged w/ really cool drummers

but I feel like a jerk not offering to help a load-in/out

to the OP - I'm over the 212 thing. I really love mine but I gig in small to med rooms and a 2 112 set up just makes more sense - I recently got a GS112 and will probably sell my b212 for another. I wish I could afford those MB cabs too. actually I'd be interested to see the size weight of their ny212 might be a cure-all

DWBass · #14 01-03-2011, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pasta4lnch

I wish I could afford those MB cabs too. actually I'd be interested to see the size weight of their ny212 might be a cure-all

Well, the NYC121 (1x12) I saw was tiny! And 29lbs. I was almost going to buy it but 2 things bugged me! First, the price ($499

)! http://www.guitarcenter.com/Markbass...62-i1437921.gc

Second was, for my taste, the footprint just seemed too small (if I bought 2 and stacked them). Imagine paying $1k for that setup? No way!

Lastly, this is not a freelance situation. I don't expect anyone to help me. Typically, everyone is just about setup when I arrive anyway. Once I'm in, I'm set up and ready to go in 5-10 minutes.

The Diaper Geni · #15 01-03-2011, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KJung

IMO, not really the way it works. However, 'offering to help' is one thing... asking for help is another. IMO, in a freelance/subbing situation, asking for help is totally uncool and unprofessional (at least in my gigging universe). If you are 'in a band', that's a totally different thing.

True dat for freelancing. Your rig is your responsibility. I've got mine down to one trip on a nice hand truck with those big ol' air filled tires.

Mmmmmmmmmmm...Big tires.....Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

A band situation is just grab gear and go, though. Especially on the tight load-outs. Whatever is closest to the door loading out gets moved and just move on down the line of gear. Everybody goes home when everybody has their gear in their car.

To the OP: Light = Good. There's sooo many choices these days for light gear that if you're old/lazy/have-an-ouchy-back it's silly not to have light gear. Hope your choice works out for you!!

topcat2069 · #16 01-03-2011, 08:38 AM

My Rig (all GK):
1001RB II
Neo 1X15
Neo 1X12

I love the sound and the weight (I know there are lighter heads)
I use a small but heavy duty hand truck, easy in and easy out (even with stairs. Plus for dinky gigs... the 1X12, a little larger the 1X15... very versatile and it always sounds good.

Being almost 60 I find this is a delight compared to the "olden days" when I played through refrigerator size and weight rigs.

4Mal · #17 01-03-2011, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DWBass

My Avatars are the older, heavier ones. My 1x12 is definitely NOT 39lbs!

IMO - the SB-112 Neo is just about as good as it get's in a 1x12 up to major dollars... The guy who bought my last one has the little Mark Bass 1x12 - that thing never sees the light of day anymore ... Every time I see him, he has the Avatar.

If I hadn't tasted the fEarful KoolAid, I'd be running a pair of those for loud dates.