Junk in the trunk...

DrewFender2012 · #1 09-30-2011, 09:13 AM

First off hello all - been enjoying this forum for years, glad to finally join up.

So I have a 2008 Honda Civic (excellent car btw considering gas prices) my only issue is trunk space (Cargo Volume (cu ft) 12.5) and with the rear seats down I still have a potential clearance issue with a deep amp.

So my 4x10 and B2R Ampeg (racked) or my beasty Acoustic 136 are not an option to haul to solo gigs (they stay in the band trailer).

What does the forum recommend? I need to fill med-large rooms, and house sound is not always reliable or available so running DI to boost my signal is a 50/50 deal.

I use a 60's Road Worn Fender Jazz and REALLY dig a blend between the 4x10 & B2R Ampeg / Acoustic 136.

A/B'ing those to run in tandem is heavenly.

My budget is about $800-$1200 - thanks to all!

Dave the Bass · #2 09-30-2011, 09:17 AM

Maybe a pair of Aguilar GS112s?

They should fit just about anywhere, and sound great with your amp.

DrewFender2012 · #3 09-30-2011, 09:20 AM

Sry - clarification:

it would need to be a combo amp.

thx!

lomo · #4 09-30-2011, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrewFender2012

Sry - clarification:

it would need to be a combo amp.

thx!

why?

pasta4lnch · #5 09-30-2011, 09:38 AM

yeah - a combo would limit it (at least at that $$). a micro w/ 2 112's would be very flexable . . .

I guess used - a MB Berlin w/ an extension cab . . .

rummy · #6 09-30-2011, 09:41 AM

I have a BMW coupe. I can BARELY squeeze in a 1x15 in the passenger side, but no 410 I tried would fit in there. Now I'm using Aguilar GS112s. I can fit one in the trunk, and the other in the back seat. It leaves me enough room for my bass and the amp in the passenger side.

DrewFender2012 · #7 09-30-2011, 09:49 AM

My rack (that holds the B2R Ampeg & Tuner) stays in our trailer locked up on the other side of the city so it's mainly a convenience thing - if I have a gig south of the city I'm not keen on driving in the opposite direction to grab my rack.

Additionally, our singer manages the gear and likes to hook it up and depart without wasting time - so it makes sense to leave my rack in the trailer, one less thing to lift and move - plus I've tried to fit the rack in my trunk with a smaller 2x10 cab I borrowed - no go - it's too bulky.

I'm looking for a portable all-in-one package w/punch I can keep handy, I'm always getting last minute calls to play and it would be nice to have manageable rig to practice on as well.

*edit: and thanks for the suggestions so far!*

Russell L · #8 09-30-2011, 09:54 AM

Markbass jeff berlin combo, if it must be a combo. Or do like I did and get a Little Mark III and a Traveler 151P cab. That would cost you $1200 new. I guarantee a good sound.

DrewFender2012 · #9 09-30-2011, 09:58 AM

awesome - what's great is our guitar player works for a company that's part of the Guitar Center family - so she gets a 30% off after taxes - hope it applies to the MB line.

Never played a MB Amp - can I sculpt something warm and motown-ish? I really dig my flats and foam mute.

Caca de Kick · #10 09-30-2011, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrewFender2012

What does the forum recommend?

I always recommend to musicians to buy a vehicle that fits your lifestyle.

My guitarist drives me crazy about this...he only thinks about himself, and that someone else will drive his gear to the show.

DrewFender2012 · #11 09-30-2011, 10:05 AM

^ lol - I bought the Civic because our singer already had an SUV and trailer.

..and we pay a portion of our earnings towards gas and upkeep, plus we still load in and out together.

Well, sometimes I wander off to start the band tab then play dumb when all my **** magically appears stage left.

DrewFender2012 · #12 09-30-2011, 10:11 AM

***asking about a combo amp - not a vehicle***

sry for the misunderstanding - I am keeping the Civic, just looking for a trunk friendly combo amp.

erigod23 · #13 09-30-2011, 10:13 AM

I use a GK MB210 combo with a MBE115 extension and I can fit both units and one bass in a hardshell case in the trunk of a 2002 Honda Civic

DrewFender2012 · #14 09-30-2011, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by erigod23

I use a GK MB210 combo with a MBE115 extension and I can fit both units and one bass in a hardshell case in the trunk of a 2002 Honda Civic

very nice - thanks for the info

bassgod0dmw · #15 09-30-2011, 10:39 AM

I've also got a Civic sedan.

I can easily fit my Aggie GS112's in the trunk along with my amp. My Mesa Walkabout Scout 1X12 also fits in the trunk plenty fine...it only take up about half of it, so there is plenty of room for other stuff. I don't think the 1X15 combo would fit in there, but I'm sure I could get an Ampeg SVT-15E in there no problem...along with other similar sized boxes.

I put my basses on the rear seat and never fold the seats down.

Alex1984 · #16 09-30-2011, 11:02 AM

WalkAbout. Fortunately my Camry has a tonne of space in the backseat for gear.

DrewFender2012 · #17 09-30-2011, 11:12 AM

damn. Guitar Center doesn't carry the Mesa line... so much for the 30% discount.

Joe Nerve · #18 09-30-2011, 11:14 AM

I recommend checking the dimensions on as many cab designs as you can, and then researching from there. I wanted to fit as much into my hyundai tiburon as possible and wound up with a Bergantino NV610. The cab is thinner than most (cabinet thickness got in the way of my hatch with most bottoms), and the 610 kills. Punchy, and handles more volume than any other cab (even stacked cabs) that I ever owned.

Just reread the posts here. I have a GK 212 cab and it doens't cut it for most med/large rooms. Not with a loud band, anyhow. And also, you can get a lot more milage (and fit a lot more in a trunk) if you don't go the combo route. Combos are bigger and heavier than a cabinet and micro head. I have a Carvin BX500 that is more than enough power for any rooms I've played, can be tweaked for any sound imaginable, and can be carried in my napsack. It weighs less than 5 lbs. There are lots of inexpensive head options out there that will open up some of that trunk space for a better speaker deal. You also then have a head you can throw in your bag for gigs that have bottoms there. Here in NY it's becoming real common for a club to tell us to just bring a head.

bassgod0dmw · #19 09-30-2011, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrewFender2012

damn. Guitar Center doesn't carry the Mesa line... so much for the 30% discount.

Some of them do, but you can't use any discounts on Mesa...

NKBassman · #20 09-30-2011, 11:30 AM

I can get an Ampeg 610 into the back seat of my 4-door Sunfire. I put my bass behind the seats and amp in the trunk. The 610 is big enough that it gives you that "large cab" feel on stage, and small enough that I could fairly easily haul it around myself. I'm currently playing an Emperor 2x15 which is a little smaller than the 610 and a lot lighter.

I don't have much experience with combo amps unfortunately, but if I were to go out and look for an ultra-portable micro rig right now, I'd probably start with Ampeg Micro VR stack and go from there. I've also heard many good things about the Mesa Walkabout.