Light weight gear to recommend to the guitarists?

[Passinwind]

Originally Posted by tjh

in one group of old timers I play with one guitarist had a little Roland cube (40?) and now the other got the next size up (60?) .. they are both in their 60's and happy as larks ... I think they sound better than the old heavy gear they were moving around ... one is about 20# and the other I think he said a hair over 30# ...

They're not bad, I 've played a few gigs where friends used 'em. Most of my geezer friends around here are using the little AER ones on a lot of their gigs, but nearly all of them own at least a Deluxe sized combo or a Z, Carr, etc. as well.

[Blankandson]

Roland has a small combo with maybe 2 x 6" and chorus. I know one backup guitarist who sings as well - has one on a mic stand to his right. Runs DI into PA. I subbed bass a few times and sitting a few feet away it really sounded nice. It might weigh 5 or 6 pounds. Not a loud band but a very tight band. Light jazz and that kind of stuff.

[Blankandson]

Here's the Roland - the AC60

http://www.rolandus.com/products/details/559/478

not as light as I guessed - 21 lbs.

[jungleheat]

Didja ever think that maybe the super macho manly guys who "one handed carry" 40+ pound amps on a regular basis when they're 20-40 or so, are probably a lot of the same ones that will have back, shoulder, etc... problems when they get up to 50 or 60 and complain that they need feather light gear just to not put themselves in traction?

I mean, I guess if you have a Mr Universe physique it might not matter, but if you fall into an average range, 40 or more pounds hanging off one side of your body for any length of time is not insignificant. To save what? One extra trip to/from the car? Either the trip is short in which case it won't make much difference either way, or it's long in which case it's even more important to carry something heavy more appropriately.

I guess I just never felt like I had to "prove myself" by carrying stuff with one hand (or with one person instead of 2 in those cases). For what? I CAN carry items up to about 100 pounds or so on my own, but why? Why would I want to do that when I could just have a band mate help and then it's 2 dudes lifting < 50 lbs each and when you're done it's like it didn't happen.

Not to mention, it's just plain SAFER to carry heavier things with 2 hands/2 people. Stuff like keyboards especially. Both for you and for the equipment. Less chance of dropping something or pulling/straining something, etc... Just like how you want headroom in your amp and cabs so you aren't right on the edge of destruction all the time, the same holds true with moving gear.

Regarding the Jazz Chorus, it is in itself a stereo amp. Normally you can only run a mono source through the stereo chorus (or through stereo effects). But if you just jack a mixer into the stereo effects return, you can use it like a little mini stereo PA, so I often use it this way for keys. Pretty neat.

[spacebassed]

It has more to do with the way the weight is centered in the cabinet than the weight itself - my Vintage 20 feels more comfortable than picking up a dumbell of the same weight. Guitar case in the left hand, amp in the right, two cords and a tubescreamer - couldn't ask for an easier load in.

[IPYF]

I use an Egnater Rebel 20 head for my guitar sound. It has a little shoulder bag and is about the size of a gentleman's lunchbox.

I use a Vox Nighttrain 112 as standard for this one but I've used it through a 1960a before. It's a bloody loud amp.

[spacebassed]

LOL, I gotta agree - is it really THAT taxing to carry a 40 pound combo 100 ft to get to the venue? Anyting delicate, heavy, or awkward is usually in a road case/on wheels anyway. The ppl that usually get hurt carrying something heavy are the ones who aren't used to doing it.

[Chef]

People:
find polite and constructive ways to make your points, or,
feel free to not post.

thanks.

[agreatheight]

As a guitarist (secondary to being a bassist), some thoughts:

Tube amps rule.
Tube amps, even low wattage, are HEAVY!
Still, tube amps rule.
So, deal with it.

[agreatheight]

Now, with that said, Egnater Tweaker.

[millsbass5]

Both singers/guitarists in the band I'm in pretty much have your typical tube amp set-ups.

One of 'em has an (early 80's) Marshall JCM800 w/4x12 cab loaded with Celestion Greenbacks. His guitars are one of the old-school Silverburst (early 80's?) Les Pauls & a Martin D28 a/e running direct. All mic'd with a Shure SM57.

The other singer/guitarist plays thru a Mesa Boogie Mark ?? head (based on the Fender Twin, I think), thru a Mesa 4x12 cab that's actually pretty interesting. I believe it's the top 1/2 of the cab that's sealed, and the lower 2x12's in the cab are open-back. And, to top it off, it's wrapped in white tolex! Give him a break, he ordered it back in the 80's. His main guitar is a black 25th Anniversary Les Paul Custom, and a black U.S. Kramer Baretta w/a Floyd Rose. All mic' up with a Shure SM57. And, he also uses an Ovation he's had for 30+ years. The bottom line is, it's all really good, quality gear.

[IntrepidCellist]

My recommendation:

Mesa/Boogie Mini Rectifier: 25 very loud watts, clean and high-gain tones, 12 lbs.
DV Mark 1x12 or Vertical 2x12: <35lbs. I've also considered snagging a Carvin vertical 2x12 and swapping out the V30s for Faital 12PR300s or Eminence Tonkerlites for a ~30 lb cab.

[Passinwind]

Originally Posted by agreatheight

Now, with that said, Egnater Tweaker.

Do they make any models with 'verb? If not, that's a definite deal breaker to me.

[seamonkey]

Guitarist are jumping hard on the modeling scene. Even simple carry in your pocket devices are killer.
http://www.ikmultimedia.com/products...amily-at-slash
http://www.guitarampmodeling.com/
http://www.peavey.com/products/ampkitlink/

Just plug into the PA

[agreatheight]

Originally Posted by Passinwind

Do they make any models with 'verb? If not, that's a definite deal breaker to me.

No reverb, but they have an effects loop so...

[Passinwind]

Originally Posted by agreatheight

No reverb, but they have an effects loop so...

Nope.

Looks like a really cool amp series though.

[jokerjkny]

as said before, guitar land has yet to embrace anything as forward thinking in the bass world.

but look for anything made in a pine cab. pine is usually super light, resonant, and BIG sounding.

most tweed combos come in this material. with that said, 40 watts is the min i usually gig with, if i have to contend, and unfortunately, transformers, speakers, etc will still land the weight in the ballpark of what you're already carrying.

neo speakers do exist, but i find them horrible. brittle and bright.

you could always try the head & cab route, to break up the overall weight.

[Bredian]

All good information.

Of course, the youngsters must have a 412 stack to roll on stage for respect, but how much wattage before you're having to mike the drums anyway to keep up? I'm thinking around 50 through a single 12.

I hear you on the tubes, but watching GK with their fusion line makes me wonder how long...... plus I get to pick up teens with various large scale heads, but one of them actually doesn't have any tubes in it..... all for looks. I will have to pay attention to the brand.

Just saying that the guitarists I was playing with 18 months ago, one who had back issues, was long past due to be rid of his Fender Twin @ 85-95 lbs, as he was playing rhythm, had no use for the reverb, almost always had a pedal in effects (phaze, etc).

1x12 50 watt tube combo with everything is likely under 60 lbs -absolutely saves time and trips vs 2x12 heavier units.

What I'm also seeing is that's the break point between loading your stuff easily into a small coupe or sedan vs an SUV. I can now take the civic instead of the Yukon, the lead player can fit in with me or take his micro hybrid.

[Passinwind]

Originally Posted by jokerjkny

as said before, guitar land has yet to embrace anything as forward thinking in the bass world.

Maybe yes, maybe no...

[Bredian]

So we opened for Martha Davis & The Motels last Friday night. Most interesting is the amount of gear they brought - or lack of. Martha plays a Les Paul, silver burst finish through some kind of small tweed combo, 1x10 or 12". Lead player used a Tele through a fender 2x12, but is was smaller than a twin. Bass player used a Precision through a GK amp & 410 cabinet. Had a Rick for sound check, but didn't use it. Drummer's set was smaller than ours - white, 2-3 toms, limited cymbals, also ran the laptop for recorded key tracks. That and all the stuff they sell fit in a long passenger type van, maybe a one ton. Very efficient, sounded great.

The lead guitarist for another warm up group, used a 2x12 cabinet, probably custom made, with a newer looking head (I'm discussing with my guitarist the brand)- smallest rig in his 4 piece group by half, BTW.