Lightweight cabs for medium sized venues

[LowBSix]

In 1984, a friend was Production Manager for a KISS tour. I had the opportunity to see them at The Forum in Los Angeles.

My friend had blessed us with all access back stage passes. I was with my writing/production partner and we were full fledged know it alls!

As we watched out front, impressive looking were the enormous walls of amplification with Ampeg SVTs and Marshalls, looked great along with the drum set of 30 some different toms and equal amount of cymbals....

The SPL was so intense, we had to move.... With our passes, we were able to walk to the side of the stage... Behind the massive stacks, were small Fender amps for guitars and 1 SVT. Guitars had 1 mic on 1 speaker of 1 amp and the bass was DI and mic on one speaker. The drummer mostly used kick/snare/hat, a few toms and a few cymbals...
On stage monitor system was intense and remember this was Pre-In-Ear Monitoring.

My friend/production manager informed us that it was no louder on stage than a punchy rock band at a club. The KISS boys were extremely self-respecting of their hearing as well as the crew.

I love playing at a punchy volume... I don't need to separate molecular structure and cause myself any more hearing loss than I already have....

[Pilgrim]

I play through a Genz-Benz Shuttle 12T cab powered by a Shuttle 6.0 amp. At 375W peak, it's enough that I can actually play outdoor gigs with it. But just for fun, when I play outdoors I add a G-B Shuttle 210 cab. then I usually play at less than 3 on the volume dial, even outdoors.

[lpdeluxe]

This little rig goes with me everywhere (except for the really small venues, where I take my Genz-Benz Shuttle 3.0-10t), usually in the company of my fiesta red P:



If it's too small, I mic it. I don't play with adolescent guitarists these days, so on-stage volume is not a problem.

[mam1862]

Originally Posted by lpdeluxe

This little rig goes with me everywhere (except for the really small venues, where I take my Genz-Benz Shuttle 3.0-10t), usually in the company of my fiesta red P:



If it's too small, I mic it. I don't play with adolescent guitarists these days, so on-stage volume is not a problem.

+1. I use a pair of MB NY604's and they are small but have a by full sound. I only use one at small venues. As mentioned above on stage volume is not a problem.

[Brad Johnson]

I use my Glasstone Lil G 2-12 wherever I play. Worked great on this outdoor show, worked great on my 200+ person gig Friday night downtown, worked great on a cruise ship duo gig Saturday night. And it works great in much larger venues too. IOW it works great.



Less than 40 lb. with a built-in dolly, loaded with a pair of Faital Pro 12PR300 12" neo drivers. Excellent, even, full range sound reproduction, particularly with the low end. These are two pretty brutal basses in the photo and it handles them with ease.


www.glasstonesound.com

[lpdeluxe]

Originally Posted by mam1862

+1. I use a pair of MB NY604's and they are small but have a by full sound. I only use one at small venues. As mentioned above on stage volume is not a problem.

I use two G-B 10ts with the M/B, since it wants to see a 4 ohm load and they are 8 ohm each. The Shuttle 3.0 has 175W with one box and 300W with two, but I'm much more likely to use the Walkabout for more volume.

By the way, the G-B cabs are 16 lb each. How much are the Markbass speakers?

[mam1862]

Originally Posted by lpdeluxe

I use two G-B 10ts with the M/B, since it wants to see a 4 ohm load and they are 8 ohm each. The Shuttle 3.0 has 175W with one box and 300W with two, but I'm much more likely to use the Walkabout for more volume.

By the way, the G-B cabs are 16 lb each. How much are the Markbass speakers?

The MB cabs are about 33lbs and are 18" square.

[NorCal Dog]

Originally Posted by Brad Johnson

I use my Glasstone Lil G 2-12 wherever I play. Worked great on this outdoor show, worked great on my 200+ person gig Friday night downtown, worked great on a cruise ship duo gig Saturday night. And it works great in much larger venues too. IOW it works great.



Less than 40 lb. with a built-in dolly, loaded with a pair of Faital Pro 12PR300 12" neo drivers. Excellent, even, full range sound reproduction, particularly with the low end. These are two pretty brutal basses in the photo and it handles them with ease.


www.glasstonesound.com

looks like ( & i'm sure it sounds like ) an awesome rig

would love to add that Lil G to my rig soon

thanks for sharing Brad

[Brad Johnson]

Originally Posted by NorCal Dog

looks like ( & i'm sure it sounds like ) an awesome rig

would love to add that Lil G to my rig soon

thanks for sharing Brad

Its okay... I like it. Hopefully that won't cause further debate.

[Gommerspider]

Thanks for all that info.
So I am most inclined to my original opinion for 2x12s.
Since 2x10s maybe ok but risky sometimes in terms of headroom and the 15 cabs may be a portability or weight problem. I already have a 4x10 cab which is super fine for sound but not for my back.

So do you think that the Tc RS212 will match my orange Mk3?
I want to have a vintage sound produced.
I was also thinking about the Ampeg AV210s in vertical stacking but i am not sure if they can handle my amp without getting any distortion. Both choices are around the same price.

Thanks again for the valuable info.

[Downunderwonder]

For strictly monitoring you should be totally fine with a 2x12. Pop it up on a stool.

JimmyM likes his AV's with vintage ampeg tubes and SS. I don't know that he pushes them very hard. I expect the pair should get a fair bit louder than a single 2x12. Ampeg are known to be fairly conservative with power ratings, TC not so much.

Your amp isn't a very common one. If you need a particularly voiced cab you should try out the cabs yourself.

[iualum]

Originally Posted by Gommerspider

Thanks for all that info.
So I am most inclined to my original opinion for 2x12s.
Since 2x10s maybe ok but risky sometimes in terms of headroom and the 15 cabs may be a portability or weight problem. I already have a 4x10 cab which is super fine for sound but not for my back.

So do you think that the Tc RS212 will match my orange Mk3?
I want to have a vintage sound produced.
I was also thinking about the Ampeg AV210s in vertical stacking but i am not sure if they can handle my amp without getting any distortion. Both choices are around the same price.

Thanks again for the valuable info.

If you're set on a 212, have one built by www.LowDownSound.com . You'll get exactly what you want. Only downside is the build time (maybe 8 weeks). But good things (& with LDS, they're really good things) come to those who wait.

Check out Low Down Sound threads. Here's the Mega Thread... Low Down Sound Club, Part Four

Here are a couple excellent driver choices (as good as in the very top range commercially available cabs...for a LOT less)...

http://www.usspeaker.com/delta%20lite2512II-1.htm

http://www.usspeaker.com/faital%20pro%2012pr300-1.htm

Click on the link & give Don @ LDS a call. You're doing a disservice to yourself if you don't at least have a short conversation with him.

Plus, you get to pick cosmetics, too. Not the most important thing by a l-o-n-g shot, but a nice bonus.

[LowBSix]

Originally Posted by iualum

If you're set on a 212, have one built by www.LowDownSound.com . You'll get exactly what you want. Only downside is the build time (maybe 8 weeks). But good things (& with LDS, they're really good things) come to those who wait.

Check out Low Down Sound threads. Here's the Mega Thread... Low Down Sound Club, Part Four

Here are a couple excellent driver choices (as good as in the very top range commercially available cabs...for a LOT less)...

http://www.usspeaker.com/delta%20lite2512II-1.htm

http://www.usspeaker.com/faital%20pro%2012pr300-1.htm

Click on the link & give Don @ LDS a call. You're doing a disservice to yourself if you don't at least have a short conversation with him.

Plus, you get to pick cosmetics, too. Not the most important thing by a l-o-n-g shot, but a nice bonus.

+1 Say hello to Don from Rich.... He's building me a 1010/6 in Tweed as we type...

[jlepre]

Originally Posted by Brad Johnson

I use my Glasstone Lil G 2-12 wherever I play. Worked great on this outdoor show, worked great on my 200+ person gig Friday night downtown, worked great on a cruise ship duo gig Saturday night. And it works great in much larger venues too. IOW it works great.



Less than 40 lb. with a built-in dolly, loaded with a pair of Faital Pro 12PR300 12" neo drivers. Excellent, even, full range sound reproduction, particularly with the low end. These are two pretty brutal basses in the photo and it handles them with ease.


www.glasstonesound.com

Is that handle attached to the cab?

[jlepre]

I use my Epifani UL-115 cab for most gigs, and ad another cab for bigger rooms/stages. I seldom have FOH support, so I need to carry the room in most cases.

[Brad Johnson]

Originally Posted by jlepre

Is that handle attached to the cab?

Yes and it detaches with the push of a button.

[jlepre]

Originally Posted by Brad Johnson

Yes and it detaches with the push of a button.

More info please?

[dukeorock]

There's a middle ground in there somewhere...I don't want to bring more than I need, but when touring, I don't want to come up short either...so I go for small (ish), light (ish), but something that can be pushed really hard if needed. Lately that cab has been the FEARLESS F115. Under 50lbs, sounds good at low volume but can also go really loud...I can use it as a wedge or upright. 26"H, 20"W, 16.75"D and weight is around 46lbs. Works for me

[Brad Johnson]

Originally Posted by jlepre

More info please?

Sure... what would you like to know?

[Liggins]

I know you're States-side, but take a look at the Barefaced range, particularly the Super 12 and the Big Twin models, I have the Big Twin T, weighs 35Kg and is plenty loud enough for medium gigs. 2x12 and 1x6 with an HF horn.

http://www.barefacedbass.com