To mini-rig or not to mini-rig?

[Shakin-Slim]

Hi there,

I know similar topics might have already been covered but I feel this is a relatively specific question. I'm looking at one of those Shuttle 3.0 combos. At the moment I have a Warwick ProFet5.2 and 4x10 Warwick cab. It's just excessive, so at first the idea of getting a smaller amp seemed like a brilliant idea! So I need opinions as to whether this is a good idea. Obviously for practice it will be perfect. In terms of gigs I'm sure it will hold up for small clubs, jazz gigs etc. When I move back home I often play with a band that is quite a loud 3 piece. Also do you think I will find myself needing to upgrade in the future for bigger gigs or should I just leave that to the PA? I'm happy playing small gigs for the rest of my days. Just thinking of practicality. I wouldn't want to sell my Warwick rig only to need it back. Obviously 2 rigs would be ideal but I'm a poor student and that's not an option. So in all you TBers experience, which way would you lean? Also I think I would describe the Warwick amps as rather sterile... Looking for something warmer. Is the shuttle a good choice?

[fretno]

I say go mini , but I'd look into a 6.0 or 9 to ensure you have enough on tap . More cabs = more volume so you may need a few but you can still do mini cabs
My darn loud mini stack that breaks down into 1x 4ohm and 2 x8 ohm cabs , so I can do 225 watts 8 ohms / 350@4 or 500 at 2 ohms .

[modulusman]

Maybe look at the shuttle 6.0/12t. Nice and small but can get pretty loud if needed.

[SlingBass4]

Originally Posted by fretno

I say go mini , but I'd look into a 6.0 or 9 to ensure you have enough on tap . More cabs = more volume so you may need a few but you can still do mini cabs

I have to concur - something light in the 450-600 watt range with a couple of single 12 cabs leaves you a lot of options. Whether you choose Mark, GB, or whatever...it's better to have a little something in reserve

[KJung]

Originally Posted by SlingBass4

I have to concur - something light in the 450-600 watt range with a couple of single 12 cabs leaves you a lot of options. Whether you choose Mark, GB, or whatever...it's better to have a little something in reserve

+1 The Shuttle 6/112 combo is definitely gig-worthy (and quite gig-worthy even for moderate volume/sized gigs with the extension 112). IMO, the 8 and 10" models are really not, other than coffee house stuff.

[shadow_FIX]

Get a micro head/cab, keep the Warwick 4x10. You don't know when you'll need that 4x10! You say you'll play small gigs the rest of your life but what if there's an opportunity to play a large one?

I don't have any personal experience with the Shuttle so I can't comment about that. I will say that my LMIII and 210 Traveler cabinet is the most compact yet powerful setup I've ever used. One trip load in/load out is FAN-TAS-TIC!

[Bassamatic]

Go MINI! The new amps and speakers are so good and efficient you'll never go back.

My mini below. The MB 12" combo is SO LOUD I can play nearly any indoor gig with that only, especially if it is placed in a corner to take advantage of the horn effect. Outdoors, I add the 2x12 Schroeder. Never needed to go past 1/2 volume. AND - it all fits nicely in the trunk of my car.

[pasta4lnch]

a micro head and 2 112's is the way. I have a LMII and a avatar b212 - I recently got a gs112 - SO loud on it's own. I'm gonna sell the avatar and get another aggie. should be enough for any gig I do . . . I'll use one on the smaller gigs and 2 for the bigger

[SteveC]

Originally Posted by modulusman

Maybe look at the shuttle 6.0/12t. Nice and small but can get pretty loud if needed.

This is what I use. It's fine on it's own for small/medium gigs. I use it as a monitor for gigs where I have PA support.

Originally Posted by KJung

+1 The Shuttle 6/112 combo is definitly gig-worthy (and quite gig-worthy even for moderate volume/sized gigs with the extension 112). IMO, the 8 and 10" models are really not, other than coffee house stuff.

I had a 3.0-10T and it was really nice, but it just didn't have the little extra that I wanted for some gigs without PA support. Hence the 6.0-12T I use now.

Originally Posted by Gio S

Go MINI! The new amps and speakers are so good and efficient you'll never go back.

It may not be exactly the same as your big rig, but the new stuff sounds great and if your bands understand stage volume, mix, FOH, etc., you and your back will be very happy.

[frankie5string]

I've been gigging around Toronto for about 2 years now with my Roland CB-100 bass cube. It's only 100 watts but it pushes a lot of air. It helps if you have a high-output bass - it really takes advantage of the processing the Cube uses to get its volume... low output basses tend to sound a little tame through it. It's got a pretty unusual woofer in it - and circuitry that definitely changes the signal to the woofer based on what it "hears" at the input. It sounds as if it's got a really fast multi-band compander running to try and push as much low end out without causing the speaker to jump out of the cabinet.

I'm using a fretless Lakland 55-02 with fairly hot output.

I use it for large indoor and outdoor shows - and its primary purpose is to provide on-stage bass sound. It gives me more than enough volume at 50% gain and 50% volume on the "Trace Elliot" emulator setting.

My larger EA rig hasn't been touched - some major reliability issues cropped up in my EA amp and I've not had time to address them (long post-warranty)... I haven't felt any urgency to get to it either...

I know lots of guys gigging with the markbass 1x12 combo... they love them - except some complain about the nebulousness of the VLE control and the lack of any real "bite" at the pre-amp... The other thing is that I often have to walk my gear through the kitchens of clubs or hotels... and the carpet finish on the markbass amps tends to pick up smells that linger on the floors and elevators of those establishments (i kid you not!)

Oh, and it all fits with music stand and bass into my smart car...;-)

[Shakin-Slim]

Well that's all good advice and leaves me lots to ponder about. In response to some of these ideas, I can't keep the warwick cab. I have to sell everything I got in order to get anything else and I think I'll only have enough then to get maybe a shuttle 6.0 combo. I guess that's what I'll do. Thanks for all the advice. I guess it does make sense to always have a little something in reserve

[bmc]

Originally Posted by frankie5string

I've been gigging around Toronto for about 2 years now with my Roland CB-100 bass cube. It's only 100 watts but it pushes a lot of air. It helps if you have a high-output bass - it really takes advantage of the processing the Cube uses to get its volume... low output basses tend to sound a little tame through it. It's got a pretty unusual woofer in it - and circuitry that definitely changes the signal to the woofer based on what it "hears" at the input. It sounds as if it's got a really fast multi-band compander running to try and push as much low end out without causing the speaker to jump out of the cabinet.

I'm using a fretless Lakland 55-02 with fairly hot output.

I use it for large indoor and outdoor shows - and its primary purpose is to provide on-stage bass sound. It gives me more than enough volume at 50% gain and 50% volume on the "Trace Elliot" emulator setting.

My larger EA rig hasn't been touched - some major reliability issues cropped up in my EA amp and I've not had time to address them (long post-warranty)... I haven't felt any urgency to get to it either...

I know lots of guys gigging with the markbass 1x12 combo... they love them - except some complain about the nebulousness of the VLE control and the lack of any real "bite" at the pre-amp... The other thing is that I often have to walk my gear through the kitchens of clubs or hotels... and the carpet finish on the markbass amps tends to pick up smells that linger on the floors and elevators of those establishments (i kid you not!)

Oh, and it all fits with music stand and bass into my smart car...;-)

See if you can find a Yamaha BBT110S cab to try out with the Roland. It's the discontinued 1-10 cab. I tried it for fun and it added a whole level of girth and depth. Very impressed with it and will probably grab one to use with my Roland.

Like you, I've been leaving my big rig at home for the past two years. I didn't buy the Roland to gig. Just for practice. But the power rating is misleading. It's loud, full sounding and very gig worthy. Finding that out was a very pleasant surprise.

[Pilgrim]

Originally Posted by modulusman

Maybe look at the shuttle 6.0/12t. Nice and small but can get pretty loud if needed.

That's my exact rig - I even bought two of the 12T speakers and haven't needed the second one yet!! Fantastic combo, highly portable. I'd go with the 6.0 rather than the 3.0.

Don't be afraid to shop used. Some of the G-B equipment is starting to appear on the used market and their customer service is fantastic. I would not hesitate to buy a used Shuttle amp if it fit my budget better.

[troy mcclure]

I play in a bar band with a full PA on stage I use a Markbass F1 with a Avatar 210...plenty convient and small.

[JimmyM]

mini is cool, and i do have a mini rig, but i can't get rid of my big stuff. for me, bass = big, and while sometimes it's very cool to have a mini rig, i can't hang with the too-mini mini rig.

[electracoyote]

Best move I ever made was the Markbass CMD151P. At 40-some pounds, I can one-hand it through the door (at 51 years old, what a blessing) and it's loud as hell with a nice full bottom. I have never lacked for stage volume, and just in case, I picked up a Markbass 15" cab for the upcoming summer outdoor gigs.

[G RICH 5]

FWIW I have been on the micro/mini rig for the last year now, and I do npt play on going back. I have/use a GK mb2 500 & a LM tube 800 with a schroeder 1210 L cab. Tonight I just got home from my tuesday gig, which is the host band for a open jam at the new Toby Keith bar in town. I brought the lm 800 and schroeder tonight. The only bass player that showed up was the son of a drummer one of the band guys knows, so I let him go. I had the pre amp set flat one the bass and amp. The amp was master @ 12,
pre @ 2. I walked by the sound guy, who while laughing, called me over. He said how much he liked the sound of my rig, and then after a brief discussion he informed me that the bass was not in the PA. That rig was filling a BIG room w/ a 5 piece band, by itself.
Good enough for me.

[ninepoundjammer]

I just recently switched to a mini rig: EA Doubler (550 watts) + 2 Bergantino 1x12's. My back is so happy! On small gigs I bring only 1 cab and can load in with a single trip. And my entire rig fits in the back of my car without folding down the seats. With both 12's it's plenty loud, I can't imagine a gig where I'd honestly need more.

Best gear purchase I've ever made.

[sobie18]

If there are no complaints from you about your sound, keep what you have.

[bassman_al]

I like my mini rig better. I don't miss the 410 at all, but the mini sound is different. single 12 for jazz, add the 15 for the wedding band. Plenty of volume in an 8-piece band. The LMII at 4 ohms does just fine.