Opinions on downsizing amps...

[LilTort3608]

Hey guys!!!

So, I've been recently thinking about downsizing my rig down to a combo (with potential of adding an extension). I currently am using a Markbass Little Mark Tube 800 and run it through an Avatar 410 neodymium cabinet. When playing live, I generally only run my Markbass's master on about 4 and my gain on 2 and I am easily heard in the mix. I really do enjoy the tone I get out of this rig, but I would at the same time like to downsize a little bit.

I was thinking about trying out the Mesa Walkabout Scout 15. I was told by a number of people that this combo is one of the best sounding ones on the market, but haven't gotten the chance to try one out. The FX loop is also a nice aspect of this combo, since I use a Sans Amp and a Carbon Copy delay (soon to be a Chunk Systems Brown Dog and EBS Dynaverb!!!).

Anyways..... What are some of your opinions on this potential decision?

[squarewave]

Perhaps a smaller cabinet or a pair of smaller cabinets? I have the Tube 800 and two lightweight single 12's (Epifany), and it's a very versatile rig. You could bring just one cabinet when the gig is small, and both for the big (or outdoor) gigs.

If you really want to lighten the load, there are powerfull heads that can fit in your gigbag available now too. I'm sure someone will have some suggestions.

[LilTort3608]

That's definitely another good option to try. Thanks man!

[JxBass]

If you have the $$ you could get one of the hot new "super 12" cabs that put out as much or more volume than a 2x10: AudioKinesis Thunderchild; Baer ML112; etc. Lots of info on these on TB.

[BassmanPaul]

You are using a cabinet that is fairly efficient and pretty light. Any smaller cab you buy will need to be compensated for by more power. This is not the best way to get volume as you can only take it so far. Cones always outweigh power in the volume department.

Perhaps a pair of 2x10s will work for you. That will get the handling of a 4x10 but with much better dispersion if you stack them vertically.

[Gearhead17]

Originally Posted by BassmanPaul

You are using a cabinet that is fairly efficient and pretty light. Any smaller cab you buy will need to be compensated for by more power. This is not the best way to get volume as you can only take it so far. Cones always outweigh power in the volume department.

Perhaps a pair of 2x10s will work for you. That will get the handling of a 4x10 but with much better dispersion if you stack them vertically.

Pair of 210's or just getting the same model 410 in a 210 version. Don't downsize too much here. Keep the head.

[shoot-r]

Originally Posted by LilTort3608

Hey guys!!!

So, I've been recently thinking about downsizing my rig down to a combo (with potential of adding an extension). I currently am using a Markbass Little Mark Tube 800 and run it through an Avatar 410 neodymium cabinet. When playing live, I generally only run my Markbass's master on about 4 and my gain on 2 and I am easily heard in the mix. I really do enjoy the tone I get out of this rig, but I would at the same time like to downsize a little bit.

I was thinking about trying out the Mesa Walkabout Scout 15. I was told by a number of people that this combo is one of the best sounding ones on the market, but haven't gotten the chance to try one out. The FX loop is also a nice aspect of this combo, since I use a Sans Amp and a Carbon Copy delay (soon to be a Chunk Systems Brown Dog and EBS Dynaverb!!!).

Anyways..... What are some of your opinions on this potential decision?

+1 with the "two", 210 cabinets stacked as a vertical 410 crowd!
Since your already familiar with the Avatar 10" driver loaded cabinets I'd suggest "two" Avatar 210 Neo cabinets.
Stacked as a vertical 410 you'll get the advantages of vertical stacking over a traditional 410 cabinet plus you can use just one 210 for rehearsals/small gigs, both when more volume and coverage is needed.
Keep your 410 parked at your rehearsal space...or...use em' all for a 810 when ya want to hurt drummers!
I've been gigging two Avatar 210 Neo cabinets as a vertical 410 for over a year now, LOVE em'.

[will33]

Originally Posted by shoot-r

+1 with the "two", 210 cabinets stacked as a vertical 410 crowd!
Since your already familiar with the Avatar 10" driver loaded cabinets I'd suggest "two" Avatar 210 Neo cabinets.
Stacked as a vertical 410 you'll get the advantages of vertical stacking over a traditional 410 cabinet plus you can use just one 210 for rehearsals/small gigs, both when more volume and coverage is needed.

I'd say +1 to this as well. Especially if you already like your tone, the rig is working for you, etc. Just a little too much of it.

[bongomania]

Originally Posted by LilTort3608

The FX loop is also a nice aspect of this combo, since I use a Sans Amp and a Carbon Copy delay (soon to be a Chunk Systems Brown Dog and EBS Dynaverb!!!).

FWIW, you do not need an FX loop for these. They are designed to be run between bass and amp, and the specific ones you mentioned have bypass switches that don't "suck tone".

[chuck norriss]

It's not the same; dont do it just get a good dolly
Only exception is surround yourself w/ phil jones cabs but who has that kind of money

[Joe Louvar]

Originally Posted by LilTort3608

I was thinking about trying out the Mesa Walkabout Scout 15. I was told by a number of people that this combo is one of the best sounding ones on the market, but haven't gotten the chance to try one out.

I’ve heard a few of them live and they’re an excellent sounding amp!!!

[RickenBoogie]

The Walkabout Scout 15 has been dubbed the "dragabout", but it is an awesome sounding amp. You just can't expect to get the same volume level with fewer spkrs. Also, +1 to Bongo's post re: the fx loop. Those are designed for line level gear, such as rack-mounted fx units. Your stomp boxes are instrument level, and therefore, should be run in the amps front end.

[4Mal]

As I get deeper into singing, partiularly 2 and 3 part harmony stuff, I want to play less and less loud. So for me it's easy. Small rig works great. In my case, an MB2-500 and a MojoSonic 1x10. When he gets around to it, Singlemalt is going to clone my little MojoSonic cab as a combo to house the GK for when I want a grab 'n go setup. then I can have 1 10 or 2 10's for the nights when I don't need the fEarful.

In almost all the places I play, other bands are way to darned loud....

I don't mean in the "Hey you kids - get off my lawn" sense - it's just that the rooms are not generally large and playing too loud messes with clarity. It just becomes a sonic assault. I actually want to hear what people are playing and singing. One of the things I emphasize is finding the appropriate volume level for a room.
Clearly I don't play or inhabit the clubs where 'tribal' is happening and the cookie monster singer need not apply as it were...
So ... right size your rig at will is my suggestion.

You playin' arena stages & ball parks ? An SVT or a 1515/66 by all means. Me I'm scaling for the rooms & stages I actually play.

I'd love to hear a walkabout sometime...

[dog1]

Keep the head and buy a couple of Thunderchild cabs. That'll do

[Mousekillaz]

I tried a Mesa Walkabout and was very impressed.

[fingerbun]

I've just bought a Walkabout head as my big rig

Basically looking at different speakers for different situations.

I looked at a Scout but the 15" box is imo awful for transporting. Combination of the size, the shape and the lack of decent handles. I'd think a separate cab much easier, or would look at the 12" Scout. For sometime I been using a 100W Roland Cube on an amp stand for small gigs and it works well. I would expect the 12" Walkabout to have a similar form factor, more volume and a better but possibly less versatile tone. (The Cube models different amps and has 4 band EQ, the Walkabout has no modelling and 3 band parametric EQ, so hard to compare them).

Having used a few combos, the issue I have is they don't scale well to different size gigs and stages. Since I play a wide variety of stuff, I couldn't get by with combo alone, unless I was to knock back anything where I was unhappy with the PA support.