Replacing bass rig for portability...advice?

kyussson · #1 05-30-2011, 08:36 AM

Hi TalkBass,

Here's the deal. I really like my sound right now. Here are the basics. A CrestAudio CA-6 power amp with Sansamp rackmount and behringer compressor. I run this through an Eden d410xst.

My band gigs maybe twice a month and this thing is killing me to lug around.

I am considering trying to sell it and buy something comparable, but more portable. Anyone have any advice?

Ah, the kicker. I can only spend as much as I can get for my current setup.

TalkBass, you have always steered my right in the past. Thanks

Sliderbass · #2 05-30-2011, 08:56 AM

You could either replace the head with a micro of your choice or replace the cab with 2-210xst's.

Not sure what I would do. That's a pretty nice rig you've got there. That cab can be a bear to move at the end of a gig for sure.

Have the rest of the band help you with the load in- out! Saves you $$$ on replacing a perfectly good rig!

philtoler · #3 05-30-2011, 09:05 AM

you will get many different suggestions, there is plenty of good quality compact gear out there. I have owned compact cabs/combos by Trace Elliott, Ashdown and MarkBass, but never been totally happy with them. My current gear is Orange - a TB500 head into an SP210 cab. I have managed to get away with using this little dynamo at over 90% of my gigs so far and I keep falling more and more in love with the cab's sound. So do my band mates and others listening to it. For the first time in my life I'm sure this is "the one" and it's unlikely I will ever get rid of it. If one is not enough just get two! Other reports have also praised the SP212 and SP410 - I have no reason to doubt them.

lomo · #4 05-30-2011, 09:12 AM

Depends on you budget and how light you wanna get. In order of preference (IMHO of course):

1) Replace the cab with a modern 3 way 15/6/tweet that will be as loud. Avatar TB153 (get over the brand name and read up/listen to it if you can). The best deal in a stock cab on the current market. 65 lbs and under 600 delivered.

2)Move to pair of vertically stacked 210s of your choice.

3) Lose the rack for a powerful micro head (eg GB Shuttle 9.0 or SMax 9.2 or GK MB800) and get a stompbox compressor. This will save you a lot of weight, but there's a chance it will not thump as hard for your liking. Try a micro with your current cab 1st. That will tell you if you like it. IMHO avoid the Eden and EA micros which do not seem as loud or hard-hitting IME as the Markbass, GB or GK offerings (I have played all the micros except the Carvin and Aggie models).

4) If you have the coin and want the compressor-my pref would be a mesa M9 head. It'll be as loud and hit as hard, but you won't save as much weight (it's 28 lbs), but has a great onboard compressor.

Good luck...

rhopper · #5 05-30-2011, 09:17 AM

The Orange TB500 and one SP212 has been perfect. When the former poster Philtoler said that his SP210/TB500 is good for most gigs, I believe it!

pasta4lnch · #6 05-30-2011, 09:17 AM

I like my LMII and SABDDI pedal - it's def more portable. Cabs are another story. Really depends on the kinds of gigs you play. Me - I play small to medium so I'm trying to widdle down to 2 112's. (currently have an avatar 212 and GS112 - love 'em both, but I'll trade the 212 for another 112 in a heartbeat)

what about a Jeff Berlin combo w/ an extension 115? add the BDDI and it'll kill!

enricogaletta · #7 05-30-2011, 09:35 AM

You can considering a lot of nice "compact" solutions, Aguilar, EBS and SWR and almost other brands make now compact cabs like 2x10 and 1x12 or 1X0 that have a great sound and power and the same for the heads.
With that kind of combination i think you can afford different types of gig.
Cheers.
Enrico Galetta - Home

ButtUglyJeff · #8 05-30-2011, 10:28 AM

If your 410 was in two pieces, would that be easier for you? Or are you trying to get away from 4 speakers period?

Less speakers is less volume, period...

Never_grew_up · #9 05-30-2011, 10:36 AM

You could shave almost 38 lbs. off your rig just by swapping the CA-6 for one of the Peavey IPR power amps. The CA-6 is 44lbs., the IPR's (non-dsp version) are 6.2.
Replace the 410 with pair of Fearful 12/6's & you're done.

RickenBoogie · #10 05-30-2011, 10:45 AM

+1 lighter amps are one thing, but decreasing your number of speakers is not the way to go.

jtc_hunter · #11 05-30-2011, 12:54 PM

What kind of PA support do you have? Our band has 4-15" mains and an 18" powered sub. I went to strictly DI. I carry in my bass case in one hand, and a gator 2 ru shallow rack which has my tuner and wireless in it in the other hand. I use an MXR M80 DI box straight to the mixer. We have 5 good JBL and yamaha wedges that handle my stage volume just fine .

kapaauguy · #12 05-30-2011, 01:18 PM

sounds like you have a pretty sweet rig. i'd be loathe to swap that puppy.
i know this suggestion is a bit off direction but have you considered a lightweight, foldable handtruck?
Sears: Online department store featuring appliances, tools, fitness equipment and more
you still have to load your rig in and out of your car/truck but it sure makes getting from point A-B much easier. get some straps and customize em for ease of use and even stairs are pretty easy. i wish i had pics of my last rig. i had my amp in a SKB and i would strap the handles with the handles of the cab making them one unit and then my handtruck had straps which were attached to it. three straps and i was off.

**ddbassGA** · #13 05-30-2011, 02:21 PM

That cab's a beast and the rack is bulky. I have no idea what your rig is worth. If weight is really a factor, I'd consider 2 neo 210 cabs and a lightweight head. GB or GK. Or combo with extension -- like the GK MB210 (light, loud combo) with a 210 extension cab. 500 watts. Lots of flex. I like my Ampeg PF500 and PF115 cab, also like their PF210 cab.

Blues Bass 2 · #14 05-30-2011, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Never_grew_up

You could shave almost 38 lbs. off your rig just by swapping the CA-6 for one of the Peavey IPR power amps. The CA-6 is 44lbs., the IPR's (non-dsp version) are 6.2.
Replace the 410 with pair of Fearful 12/6's & you're done.

I agree with this if you want to keep most of your sound .

The lightweight power amps won't sound exactly like your Crest but they will let you keep most of your tone intact . I used an RBI with a Crown CE1000 lead sled and moved to a Crown XTI1000 and didn't notice a change in my sound , just the weight . I've been using the lightweight heads , a Markbass LMII and now a Carvin BX500 , and they are reall great heads and have quite a bit of power but they have different tone so you would have to adjust . I'm going back to the RBI/Crown rig just because I like the Sans Amp RBI tone so much . Both the micro heads I've had sound great but they aren't my favorite tone .

The cab is another story and that is where most of your weight needs to come off . Maybe the Avatar TB153 is the answer .

**TXLawDawg** · #15 05-30-2011, 02:43 PM

I made the switch from an 8x10/rack setup to a Markbass 2x10 combo and couldn't be happier. Was planning on adding an extension cab (probably a 1x15) but I haven't needed it yet.

kyussson · #16 05-30-2011, 08:17 PM

Thanks a lot for all the input. I got a lot of great advice from talk bass putting together my current rig, and I will check out all the suggestions so far. I will seriously consider the hand truck suggestion, and I have always liked the live sound I've heard from orange!

I envy you JTC_Hunter for loadins. Unfortunately I am often at the mercy of house and sometimes no PA whatsoever.

Thanks again for all the advice. It might be a while but I will definitely post back when I figure something out.