Upgrade to a rig?

[TimboSlice87]

So I've always used combos, and I am currently using a GKMB212. I am pretty pleased with the portability, power and tone. As far as gigs my band usually plays small to mid size bars. I am always D.I.'ed anyways. However, there is a very good chance that we will be playing at Vans Warped Tour next month and I'm not sure what the sound setup will be like. (and I would look silly up there with my little baby amp). I've been thinking about buying a rig. If so, probably at least a head paired with a 410 (or two). I'm leaning towards Ampeg. What do you think?

[Bass_Pounder]

If you like what you have already, and it's been working for you, I see no reason to spend alot of money for a new rig to "not look silly" at one gig.

Surely a gig the size of the Warped tour will have sufficient P.A>, and possibly provide the backline.

[spaz21387]

do it why dont you just get an 8x10 its the standard for bass gear on stage at any venue.

[TimboSlice87]

Originally Posted by spaz21387

do it why dont you just get an 8x10 its the standard for bass gear on stage at any venue.

an 810 would be cool, but I would need a van to transport it

[TimboSlice87]

Originally Posted by Bass_Pounder

If you like what you have already, and it's been working for you, I see no reason to spend alot of money for a new rig to "not look silly" at one gig.

Surely a gig the size of the Warped tour will have sufficient P.A>, and possibly provide the backline.

good point, perhaps its not necessary. but it that case why would anyone use a rig, if there is a PA to be taken advantage of?

[cableguy]

If you're just worried about the one gig then look at renting a bigger rig.

Or if you feel like you need a rig that can go bigger just buy another GK 212 cab to put underneath your combo if it has the power and the head can take the load. That way you have small rig & big rig.

[skwee]

One's stage presence should outweigh the size of one's rig anyway. I wouldn't worry about it.

[TimboSlice87]

Originally Posted by cableguy

If you're just worried about the one gig then look at renting a bigger rig.

Or if you feel like you need a rig that can go bigger just buy another GK 212 cab to put underneath your combo if it has the power and the head can take the load. That way you have small rig & big rig.

interestingly enough it looks like the MB210 can be hooked up to an extension cab, but the MB212 (the one i have) cannot. im not sure why...maybe it has to do with ohms?

[JimmyM]

You can easily do a show like the Vans Warped Tour with what you have since they do big PA. And if I'm not mistaken, they always have a house rig as well. A typical 212 is only a little bit shy of the air movement of a typical 410.

Now having said that, I like big cabs because they sound better to me. But I'd never buy a rig for a week or two on the Warped Tour if I couldn't use it elsewhere.

BTW, don't freak out about outdoor shows like that. Many people get into buying frenzies for stuff like this and they're unfamiliar with the stuff and don't sound as good as they would with their own gear they're used to. Just go up there and do what you'd normally do on the stages you've been playing, stay as close to each other as you can within reason, and it'll be fine. It's a little different, but not THAT much different. It really is all about your band and how you play, anyway. They got the sound covered...you just go up there and rock the house.

[steveksux]

Originally Posted by TimboSlice87

So I've always used combos, and I am currently using a GKMB212. I am pretty pleased with the portability, power and tone. As far as gigs my band usually plays small to mid size bars. I am always D.I.'ed anyways. However, there is a very good chance that we will be playing at Vans Warped Tour next month and I'm not sure what the sound setup will be like. (and I would look silly up there with my little baby amp). I've been thinking about buying a rig. If so, probably at least a head paired with a 410 (or two). I'm leaning towards Ampeg. What do you think?

Its not how big it is, its what you do with it...

If you like you're tone, keep the current rig. They'll have PA support, all you need is a stage monitor. If its big enough to play medium clubs, its good enough. Most of the time people with a big rig on stage just turn it up too loud and mess with the FOH sound anyway.

If you invest in something, I'd invest in IEMs. Make your stage rig obsolete. I just recently made the switch, and love carrying a little combo in for the band to hear me, and a PA for everyone else to hear me. Don't have to carry the monster rig to most venues anymore.

The biggest problem on large stages when you're used to small stages is hearing everyone else. A big rig for you just makes that problem worse, since you'll simply turn a bigger rig louder. You try to reproduce the volume you're used to hearing yourself at. Thing is, on a bigger stage, you hear everyone else quieter too. You up your volume to what you're used to, and now you can't hear the other guys on the opposite side of the stage. A bigger rig makes larger stages WORSE, not BETTER if you ask me.

IEMs solve that problem nicely, get a mix with everyone in your ears, you don't have to worry about how big the stage is, how far away the other guys are on the opposite side of the stage.

Randy

[steveksux]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Now having said that, I like big cabs because they sound better to me. But I'd never buy a rig for a week or two on the Warped Tour if I couldn't use it elsewhere.

I think a lot of the lure of the big cabs is simply you have speakers pointing at your ears rather than your ass... Its got to sound better. I wonder if speaker stands/angling toward your head could give similar results with a smaller cab... But you'd lose floor coupling, some low end, and I have to admit, there's definitely some part of me that likes feeling the bass, not just hearing it.

Randy

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by steveksux

I think a lot of the lure of the big cabs is simply you have speakers pointing at your ears rather than your ass... Its got to sound better. I wonder if speaker stands/angling toward your head could give similar results with a smaller cab... But you'd lose floor coupling, some low end, and I have to admit, there's definitely some part of me that likes feeling the bass, not just hearing it.

Randy

Actually Randy you don't lose low end...you gain mids and highs. People only think they're losing low end because they can hear more mids and highs, but it's all still there and will be till you elevate it like 30 inches or so (forget the exact number). Tilting a small cab back is excellent. I do it myself.

[rodl2005]

I.m with Jimmy on this one. & don't shows like this have-usually an SVT & 810 as a standard backline-? Then you can use your little rig' behind it. ;-)