Were you happy after downsizing? - Page 5

Hilton Marsh · #81 01-06-2013, 10:05 PM

I have both. A Markbass combo for small to medium ( I just add a 2x10 Eden cab for the medium size gigs) and a Hartke head with a laney 4x10 and a laney 2x15. I dont lug anything, that's what my teenage children are on this planet for and at the gig, that's the job of the sound guys. My back is way too important. Was I happy to downsize to the Markbass? Hell yes, that class D kicks arse.

Schizoid75 · #82 01-06-2013, 10:26 PM

I tried to scan through the thread to see if anyone has mentioned this, but I didn't see it.

I've gone exclusively to in-ear monitors and I will never go back. The whole point of a rig is to be able to hear the sound we want on stage, right? Perhaps some people in the thread are using their rig as the main source of bass for the house sound, but I rely on the PA we rent for that. With my in-ear setup, I get exactly the sound I want at every single show, regardless of the room. I can be as loud as I want and it doesn't matter at all to the rest of the band. I'm so completely sold on going in-ear. Less gear to haul, perfect sound, less feedback, easier setup and teardown, more space on stage, etc. etc.

droskobass · #83 01-06-2013, 10:42 PM

I use an SVT or Glockenklang heart rock into a 410 (Berg or Glock) as often as I can, but on acoustic gigs my Phil Jones Briefcase or EBS Neodrome do the trick and My B15 works for just about any studio situation.

I did buy a Neo amp and I used it for a while, but I'm only 39 and fit enough to move a 410 so I really felt like I was paying thousands more for a tec amp when I already had three dream rigs... I just had to sell the Tecamp... loved it, but a light weight rig is only "As good as" in my opinion and never surpasses what I've got, the day I can't lift it alone... well let's hope that day doesn't come too soon!

For now I use the tools required and still fit them into a taxi and schlep them myself...

tomorrow i'll bring the B-15 to the acoustic gig (gig where the guitars are acoustic, but there is still electric bass and drums) it'll just be warmer...

**TXLawDawg** · #84 01-06-2013, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schizoid75

I tried to scan through the thread to see if anyone has mentioned this, but I didn't see it.

I've gone exclusively to in-ear monitors and I will never go back. The whole point of a rig is to be able to hear the sound we want on stage, right? Perhaps some people in the thread are using their rig as the main source of bass for the house sound, but I rely on the PA we rent for that. With my in-ear setup, I get exactly the sound I want at every single show, regardless of the room. I can be as loud as I want and it doesn't matter at all to the rest of the band. I'm so completely sold on going in-ear. Less gear to haul, perfect sound, less feedback, easier setup and teardown, more space on stage, etc. etc.

Ultimately, I'd like to go this route as well. My current GAS has me researching all of the digital avenues that can be used to pursue this (i.e. iPad). Out of curiosity, what IEM setup are you running? Just you or the whole band? (My apologies to the OP for the slight derail)

nostatic · #85 01-06-2013, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schizoid75

The whole point of a rig is to be able to hear the sound we want on stage, right? Perhaps some people in the thread are using their rig as the main source of bass for the house sound, but I rely on the PA we rent for that.

This is an important broader point - the answer depends on a lot of factors. How many gigs do you play a year, do you have a road crew, what style of music, do you have FOH support, etc. In my case, I'm loading my own gear in/out 100+ times a year. A lot of gigs I don't have FOH support (jazz gigs), other times we only use FOH for vox and sax, still other places backline is provided so I plug into whatever is there.

I have zero regrets to downsizing. And in fact, I get bummed at some gigs where I've got a supplied back line as I prefer the tone of my rig. My tube preamp is 8 lbs (and I can take that to run in front of a supplied amp), head is 5 lbs, and cabs are 37 lbs each. Running the pair of Baer ML112s will frankly push plenty hard for me and sound better than any fridge I've played through. But again, depends on the music you're playing and the sound you like.

Schizoid75 · #86 01-06-2013, 10:55 PM

I'll do a brief reply, PM me if you want to discuss further. I'm happy to share my findings.

I've got a Sennheiser ew 300 system that I use for the transmitter/receiver. I'm using a Fractal Audio Axe II and I take a line of that into a small ART ProMix mixer. I then get another XLR from the sound company that will give me the rest of the band and plug that into another channel on the ART. Then I run the output of the ART to the Sennheiser and use a pair of molded JH Audio IEM's. The JH's are very comfortable for the entire night, the sound is just like cutting tracks in the studio, and I can blend in as much bass as I want.

Jawbone · #87 01-06-2013, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gremson

Wow. I didn't expect every reply so far to be a positive one. This is definitely helping me narrow down my search.

Even though the first lunch box size cell phones will work do you really want to carry one around when the iphone is available?

Technology hits the electronics of the music world - imagine that! Now if they could only figure out how to get 15" sound out of a 4" driver.

Oh, I still prefer the big stuff Ampeg SVT and 412.

JimmyM · #88 01-06-2013, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jawbone

Technology hits the electronics of the music world - imagine that! Now if they could only figure out how to get 15" sound out of a 4" driver.

Getting it is no problem. Getting it at a volume you can actually hear on a gig is. That's why Phil Jones uses a whole buttload of them in his bass cabs.

Tony Flow MMMM · #89 01-07-2013, 04:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jawbone

Even though the first lunch box size cell phones will work do you really want to carry one around when the iphone is available?

Vintage box cell phones have so much more mojo, growl and soul than today's lightweight cells.

**powmetalbassist** · #90 01-07-2013, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tony Flow MMMM

Vintage box cell phones have so much more mojo, growl and soul than today's lightweight cells.

Ha! Win! I'm gonna get me 1989 Vintage Box Cell Phone.

Bredian · #91 01-07-2013, 06:51 AM

Left my backup GK 410 BLX in the back of the truck during a gig and my drummer comes in "dude, you know there's a cabinet in the back of your truck" - me - "its 95 lb, I've had it for sale on CL for a couple of weeks - not worried" Now sits on my porch waiting for someone to want.

Means2nEnd · #92 01-07-2013, 07:25 AM

I want to downsize so badly I have two huge rigs that sound incredible but I am getting older and my back would dig a smaller rig. I do love the feel under my feet of a hollow stage and the stage vibrating and the feel of huge tone behind me. I have played through a couple mini rigs that sounded great in a small room heck I own a MarkBass II 2/10 thought about adding a second cab but it never leaves my office at home.

The other thing is whenever we do a gig with other bands they almost always ask to use my rig and geek out playing through it. My live rig is an Aguilar DB750 on top of a Mesa Powerhouse 1000 and that’s my smaller of my two rigs. Have some young health nut guys in the band that move my stuff for me as I carry one drum throne or a cymbal or two. I had rotator cuff surgery this last year so they are all willing to help me move my rig so maybe one day I’ll wait and see what comes out at NAMM. If Aguilar would make a TH1000 or even a TH750 that’s close in headroom of my DB I will strongly consider it. Sit that on a Schroeder 4/10 or something like that I think I will cut over 100 Lbs. off my rig and it will still kick some arse.

Roscoe East · #93 01-07-2013, 08:03 AM

I guess if I had to be honest with myself I'd admit that I still prefer the sound of an SVT driving at least one 8x10 cab to my various "downsized" rigs...but the advantages of the more compact/portable rigs are so much greater that it doesn't even feel like a compromise.

Plus I get a venue-supplied backline at probably 75-80% of the gigs I do these days, so I never lose any sleep wondering whether I'm happy with my amp.

obimark · #94 01-07-2013, 08:21 AM

any word on the ampeg v4b re-release- that is something i'd consider as it should be the tube sound at a more reasonable volume/ weight.

will33 · #95 01-07-2013, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by obimark

any word on the ampeg v4b re-release- that is something i'd consider as it should be the tube sound at a more reasonable volume/ weight.

There was a sort of a "teaser thread" about this a while back that stemmed from an Ampeg facebook post or something. Seemed a lot of interest but couldn't get any details.

I love to see V4's again. Not sure I could or would swing the price for a new one though. The old ones aren't all that rare. An early non-master volume V4 popped up on CL here just a couple days ago asking $600, probably could get it for $500. If cash wasn't tight right now, it would already be mine.

countrybass007 · #96 01-07-2013, 09:15 AM

I haven't changed the music I play, just the size of my gear. My main concern was keeping the sound I loved, and I found downsized gear that did that. The big arena and festivals just plug into the built in direct on my PJB, and it all works perfectly.

JimmyM · #97 01-07-2013, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by obimark

any word on the ampeg v4b re-release- that is something i'd consider as it should be the tube sound at a more reasonable volume/ weight.

No word yet but it is coming.

RDUB · #98 01-07-2013, 04:04 PM

There are different ways to downsize. I just started using and AER Amp 3, and I love it. I even used it for a classic rock cover gig with PA support, and it was fine.

For bigger gigs, I've downsized cabs. It's way easier to make a second trip with another smaller cab... And 4 10's with a db750 is plenty loud!

searchfunction · #99 01-07-2013, 04:38 PM

Went from a GB GBE 750 and an Accugroove El Whappo to a GB NeoPak and a couple of GB Focus 112's. I kept the GBE 750 though in case they find out Class D causes cancer or something.

klejst · #**100** 01-08-2013, 07:37 PM

The most recent cabinet change was a Mesa Powerhouse 6x10 to a Mesa 2x15. It may not seem like a huge downgrade in nothing more then going from six 10" speakers to two 15" speakers and also dropping about 10 or so pounds which don't get me wrong my back appreciates any help there. I would not call it a downgrade though because the 2x15 sounds awesome! Sure 10's and 15's are like apples to oranges, however I am loving the 15's. I ended selling my 6x10 and what I paid for the 2x15 when I bought it shorty after was about a quarter of what I paid for the 6x10 and sold it for. I got a smoking deal on it which helps and made a little profit for a rainy day.