Is it worth the weight?

Kwesi · #1 08-17-2010, 10:01 PM

I'm really looking for input from the non-rock (jazz, r&b, funk, rare groove, etc) guys but all is welcome. I'm about to purchase a pretty heavy cab (90+ lbs) because I tried one out and it just sounded awesome. For you guys with the single cabs totaling at 70lbs or more, is it worth the weight or are you looking to lighten the load sometime soon?

5string5fingers · #2 08-17-2010, 10:05 PM

Having owned a big heavy cab myself. The tone is awesome,but after having to haul that back and forth between rehearsal for about a month,it's not longer awesome anymore.

will33 · #3 08-17-2010, 10:05 PM

To get a decent answer, you're going to have to at least say what cab this is. Heavier doesn't mean better, or worse, by any stretch.

**NOLA Bass** · #4 08-17-2010, 10:09 PM

I have sacrificed my ideal rig tone due to weight. After getting two discs replaced due to hauling 90# gear, it was an easy choice.

Jim Campbell · #5 08-17-2010, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kwesi

I'm really looking for input from the non-rock (jazz, r&b, funk, rare groove, etc) guys but all is welcome. I'm about to purchase a pretty heavy cab (90+ lbs) because I tried one out and it just sounded awesome. For you guys with the single cabs totaling at 70lbs or more, is it worth the weight or are you looking to lighten the load sometime soon?

before i'd dump a good sounding cab because of weight,i'd look into the dollies,2 wheelers etc. that make hauling it easier

cavedweller · #6 08-17-2010, 10:10 PM

you are the one that will be schleping it around. I have recently went with neo cabs and microhead.my last rig was ridiculously heavy and I am very happy with my lighter rig.If I cant load it into vehicle and onstage by myself,it is too heavy!

okcrum · #7 08-17-2010, 10:16 PM

i recently went to a rig with more and lighter cabinets. So I use 2x10s and/or 1x15s where I'd use a big 'ol single cab before. I can still get the sound I want, but it's an easier move, and more options to fit the rig to the gig.

Dollies, beefy casters, and handles in the right places can make or break hauling a heavier (actually, any) cab around. At least you don't have a 150 lb. 8x10 monster.

jerry · #8 08-17-2010, 10:17 PM

When I was younger, cabinet weight was never a issue, it's funny how things change. I loved my Bergie HT310 & HT212 cabs at about 85 pounds each.

()smoke() · #9 08-17-2010, 10:18 PM

i did some soul/latin jazz stuff in addition to rock, and for my ears, the bergantino nv610 i had was the best-sounding bass cab i've owned, so it was worth the weight and form factor...i got to hear another local player, MONSTER Latin Jazz and Funk guy, play through it at a latin jazz gig, and it sounded simply fantastic from out front

didn't go quite as low as other cabs i've owned, but made up for it with the sound it produced

Joe Nerve · #10 08-17-2010, 10:24 PM

I bought myself an NV610 about a year ago. I am sooooooooooo happy I did. Spent many years lugging around combos 12s and 15s, and found out that this is actually easier to handle than any of them. It fits perfectly in my trunk, and once I figured out a method for getting it in and out, the rest is easier than any combo. It tilts, and I can pull it with one hand without having to worry about bumps in the pavement, tipping it over, using 2 hands. What seemed like it was going to be a lot of work turned out to be a lot less work. I think the cab weighs exactly 90 lbs.

Afterthought: What does the kind of music have to do with lugging it around? Is it just cause we rock guys are so much stronger than you jazz guys? You can handle it too. It's not that heavy.

Sav'nBass · #11 08-17-2010, 10:54 PM

At this point in my life nothing is worth the weight.. and saving up and spending more for a good neo is worth the wait..

I really didn't plan to do that..

JimmyM · #12 08-17-2010, 11:03 PM

i don't mind light cabs but not at the expense of tone. i'd much rather lug a heavy good sounding cab than a light cab that sounds light.

Plays_For_Dog · #13 08-17-2010, 11:10 PM

I've always liked my tone from heavier cabs better. However, I haven't played through any SWR Golight stuff and I really want to try it out.

ErnieD · #14 08-17-2010, 11:53 PM

I'm a older dude and I have lite cabs, two GB Neox 212T's, Neox 112T and 3 heavy cabs, Eden D210T, 210xlt/410xlt. I use one or more cabs depending on what the gig ( and weather)calls for. I say weather cause during this hot@ss summers in the Houston area, I like my schleps to be quick n lite. So I use the Neo cabs for most gigs. Though the 410xlt sounds so good to me and it has casters, so it gets alota use as well in the bigger rooms.

Now, I may regret this but a local dude is holding a Ampeg 410HLF for me at a real good price, I feel. I used to own one of these a few years back and really liked it. Plus I'm in a Tx Blues Rock band and I think it would kill in that context. And I'm thinking like I do my 410xlt, it'll stay in my garage too. Then I can roll it up to my SUV rear bumper, tilt it and slide it into the cargo area. Using leverage I don't feel the entire weight ever. I just do the reverse to unload.

I'm lucky that most gigs I can pull up to a club and not have to deal with stairs, tall stages, etc. Mainly gig at sportsbars in stripmalls where I can just back right up to a glass door and roll my gear in on flat surface with maybe a small stage or just a drum riser we setup around.

So I'm gonna go hear this HLF this week. If for any reason it does not bring back memories of what I recall of it, I can walk away knowing I don't need it. So in closing kwesi, if your gonna own a heavy cab, try not to let it be the only cab you own.

aledeville · #15 08-18-2010, 12:30 AM

Don't make a mistake and buy too heavy gear. You'll hate yourself later.

zachoff · #16 08-18-2010, 12:32 AM

If it sounds awesome it's worth the weight. My rig is 240lbs+ and I wouldn't trade it for anything.

zachoff · #17 08-18-2010, 12:38 AM

Do any of you guys share load in/out duties w/ your guitar player or drummer or singer? Sheesh, it's almost like most of you are responsible for your own gear and nobody else helps out at all.

I went through a phase where I wanted to downsize from my 810 and after a few cabs and various combinations my guitar player said "Get another 810 and I'll help you load in and out of every show we ever play." Tone matters.

JimmyM · #18 08-18-2010, 12:46 AM

nobody helps me. i don't care. i don't need them. and then i don't have to help with their stuff

MIJ-VI · #19 08-18-2010, 05:09 AM

Tilt 'n' roll? Or heft 'n' schlep?..

KJung · #20 08-18-2010, 05:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kwesi

I'm really looking for input from the non-rock (jazz, r&b, funk, rare groove, etc) guys but all is welcome. I'm about to purchase a pretty heavy cab (90+ lbs) because I tried one out and it just sounded awesome. For you guys with the single cabs totaling at 70lbs or more, is it worth the weight or are you looking to lighten the load sometime soon?

For that style of music, unless you are broke, buying a cab that heavy doesn't make any sense to me. There are a large number of amazing, lightweight, great sounding (ZERO compromise) 212's and 410's out there now. You just need to do a little homework.

However, your gigging mode also matters quite a bit. If you play with a 'band', and do 'group load ins' and typically play clubs and bars with contiguous parking lots, weight is probably not a big deal. If you are a freelancer, schlepping your own rig, and often playing either in large cities with difficult load ins, playing hotels with loading dock entries, etc., etc., then anything over 60 pounds or so can really be a drag.

It depends