Quality over quantity

[bongomania]

Neat to see a Line6 forum here!

I know a large percentage of Line6's existing customer base wants a ton of amp models and effects and options crammed into as small (and inexpensive) of a package as possible. But there are some of us out there who are willing to pay a bit more for something that does less, but does it exceptionally well.

I'd like to see Line6 put out a "premium" or "pro" line built for real rugged gigging, not just bedroom playing, and built with quality audio components, not just whatever was cheapest to source. And I'd like the software emphasis to be on utility (practical sounds and a great user interface) as well as realism under "golden ears" listening scrutiny.

Thanks!

[stflbn]

Agreed, my personal experience/impression with the Line6 stuff (Pod, Pod2, BassPod XT, BassPod XTLive, Pod X3 Live) has always ended up being "to much focus on stuff I really don't use/need and not enough focus on core sounds/tone/functions I really do need.

Of course... that hasn't stopped me from trying the new units as they come out. But they have to stay around long.

[kful]

Originally Posted by bongomania

I'd like to see Line6 put out a "premium" or "pro" line built for real rugged gigging, not just bedroom playing, and built with quality audio components, not just whatever was cheapest to source. And I'd like the software emphasis to be on utility (practical sounds and a great user interface) as well as realism under "golden ears" listening scrutiny.

Thanks!

That kind of sounds like the Sansamp Character series

[stflbn]

It never ceases to amaze me how universally poor presets are in about every mainstream bass related device. It really makes you wonder who's creating the patches, who's approving them, and who's testing them and agreeing that they're worthy of release.

And that statement goes broadly beyond Line6, and even to vendors like Tech21 and their presets for the BDDI and VT-bass.


.

[Ryan L.]

I agree, too. That's the only reason I sold my Bass PodXT Live----the factory presets were pretty much useless for me, and I just didn't have the time/patience to do the (seemingly endless) tweaking/adjusting to get decent, usable patches programmed into it.

I absolutely love the concept of it, especially since I was playing in a band that used no amps on stage. It seemed like the perfect solution for me to go direct to the board with. But it was just too much hassle in the end.

[René_Julien]

I agree with you Ryan. Endless tweaking.


I have the X3.


For recording purposes I think the X3 is a wonderful tool. It's amazing for that and actually a high quality product at a reasonable price.

Even at home practice I could make up hundreds of cool, beautiful or even insane "textures" of sound.
(For example: lo-fi mic preamp + sub dub)


I was using the X3 Pro as a preamp, into a Crown poweramp into a Hartke 410XL.

I'm in a band (no gigs at the moment, more some like minded musicians jamming whenever they have the chance) and this rig was to much of a hassle when playing.

The time lost with tweaking the volume levels was too much.

I replaced the X3/poweramp combo with a Gallien Krueger head.
Plug and play, makes me and my bandmembers very happy.

So for a "working" (gigging) bassist the X3 would be a hassle. Unless you really want to learn how to use the POD and can make it work.



When Rich Renken first came to this forum he inquired how we felt about the amplifiers Line 6 offers and what we feel about them.

In light of this thread title, quality over quantity, I think when it comes to amplifiers Line 6 delivers quality over quantity IMO.

Only 4 or 5 amp models and some effects in a usable, gigworthy amplifier.

But I have some beef with their Lowdown amplifiers... 2 things:

1) amp models

They SHOULD have chosen an other variety of amp models.
My take on what amp models should have been offered:

Clean,
Modelled on an Eden Traveller.
Okay, this is a great amp for it's purpose, but this shouldn't be labelled as clean. (It should have been labelled funk.)
IMO this amp (amp model) isn't the holy grail of clean sound.
I'd rather see Line 6's Classic Jazz model on here, or the Gallien Krueger model or the Aguilar model or SWR Redhead.

R&B,
Again, great amp for it's purpose. But I think the percentage of bassists that play Motown is very low.
This model is not needed when you're only limited to offering "essential" 5 amp models.

Rock,
SVT...
Okay, this one is essential. I like the SVT modeling on the Studio 110 and the LD300 Pro I tried.
And although I don't prefer a (real-life) SVT stack, this is the only usable amp model on the Lowdown that I can use personally.
You can't get rid of this one.

Brit,
This one is not needed when we have an SVT modeller IMO.

Grind,
A distorted SVT amp model.
No no, give us an SVT amp model, and give use a seperate distortion unit.
Incorporate your model of the EHX Big Muff as a seperate effect on the Lowdown amps.
I alway liked Line 6's take on the Big Muff. Even better than the real thing IMO.


To me these amp models are not essentials.

What would be cool to me would be the following:

- Clean: Line 6 Classic Jazz or Aguilar DB750 or SWR Redhead
- 80's: Gallien Krueger 800RB
- Rock: Ampeg SVT
- California: Mesa Boogie 400+ model
- or instead of California, Amp 360: Acoustic with 18"
- Sub Dub: this is the best thing that Line 6 offers to bassists, this is so cool and so good it is essential on any product Line 6 offers geared toward bassists.

Just how I would do it, but who am I.


2) The weight...
Come on, you're not making yourself popular among bassists by making heads, combos and cab that weigh more than an average rig.
42kg for the 4x10" cab. That's a serious turn down for me. Than I'd rather keep lugging my 42kg Hartke cab around.
In case you guys at Line 6 haven't noticed, the trend is lightweight.



Too bad about these two issues, I really like Line 6 as a company.

I do not completely write off Line 6 Lowdown bass amplifiers, I have no issues with the quality.

If I were a succesful touring bassist, and Line 6 offers me to be an endorser I wouldn't hesitate and say: "HELL YES!".
Give me 2 Lowdown HD750 heads, 4 4x10" cabs, a ToneCore RotoMachine pedal, a volume pedal, a DL-4 Delay Modeller... then I'd be a happy camper, and ready to rock out the biggest venues out there... with pride even.

But as long is I'm paying for (and loading in/out) my own equipment, there is other gear that I prefer.


I might pick up a Studio 110 in the future if I stumble upon a second hand one. I find that a really good decent practice amp.


my 2 cents

[jgroh]

I recently sold my Bass Pod XT Live because even though I really like it, it just was too much of a hassle to get the patches to sound right while playing at high volume with a band. Mostly it was the inconsistent volume between patches. Also, no balanced line out, and if I tried to record via usb to my computer, the latency was a big problem (partly my computer I know) The presets for the most part were unusable and in a mix, alot sounded alike. I was spending every song at practice fiddling with the settings, and I mean EVERY practice I took it to in the time I had it. ITs a good unit but they should make it a little more streamlined with much better presets.

[scootron]

Some of the posters have a problem with the presets, but it seems a fairly easy procedure (from a mechanical standpoint) to load your own. The trick is figuring out what to load.

That is why I posted an invitation for experienced users to share their knowledge with the rest of us...maybe some presets that we can input to our user preset banks without having to invent the wheel for every tone.

I'm hoping someone, or several someones, will take me up on that request. Maybe if it weren't so much trouble setting up our user presets to tones we like, we would start getting a lot more out of this device. I know it can sound great when I have tweaked in the right mix, but it does take a lot of time to get a good selection of tones.

[richrenken]

Originally Posted by C'thulhu

I agree with you Ryan. Endless tweaking.


I have the X3.


For recording purposes I think the X3 is a wonderful tool. It's amazing for that and actually a high quality product at a reasonable price.

Even at home practice I could make up hundreds of cool, beautiful or even insane "textures" of sound.
(For example: lo-fi mic preamp + sub dub)


I was using the X3 Pro as a preamp, into a Crown poweramp into a Hartke 410XL.

I'm in a band (no gigs at the moment, more some like minded musicians jamming whenever they have the chance) and this rig was to much of a hassle when playing.

The time lost with tweaking the volume levels was too much.

I replaced the X3/poweramp combo with a Gallien Krueger head.
Plug and play, makes me and my bandmembers very happy.

So for a "working" (gigging) bassist the X3 would be a hassle. Unless you really want to learn how to use the POD and can make it work.



When Rich Renken first came to this forum he inquired how we felt about the amplifiers Line 6 offers and what we feel about them.

In light of this thread title, quality over quantity, I think when it comes to amplifiers Line 6 delivers quality over quantity IMO.

Only 4 or 5 amp models and some effects in a usable, gigworthy amplifier.

But I have some beef with their Lowdown amplifiers... 2 things:

1) amp models

They SHOULD have chosen an other variety of amp models.
My take on what amp models should have been offered:

Clean,
Modelled on an Eden Traveller.
Okay, this is a great amp for it's purpose, but this shouldn't be labelled as clean. (It should have been labelled funk.)
IMO this amp (amp model) isn't the holy grail of clean sound.
I'd rather see Line 6's Classic Jazz model on here, or the Gallien Krueger model or the Aguilar model or SWR Redhead.

R&B,
Again, great amp for it's purpose. But I think the percentage of bassists that play Motown is very low.
This model is not needed when you're only limited to offering "essential" 5 amp models.

Rock,
SVT...
Okay, this one is essential. I like the SVT modeling on the Studio 110 and the LD300 Pro I tried.
And although I don't prefer a (real-life) SVT stack, this is the only usable amp model on the Lowdown that I can use personally.
You can't get rid of this one.

Brit,
This one is not needed when we have an SVT modeller IMO.

Grind,
A distorted SVT amp model.
No no, give us an SVT amp model, and give use a seperate distortion unit.
Incorporate your model of the EHX Big Muff as a seperate effect on the Lowdown amps.
I alway liked Line 6's take on the Big Muff. Even better than the real thing IMO.


To me these amp models are not essentials.

What would be cool to me would be the following:

- Clean: Line 6 Classic Jazz or Aguilar DB750 or SWR Redhead
- 80's: Gallien Krueger 800RB
- Rock: Ampeg SVT
- California: Mesa Boogie 400+ model
- or instead of California, Amp 360: Acoustic with 18"
- Sub Dub: this is the best thing that Line 6 offers to bassists, this is so cool and so good it is essential on any product Line 6 offers geared toward bassists.

Just how I would do it, but who am I.


2) The weight...
Come on, you're not making yourself popular among bassists by making heads, combos and cab that weigh more than an average rig.
42kg for the 4x10" cab. That's a serious turn down for me. Than I'd rather keep lugging my 42kg Hartke cab around.
In case you guys at Line 6 haven't noticed, the trend is lightweight.



Too bad about these two issues, I really like Line 6 as a company.

I do not completely write off Line 6 Lowdown bass amplifiers, I have no issues with the quality.

If I were a succesful touring bassist, and Line 6 offers me to be an endorser I wouldn't hesitate and say: "HELL YES!".
Give me 2 Lowdown HD750 heads, 4 4x10" cabs, a ToneCore RotoMachine pedal, a volume pedal, a DL-4 Delay Modeller... then I'd be a happy camper, and ready to rock out the biggest venues out there... with pride even.

But as long is I'm paying for (and loading in/out) my own equipment, there is other gear that I prefer.


I might pick up a Studio 110 in the future if I stumble upon a second hand one. I find that a really good decent practice amp.


my 2 cents

Great stuff, thank you so much. Just have to let you know my thoughts on your 2 beefs.

To the amp models, you show why we quickly start adding more and more amp models. Clean and R&B are more than half the last Maroon 5 record. The R&B setting is my favorite setting and is also JMJ's favorite. Of course, SVT rules. I own a 73 SVT stack. Brit is my buddy Bryan Carlstrom's favorite sound to mix with the SVT in the studio. He engineer Alice in Chains' Dirt, Offspring, Stabbing Westward, etc. Grind is a favorite of dUg Pinnik and Method from Godhead.

That said, I love your choices and ideas. I do love the idea of having some pre-amp distortion available. I also thought for Clean about how cool it would be to have an Avalon Preamp or an Evil Twin preamp and let the EQ be something like an API type and cab modeling that brings all of this together to get that Marcus Miller type clean coming out of our cab that sounds like you are standing in a tracking room in front of studio monitors.



Two, the weight of the 410 cab was incorrectly labeled as 90 lbs and it is only 68 lbs, it is actually lighter than some neo cabs but had eminence custom speakers in it. That is 30kg. And the 750 watt head is only 29 lbs. We do see the lighter more portable trend.

I use and gig with the Studio 110 for certain dates. I love it. M13 into my Studio 110. If I need more at the gig, I come out the preamp out into the poweramp in of whatever eeehhh amp they have for backline turning it into a bigger LowDown.

What are you guys digging in the small and portable side of things?

[richrenken]

Love this thread and your guys suggestions.

Only one guy really commented on the LowDown series of amps.

I am curious what you think of these amps.

Have you heard about them before reading this?

If you have heard of them, how do they stand in the quality above quantity?

[René_Julien]

Originally Posted by richrenken

Great stuff, thank you so much. Just have to let you know my thoughts on your 2 beefs.

To the amp models, you show why we quickly start adding more and more amp models. Clean and R&B are more than half the last Maroon 5 record. The R&B setting is my favorite setting and is also JMJ's favorite. Of course, SVT rules. I own a 73 SVT stack. Brit is my buddy Bryan Carlstrom's favorite sound to mix with the SVT in the studio. He engineer Alice in Chains' Dirt, Offspring, Stabbing Westward, etc. Grind is a favorite of dUg Pinnik and Method from Godhead.

That said, I love your choices and ideas. I do love the idea of having some pre-amp distortion available. I also thought for Clean about how cool it would be to have an Avalon Preamp or an Evil Twin preamp and let the EQ be something like an API type and cab modeling that brings all of this together to get that Marcus Miller type clean coming out of our cab that sounds like you are standing in a tracking room in front of studio monitors.

If you can accomplish that I'm sold.


I tried out the amp models extensivly on the 110 and the LD300. (in my local music store)
I play metal... but I like a very clean sound. I don't want any grit or overdrive on my sound. (I'm deafening my guitarist with clean power.)
The clean setting on the Lowdown... I'm sorry, that's just to mellow (and to be harsh: too silly) to be usable.
Think Steve Harris. (Okay, I realize you can't market your amp to metal guys only. )

Only model I like was the SVT model, but I'm not an expert on SVTs. I could dial in a fairly clean setting for my purposes.
I could live with this.
But I really want some clean sparkle. (For example, my current EQ setting is a lot of boost at 250Hz and a lot of boost on 10kHz.)


Oh, btw... i don't like Maroon 5. So whatever if they used the clean and R&B models.

Originally Posted by richrenken

Two, the weight of the 410 cab was incorrectly labeled as 90 lbs and it is only 68 lbs, it is actually lighter than some neo cabs but had eminence custom speakers in it. That is 30kg. And the 750 watt head is only 29 lbs. We do see the lighter more portable trend.

Whoops... sorry. I was wrong about that.

I haven't had the chance to try these cabs out.
I went on the specs provide by on online store. Wich was 90 lbs or 42 kg.

Now, 30 kg, that is cool.... makes me even consider buying them. (Price is also fair IMO)

I love my current rig... but it's heavy (a 42kg Hartke cab) and like I said I am a gear whore.

I'm also eyeballing a possible lightweight Markbass rig.
But I find Markbass a bit pricey... they may be worth it though.. I dunno, I have yet to find a store to try them out.



Thanks for hearing me out on this.



And I am really considering the 410 cabs now that I learned they are 30kg.

[richrenken]

Originally Posted by C'thulhu

If you can accomplish that I'm sold.


I tried out the amp models extensivly on the 110 and the LD300. (in my local music store)
I play metal... but I like a very clean sound. I don't want any grit or overdrive on my sound. (I'm deafening my guitarist with clean power.)
The clean setting on the Lowdown... I'm sorry, that's just to mellow (and to be harsh: too silly) to be usable.
Think Steve Harris. (Okay, I realize you can't market your amp to metal guys only. )

Only model I like was the SVT model, but I'm not an expert on SVTs. I could dial in a fairly clean setting for my purposes.
I could live with this.
But I really want some clean sparkle. (For example, my current EQ setting is a lot of boost at 250Hz and a lot of boost on 10kHz.)


Oh, btw... i don't like Maroon 5. So whatever if they used the clean and R&B models.




Whoops... sorry. I was wrong about that.

I haven't had the chance to try these cabs out.
I went on the specs provide by on online store. Wich was 90 lbs or 42 kg.

Now, 30 kg, that is cool.... makes me even consider buying them. (Price is also fair IMO)

I love my current rig... but it's heavy (a 42kg Hartke cab) and like I said I am a gear whore.

I'm also eyeballing a possible lightweight Markbass rig.
But I find Markbass a bit pricey... they may be worth it though.. I dunno, I have yet to find a store to try them out.



Thanks for hearing me out on this.



And I am really considering the 410 cabs now that I learned they are 30kg.

I am tracking with you on the clean metal sound. One good example is the bass player from Meshuggah, he was using the Hiwatt setting on a Vetta head live and it was clean and awesome. Love Steve too.

Also, not saying that every player would love my examples, just saying it is hard to break it down to a few models. Every model is loved by someone or we wouldn't do them. Also, forgot, Subdub rules and was created by JMJ. Very cool.

Yup, big mistake listing them at the wrong weight huh? Woops.

[cybersnyder]

Honestly, I always looked at the Studio 110 as a toy -- like something you would get in a starter pack with a Squier bass. Now I'm curious. I'll check one out this weekend.

Now, if it had LEDs I would have known that it's a serious piece of gear. (I kid, I kid....)

Edit: I think I'm confusing the Studio 110 and the Micro Spider. The Micro Spider looks like a toy. Now I definitely need to try the Studio 110.

[René_Julien]

Originally Posted by cybersnyder

Honestly, I always looked at the Studio 110 as a toy -- like something you would get in a starter pack with a Squier bass. Now I'm curious. I'll check one out this weekend.

Now, if it had LEDs I would have known that it's a serious piece of gear. (I kid, I kid....)

Edit: I think I'm confusing the Studio 110 and the Micro Spider. The Micro Spider looks like a toy. Now I definitely need to try the Studio 110.

When I compare it to my Ashdown Perfect Ten:

- higher usable volume
- sound quality is much much better
- more tonal options... even for a toy

Around here the Ashdown Perfect Ten is 175 €, and the Line 6 Studio 110 is around 260 €.
So (IMO) the Line 6 is a much better deal... although the Ashdown isn't a bad practice amp either IMO.

The Line 6 Studio 110 is in a different league than an amp you find in a usual starter package.

When I judge them as practice amps.
Rich says the Studio 110 is gigable. I'm a little weary about that, but I'm in a metal band so little chance it will work for me.
My guitarist is using a Roland JC-120. Wonderful guitaramp.
He's thinking of upgrading, he may be considering a Line 6 stack, but he's strapped for cash right now.

I have the Line 6 Spider 30 guitaramp as my personal guitaramp. (I rarely play electric guitar... just for sake of practice.)
Again, as practice amp that Spider 30 is great bang for the buck. I would advice against getting the Spider 15 or Micro Spider as the Spider 30 isn't that much more expensive.

They may feel and look like toys... but the sound quality is actually very good.
Again, for practice amps. I don't have experience with the more powerful Line 6 amps.


Also, a negative aspect: the controls and buttons. They work allright, but they just don't feel right, read "professional".
I wish they would improve on this.



Keep in mind: these are just my opinions. As far as I can tell many bassist are a bit negative about the Line 6 amps. (Read several threads in the amps forum where Rich has chimed in.)
I am fairly positive when it comes to Line 6 products... maybe because of good experience with Line 6 in general so far.
I tend to go a little bit "sunshine, lollipops and rainbows" when it comes to Line 6 gear although I try to be critical and objective.



Rich, quick question:
I couldn't find info on this, how much does the LD400 Pro weigh? (the 2x10 combo)

[JimmyM]

Rich, a couple weeks ago in the JMJ thread I told you I'd go try out some bigger Line 6 amps to see what I thought of the Ampeg models. Unfortunately, the biggest one I was able to find locally was the 112 combo.

Honestly, I thought the R&B model was excellent. Really did sound a lot like a 60's B-15. Wasn't as crazy about the Rock model, though. Sounded really scooped and bright to me, like if you hit the ultra-hi switch on an SVT and cranked the bass.

But I can see why JMJ and Maroon 5 dude like the R&B model. It's pretty outstanding and accurate.

[richrenken]

Originally Posted by C'thulhu

When I compare it to my Ashdown Perfect Ten:

- higher usable volume
- sound quality is much much better
- more tonal options... even for a toy

Around here the Ashdown Perfect Ten is 175 €, and the Line 6 Studio 110 is around 260 €.
So (IMO) the Line 6 is a much better deal... although the Ashdown isn't a bad practice amp either IMO.

The Line 6 Studio 110 is in a different league than an amp you find in a usual starter package.

When I judge them as practice amps.
Rich says the Studio 110 is gigable. I'm a little weary about that, but I'm in a metal band so little chance it will work for me.
My guitarist is using a Roland JC-120. Wonderful guitaramp.
He's thinking of upgrading, he may be considering a Line 6 stack, but he's strapped for cash right now.

I have the Line 6 Spider 30 guitaramp as my personal guitaramp. (I rarely play electric guitar... just for sake of practice.)
Again, as practice amp that Spider 30 is great bang for the buck. I would advice against getting the Spider 15 or Micro Spider as the Spider 30 isn't that much more expensive.

They may feel and look like toys... but the sound quality is actually very good.
Again, for practice amps. I don't have experience with the more powerful Line 6 amps.


Also, a negative aspect: the controls and buttons. They work allright, but they just don't feel right, read "professional".
I wish they would improve on this.



Keep in mind: these are just my opinions. As far as I can tell many bassist are a bit negative about the Line 6 amps. (Read several threads in the amps forum where Rich has chimed in.)
I am fairly positive when it comes to Line 6 products... maybe because of good experience with Line 6 in general so far.
I tend to go a little bit "sunshine, lollipops and rainbows" when it comes to Line 6 gear although I try to be critical and objective.



Rich, quick question:
I couldn't find info on this, how much does the LD400 Pro weigh? (the 2x10 combo)

It is 90lbs. It does have wheels.

The gigs I do with the Studio 110 are small clubs and pop stuff. I was in a Nirvana/Cheap Trick kinda band and that would have needed a bigger LowDown. That was years ago, I used a 73 SVT head and a weird Horizon 4x10 cab. We actually copied that cab for the new LowDown 410 that goes with the 750.

Critical and objective is always welcome as long as it is respectful. I have already like reading your thoughts.

[richrenken]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Rich, a couple weeks ago in the JMJ thread I told you I'd go try out some bigger Line 6 amps to see what I thought of the Ampeg models. Unfortunately, the biggest one I was able to find locally was the 112 combo.

Honestly, I thought the R&B model was excellent. Really did sound a lot like a 60's B-15. Wasn't as crazy about the Rock model, though. Sounded really scooped and bright to me, like if you hit the ultra-hi switch on an SVT and cranked the bass.

But I can see why JMJ and Maroon 5 dude like the R&B model. It's pretty outstanding and accurate.

Thanks Jimmy, I love it. Now, did you flatten out the EQ and kinda dial up a Rock sound of your own from scratch?

Also, where are you? Just wondering why that was the biggest one you saw.

[René_Julien]

Originally Posted by richrenken

It is 90lbs. It does have wheels.

Ouch.

I have rheumatisme.
It's a burden most of the times with my 90lbs Hartke 410 cab.

I am actually in the market for a lightweight rig. (Not urgent.)

I often get asked to fill in for some bands, playing more normal stuff than I do with my progressive metal project.


So that's why I might look into a more lightweight, more "run-off-the-mill" (no offense ) sounding combo or halfstack.


The Markbass 210 combo and the Roland D-Bass combos are only 25kg.
But I find them too expensive.
Haven't tried the MarkBass, I have tried the Roland stuff and I wasn't impressed by the combos.
If the Roland combos were half the price they were I'd consider them good bang for the buck.

I tried the Lowdown LD300 Pro... but I think I was put off by the 1x15" speaker configuration. I know it's prejudice, since speaker sizes can't be generalized as this is 10" sound or this is 15" sound. But still... if I'm not happy with the idea of a 15".
I was hoping to try out the LD400 Pro combo then if maybe that one would have suited me.
Price is better than Markbass and Roland. Off course Markbass and Roland are quality products.
But a combo amp weighing 90lbs is not ideal for me.

Than a halfstack might be a better solution.
HD 750 + LD 410 cab.
Although, then again it would be pricey.
BTW, is the HD 400 head available?
(Eh, I'm difficult, I know)

A LowDown halfstack will be on my shortlist when I shop around in the near future for a backup, secondary rig.


Just to give you an idea what I'm using now:



I love this rig and will not sell it. It gives me a special "signature" sound. (Clean, bright, hifi, sharp, emphasis on the upper harmonics.)

But for other scenarios than my #1 band I could do with a simpler amp. For "occasion" gigs.

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by richrenken

Thanks Jimmy, I love it. Now, did you flatten out the EQ and kinda dial up a Rock sound of your own from scratch?

Also, where are you? Just wondering why that was the biggest one you saw.

I'm in Apopka, FL and I was at the Winter Park Sam Ash and GC. GC did have a 115 combo, but it looked like it had been abused pretty well and was possibly broken.

And for the Rock sound, I just left the EQ flat and let it do what it did.

[richrenken]

Originally Posted by C'thulhu

Ouch.

I have rheumatisme.
It's a burden most of the times with my 90lbs Hartke 410 cab.

I am actually in the market for a lightweight rig. (Not urgent.)

I often get asked to fill in for some bands, playing more normal stuff than I do with my progressive metal project.


So that's why I might look into a more lightweight, more "run-off-the-mill" (no offense ) sounding combo or halfstack.


The Markbass 210 combo and the Roland D-Bass combos are only 25kg.
But I find them too expensive.
Haven't tried the MarkBass, I have tried the Roland stuff and I wasn't impressed by the combos.
If the Roland combos were half the price they were I'd consider them good bang for the buck.

I tried the Lowdown LD300 Pro... but I think I was put off by the 1x15" speaker configuration. I know it's prejudice, since speaker sizes can't be generalized as this is 10" sound or this is 15" sound. But still... if I'm not happy with the idea of a 15".
I was hoping to try out the LD400 Pro combo then if maybe that one would have suited me.
Price is better than Markbass and Roland. Off course Markbass and Roland are quality products.
But a combo amp weighing 90lbs is not ideal for me.

Than a halfstack might be a better solution.
HD 750 + LD 410 cab.
Although, then again it would be pricey.
BTW, is the HD 400 head available?
(Eh, I'm difficult, I know)

A LowDown halfstack will be on my shortlist when I shop around in the near future for a backup, secondary rig.


Just to give you an idea what I'm using now:



I love this rig and will not sell it. It gives me a special "signature" sound. (Clean, bright, hifi, sharp, emphasis on the upper harmonics.)

But for other scenarios than my #1 band I could do with a simpler amp. For "occasion" gigs.

Yes, the 400 is out. It is only 25lbs.

You are not difficult at all.

Have you checked out the LD150? Jimmy Haslip uses it for smaller 200 people type gigs.

Also, the 1x15 is not my fav either but we do do cab modeling to give you the proper "eq" for each model. So the R&B is a 15 but the Rock setting gives you that 810 sound. At least close enough.

This cab sound is also in the LD150.

A fun story was when we first finished the combos and had to show them to dealers and the press we set them up in a room with my 73 SVT stack. We had the 112 right next to my fridge, the cables came out of both and went to the floor so you couldn't really see what I was plugged in to.

The other Product Manager introduced what we were trying to accomplish with the LowDowns. He talked about important bass tones and all the records made and stages filled with the SVT. I was only plugged into the LD150 and he would say let's start with the sound of the SVT and they would think I was rocking the fridge, but then he would walk over to the LD and say, "now, if we plug into the actual SVT" and every time eyeballs would pop out and they would freak. They couldn't believe that sound was coming out of a 112. One magazine guy didn't really say anything and at the end he said he was embarrassed that he didn't know it was the 112. We told him no need to be, we did it for effect. It was super fun.