Re-Adjusting for Disability ?.

[basscountry]

I am really interested in a rig for people with disability's, ie: I have carpel tunnel in both hands, so what about a smaller neck guitar ? and I can't stand and play for long periods of time, so what about weight of the guitar?, and I just can't pack a big amp around, but I need alot of bottom and volume, so what about smaller weight amps?, etc,
These are some questions I have for myself and some others here in the area.
We are just needing suggestions for lighter weight rigs that still have the power we need and guitars that we can play, that don't hurt us for a 4 hour job?.
We are used to playing, ( most of us ) , with heavy, wide neck basses and lugging around big 8x10 cabs and the like.

Any suggestions ?.

[Freddels]

Much depends on the size of your wallet.

One of the lightest basses is going to be the Rob Allen Mouse and MB-2 models. I've stumbled across a very light MIJ Fender P bass a few months ago. I have a G&L JB-2 that's about 7.5 lbs (on the bathroom scale). There's also headless basses that may be something to look at.


For amps, how loud do you need to get. You mention 810's so . . .

Epifani and Markbass have some light cabs.

There's a lot of light heads to choose from. Check out the amp section.
Markbass, Genz Benz, GK just showed a small head at NAMM.

[basscountry]

Thanks for the reply.
We're/I'm having to re-think my old set-up, so these suggestion are going to be helpful, in our/my decision. As far as wallet goes, we're all either on disability or trying to get on, so money is a consideration. We're looking at, I guess, smaller neck size and smaller amp weight with power and bottom to fill, say VFW and American Legion size halls ?.

My old rig was a Fender Jazz ( American ) and a Peavey Musician 4x10, so maybe
that kind of quality, just smaller and lighter ?. I'm not as equipment savoy as I used to be, being out of the " main-stream " for so long. I took a side road into pedal steel and jsut now have found my way back to bass-ics ?.

[mcrracer]

I feel ya my bass brother. I too am disabled and can no longer tote those monster rigs. I have Dave at DP Custom build all of my basses now. I use short scale and I choose the woods to end up with light weight and the tone I desire. I use BFM cabs. Extremely light weight and efficient . They dont need a lot of power to give you high spl. I have a two space rack case with a Peavey Max bass pre amp ( two channel one ss, one tube) and a Peavey DPC stereo power amp, puts out an honest 300 watts . Extremely light weight setup which I can bi amp if I need to.I can load my rig myself and the basses dont kill me during gigs. I also sit during some gigs as I mostly just play in church now. Had enough of the nightclub scene.

[Freddels]

The lighter stuff costs more. The BFM cabs are DIY (or you could have someone build it for you) and therefore cost less.

For VFW halls, I would think a single 12 or 2x10 would be enough (unless you want to drive the people out). Check out the new Genz Benz combos. They are light and plenty loud enough.

Peavey stuff tends to be heavy but the new Tour 2x10 isn't that bad. I tried out a bass (G&L Tribute SB-2) last week and the store had a Peavey Tour 450 and it sounded pretty good.

For lower cost, check out the Avatar 2x10 cab. It's about 42 lbs and inexpensive. Carvin is relatively inexpensive too.

The Tribute SB-2 that I tried out was pretty lightweight. It sounds like a P bass and the neck is about the size of a jazz bass. New they're a little over 400.

[basscountry]

These are good suggestions for consideration. As for me, when I started, back in the 60's, we really only one choice, Fender. For an amp, it was a Kustom - ( tuck and roll ) and a Fender.
So much has happened over the years, but our minds are still stuck in the 60's and 70's. We haven't come into the 20th century, yet ?. There is a GC store up in Springfield, Mo now and I need to go pay them a visit ?.

For this area we work in, it is mostly, like I said, VFW's, AL, Eagles clubs, but they have come to be used to a ton of bottom-end bass, the kind that vibrates things off tables and pictures and bottles off walls and selves ?. They are spoiled to that deep bass sound ?. For example: Ray Price, Johnny Bush shuffle with " walking bass " could be played all night, and most of the time is, so are "old rig's " were perfect. Now, it's the players ( me ) that need smaller and lighter.

My next question is what about a 5 string guitar ?. I've never tried one, so what am I missing out on ?.

Thanks again for these replies, this is great information.

[Freddels]

Sounds like you need a 15" cab. What do you think your upper weight limit is?

The Epifani PS115 is around 52 lbs and it's 549 on Musiciansfriend. I have the PS112 and it gets fairly deep.

The UL115 will weigh less but cost more.

You could also look at the used market. There's usually some good offers in the TB classifieds.

GC will usually have GallienKrueger, Fender, some Ampeg, Peavey and some stores have MarkBass. If you decide on the Gallien amp, you can get it for less online.

This thread probably belongs in the Amps Forum and you'd be getting a lot more advice there. Perhaps the mods will move it.

[mcrracer]

http://www.billfitzmaurice.com/

Check this site. Look at the specs for the O10...around 35 or 40 lbs I believe. I have the O10.5 which is only about 25 lbs. I also have the DR250. About 45 lbs. I can play any gig I would ever need to play with one or the other. I play Gospel, Blues and Jazz. If you need something a little stronger check out the DR250 or the Omni Top 15. All of these out perform anything you can buy in the stores at even twice the price. And they are all very light weight.