Bass Rigs sans Automobile

Shoehorn · #1 02-14-2012, 01:23 AM

Hi Folks (Sorry to mods if this is in wrong section)

I'm a young professional double bassist and I do not, have not, and if all goes according to plan, will not ever drive an automobile until I am too old and busted.

As of late I've been doing alot of research on Talkbass to find out what I can about the best balance of portability, acoustic sound quality, and output volume in an amp for my situation. I currently use a Fishman fullcircle pickup through a GK 150e amp. I carry my bass in a hand truck with bungee chords (no bass wheel, my teacher fell on his bass with one) and my amp in my left hand. It works well but the amp can get really agrivating on the tendons; looking into getting a custom backpack built.

Loud, acoustic sound, portable enough to haul on the bus next to grandma and that old crazy hobo. Yes I know that is a tall order.

I'd like to have an open dialogue about this. Are there any other double bassists without a car checking out talkbass? What is your travelling rig? Anyone have any ideas so that I can carry both an amp and a bass without damaging your body? Any other comments aside from "Thats a big guitar you've got there", "Is that an oboe?" or "Get a Car you crazy s.o.b." are appreciated

robobass · #2 02-14-2012, 02:05 AM

I don't know what kind of distances you have to travel, but could you use a bike trailer?
Robo's Bike Buggy
I can get to most venues in my city faster this way than with a car, and I pay no train fare or parking fees.

Matt Ides · #3 02-14-2012, 08:35 AM

I am car free and have been for over a decade. What works really well for me is making sure you have numerous options for transit within a few blocks. I have bus, light rail, car share, and bike (currently building a trailer) when I need it. Getting the bass around town isn't the problem, it is the amp that you need to lug with it.

GB micros were the standard but with technology today you can easily get a powerful rig that weighs under 15 lbs. The key with the amp/cab is having a bag that has numerous carrying options. I haven't tried the Wizzy or its backpack, but that looks like a great option. Right now I have the GB shuttle 3.0 8T with carrying bag. When I was shopping for a combo a huge criteria was weight, but also a sturdy carrying bag since I tend to walk the bass far at times. This rig has worked out great so far and super loud situations I just go to FOH. Also, I was considering a custom made bag to deal with the issues you described. Over the shoulder with a good pad works well. For me back pack with too much weight strains my already bad back.

Mike Arnopol · #4 02-14-2012, 09:24 AM

My rig for no-car is The EA Doubler (less than 3 lbs.) and my new 8" cab (goes as loud as any 10"---9.3 lb). And---I've used a wheel for 30+ years with very expensive basses with no problem---wouldn't leave home without it.

countrybass007 · #5 02-14-2012, 09:28 AM

Phil Jones makes some great, portable amps for the double bassist. Check out his website at Phil Jones Pure Sound.

ethnotime · #6 02-14-2012, 09:43 AM

GKs are relatively light but make sure the straps are solid if you get a bag/backpack for it. When I had no car, I used the GK and Mooradian used to sell a bag for those amps which helped a lot. Unfortunately the strap was a little thin so it would dig into my shoulder but it was definitely easier than carrying it around in my hand.

Someone else mentioned using the EA doubler and the wizzy...if I had no car I would definitely take that route. You could carry it in your hand.

As for the bass wheel, I can't believe your teacher fell while using one. When my Gaines wheel tire blew I bought a replacement wheel from a wheelchair company: I had an option to buy it with foam inside so I thought why not. Turns out that an empty tire allows the weight of the bass to sink the tire in a little and thus steady the bass. With the foam the tire never sank and instead the weight of the bass forced it to just go! It was as if there was oil on the wheel. When I was walking with it it would go faster than I was accustomed to. When I would stand, the bass would all of a sudden veer in all kinds of directions! It was so difficult to control and my calves became stronger as a result! Would have made a funny video! Eventually I got sick of it and I tore out the foam and then life was normal again. Sorry, long story, but with a no-car policy, you might want to reconsider the bass wheel. I imagine the hand truck is very heavy and a wheel is light and easy to manage (without the foam!). Everyone has their own way of holding the bass with a wheel, you'll find yours.

Good luck!

Phil Smith · #7 02-14-2012, 09:50 AM

I think you definitely need a wheel and any rig be it the GK MB, AI, or whatever needs to have a backpack option for the best results.

Michael Case · #8 02-14-2012, 11:14 AM

I used a wheel and lugged my amp on a luggage cart when I was back in NYC. I used a GK backline head and an SWR 1x10 cab. It worked for me.

untitledtopher · #9 02-14-2012, 02:56 PM

i've been ampless for over a year now, it all started because my car died on me and I couldn't get a new one for a few months, I bought a Baggs Para DI and have been going through the PA almost entirely. Although I have a car now, I live in Philly and generally take public transportation to gigs and my ampless rig has been serving me well. This being said I've been reading up on Mike's 8" cab and it looks pretty promising...

chuck norriss · #10 02-14-2012, 03:07 PM

Genz Benz also makes an 8" cab.

fdeck · #11 02-14-2012, 04:43 PM

Definitely look into Mike's 8" with a micro head. If my guess is correct, the Faital 8" driver might be able to compete with the GK for volume, due to the likely difference in Xmax.

Mike Arnopol · #12 02-14-2012, 05:05 PM

One thing I know is that the Genz 8 incher doesn't have nearly the dynamic capabilities of one using the Faital. (which I use)I'm sure the Genz is nice---they make good stuff---but it's an apples to oranges comparison. The only two 8 inchers that can compete with the 10's are the Faital and one of the Ciares. But the Ciare without cab (9.3#) weighs the same as the Faital in the cab and doesn't go that much louder.

fdeck · #13 02-14-2012, 10:30 PM

I think that I'm developing a Faital attraction to that speaker. But my workshop is 40 degrees right now, and a bathroom remodeling project looms large. I'd buy one, but you know the DIY bug runs in my blood.

Shoehorn · #14 02-15-2012, 08:40 PM

Yes! I'm not alone.

The hand truck isn't that heavy for me. Its definitely more secure. My teacher was walking down a hill and his wheel hit a pothole in the sidewalk I believe. It may have been a bit of a freak accident but still enough to frighten me.

So faitale makes an 8 inch driver that I would have to construct an enclosure for? And it will be comprobable in volume to the Go mb150? That sounds promising.

I like the idea of the EA wizzy 10 but can it really compete with a loud drummer? I play with some pretty dynamic drummers on both ends of the volume spectrum. The only time I've heard a wizzy 10 it was a little mid heavy and lacking volume.

Am I wrong in thinking I need at least a 12 inch speaker?

Mike Arnopol · #15 02-15-2012, 09:13 PM

The 8 incher goes about the same volume as a Wizzy 10. Neither will be loud enough for an enthusiastic drummer. A 12 would be a better choice. I use a 12 inch cab that I built that weighs under 16#. (lighter than the Wizzy)It sounds WAYYY better than a Wizzy and goes louder than 2 of them. The cab is crazy light because it's made of composite.

Feral Feline · #16 02-15-2012, 09:45 PM

Car free since 1989, but only thumpin' bass for the past few years.
If you live/gig in a place with adequate public transportation (HK, Van, NY etc), remaining car free is doable.

Starting out I tried the handtruck/dolly deal and it was cumbersome and fiddly. I don't like endpin-replacing wheels for a number of reasons and have never used one (tried it out in a shop though).

Tried the backpack gigbag and it became my best dance partner. However, mixing in amplification complicated matters. EA Micro 300 & Wizzy 10 with matching "backpack" worn on front, bass on back...

...Wore me down. Packing front and rear, even with lightweight gear was too much for my aging bone rack.

Got a gig recently requiring playing while moving. Needed a "wheel", didn't want to have to worry about 2 axes while playing aNd navigating the crowds... so I ordered a Bass Buggie from Gollihur (KC Strings site wasn't a secure transaction, Bob & Mark's site has https).

Two wheels, one axis, no waiting.

I can switch between wheels and backpack mode as needed for stairs, beaches and rough terrain etc.

Wish I'd gotten the two-wheels from the start. Now I wheel the bass and the EA backpack is on my back or in a suitcase with wheels. Awesome manoeuverability.

Wheels – wonderful invention.

Hmmm a 8" in composite you say, Mr Arnopol?

Rossman59 · #17 02-21-2012, 10:30 AM

If a GK MB150e works for you now how about the following -

GK 112 MBX / 16 lbs : Welcome to Gallien-Krueger: Power to Groove
I own one and it works great.

and

GK MB 200 / 2 lbs : Welcome to Gallien-Krueger: Power to Groove

Phil Rowan · #18 02-22-2012, 08:25 PM

I've lugged my Wizzy 10 with Micro 300 head on the subway numerous times and the only real drag is the bulk-factor (which is only an issue if there's a lot people on the train, but that's why I leave extra early in case I have to let a train go by without me). One thing I did with the backpack that other Wizzy10 luggers might find helpful is that I took the chest strap from an old North Face backpack I had and put it on the Wizzy10pack's shoulder straps. This way you lift more from your chest/upper back (makes a big difference).

I'm definitely interested in eventually getting Mike Arnopol's little 8" rig though.

Matt Ides · #19 02-23-2012, 08:32 AM

I think you need to look at micro heads (3 lbs or less) and cabs under 15 lbs. This would be a good rig. You can always have an additional cab if you need a bigger rig. For my playing needs an 8" has just been fine.

Feral Feline · #20 02-24-2012, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil Rowan

I've lugged my Wizzy 10 with Micro 300 head on the subway numerous times and the only real drag is the bulk-factor (which is only an issue if there's a lot people on the train, but that's why I leave extra early in case I have to let a train go by without me). One thing I did with the backpack that other Wizzy10 luggers might find helpful is that I took the chest strap from an old North Face backpack I had and put it on the Wizzy10pack's shoulder straps. This way you lift more from your chest/upper back (makes a big difference).

I'm definitely interested in eventually getting Mike Arnopol's little 8" rig though.

Thanks for the tip on the chest strap; should've figured that one out on my own. C'est la vie.

+1 on those Arnopol Crazy Eights!