1001 Watts - Make your rig

[cheezewiz]

I'm partyin' with cheez...

P.S. Cheeze, you GOTTA check out some Bushmills Malt -- it's Irish Whiskey, so not as peaty, but it's single-malt, smooth, and kicks a$$.

...trust me...

I'm on it next chance I get Vic! Unfortunately, I'm the broke boat too right now. I just bought a bottle of whiskey myself.
Some lovely Black Velvet Reserve, set me back $12, and that hurt.

And when Vic recommends a drink, I do trust him. That Macallen 18 was some FINE stuff!

 

[joelb79]

Preamp: Avalon Vt 737sp Mono Mic Pre/Compressor/EQ (mmmmm, smooth)
Power Amp: Fender MB-1200
Cabinets: 2) Epifani UL-610
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Should be loud enough... (sorry i picked stuff from MF, but i've been out of the gear loop for a while)

 

[Nick man]

I think Id stick with my current rig or a slight variation.

Bass signal split 3 ways:
1) 1971 Ampeg SVT -> SVT 8x10
2) Mesa Boogie 400+ -> (Currently) Schroeder 3101212, (Dream Rig options) Sunn (0))), or Acoustic, or Orange 2x15


3) Pro Co Rat -> Ampeg V4 -> Mesa Boogie 4x12

Employee discounts and good used buys go a long way.

 

[KJung]

I'd rather lift 40 pounds twice than 85 pounds once. It's a lot harder to torque your back accidentally with less weight and smaller boxes.

Also, I find casters mildly helpful... seems like there's always steps and whatnot you gotta navigate pretty frequently. Then there's stuff like uneven concrete or gravel...

+1... with you all the way here... it's all about the weight of the heaviest piece to me, being the one-nighter freelance schlepper that I am. There's rarely a gig I do that doesn't require some lifting... whether it's a high loading dock at a hotel, a high stage, a few steps, etc. Sounds like a small deal until you've done it on your own a few thousand times!

Of course, if you are playing in a band with group load ins and outs, and/or are only playing a few times a month, this is less of a deal... so obviously, situations vary.

That all being said... I don't think I'd ever go the four cab route

 

[tombowlus]

Thing is, I just have this little voice in the back of my head telling me "this is only the beginning, better and lighter solutions are coming, because that's what folks want".

Personally, I am a bit surprised by the seemingly overwhelming emphasis on weight versus all other factors (like tone, clarity, frequency range, etc.). But then again, I am fairly stout dude, and so far, my back has never given me troubles [knock on wood], so I may 'come around' to this one of these years.

That said, it does seem that the trend across the board is for bass gear of all types to get lighter as time moves on, so your voice may be onto something. One nice thing about Jim Bergantino, is that if he does come out with a lighter weight option, you know that it will have to sound good. Knowing Jim, he wouldn't make it lightweight for the sake of saving pounds but at the cost of sonic excellence.

Tom.

 

[Vic]

That all being said... I don't think I'd ever go the four cab route

Yeah, that was over the top, in reality, I'd go two cabs.

 

[tombowlus]

Sounds like a small deal until you've done it on your own a few thousand times!

Excellent point, Ken. Gotta walk a mile in a man's shoes, and all that...

Of course, if you are playing in a band with group load ins and outs, and/or are only playing a few times a month, this is less of a deal... so obviously, situations vary.

Yup, that's my situation, so most definitely take my comments with a grain of salt (but then again, I'm sure that I lift my son Travis a lot more than you lift your rig, and he is a heavy little dude! - it's my only form of excercise anymore!).

That all being said... I don't think I'd ever go the four cab route

Yes, I was more responding to the seemingly more painful load of Vic's second - and 'no roadie' - option.

Tom.

 

[MattMPG]

On stage, I use a eden 300 watt amp and a JBL monitor speaker. Its just for me and drummer.

Matt Pulcinella

 

[KJung]

Personally, I am a bit surprised by the seemingly overwhelming emphasis on weight versus all other factors (like tone, clarity, frequency range, etc.). But then again, I am fairly stout dude, and so far, my back has never given me troubles [knock on wood], so I may 'come around' to this one of these years.

That said, it does seem that the trend across the board is for bass gear of all types to get lighter as time moves on, so your voice may be onto something. One nice thing about Jim Bergantino, is that if he does come out with a lighter weight option, you know that it will have to sound good. Knowing Jim, he wouldn't make it lightweight for the sake of saving pounds but at the cost of sonic excellence.

Tom.

I'm lucky in that I prefer the EpiUL sound over anything else I've played (although other stuff like the IP's sound very nice also). It's totally about sound... I'd never, ever use anything that didn't sound great on the gig. I've only been able to go 'light' since the intro of the EpiUL's (i.e., achieve totally high quality sound that matches the 'sound in my head' in a lightweight package) and obviously from my posts will never consider going back to heavy cabs. Many of my freelance peers have gone the EpiUL route. That they are totally efficient, and can pound out huge volume with small, lightweight heads is another added bonus!

Again, to put that into context, the EpiUL line is voiced almost perfectly for a modern, round wound string, articulate sound.. total clarity and a treble response that is just amazing for that sound preference. If I was a rocker playing a P Bass, etc., I might feel very differently, etc.

 

[tombowlus]

I'm lucky in that I prefer the EpiUL sound over anything else I've played (although other stuff like the IP's sound very nice also). It's totally about sound... I'd never, ever use anything that didn't sound great on the gig. I've only been able to go 'light' since the intro of the EpiUL's (i.e., achieve totally high quality sound that matches the 'sound in my head' in a lightweight package) and obviously from my posts will never consider going back to heavy cabs. Many of my freelance peers have gone the EpiUL route. That they are totally efficient, and can pound out huge volume with small, lightweight heads is another added bonus!

Again, to put that into context, the EpiUL line is voiced almost perfectly for a modern, round wound string, articulate sound.. total clarity and a treble response that is just amazing for that sound preference. If I was a rocker playing a P Bass, etc., I might feel very differently, etc.

Ken, I know that you have been very true to your tone, and you definitely sound killer through every one of your rigs that I have heard you play through. I was referring more to the overall mentality of people rating weight as a disproportionately high (IMHO, of course) factor when selecting gear. I'll hear people talk about looking for or buying the lightest this or that without having heard any of the options, and I guess that's what kinda strikes me funny (as in 'funny strange', not 'funny ha ha').

Tom.

 

[KJung]

Ken, I know that you have been very true to your tone, and you definitely sound killer through every one of your rigs that I have heard you play through. I was referring more to the overall mentality of people rating weight as a disproportionately high (IMHO, of course) factor when selecting gear. I'll hear people talk about looking for or buying the lightest this or that without having heard any of the options, and I guess that's what kinda strikes me funny (as in 'funny strange', not 'funny ha ha').

Tom.

+1... I think the cab world is changing rapidly, and more and more players (especially full time/semi pro freelance type players) are demanding amazing sound in a very portable package. Since more and more companies are finally delivering on this rather illusive goal as time goes on, more and more pro players are going to require light weight as a checklist type feature rather than an option or luxury (IMO... but strongly IMO).


OK... we've derailed this thread long enough... back to amazing 1000 watt rigs (heavy or not!)

 

[KJung]

On stage, I use a eden 300 watt amp and a JBL monitor speaker. Its just for me and drummer.

Matt Pulcinella

Nice to see you on the site! I hope your business is going well. I very much enjoy your FAQ section on your site explaining your approach to amplification, bass design, etc. Nice.

I look forward to playing one of your instruments sometime.

K

 

[Vic]

...I was referring more to the overall mentality of people rating weight as a disproportionately high (IMHO, of course) factor when selecting gear.

(...raising hand...)
Well, I do rate weight very highly as a (dis)qualifier, but I have to point out that's only because there are so many fantastic choices and options out there. I mean, yeah, the IP310 is awesome, but it's not like I'm the least bit unhappy with what I have, either.

Now, if it was a choice between some lightweight Ampeg-like sounding stuff or the IP, I'm buyin' a back brace and takin' out a loan.

In short, even with me, tone that inspires me definitely comes first. Period.

 

[Lia_G]

Personally, I am a bit surprised by the seemingly overwhelming emphasis on weight versus all other factors (like tone, clarity, frequency range, etc.).

To me, it's about the package, but one important element of the package is weight. This is why I play Wizzy cabs. They have astonishing tone, work great for both BG and DB, and don't weigh much. I don't think I'm sacrificing anything at all tonewise by playing Wizzys, but I get the light weight thrown in. I just won't compromise: I have to have it all, and one of those things is light weight.

My rig for this thread, the iAmp 800 plus 2 NL210 or some CXL-112Ls, would not replace my current Wizzy-based rig ... it would just be my 'big rig' for all those loud gigs that I never play anymore. Actually, playing with singer-songwriters, I end up playing a lot of upstairs pubs and coffeehouses, up three rickety flights of narrow stairs, no elevator, etc. Carrying a Wizzy plus an Acoustic Image or iAmp head works. Carrying 80 pounds doesn't.

So I guess I'm with Vic here ... but I don't think of myself as compromising in order to save weight. I would consider *not* saving weight as a compromise.

Cheers,
Liam

 

[KJung]

... but I don't think of myself as compromising in order to save weight. I would consider *not* saving weight as a compromise.

Cheers,
Liam

That's a GREAT way to put it, and that's totally the way I think about it. Cool post.

 

[tombowlus]

Good points, and I certainly do think that light weight and great tone are not mutually exclusive. I also simply love my Wizzy cabs (one of my all-time favorite cabs, and they don't even use neo drivers!), and the NL-210 is one of the most impressive cabs I have played. It is very light, but flat out awesome sounding. I also love my 7 lb, 1,200w Walter Woods Ultra. So please don't get me wrong on this point.

My only 'pet peeve' is when people consider weight without equal consideration for tone - and it seems to me that plenty of people do just this (though obviously Ken, Vic, and Liam do not fall into this category! ).

Tom.

 

[vision]

For me, bass gear is at the level now where I can get a good sound that i like out of just about any higher end piece of gear. The subtle differences between gear that we like to discuss in detail on this site really don't matter very much on a gig, with a full band and a PA system. basically as long as the gear I'm using is loud enough for me to be heard, I'm confident that I'll find a good, usiable tone.

This is why weight/portability is such a huge factor to me. I don't feel like I am compromising any tone by choosing lightweight gear, because for me it doesn't much matter on the actual gigs I play. I just want something that is easy for me to load into my sedan, and carry it up and down stairs like I have to at alot of gigs. I'm playing 2-3 gigs per week plus a couple rehearsals where I have to bring in my own gear...so weight/portability is a HUGE issue. Back when I was only doing 1-2 gigs per month and I didn't have to bring gear to rehearsals, it didn't matter.

Thats the big thing for me...I wouldn't mind loading and unloading a 100 lb cab a couple times a month...but 4-5 times per week? Dealing with stairs? By myself? When I can easily get as good or better tone from lightweight gear? I don't think so!

 

[tombowlus]

For me, bass gear is at the level now where I can get a good sound that i like out of just about any higher end piece of gear. The subtle differences between gear that we like to discuss in detail on this site really don't matter very much on a gig, with a full band and a PA system. basically as long as the gear I'm using is loud enough for me to be heard, I'm confident that I'll find a good, usiable tone.

Good point, and let me add that having heard you play through numerous rigs, I must say that you pretty much make any rig sound good! Your 'hands' are some of the best sounding I have heard - honestly!

I just want something that is easy for me to load into my sedan, and carry it up and down stairs like I have to at alot of gigs.

But dude, you are huge! You can probably toss 85 lb cabs around like little rag dolls!

When I can easily get as good or better tone from lightweight gear?

Ah, but that is the kicker. Can you get as good or better tone? In your case, you definitely can compared to most gear (that UL-310 sounds great), but I do recall that 'yuck face' comment...

 

[KJung]

Ah, but that is the kicker. Can you get as good or better tone? In your case, you definitely can compared to most gear (that UL-310 sounds great), but I do recall that 'yuck face' comment...

Ah.... but that was played solo in a basement. That's a very, very, very, very different thing than on the gig. I can't tell you how many rigs I've played at home alone that sounded GREAT (totally balanced, huge lows, glassy highs, even mids) and just didn't punch out on the gig at all. That isn't to say that the IP's don't sound good on the gig, there's just no way of telling from noodling around at home (only talking here about Jason's comments, since they were based on a short time solo in a small room).

I do admit the IP310 did have just awesome low end to it at your house, and a very nice sound in general... and much more low end and a 'softer' midrange than the large Epi cabs. However, on the gig, I actually find the Epi low end to be more than sufficient and that upper mid bump to be key to sounding good in a mix (I'm one who feels that finding a cab that has an inherent sound that you like is much superior than muscling a 'flatter' cab to get your sound through EQ... just IMO)... so ... is that huge low end on the IP's a positive or a negative? Well, it depends on the sound you are going for, etc. At this point, I don't know!

 

[vision]

Good point, and let me add that having heard you play through numerous rigs, I must say that you pretty much make any rig sound good! Your 'hands' are some of the best sounding I have heard - honestly!

thanks!

But dude, you are huge! You can probably toss 85 lb cabs around like little rag dolls!

i may be able to easily lift it, but do i really want to load it in and out of my car, up and down narrow stairs, night after night?

Ah, but that is the kicker. Can you get as good or better tone? In your case, you definitely can compared to most gear (that UL-310 sounds great), but I do recall that 'yuck face' comment...

as do i, but that "yuck face" came when playing by myself in a basement. would there be as big of a difference between the 2 cabs on stage with a full band and vocals and a PA system? probably not. i played a gig last weekend where i used a backline rig (swr workingmans line.) i would have definitely preferred to use my onw gear, but i couldn't. the thing is, once the gig started, and i fidgeted with the eq, it really didn't matter.