• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

A good solution, what do you think?

K

klejst

Oct 5, 2010
6,647
3,676
#1
For a while now I have played the same setup from the bass guitar (usually a standard Fender Precision bass) and my rig which consists of a Peavey Tour 450 and a Mesa PowerHouse 6x10. Lately I have been having the itch and crave to try something new. Starting with the bass, I actually just bought a standard Fender Jazz bass and I am excited to go back to playing one because my very first bass was a Jazz, so I am excited to go back to my bass roots if you will.

Now onto the rig, I love my above mentioned rig, however along with the want to change I am thinking long term here. As of right now the band I am in is staying pretty local so there is really no need to have a full 8x10 and SVT kind of pro setup, however even with my current rig is it also really putting a toll on me. I am only 26, however have neck and upper back problems so the 134lbs Mesa 6x10 alone kills me not to mention the numerous trips back and forth loading stuff in and out.

So my solution was to start looking at "downgrading" my rig. Most places I play at/you would play at are normally mic'ed or through the sound system. Just browsing today online to see what was out there I ran across a possible solution. I found a Trace Elliot combo amp that may fit my needs. It features the Trace Elliot GP7SM 200 head along with a Trace Elliot 4x10 speaker cab combo'ed together in one package. So it got me thinking how much easier it would be to have that and put casters on it and wheel it in and out of the venue with my bass in one trip. Also it appears if I ever needed to add another cab to get a bigger rig (like another 4x10 to make essentially a 8x10) I can. The price for the combo is what I think is reasonable at below $300.

I am curious as to what say the TB community on this? Just looking for honest opinions.
 
#2
No one knows your needs better than you, so take that for what it's worth. If the 410 combo gives you all you need, you don't need me or anyone to make the decision for you. Obviously, the TE will have a different vibe from the Peavey/Mesa combo, but if you're happy with it, that's all that really matters. Have fun with it, no matter what you decide.
 
#4
Well I was looking at the Trace because it is basically an amp and cab in one and the 4x10 is usually enough for smaller to medium venues which I typically play and then anything bigger you usually are DI'ed in or are mic'ed into the mix. The Trace is only $300 that is also what caught my eyes, a decent amp equal to and a 4x10 could cost more separately.
 
#8
majortoby said:
Honestly, if you're going to be mic'd anyways, and stage volume is not a concern, I'd just focus on trying to score a low wattage tube head and a simple single driver cab you enjoy it with
Click to expand...

That may be an option, however I only have about the $300 to possibly $400 to spend. I was figuring though if I do ever find a place for whatever reason does not have DI or PA support for the mix then the 4x10 could be enough to handle it's own in the mix.
 
#9
I think your logic is sound, it fits your budget, and you're right that it could handle most small-medium gigs on its own. I don't know what it sounds like so you're on your own there. I'd check and make sure it's expandable, though. I couldn't find any info about it on the net, but sometimes with combos, they will run them at 4 ohms as they sit, and they either don't let you plug in an extension cab, or you have to use a 4 ohm extension cab to make it 8 ohms, which drops the wattage.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back