Another "help me build a lightweight rig" thread

[MultiScaleMale]

The new Mesa Subway gear will kill for what you want and have the reliability needed on the road. Unfortunately, even used it’s not going to fit in your budget. You can still get a lot lighter than what you’re looking at currrntly if you can find used in good shape. It’s not really a vintage head, but I’d look for a used GK700RB and two 15” cabs if you can find them. Basically, I’d lean more towards reliability than tone for touring. Slay the tone in studio, get something that will sound decent but always work on the road.

 

[FirewalZ]

Good to know about the Fenders! That might be a dealbreaker for me. The GK I have is good about that, can adjust stage volume independently of the balanced out as long as it's switched to "pre."

I've been tempted to try a GK MBP 15 in addition to the MB112, but the thing is almost the same price as just getting the MB115 combo amp instead..?

The Genzler looks like another sweet option for upright, I wonder if I could find one to demo on BG. I'm skeptical that a 10" is gonna have the low-fi sound I have in mind, but I've sure been surprised before.

Guitar Center and Musician's Workshop are the places in town here with the best stock of new gear, I guess I need to just suck it up and try everything in the stores. I'm not up to date with what brands they carry.

I guess it's good that there are so many options, doesn't make it any easier to make decisions though, hah

The Rumbles onboard DI being always "post" is a non-issue IMO, most pro audio companies i've worked with use a high quality DI anyway. I have a Fender Rumble rig(500 head, x2 210), the GK MB112 and MB212, all sound great but are on different ends of the classic vs modern tonal spectrum. The Rumbles nail that classic "Fender" tone and have a very full, warm punchy tone, they are inexpensive and available at nearly any GC if your traveling. The GK's have a tighter/crisper sound that pairs well with a Jazz.....but a Rumble with a P bass is a perfect match and really hard to beat for that classic tone.

EDIT: Interestingly enough the GK MB112 vs the 212 combo, the 112 is much more upper/mid forward and focused, the 212 has a bigger sound, a bit darker and more scooped. I like them both, i had just figured they would have sounded more alike, but they both sound a lot different from each other.

 

[unbrokenchain]

I'm getting the idea that if I can throw a Mesa Subway head on a Rumble 15 cab, I might be in the ballpark of modern weight and options, vintage tone? I have a couple preamps that could send FOH signal before the amp, but it sure is nice to just have two pieces of gear to worry about (bass, amp), let our pedal steel player bother with a pedalboard . I like that the Subway has post/pre, ground lift, and separate level for the balanced out.

While I'm familiar with the great debate about driver size not necessarily relating to tone, I'm still thinking a 15 is what I'm looking for. The MarkBass 15" cab looks like a great size and weight, but in my (limited) experience they also get a pretty modern tone, and I'd rather have a more vintage cab look than a yellow speaker, but I reckon I'll take what I can get.

FWIW I'm all about used gear, only reason I'd buy new is if I can't find what I'm looking for. Also tempted to see what kind of trades I could get for a Kay upright, but I think I'll see if I can afford something decent outright first.

 

[And I]

The Aguilar tone hammer head gets pretty old school with a tweak of the drive knob. Pair with a revsound RS115 or a pair of them and I think you'll be happy.

 

[rohi]

In your case I’d go with a Bergantino B|Amp— it’d work well with your DB rig and EB rig but may be a bit pricey.

 

[clayfiske]

I was a GK player for years. Still have my 80's 400 RB. Last GK owned was Fusion 550 and played two step country. Great sounding with 4x10. Got tired of the weight and traded it in for a Mesa Walkabout and 2 1x12 cabs.
You might look at the new Mesa WD800. It has a 1 tube pre with the Walkabout EQ and some modern features along with the power section of the Subway D800. I think it's under 5 or 6 pounds.
Also Aguilar has a new Tone Hammer 700 and some have used the Tone Hammers with upright and no pre.
My two cents.

 

[dave64o]

I'm getting the idea that if I can throw a Mesa Subway head on a Rumble 15 cab, I might be in the ballpark of modern weight and options, vintage tone? I have a couple preamps that could send FOH signal before the amp, but it sure is nice to just have two pieces of gear to worry about (bass, amp), let our pedal steel player bother with a pedalboard . I like that the Subway has post/pre, ground lift, and separate level for the balanced out.

While I'm familiar with the great debate about driver size not necessarily relating to tone, I'm still thinking a 15 is what I'm looking for. The MarkBass 15" cab looks like a great size and weight, but in my (limited) experience they also get a pretty modern tone, and I'd rather have a more vintage cab look than a yellow speaker, but I reckon I'll take what I can get.

FWIW I'm all about used gear, only reason I'd buy new is if I can't find what I'm looking for. Also tempted to see what kind of trades I could get for a Kay upright, but I think I'll see if I can afford something decent outright first.

I also have a Mesa D-800 that I like a lot. I prefer my G-K MB800, but the Mesa is just a different flavor (warmer/darker than the G-K) of great. The only reason I didn't suggest it in my previous post is because they seem to be going for the mid to high $500s used and thought that would probably push you over your $1000 budget. But with a Fender Rumble 15, you might be OK. A D800+ would cost about $100-125 more used, which makes it even harder to stick to your budget. I think the adjustable HPF is a great feature and two bands semi-parametric mids sweeten the package, but it would then be even harder to find a cabinet that suits you and doesn't bust the budget.

 

[thisSNsucks]

Aguilar tone hammer and a GK neo cab would be nice.

That head pairs well with a lot of cabs to keep you in budget. It sounds good with a lot of Ampeg cabs as well.

Depending on how much volume you need you can go with the 350 or 500.

I have the 350, it gets very loud at 4 ohms and an effiecient cab. Great tone with a P bass too.

 

[jmhaslip]

IMHO and as someone who used only 15" speakers for over 45 years my Fender Rumble 500 combo amp has a very warm vintage tone. Especially when I use the Vintage tone setting. That amp was made for my Fender Am. Standard Precision bass.