Anyone else NOT into lightweight mini rigs?

[bobyoung53]

I do not understand why so many bass players don't get that. Personally, I think the only reason bass players say "99.9% of the audience can't tell" is because they like to think of themselves as special and their audience members as dirtbags. Insecurity issues, maybe?

Yes, that is baloney and they know it, just something to tell themselves to justify not caring enough about their tone to maybe have to work a little bit. I have had plenty of people both band and audience members complimenting me on my tone and I play plenty of places where I'm not in the house system.

 

[10cc]

Everywhere I look people praise the tiny class D gear, leightweight neo speakers, their rigs that fit into a handbag. Some old rockers stand strong to their SVT with their 8x10 for rocker reasons. But honestly - isn't there anyone around who just likes a big fat iron transformer and a big bad speaker in a massive cabinet that reeeeally moves some air, that you can physically feel when you play it and handles all the heavy low-end you could ever possibly want? I mean, come on! Who needs that tiny little mini poopie anyway when you can really rattle some bones instead? Just saying...

This actual rig right here blew my SVT and 810 out of the water. Just one of those amps and pre. The big fat iron was not missing in the sound and those are some big bad speakers. Also this cab moves much air that you can without a doubt feel when you play through it. It also handles all the low end you could ever possibly want. I mean, come on! Who needs that big poopie when you can really rattle some bones just as much with this than any big rig? I just said it..

If you do not believe me. Come on over and makes sure you bring some beer.

 

[MordBass]

I think it really comes down to physical ability and the frequency of gigs.
If you cant lift an 80lb cab without feeling it the next day.... yea, get a neo.
If you cant lift an 80lb rack without feeling it the next day.... yea, get Class D.
If you gig 4 nights a week and drive a civic hatch... yea, stack some neo 210's and grab a mini head.

Personally, as of late I gig about once a month. We do originals and dont want to oversaturate our market so spacing out the shows has a positive impact on attendance. It also makes our band relationship better when there arent constant scheduling issues. Add the fact that I work out almost daily and own a wagon for moving gear.... I absolutely bring a CA9 in a 6 space rack and either one or both of my 8x8 cabs. Doesnt bother me one bit.
Now if I were doing small bars/coffee shops more often? Yea, it probably do a tc combo with extension cab or do a pair of berg 112's with a nice mini head.

 

[40Hz]

That's awesome! Different preferences are what make the world go around I'm opposite and I've had MANY different rigs and have discovered that I like an absolutely crystal clean, loud, punchy tone that I can't get with tubes so for me, it'd class D all the way. Embrace diversity!!!

You betcha!

If I were into the punchy “on it” bass vibe instead of the floomy old-school sound I’d want a super clean fast transient response rig too.

End of day it’s what you like and are looking to do. After that you just pick the right tools for the job.

You don't bring a Höfner 500/1 when you want a Ric vibe. So why should every amp be the same?

 

[bobyoung53]

I can put two Ampeg SVT HLF 4 x 10 's in the back seat of my cadillac..bass amp and rack and cables in the trunk..my good looking girlfriend and I are in the front seats having a big time..life is good..I sometimes use more cabs..when I do that..I have a small pull behind trailer..easy livin'..

I got a 94 Buick Roadmaster wagon, it's like driving a Cadillac (which are beautiful by the way) I have fit two SVT 8x 10 cabs, an SVT head, an electric bass and an upright in that thing before with space to spare (not a lot) and my wife in the front with the arm rest down.

 

[Mantis Tobaggan]

Correct because I'd guess that 84.9% of the audience doesnt care about bass.

If that is what you think then hang it up.

 

[bobyoung53]

If I was concerned with weight, I would be playing a flute, or better yet a triangle. Of course I'm being facetious.

 

[MordBass]

If that is what you think then hang it up.

You clearly missed the point. The point is that we do this for us.... because we love playing. I bring the amp that I want to hear...the one that fits the band how WE like it. Same with the guitarist... I love when he brings his stack. Its exactly the reason that I wont "hang it up" as you so eloquently put it. But to say that the average bar patron cares about the bassist? They could replace your whole band with a digital juke box and most would prefer it. Whenever Im going to a bar and they have a cover band, we pick somewhere else to go. For the $5 cover I could pick the playlist from my phone and play 12 songs of my choosing at a reasonable volume instead of screaming over a live band that has been stuffed into a tiny area.

 

[spaz21387]

I like both theres nothing like having an 8x10 and svt but some sound guys dont like it when you show up with an 8x10. I switch it up and bring a v4b and 2 30 pound 2x10s

 

[40Hz]

That is unrelated to how many people know or care about bass tone.

I think the audience doesn’t necessarily care about the technical details, or what the bassist needs to do to get a certain sound. Because that’s not their job.

But they do know whether or not they like what they’re hearing. And making that happen very much is our job.

 

[Mantis Tobaggan]

I think the audience doesn’t necessarily care about the technical details, or what the bassist needs to do to get a certain sound. Because that’s not their job.

But they do know whether or not they like what they’re hearing. And making that happen very much is our job.

Exactly.

 

[BurningSkies]

These are just some small 3 way racks for side fill, drum fill, small mains systems. I can't (easily) find pictures of the 3 way modular line array racks which have 3 amps plus processing in each rack, but 6 of these larger racks will drive 6 x double 18" subs plus 24 line array tops with spare channels. Total weight is about 500 lbs. Each rack is powered by an L14-20 circuit (2 x 20 amps)

View attachment 2834914 View attachment 2834915

Played a theater show recently and peeped the amps they were running for FOH... racks full of all Crest XLS's.

 

[basscapes]

Yes, I am NOT into them.
View attachment 2834197

At the risk of being a "not-know-it-all", what are those speakers in the bottom cab (assuming the box is an SVT of course)?
Those whizzer cones should add some serious upper mid/lower treble...

 

[bobyoung53]

I once had an SVT with two 8X10 cabs and it was dirty, ugly and muddy. Oh and HEAVY! It got stolen and I replaced it with the 800RB and LOVED it. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it.

SVT's need to be serviced once in a while, mine's loud, tight and clean.

 

[Sixgunn]

SVT's need to be serviced once in a while, mine's loud, tight and clean.

I kept up on it. Wasn't for me.

 

[Sixgunn]

Given the choice, I still bring an Acoustic 360. Best choice? Who cares! It's what I like playing through. It's not that hard to move, either.

I had on of those once (the original ones with the power amp in the bottom of the 1X18 cabinet). Unfortunately, I like highs though It once fell out of our truck and cracked the pavement!!!

 

[3rdcurve]

This actual rig right here blew my SVT and 810 out of the water. Just one of those amps and pre. The big fat iron was not missing in the sound and those are some big bad speakers. Also this cab moves much air that you can without a doubt feel when you play through it. It also handles all the low end you could ever possibly want. I mean, come on! Who needs that big poopie when you can really rattle some bones just as much with this than any big rig? I just said it..


View attachment 2834920
If you do not believe me. Come on over and makes sure you bring some beer.

Which pre are you liking more?

 

[bobyoung53]

I had on of those once (the original ones with the power amp in the bottom of the 1X18 cabinet). Unfortunately, I like highs though It once fell out of our truck and cracked the pavement!!!

I've posted this before a bunch of times but I was in a hurry once pushing an Ampeg 8x10 down a sidewalk with an SVT head on top and the wheels caught in a crack, the cab tipped and the head slipped off onto the concrete sidewalk below, the side walk was hurt more than the head. Head kept on chugging like nothing happened.

 

[Sixgunn]

Today, I have 1 bass w/Radial Tonebone Bassbone direct to PA, guitarist has Takamine Acoustic/Electric Guitar w/small pedalboard direct to PA, female singer w/ shaker egg and a Bose L1 Model 2 w/B2 bass module and Tonematch mixer. We have a 4-L.E.D. light system and can transport all gear in the back of my pickup w/cap. We fit in the corner of the room if necessary and it takes 20 minutes to set up. I have a Genz Benz 6.0 12T shuttle for rehearsal. Things, with times and age, change.

I hope that shaker egg is class D. The original ones are hernias waiting to happen!!!!

 

[Sixgunn]

It's pretty obvious you've never tried one. I loved my SVT AV, but at 85 lbs. it just got to be too much to move around. I bought an Ampeg PF800 and that through my 8X10 gets far louder than I would want to play. It absolutely does not sound as good as my SVT, but it does sound good. When I had roadies I always used my SVT. I guarantee that no one in the audience notices that I've changed amps.

It would be interesting to see if you feel the same when you are 60.

You don't look a day over 59

 

[Sixgunn]

I don't like mini rigs either.
IMHO an amp that weighs less than 4 lbs and speaker cabs that weigh less than 30 lbs are useless!
That's where I draw the line.

You are entitled to uninformed opinions.