Anyone else NOT into lightweight mini rigs?

[agedhorse]

Regarding how many gigs a year, I was doing 200 shows/year (PA, not bass) and moving around 6000 lbs. If I had not paid attention to weight at least somewhat, That 6000 lbs would have grown to the point that a CDL (plus all the BS that goes along with that) would be necessary, and moving that much gear 3-4 days a week in long work day conditions gets very old. Even on IA (union) gigs, it's still a challenge.

 

[lfmn16]

You don't look a day over 59

Thank you! But I think that's because I turned 60 2 days ago.

 

[Sixgunn]

I love my little gig bag Aguilar TH500 for “quiet” gigs. Does it sound anywhere near as good as my Sunn? Holy hell, no. Not in a million years and it never, ever, ever will. But it still sounds damn good. I’ll rock a Peavey Mark IV through a Crate cab if I have to, I don’t care THAT much. House backline generally trumps hauling my own amp, regardless of how crappy it is.

However the weight of my tube gear isn’t an issue. I spend $100/month on a gym, why am I going to complain about lifting an 80 pound head once or twice a week? It’s shagging exercise! Come on, we’re bassists, not guitarists!

Size is more of an issue. I drive a Prius. In one band my rig consists of a 2x15, 4x12 and two tube heads. Do I need all of that? Yes. In fact I could probably use more. But I’m in the process of downsizing just for the sake of not having to ask someone else to haul half of my rig. I mean it’s still cheaper than getting a van.

Class D was a definite consideration. As was class A/B. But at the end-of-the-day I wanted tubes. Because tubes amps sound better for this particular genre. It’s just more musical. And bigger cabinets move more air. And “low stage volume” gigs don’t sound as good. I made some compromises but will still get the sound I want. But if I had roadies and an 18 wheeler it would definitely be rows and rows and rows of big-ass tube amps.

There’s also the cool factor. A little class D with a micro-cab is kind of like the clip-on tuners of amps. Which means it’s like wearing a pair of Crocs on stage. “But it’s all about the music!” Sure it is. Nice Crocs, buddy.

You can always compensate like this

 

[jaymelewis]

I love it! When it's backlined

 

[MultiScaleMale]

Gotcha. And your post was funny but I think that is a common element in these discussions that newer, lighter, more powerful automagically equals better tone (what cognitive bias? I have no idea what you're talking about). In my previous post I talked about how both are viable options based on that bassist's needs and tonal goals.

One thing I think is kinda humorous is that years ago solid state equals crap. Now that class D is out, now those same solid state class A/B lead sleds sound awesome.

 

[Liam Wald]

You are entitled to uninformed opinions.

Yeah, I guess that I will have to play bass another 50 years and own another 50 or 60 amps before I can have a valid opinion. My only hope is that I can live that long. I will keep my opinions to myself until then. Thanks for setting me straight.

 

[CaseyJ]

I have the big old beast rig, and the lightweight combo setup, and love them both.

 

[BasturdBlaster]

I don't really care if a rig is big and heavy or small and light, what I do care about is that it is "capable" and it can "deliver".

I have had plenty of big giant heavy cabs that fart out easy where in contrast I have a small Bag End cab that has yet to show signs of stress while delivering much more bass and sound while sounding better.

 

[bassadvisor]

When I started playing I'd a H&K combo, 150w and about 37kg. I thought "one day bass amps will be lightweight". This is today, and I'm not going back. Yes, I miss my 18"+4x10" in my back, but it wasn't me who had to load it. Maybe one day I'll carry a tube head, but for sure the cab will be light.

 

[somebrains]

Regarding how many gigs a year, I was doing 200 shows/year (PA, not bass) and moving around 6000 lbs. If I had not paid attention to weight at least somewhat, That 6000 lbs would have grown to the point that a CDL (plus all the BS that goes along with that) would be necessary, and moving that much gear 3-4 days a week in long work day conditions gets very old. Even on IA (union) gigs, it's still a challenge.

Regarding how many gigs a year, I was doing 200 shows/year (PA, not bass) and moving around 6000 lbs. If I had not paid attention to weight at least somewhat, That 6000 lbs would have grown to the point that a CDL (plus all the BS that goes along with that) would be necessary, and moving that much gear 3-4 days a week in long work day conditions gets very old. Even on IA (union) gigs, it's still a challenge.

I have buddies that are union truckers and machine operators doing entertainment gigs.
Nothing like hanging a helicopter for a shot bc you are the only guy on set that knows what hydraulic sticks do.

Also I like my whatever gear for whatever reasons and don't succumb to peer pressure....stupidity and stubborn misuse I admit to.

 

[Sixgunn]

Yeah, I guess that I will have to play bass another 50 years and own another 50 or 60 amps before I can have a valid opinion. My only hope is that I can live that long. I will keep my opinions to myself until then. Thanks for setting me straight.

I'm here to help

 

[Turn Em Loose]

I don't get why everybody loves Jaco. Adam Clayton is the worst bass player ever. Using a pick sucks. Real bass players don't slap. Neo speakers sound like crap. My 4x10/1x15 rig sounds great. Flatwounds sound like mud. Precision basses are better than jazz basses. If your technique is good there's no need for compressors. I don't need to use any pedals. The tone is from your hands. The tone is from your strings. The tone is from the pickups. The tone is from the body wood. The tone is from the fingerboard wood. String through bridges sound better than top loaders.

I figure we might as well get it allllll out of our systems.

Did I miss anything?

 

[10cc]

I don't get why everybody loves Jaco. Adam Clayton is the worst bass player ever. Using a pick sucks. Real bass players don't slap. Neo speakers sound like crap. My 4x10/1x15 rig sounds great. Flatwounds sound like mud. Precision basses are better than jazz basses. If your technique is good there's no need for compressors. I don't need to use any pedals. The tone is from your hands. The tone is from your strings. The tone is from the pickups. The tone is from the body wood. The tone is from the fingerboard wood. String through bridges sound better than top loaders.

If figure we might as well get it allllll out of our systems.

Did I miss anything?

I'm onboard with everything you mentioned but the parts about picks and neos. Everything else is spot on.

 

[Sixgunn]

I don't get why everybody loves Jaco. Adam Clayton is the worst bass player ever. Using a pick sucks. Real bass players don't slap. Neo speakers sound like crap. My 4x10/1x15 rig sounds great. Flatwounds sound like mud. Precision basses are better than jazz basses. If your technique is good there's no need for compressors. I don't need to use any pedals. The tone is from your hands. The tone is from your strings. The tone is from the pickups. The tone is from the body wood. The tone is from the fingerboard wood. String through bridges sound better than top loaders.

If figure we might as well get it allllll out of our systems.

Did I miss anything?

Fire the drummer!

 

[Passinwind]

I don't get why everybody loves Jaco. Adam Clayton is the worst bass player ever. Using a pick sucks. Real bass players don't slap. Neo speakers sound like crap. My 4x10/1x15 rig sounds great. Flatwounds sound like mud. Precision basses are better than jazz basses. If your technique is good there's no need for compressors. I don't need to use any pedals. The tone is from your hands. The tone is from your strings. The tone is from the pickups. The tone is from the body wood. The tone is from the fingerboard wood. String through bridges sound better than top loaders.

If figure we might as well get it allllll out of our systems.

Did I miss anything?

Can I hit on yer girlfriend while you're up there playing?

 

[dukeorock]

I don't get why everybody loves Jaco. Adam Clayton is the worst bass player ever. Using a pick sucks. Real bass players don't slap. Neo speakers sound like crap. My 4x10/1x15 rig sounds great. Flatwounds sound like mud. Precision basses are better than jazz basses. If your technique is good there's no need for compressors. I don't need to use any pedals. The tone is from your hands. The tone is from your strings. The tone is from the pickups. The tone is from the body wood. The tone is from the fingerboard wood. String through bridges sound better than top loaders.

If figure we might as well get it allllll out of our systems.

Did I miss anything?

Yes. Tort

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

I don't get why everybody loves Jaco. Adam Clayton is the worst bass player ever. Using a pick sucks. Real bass players don't slap. Neo speakers sound like crap. My 4x10/1x15 rig sounds great. Flatwounds sound like mud. Precision basses are better than jazz basses. If your technique is good there's no need for compressors. I don't need to use any pedals. The tone is from your hands. The tone is from your strings. The tone is from the pickups. The tone is from the body wood. The tone is from the fingerboard wood. String through bridges sound better than top loaders.

If figure we might as well get it allllll out of our systems.

Did I miss anything?

Best something for metal.

 

[MordBass]

Fire the drummer!

Nail ---> Head

 

[bucephylus]

I don't get why everybody loves Jaco. Adam Clayton is the worst bass player ever. Using a pick sucks. Real bass players don't slap. Neo speakers sound like crap. My 4x10/1x15 rig sounds great. Flatwounds sound like mud. Precision basses are better than jazz basses. If your technique is good there's no need for compressors. I don't need to use any pedals. The tone is from your hands. The tone is from your strings. The tone is from the pickups. The tone is from the body wood. The tone is from the fingerboard wood. String through bridges sound better than top loaders.

If figure we might as well get it allllll out of our systems.

Did I miss anything?

Only thing I can think of you missed is that playing covers is just service work. True artists only play originals.

 

[JimmyM]

One thing I think is kinda humorous is that years ago solid state equals crap. Now that class D is out, now those same solid state class A/B lead sleds sound awesome.

Guilty as charged I'm pretty sure I still prefer micros over lead sleds, but after sitting with micros for 10 years and doing some comparos, I do get why people are attracted to lead sled SS now, when at the time micros first came out, I thought lead sleds would be dead in the water. But there's a reason Aguilar still makes the DB750, Ampeg still makes the SVT 4 Pro, etc.