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Anyone else NOT into lightweight mini rigs?

#321
I've been gigging my Genz Streamliner 900 for 5 years now. It's a great head and only weighs 6lbs or so and i run it through a Genz NEOX212t. The fact is that around here anymore there arent many stages or venues left that can support or require a 810 Fridge or SVT. You will never be able to turn it up enough to get to the sonic nirvana that those heads will deliver. A better match would be a V4B but still an 810 wont fit most stages around here.

I also have an old MusicMan HD150 head that I bring out but it still is on top of my Genz cab. I love what that head will do as well and I can run it hard enough to get the tubes going good. I understand the love for the old gear but around here it just is no longer practical enough.

Really use whatever works for you and your situation.
 
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#322
Another excuse to post my rig:

DSC_0312.jpg


We don't gig at the moment, but I did take it to the studio this weekend. No biggie, as long as I have wheels to move the 80 lb amp around. The 610 I can lift with one hand. And it has casters that work well on smooth surfaces.
 
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#323
StraffordMike said:
What I see are two groups of musicians, wannabe rock stars and wannabe local musicians.
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Wannabe local musicians? Wannabe what?

To me local musician = no road work.

The groups I see are:

1. don't care about the weight and play big rigs

2. do care about the weight so traded big rigs for small

3. find the sound of their small rig is as good or better than a big rig

Wannabe doesn't enter into it.

I think it's a good thing for everyone to experience a big tube rig on a gig at some point, at least that way you know what one sounds like. You'll also know whether or not it's for you.
 
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#324
brianrost said:
Wannabe local musicians? Wannabe what?

To me local musician = no road work.

The groups I see are:

1. don't care about the weight and play big rigs

2. do care about the weight so traded big rigs for small

3. find the sound of their small rig is as good or better than a big rig

Wannabe doesn't enter into it.

I think it's a good thing for everyone to experience a big tube rig on a gig at some point, at least that way you know what one sounds like. You'll also know whether or not it's for you.
Click to expand...
Not meant to ruffle feathers. Just words.
 
#327
Haans said:
Another excuse to post my rig:

View attachment 2835702

We don't gig at the moment, but I did take it to the studio this weekend. No biggie, as long as I have wheels to move the 80 lb amp around. The 610 I can lift with one hand. And it has casters that work well on smooth surfaces.
Click to expand...

Smokin'! (pun most definitely intended). I bet that combination pounds. My previous configuration packed serious punch:

9TbzCZi.jpg
 
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#328
brianrost said:
I think it's a good thing for everyone to experience a big tube rig on a gig at some point, at least that way you know what one sounds like. You'll also know whether or not it's for you.
Click to expand...

This is a pretty good point. I bet a fair number haven't, just as a fair number of "big rig" players haven't used a GOOD class D/Neo rig. I bet it would change some minds both ways.

After a few months gigging with my ('72ish?) SVT rig, and half a dozen large and small gigs with a Boogie 400+ and 1516 or single 15, personally I just felt like I got it out of my system. But it was good to do. Kind of a bass holiday. Everyone should try it. :)
 
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#336
Ender_rpm said:
I have, use, and like both.
Click to expand...

Same. I have both. Both have their place. Soul? Funk? Jazz? Singer-songwriter? The TH500 is more than enough. And it really is loud, even with a 1x15 or 2x10. Pretty much any amp I play through is gonna sound good. I mean that’s why I get calls, because I rule.

Stoner/doom? Tubes and big-ass cabs. Although I do secretly wanna show up to a gig with a 5 pound D and mini-cab and destroy the place, just to spite all the Meatsmoke n’ Emperor n’ Rickenbacker guys. A buddy has a Cort faux-Steinberger from the 80s, maybe I’ll be bring that too. And a clip-on tuner.

Also: Sometimes an old-school tube amp is nice to have in the studio for that vintage sound that pretty much everyone wants. Although a Q-Strip does the job pretty well too and practically fits into my pocket. I dunno I guess it comes down to how much energy I have that day. But complaining about lifting an 80 pound head and then going to the gym to lift weights is like ordering a Diet Coke with your Supersized Extra Value Meal. I’ve done both, mind you.
 
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#338
I currently have no use for the tiny lightweights, having rooms full of the big heavies, but I have nothing against them. I'm not so keen on crusading evangelists out to convert the world to The One True Path of bass gear though.

brianrost said:
I think it's a good thing for everyone to experience a big tube rig on a gig at some point, at least that way you know what one sounds like. You'll also know whether or not it's for you.
Click to expand...

I think it's good for everybody to try out everything they possibly can, even (especially?) if they think they won't like it. I have no intention of buying any bass gear ever again, but if I have time I'll stop in a music store and try out something I've never tried before, just to know what it's like.
 
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#339
My next amp will in a likely-hood a lightweight class D amp.

Although my current amp is class D at the end, it's a hybrid, weighs ~13kg and is rackmounted.

My only potentially thing against them is:

* I don't have faith in the supplied bags for long distance gigging - I want at least a hard plastic case (see the thread about lack of rack mounting options for the newer class Ds)
* Small and light means easier to steal

Otherwise, I think they're great. Less to lug around, same output power, easy on the wallet. I stopped feeling insecure about the size of my genitals during adolescence.

If I had the money, I'd love to replace my current cabs with lighter weight versions (like Markbass traveller series). I'm not 20 anymore and my back isn't perfect (being tall and effects of day-job) - less weight is always good.
 

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