Anyone else NOT into lightweight mini rigs?

[muddycreek]

That is a far cry from "99.9% don't give a crap about the bassist's tone."

Agreed. And I'm willing to stipulate my own biases, as I've arrived at my own tonal preferences basically independent of amplification. It may be a different calculation for those whose amps are an intrinsic part of their sound. Pretty sure you won't find a lot of guitarists super happy about a clean DI and a monitor mix...

 

[buldog5151bass]

That is a far cry from "99.9% don't give a crap about the bassist's tone."

I think that is an overstatement, that "most people in the audience don't obsess over the tone nearly to the same degree as the bassist" is more like it.

 

[JimmyM]

I think that is an overstatement, that "most people in the audience don't obsess over the tone nearly to the same degree as the bassist" is more like it.

That is an accurate statement. And they shouldn't. It's not their job. But people aren't buying subwoofers for their car and home stereos because they don't care about bass.

 

[beans-on-toast]

The sound of the rig inspires a musician and helps them to play better. Certainly that comes across to the audience. The bass can make a song by adding power and energy that the audience feels. They don’t necessarily listen for tone, they do know what feels good and what they like.

 

[lfmn16]

Who needs that tiny little mini poopie anyway when you can really rattle some bones instead? Just saying...

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.

 

[Deleted member 165050]

99.99% of our audiences don't give a crap about the bassist's tone.

Not knowingly or specifically, but they will appreciate a good bass tone as part of a band sound they like. They probably just don't know or care what is making it all sound good, and why should they?

 

[chadds]

I think that is an overstatement, that "most people in the audience don't obsess over the tone nearly to the same degree as the bassist" is more like it.

.....and because you do your mates, producers, and audience love the project. As has been said before, the fans may not know why but they know that they like it. They don’t have to study psychoacoustics to analyze that that punch of the bass drum and bass in some musics makes it contagiously danceable.

Neo schmeo, Class D, Iron Sled. Does it sound like you want it to? Are you the one who hears and is bothered by the compromise?

The only Class that matters anyway is Class M. At least for us.

 

[JimmyM]

BTW, I should point out that I have never obsessed over tone. I try out gear, I either like it or I don't, if I don't, I move on and try something else, and if I do, I generally stop looking. People who obsess over their tone need to practice more if they want better tone.

 

[jasonrp]

I've owned tube or solid state with nice, heavy speakers for most of the time I have played and really liked them. I LOVE the fact that I can carry my upright with my right hand and my 30 lb 450 watt EA rig with my left. It doesn't sound as good as my old GK stuff but it's close enough for me.

 

[JMacBass65]

The big rig only comes out a couple of times a year, but yes, I do prefer it.

 

[Altitude]

So this isn't closed yet, huh.

All through college in the 80s and 90s, I had a 2x15 Dietz cabinet that weighed as much as a motorcycle, and a Sunn Coliseum head that weighed just slightly less. It was a great sounding rig. There was no possible way to move it with less than 2 people.

Now I have a 5 pound GK MB Fusion amp that has more power than the Sunn did, and two 28 pound Audiokinesis 12" cabinets that move more air than the Dietz did. It is an even better sounding rig.

I can't see how the new stuff isn't better in every way, except maybe the visual intimidation factor or something. Even Geddy Lee started placing washing machines behind him, just to give people something to look at.

 

[Maxfenderbass]

Both, jobber gigs get the smaller rig.
Band gigs get the SVT rig

 

[dbbltime]

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

 

[sears]

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...

Once I got a demerit here for unproductive trolling. Who's going to get one now, you or me?

 

[I am Soma]

oh good old talkbass. how about fender QC amirite?!

 

[blubass]

In the spirit of passion and enthusiasm towards the subject...

 

[MoeTown1986]

There is simply no need for it in today's world. I carry both basses into a gig in a double gig bag. Pedal board case in one hand and GK MB212 in the other hand. My whole band is on IEM's. Our singer plays a 5 watt 110 combo, guitarist plays a 20 watt 112 combo. Why bring big heavy amps that require trailers and are a pain to load in and out? We let the soundguy do his job. Our amps are nothing more than a little stage volume.

 

[Grahams Groove]

Whatever the band likes and feels good about. Thats all that matters to me. Loud rock and roll is loud rock and roll. I'm not representing anything other than that. If someone expects different that's their problem.. I don't need to make money playing music. So what a "pro" would do isn't my concern.

I see where you're coming from, but it seems like an attitude better applied in the practice space. That approach is ignorant of how a lot of bars, clubs, and venues operate. Regardless of whether or not you want/need the money from gigs, it doesn't negate the fact that being paid to play somewhere comes with an expectation of some cooperation with the venue, sound man, etc.

Say I strike it rich and then take a job at a coffee shop purely for my own enjoyment and something to do. Does it seem reasonable to be uncooperative with coworkers and customers on grounds that I don't really need the paycheck so I'm just doing what feels right for me? Probably not.

I went through a period 8-9 years ago hauling a 2400 watt stack to bars/clubs. It sounded good and was all I had for a rig at the time, but I understood when bar owners or sound guys asked me or the whole band to turn down on occasion. Most of the time we weren't as aware of our volume creeping up, and we sounded better and clearer when we kept it in check. All just my opinion of course...

 

[Liam Wald]

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.

 

[spiritbass]

I haven't 'played out' for years, so gear weight is not a factor for me. A few years ago, I went back to the vacuum bottles and big iron. I took a tip from @JimmyM and substituted a NOS (don't recall the number) tube for the 6SL7 in V1 of my 150 watt B-15 (Shaw B-150). It sounds glorious through MAS speakers: