Best rig for musician without a car.

[Boneless]

Anyway, the easiest way to get to gigs without a car is to use some sort of preamp and IEMs. If there is no PA available, GR Bass makes these carbon fiber combos that weigh next to nothing. 8kg for a 2x10", maybe less for a 1x12". They're pricey. Otherwise, any ordinary class D combo with a trolley will work well enough.

Buying a car, as cheap as it may even be with some patience and luck, is not a viable proposition for somebody who doesn't otherwise need a car (and you don't need a car in many metro areas) and doesn't make that much money from gigs to justify not only the (significant) upfront cost but also maintenance, fuel, insurance, etc. (In a large city, parking too). Of course you all know this and you're just being condescending.

 

[Koshchei]

I'm just looking to get into a band again and probably just bars and clubs around Toronto.

Traynor SB-200. It's small and ought to fit into a gig bag. For cab, I'm not sure what to suggest. Traynor released a limited run 2x8 NEO cab a few years back (and it's great), but good luck finding one -- they only made a few. It's really light for a SRS BSNS speaker cabinet and you could probably strap it to the back rack on a bike (or get a Thule-style bike trailer).

PS. If you're looking for an all-season commuter bike to get you to the gig, check out the Priority Continuum. It's pretty much maintenance free, and can handle Canadian weather and road salt like a champ.

 

[JazznFunk]

Something as light and small as possible. a 1x10 or maybe 2x10 Neo cab, micro head.... and that's it. Things you can carry all in one trip. Good luck!

 

[RandomKaren]

Nobody suggesting Phil Jones Bass? A Bass Cub might be all you need. Small and portable.

 

[RandomKaren]

For posterity: View attachment 5320089
View attachment 5320091
View attachment 5320092
View attachment 5320093
Smash out a bunch of work while you're awake, get overtime if you can, survive on rice, get you some wheels.

it's a van or camry from a dry state or custom IEM's & transmitter, DI box, any pedalboard you've built up, and maybe some sort of setup that allows you your own mix of bandmates in your ears.

Does that van have feet marks in the roof lining?

 

[gtirard]

I love this. I'm heavily considering buying the 1x10 version of the cab and a head. Do you like the GR cabby?

Yes I love it. To be honest, I think I slightly prefer the Barefaced Super Compact over the GR Bass 210, but we are talking about small variations of greatness. The weight difference between the two is marginal when you move them, they're both super easy to lug around. Also, I have to admit that my GR Bass is currently under maintenance (I sent it in Italy), because it had a vibration noise issue. It's a good opportunity to evaluate the efficiency of their customer service, I hope it's not a structural issue - maybe I was just out of luck with this particular cab, I don't see other similar reports on the GR Bass thread.

Now, if you choose the GR Bass 1X10, it's gonna be much lighter than my cabs, something you can take anywhere by hand (without a cart or trolley), but from my experience, a 1X10 doesn't have enough low end for a gig with a rock band (= with a normal rock drummer)

 

[Katoosie]

Yes I love it. To be honest, I think I slightly prefer the Barefaced Super Compact over the GR Bass 210, but we are talking about small variations of greatness. The weight difference between the two is marginal when you move them, they're both super easy to lug around. Also, I have to admit that my GR Bass is currently under maintenance (I sent it in Italy), because it had a vibration noise issue. It's a good opportunity to evaluate the efficiency of their customer service, I hope it's not a structural issue - maybe I was just out of luck with this particular cab, I don't see other similar reports on the GR Bass thread.

Now, if you choose the GR Bass 1X10, it's gonna be much lighter than my cabs, something you can take anywhere by hand (without a cart or trolley), but from my experience, a 1X10 doesn't have enough low end for a gig with a rock band (= with a normal rock drummer)

Thank you, good to know.
I had a 2x12 before and it was too big. Can't imagine taking that size anywhere with me especially while using public transport. Hence why I was considering a 1x10. I play a 5 string btw.

 

[pbass888]

For years in NYC I had my bass and this. It was loud and clear for small gigs, and the head sounded good for extension cabs and as a stage monitor for larger gigs. The amp was easy to get on busses and the subway as it was narrow and tall .
MINIMARK 802 N 300 – Markbass

 

[gtirard]

Thank you, good to know.
I had a 2x12 before and it was too big. Can't imagine taking that size anywhere with me especially while using public transport. Hence why I was considering a 1x10. I play a 5 string btw.

I can't see myself in the public transport with a 2x12, but it's ok with this 2x10 or that 1x12, IME, and it's worth it, at least for me, because again my 1x10 was really lacking for giging with a rock band. It's a good and efficient 1x10 (Barefaced One10), but there's a physical limit at some point even with a great 1x10 you can't expect the same performance as with a 2x10 or 1x12. So for me, these 2 cabs represent the good compromise between ability to move them in the public transport and my giging needs.

But I don't know what your needs are, so it's up to you. I'm just sharing my experience.

 

[Runlikegregg]

I have a Schroeder Mini 12+L - it weighs less than 20lbs. and a Warwick Gnome head that weight like 3 lbs or something ridiculous.
It's enough volume for my hard rock 3 piece, in fact I've never turned up past like 11 o'clock.

 

[Altitude]

I think the best combination of size, push, and availability is the GK MB line of heads. They've all been discontinued in favor of their newer Fusion S line but there are a ton of them out there and you could probably have one at your door by next week. They sound great, though they are pretty clean. An MB500, MB800, or an MBFusion 500 or 800 would be the ones to target. There are a zillion micro heads out there now but the GK ones are just really small for how loud they are.

Pair one with a lightweight 12" cabinet and you're in great shape for anything up to a small club gig. Then add a second of the same cabinet when you are ready.

 

[lowfreqgeek]

i currently take the bus i would uber worst case if i have to play a proper gig with a big amp but i want to keep all my commute on the bus with a backpack and my bass guitar.

If you're playing a proper gig with an amp and Uber is the only option, then you should get the Uber fees covered (in addition to your pay) for the gig. Don't do free gigs. Don't lose money on gigs. If you're gigging, you're working, and the nature of "work" is that you get paid for your experience, knowledge, time, and associated costs.

 

[ga_edwards]

I don't drive either. I'm fortunate to live close enough to work that I don't "need" a car (although cycling to work on days like this at-3°C is make me rethink it). I do get lifts from bandmates to rehearsal and most gigs that makes me feel a bit guilty, but I do as much schlepping and setting up of gear as I can to make up for it - not to mention having them round for the odd dinner.

Anyway, I digress. I strive to keep my set up as lean as possible and take as little as I can get away with to each gig. If I can carry it all in one trip, all the better. Most gigs I go direct from my Helix straight to our PA system. I have a Headrush frfr-112 for rehearsal or if I need a backline - this is just about a one hand carry for short trips, but it aggravates my tennis-elbow. I would like to replace this with something smaller and lighter. If I had the spare cash right now I'd get a GRBass powered cab, no question!

 

[MattZilla]

Does that van have feet marks in the roof lining?

for only 14 full time convenience store job paychecks, I'm surprised it has a ceiling cloth at all.

I see marks from table feet, dog feet maybe(?), and maybe a jerk-with-a-lighter fire damage in the middle of it, but nothing human-foot shaped to my eyes.

 

[lowfreqgeek]

This whole thing is a cesspool of cringey pro-car boomers, they love to quickly judge those on here without knowing an ounce of their life story. Everyone on here telling someone to go get a job, but cars are sooooooooooo cheap!

I'm glad I'm not the only one I was gonna go off but what will I achieve, the mods will defend them in a second. Showing boomers public transport for a second will give them a heart attack, they love killing our environment or also supporting classism.

I'm sorry to blow your narrow mind, but I'm not a boomer by a long shot and "public transportation" is an absolute no-go for me or my family. We live 30 miles outside the nearest city with busses, the closest stop being about 20mi away. Getting down the mountain on a bike is about 50min, getting home from that stop is about 1.5hrs (for me) with several thousand feet of vertical climb. I do that for recreation, not for getting groceries. I know it's hard to understand other people's experience, but you should try to expand your mind and see that other people have their own life stories and needs that are different from yours.

 

[ga_edwards]

Nobody suggesting Phil Jones Bass? A Bass Cub might be all you need. Small and portable.

I've been back and forth over the years whether to go down the PJB route. The Bass Cub looks like a great practice and rehearsal tool, but I really not convinced it would be up to the task of gigging without FOH support or an extension cab. I think a Suitcase or similar sized PJB combo would be the minimum for gigging, but at 40lbs, I don't consider that to be a one hand carry, at least not over any distance.

 

[salmon256]

I'm sorry to blow your narrow mind, but I'm not a boomer by a long shot and "public transportation" is an absolute no-go for me or my family. We live 30 miles outside the nearest city with busses, the closest stop being about 20mi away. Getting down the mountain on a bike is about 50min, getting home from that stop is about 1.5hrs with several thousand feet of vertical climb. I do that for recreation, not for getting groceries. I know it's hard to understand other people's experience, but you should try to expand your mind and see that other people have their own life stories and needs that are different from yours.

Never once did I say EVERYONE has public transport. Of course someone who lives in a farm in the middle of the midwest shouldn't need a bus system, an old truck is fine, but the OP lives in a city with an ok bus system, I have a friend who plays Upright in Toronto and commutes by bus with an Upright.

But the pure irony of you saying I'm narrow minded is funny. I am in no way wanting to change your style of living saying you have to use the bus, have to ride your bike, but a decent amount of people do live within those means.

Also you defending those on here making fun of those without car? It's a double edge sword you are defending, you can still use your car or live that way, but you can not deny that cars have negative impacts and to shoot down someone simply because your lifestyle needs car makes no sense. People who can use public transport in cities or small cities that are pushing for it should, we are all guilty and have to use cars but I am on the boat that if you can move to a city to make a change. But don't call me narrow minded even though you just made my point basically of this sub not looking into other people's lives, because the OP doesn't use a car but everyone is quick to judge them and to tell them to go get a job without knowing a thing of their life or understanding they use a public transport system.

I don't care to debate this, because we aren't going to change the world fighting on TB, but please consider my point for a minute. Peace.

 

[BioDriver]

Fly rig into FOH

 

[MultiScaleMale]

Never once did I say EVERYONE has public transport. Of course someone who lives in a farm in the middle of the midwest shouldn't need a bus system, an old truck is fine, but the OP lives in a city with an ok bus system, I have a friend who plays Upright in Toronto and commutes by bus with an Upright.

But the pure irony of you saying I'm narrow minded is funny. I am in no way wanting to change your style of living saying you have to use the bus, have to ride your bike, but a decent amount of people do live within those means.

Also you defending those on here making fun of those without car? It's a double edge sword you are defending, you can still use your car or live that way, but you can not deny that cars have negative impacts and to shoot down someone simply because your lifestyle needs car makes no sense. People who can use public transport in cities or small cities that are pushing for it should, we are all guilty and have to use cars but I am on the boat that if you can move to a city to make a change. But don't call me narrow minded even though you just made my point basically of this sub not looking into other people's lives, because the OP doesn't use a car but everyone is quick to judge them and to tell them to go get a job without knowing a thing of their life or understanding they use a public transport system.

I don't care to debate this, because we aren't going to change the world fighting on TB, but please consider my point for a minute. Peace.

You seem really sensitive to this. You do you.

 

[RandomKaren]

Showing boomers public transport for a second will give them a heart attack, they love killing our environment or also supporting classism.

What a bigoted and hate-filled viewpoint. And fundamentally wrong.