Did I get older or did my amp get heavier?

[Gizmot]

... back in the day we also used to stand in front of that stuff because we had to carry an old arena or armory building with it, while our big square Altec VOT PA cabs had to carry the vocals over the top ... and, back in the day, nobody used ear protection ... and now, (no longer back in the day) if we are lucky, we hear about half of what we should be hearing ...

I for one, am glad we are no longer 'back in the day' ...

I still take what's necessary to sound good to each gig I play. The good news is that I only do one or two gigs a year that need more than a decently powered combo.

Musicians nowadays don't appreciate how much easier it's gotten.

 

[alaskaleftybass]

Kinda funny, a new band I jammed with tonight had two no-master SVT's in the rehearsal room. Just used one head (second is the spare) but it was connected to both cabs, a towel bar and a flat back. They said they'd bring an SVT to gigs for me but I'd rather have my regular Aguilar TH-350 and two 12's or two 15's. Just looking at that rig 'bout gave me a hernia LOL.

Oh, and there was an old tuck'n'roll Kustom rig too. Maybe I'll try that next time...

Kustom tuck and roll.... breakfast of champions...!

 

[Honch]

I think it's the other way around. Please step up on a scale. Weigh yourself. Do you weigh the same as you did 30 years ago? No? Do the same thing to your amp...
Both you and your amp ages the same, but the amp doesn't gain weight as it gets older. Your amp didn't get heavier. You did.

Not being rude, nor snide remarks, or being iffy. I certainly weigh more these days! One things for sure. I always weighted more than my amp. Any amp that I owned.

 

[james condino]

It takes work and effort to keep your gear up to a modern standard just like it takes work and effort to keep yourself from turning into a frumpy old geezer. Turn off your computer, practice more, back off the cheeseburgers, and hit the gym grandpa....

 

[chris_b]

Back in the day, I used gear I couldn't lift without help. That's what you did.

Thank goodness those days are long gone. I haven't played with a roadie in decades and band mates don't want to know about 810's or even 412's. I play with a few guitarists who are still struggling with their Fender Twin Reverbs (because of the sound!!).

IMO bass amps and cabs are light years better designed and made that at any previous time in gig history. My cabs weigh 21lbs each have one of the best sounds of any gear I've played. It really is a good time to be a bass player.

 

[40Hz]

It happens.

For the first time in my life I realized I no longer want to own an SVT.

And lately I've noticed I'm looking more and more at things like the Trace-Elliot Elf and Quilter Bass Block, and I find myself thinking...maybe, just maybe.

 

[Coolhandjjl]

My older amps got heavier, and all my basses don't play as well as they used to either

 

[sawzalot]

I just go thru the PA now and leave the cabs at home. Make the sound guy do the heavy lifting.

Tom

 

[Mark_70]

I traded in my big & heavy Eden 210 cab for two Bergantino CN112's. Granted - had to bring along a hefty sum as the Bergantino's aren't cheap, but boy - what an improvement. Both in terms of sound as well as in schlepping reduction. Love the flexibility / portability the two small cabs give me, even vs one 212..

The SVT III pro sits in the basement, the TH350 comes with on gigs. Super-happy with the sound AND the portability.. Gotta love neo magnets and class D amps..

Regards
Mark

 

[jnsnj]

It happens.

For the first time in my life I realized I no longer want to own an SVT.

And lately I've noticed I'm looking more and more at things like the Trace-Elliot Elf and Quilter Bass Block, and I find myself thinking...maybe, just maybe.

I just sold my SVT last month. There was a sting of pain as I sold it but I realized that was just from carrying it.
I really like the Bass Block and had hoped to buy one but I found a MiniMax at a price I couldn't pass up. A week later I caught a guy at a bar using the Bass Block and damn that amp does sound good. Of the class D amps I've had the chance to try or hear others play it comes the closest to an SVT sound.

 

[40Hz]

I just sold my SVT last month. There was a sting of pain as I sold it but I realized that was just from carrying it.
I really like the Bass Block and had hoped to buy one but I found a MiniMax at a price I couldn't pass up. A week later I caught a guy at a bar using the Bass Block and damn that amp does sound good. Of the class D amps I've had the chance to try or hear others play it comes the closest to an SVT sound.

Completely agree. A Bass Block 800 is on my "to buy" list. Some people dislike the unusual and (to my mind) rather innovative way they did the tonestack. But after I got a chance to work with it a bit, I quickly discovered you can get anything you want with it that you could get out of a more traditional set of controls - plus a whole lot more.

 

[AcridSaint]

I'm buying the new Trace Elliot 110 as soon as it hits the streets. 16lbs and hopefully all I need for rehearsals. I was this |--| close to buying a PJB briefcase when I saw the new Trace stuff. I'm not too old though, so I'll lug the 45lb 112s around for live venues

 

[Orpheus55]

I use two Avatar cabs, the SB112 (35 lbs.) and the B115 (49 lbs.), both run by a Peavey Minimax. I'm in my late sixties, but find either cab very nmanageable, using a cart for the bigger one. As for heads, I have an old Ampeg B2R I keep around just for insurance

 

[sowilson]

It's a scientific fact that the older the cabinet the more moisture it has gained making it much, much heavier than new: yeah science !

 

[GwenOnBass]

"Did I get older or did my amp get heavier?"

... yes

... and yes

Color me surprised the day I learned I literally cannot lift my 1x15 into my car boot any more. It is true the cab was a massive custom job built to withstand real world rigors of gigs. Translation: heavy as a Peavey-designed neutron star. Fact is: I exist in a different sort of Now than I did Then.

 

[Jeff Scott]

Did I get older or did my amp get heavier?

That's the gravity of the situation.

 

[phillybass101]

It's all a conspiracy . They don't want us to be seen or heard. The next time someone tells me that they could hear and feel the bass I'm going to say well it's BASS, do you have a problem with it? IMO nothing looks more wimpy on stage than these new mini rigs. LOL!!!! I've played some venues where a Bass Rig was not allowed on stage. Needless to say, I don't need the money that bad so I no longer accept gigs for that place. Back in the day a band would help each other with "Band Gear". Now it's like everyone is on their own. At the end of a gig, I've seen Cats scatter like roaches when the lights come on. . I still remember playing a bar/grill with a 230 watt 2x10 and they still asked me to turn down as they could feel and hear the bass in the next room. I was like why am I even here?

 

[Drgonzonm]

Kustom tuck and roll.... breakfast of champions...!

got one, carried from nm to vt back to nm.
Cost me $10. And it weighs about 50kg.

 

[klejst]

I hear ya, I'm in my early 30's and have already moved up in rig weight and then have came back down to where I am currently. I'm all about less weight with good sound and tone but also loading everything in in one trip.

 

[Two-Spirit]

I have health problems now so even my ba115v2 is like an anchor. Can't wait for my strength to come back.