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I started with a big rig, full stack, biamp, 40 pound head. Now I’m mid 50’s with a major heart attack behind me, and downsizing to small and powerful. Kinda necessary at my stage. My body can’t haul a full rig around anymore.
How’s that for some wonderful gig humour?
How’s that for some wonderful gig humour?
I tend to mix and match to fit the venue and gig, these days my biggies stay home and the GK MB500 + 1x15 Walter Box "Tall Boy" do the dirty deed in spades.
Besides the 4x15 makes a great stand for the drill press and band saw.
Besides the 4x15 makes a great stand for the drill press and band saw.
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
I used to have a Trace Elliot rig that killed (2 10s and a 15). It also weighed over 150 pounds. Now I have a 37 pound 212, and a 5 pound class D head. Is it as good? Not quite. Is it pretty #$-_#@ decent? Yes. At 2:00am, am I happy that I can be packed and take my entire rig, bass included, to my car in under 10 minutes in one trip? #$&$@@ yeah.
Started with an SVT3 Pro and 410HLF, then had a Fender 1200 into an Avatar 410 Neo, then had kids. "Downsized" to an LM2 and Avatar Neo 210 for the couple years I took off, then went to my EBS rig (90 watt tube into 410) for several years. This last year I picked up a Peavey VB2 and 215. So I've yoyoed a bit 
I've never reversed the downsizing trend, at least in terms of weight. (Not counting my first crappy "learning-to-play" amp)
Started with a 1970 Quilter Big Bertha 4 x 15 cab and equally stupid-heavy head.
Then went to a 1975 Ampeg 2 x 15 cab and V4B head. Still heavy but much lighter than the Quilter.
Next a 1990 Crate/JBL 2 x 15 cab and GK 400RB II amp. Not much downsize for the cab but the amp was worlds lighter.
After that a 1995 Crate/EV 1 x 15 combo. Heavy for a combo but way lighter than the JBL cab.
Now an Avatar 210 neo and Avatar 112 neo with a GK MB500. Such a light rig it almost floats away.
Started with a 1970 Quilter Big Bertha 4 x 15 cab and equally stupid-heavy head.
Then went to a 1975 Ampeg 2 x 15 cab and V4B head. Still heavy but much lighter than the Quilter.
Next a 1990 Crate/JBL 2 x 15 cab and GK 400RB II amp. Not much downsize for the cab but the amp was worlds lighter.
After that a 1995 Crate/EV 1 x 15 combo. Heavy for a combo but way lighter than the JBL cab.
Now an Avatar 210 neo and Avatar 112 neo with a GK MB500. Such a light rig it almost floats away.
-When I finally got my first amp, it was a Sliverado Special. A heavy, awkward, combo that really should have been a separate head and cab.
-Then I downsized to the Ampeg Portabass. One of the first generation lightweight rigs, A small 200 watt head that fits in a small messenger bag and a 2x10 neo cab with built in handle and cart. I lugged that thing all over chicago. On cars, on the EL, etc. It was great. Still have it though the cab has developed a rattle.
-I joined a Country band playing some larger gigs an I upsized to a Carvin 8x10 and a Traynor YBA200.
-realized the Carvin was overkill so I downsized to an Avatar 4x10 Neo (nice and light but still big enough to look good) and a Peavey VB-2 (not really a change in weight in that amp).
-Now I'm playing all small gigs have downsized again to rocking an Ampeg B100r Rocketbass that was given to my by my brother. By modern standards it's a reasonably heavy little box but on 4 casters it's an easy load in and since my days of taking the EL to gigs is over it doesn't feel like a burden at all. It also sounds so fantasticly tubey that I haven't even bothered to take my VB-2 into the shop to get fixed (burned out a fixed fuse on the board I think)
What will the future hold? Probably not much else for a long time. I'm really happy with the B100R. If I would get my VB-2 fixed and the Ampeg portabass speaker replaced I'd have 3 complete rigs, all of which I really like the sound of and none of which makes me feel like my tone is lacking.
-Then I downsized to the Ampeg Portabass. One of the first generation lightweight rigs, A small 200 watt head that fits in a small messenger bag and a 2x10 neo cab with built in handle and cart. I lugged that thing all over chicago. On cars, on the EL, etc. It was great. Still have it though the cab has developed a rattle.
-I joined a Country band playing some larger gigs an I upsized to a Carvin 8x10 and a Traynor YBA200.
-realized the Carvin was overkill so I downsized to an Avatar 4x10 Neo (nice and light but still big enough to look good) and a Peavey VB-2 (not really a change in weight in that amp).
-Now I'm playing all small gigs have downsized again to rocking an Ampeg B100r Rocketbass that was given to my by my brother. By modern standards it's a reasonably heavy little box but on 4 casters it's an easy load in and since my days of taking the EL to gigs is over it doesn't feel like a burden at all. It also sounds so fantasticly tubey that I haven't even bothered to take my VB-2 into the shop to get fixed (burned out a fixed fuse on the board I think)
What will the future hold? Probably not much else for a long time. I'm really happy with the B100R. If I would get my VB-2 fixed and the Ampeg portabass speaker replaced I'd have 3 complete rigs, all of which I really like the sound of and none of which makes me feel like my tone is lacking.
I’ve been hauling a GK 800RB around for 25 years, with different cabinets. I’m downsizing to a small class D head, once I decide on one (the ONLY reason I haven’t jumped on the Quilter BB800 is because of its DI, which has already been debated to death here)
But, here’s the thing: I’m not just looking to downsize my amp, my band is looking to downsize our PA as well.
Years ago, as a guitarist, I hauled 100 watt fender twins. Then guitarists started using 40-50 watt amps. Now all of the recent guitarists are favoring 20-25 watt amps. Downsizing.
Drums: no more double bass drums. No more dual floor toms. My drummer favors a small kit.
There have been endless threads (including this one) about the benefits of smaller/larger amps. I’m pretty sure that favoring newer, lightweight gear is the solution for me. The new class D/Neodymium gear sounds great.
But, here’s the thing: I’m not just looking to downsize my amp, my band is looking to downsize our PA as well.
Years ago, as a guitarist, I hauled 100 watt fender twins. Then guitarists started using 40-50 watt amps. Now all of the recent guitarists are favoring 20-25 watt amps. Downsizing.
Drums: no more double bass drums. No more dual floor toms. My drummer favors a small kit.
There have been endless threads (including this one) about the benefits of smaller/larger amps. I’m pretty sure that favoring newer, lightweight gear is the solution for me. The new class D/Neodymium gear sounds great.
I used to practice with a head and 2 410s (and gig with them). Now I practice with a 112 combo and gig with a 212 combo.
So yeah, I've downsized.
So yeah, I've downsized.
Mostly lateral sizing
Big to bigger to better to now, better and lighter with Ampeg Portaflex (Although I have a second cab if I need to push the full 500 watts)
Big to bigger to better to now, better and lighter with Ampeg Portaflex (Although I have a second cab if I need to push the full 500 watts)
Yep, shed a lot of weight..
Used to haul around an Ampeg SVT 3 Pro, an Eden 210 and an Eden 115 cab. Not sure of the weight, but it was three trips..
Now gigging with a TH350 and 2x CN112's. One trip; a cab in each hand and the amp goes in a backpack. Doesn't feel like I sacrificed much in sound quality either
Regards
Mark
Used to haul around an Ampeg SVT 3 Pro, an Eden 210 and an Eden 115 cab. Not sure of the weight, but it was three trips..
Now gigging with a TH350 and 2x CN112's. One trip; a cab in each hand and the amp goes in a backpack. Doesn't feel like I sacrificed much in sound quality either
Regards
Mark
Pretty sure I'm gonna pursue the PF 500 & 410HLF, like yours, as my next acquisition. Whenever that will be....
- My first amp was cheap Yamaha 50-75 watt combo to learn on.
- Sold the Yamaha to "upgrade" (lol) to a Riviera (Not Rivera) tube guitar/bass amp, with an unwieldy complementary Riviera 215 fridge cabinet. It was the biggest PITA I've ever owned.
- Unloaded the massive turd to someone as silly as me and downsized to a Hartke combo that I can't remember the model. I wasn't in a band and just wanted something small for home.
- Sold the Hartke and upsized to an SWR Workingman 4004 and a 212 cab
- Got severely broke and sold everything I owned.
- Bought a GK MB115 for home/rehearsals/small venue gigs.
- Kept the GK and upsized to an SVT-CL and SVT-410HLF for the louder stuff.
- Sold the Yamaha to "upgrade" (lol) to a Riviera (Not Rivera) tube guitar/bass amp, with an unwieldy complementary Riviera 215 fridge cabinet. It was the biggest PITA I've ever owned.
- Unloaded the massive turd to someone as silly as me and downsized to a Hartke combo that I can't remember the model. I wasn't in a band and just wanted something small for home.
- Sold the Hartke and upsized to an SWR Workingman 4004 and a 212 cab
- Got severely broke and sold everything I owned.
- Bought a GK MB115 for home/rehearsals/small venue gigs.
- Kept the GK and upsized to an SVT-CL and SVT-410HLF for the louder stuff.
I downsized from a Kustom 250 head with a Kustom 2x15 bottom to 2 Micro-VR heads and 4 SVT210AV cabinets.
I can go as low as 150W into a 210 up to 2 heads ganged together into 8x10 with the heaviest component weighing 26 lbs.
I can go as low as 150W into a 210 up to 2 heads ganged together into 8x10 with the heaviest component weighing 26 lbs.
