I went from big rigs first to combo (changed 6 of them) and since couldnt get the sound I am used to, now I'm on 4x10 Carbon GR ultra light cab, and class D Gallien Legacy head. Never been so happy with the sound and weight.
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Downsizing from rigs of doom...which path did you take?
- Thread starter VS
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I went from big rigs first to combo (changed 6 of them) and since couldnt get the sound I am used to, now I'm on 4x10 Carbon GR ultra light cab, and class D Gallien Legacy head. Never been so happy with the sound and weight.
Mesa Subway D800+ for power and GR Bass AT212 Slim (22lbs). Plenty of power, punch and a very light carry.
I have 2 2x112 rigs and one of them is the lightest option. So I plan to keep that option and sell the other rig.
I also have an Epi 310 which is a great outlet which can take all my amps power, currently.
This is around 48lbs so useful.
I also have a Vanderkley 210mnt..which is light, compact and 600w.
I think I'd pair it with another..if I can find one, and then settle on mnt and 2x112 ...
However, I've seen a 212 which I'm thinking over. Resisted so far because its desire over need.
I think 2x210mnt will allow me to cover everything I see on the horizon
I also have an Epi 310 which is a great outlet which can take all my amps power, currently.
This is around 48lbs so useful.
I also have a Vanderkley 210mnt..which is light, compact and 600w.
I think I'd pair it with another..if I can find one, and then settle on mnt and 2x112 ...
However, I've seen a 212 which I'm thinking over. Resisted so far because its desire over need.
I think 2x210mnt will allow me to cover everything I see on the horizon
The last 13 years with one band that was gigging from small sweat box clubs to House of Blues size, small auditoriums, fly aways…… I stepped down.
Point is, if I was still playing live shows I would still use a 4 x 10 as my small cab. The GK RBH can handle a lot of power, a bit heavy, true but still moves some sound. I just can’t go what all here call small. At 69 this year moving gear is part of the gig. We helped each other with load in / out so help was always there.
Sorry for the ramble, it’s early
Point is, if I was still playing live shows I would still use a 4 x 10 as my small cab. The GK RBH can handle a lot of power, a bit heavy, true but still moves some sound. I just can’t go what all here call small. At 69 this year moving gear is part of the gig. We helped each other with load in / out so help was always there.
Sorry for the ramble, it’s early
All good answers here, I think.
I had a heavy amp head and light 2x10 + 1x15 cabinets...
Then a light amp and a pair of 1x12 cabinets...
Now just a Rumble 800 Combo, which is an internal 2x10 and weighs only 29 lbs. I put casters on it, too. My load-ins are easier than ever.
I had a heavy amp head and light 2x10 + 1x15 cabinets...
Then a light amp and a pair of 1x12 cabinets...
Now just a Rumble 800 Combo, which is an internal 2x10 and weighs only 29 lbs. I put casters on it, too. My load-ins are easier than ever.
I downsized from a stack of 410’s to a 212 combo, much easier to deal with and sounds great. Dry line from a passive DI box to the PA.
What’s funny is I got that amp and started to play with an amp-lite band (monitors only on stage) and now play with 2 completely ampless bands. So my combo might go into storage, because for all practical terms I have downsized from the combo to a $55 pair of earbuds. And THAT is the way to go, IMO.
Oh the days I lugged a 115 and 410 to every gig! I have FOH support now 100% of the time so 2 single 12” cabs do it for me. One or both is plenty of stage volume. Even without the FOH, 2 12’s with a Mesa head is plenty for small gigs IMO. I’m about multiple small cabs. Easier to take what’s needed and leave what isn’t at home. My last 5 gigs have been played with IEM’s, and when those are dialed in, massive stage volume is irrelevant. I know purists have paid for great equipment and want to hear that s..t, and I get it. My tinnitus is borderline constant now, and I want to protect my ears at all costs going forward.
I have been using a Fender Rumble 800 for the last 5 years. It is plenty loud for stage volume and to cover most rooms I play. I normally have PA support. I just did 4 gigs in a row with no amp. Just a zoom mb60 and a di box and cheap in ears. I could hear these last 4 gigs better than I have ever heard the band or myself.
Ampeg SVT AV w/ either a 410 or 810 cab -to- MESA Subway WD-800 and two Subway 115 cabs. Most gigs I can just use a single Subway 115 cab. No regrets other than I wish I did it sooner.
I'm old enough to remember when a GK1001rbII was considered a lightweight alternative.
It was my 1st move towards lighter gear. My next was to utilize the weight savings via a class D Ampeg pf800 for my small rig [1-12 cab], keeping the GK for my big rig. Eventually I installed 2 Neo 12's in my bassman cab which has helped tremendously w/ ease of transport.
It was my 1st move towards lighter gear. My next was to utilize the weight savings via a class D Ampeg pf800 for my small rig [1-12 cab], keeping the GK for my big rig. Eventually I installed 2 Neo 12's in my bassman cab which has helped tremendously w/ ease of transport.
Both of these cabs are one-handers for me. It's actually not that bad, moving both at once!
Both get used by themselves pretty often on smaller gigs. And I have a 1x10 that's plenty for cocktail jazz.
The Bag End S-15D has an old-school ceramic magnet speaker so it weighs a bit more. But not enough to bug me yet. (I'm 53 - and starting to work out.) I'd prefer to avoid the 70# stuff anymore - especially if it's awkward.
If I couldn't manage 45# and I were really attached to the sound of a 15, there may be a few neo options out there now. Going to 12" woofers would open up all kinds of possibilities. It kind of seems like 12 is the new 15. I could see myself rolling with a couple of good neo 12s after I turn 60 & trade my pickup truck in for a Prius.
Happy hunting; I can't imagine a better time to be rig shrinking.
Both get used by themselves pretty often on smaller gigs. And I have a 1x10 that's plenty for cocktail jazz.
The Bag End S-15D has an old-school ceramic magnet speaker so it weighs a bit more. But not enough to bug me yet. (I'm 53 - and starting to work out.) I'd prefer to avoid the 70# stuff anymore - especially if it's awkward.
If I couldn't manage 45# and I were really attached to the sound of a 15, there may be a few neo options out there now. Going to 12" woofers would open up all kinds of possibilities. It kind of seems like 12 is the new 15. I could see myself rolling with a couple of good neo 12s after I turn 60 & trade my pickup truck in for a Prius.
Happy hunting; I can't imagine a better time to be rig shrinking.
I got rid of the SVT head as it was over 80lbs. in the box. The 2-12 was certainly manageable if a little bulky, (then I moved to a 2nd floor flat), so I sold it as well.
I haven't gigged much in a while but I have a 500w class D head and 2 Bag End 15's to stack if necessary again for larger applications. My BE S-12 and that head can handle most anything in a club with PA support.
I haven't gigged much in a while but I have a 500w class D head and 2 Bag End 15's to stack if necessary again for larger applications. My BE S-12 and that head can handle most anything in a club with PA support.
2 1x12” Genzler cabs (24ish lbs each) and a Genzler 800 watt amp. Any tone I want is in there and I’ve got no problem being heard in a band with three guitarist, piano, and drums.
I went from an Eden Metro plus another 210XLT cab to a GK RB series and two single bag end fifteens. Much more portable with nothing over 45 pounds, much smaller footprint, just an 18" square or so on stage -- and still MORE speaker surface area. I think the heavy metro combo and a heavy 210 counted as a R.O.D. -- but my current and longstanding favorite rig is more of a Rig of Joy.
Three Bag End S15 mentions on a single page of this thread... modular and compact wall of doom. The Bag Ends are the descendants of the famous/infamous Grateful Dead "Wall of Sound" line array PA designed by Kid Charlemagne himself, Owlsley Stanley.
Went from an Ampeg 810 with a rack sansamp rbi and power amp to.........GK mb500 and an avatar 210 cabinet......I have a second 210 that hasn't left my house in years.
So far I'm failing.
I still have my Eden D410XLT and my '89 SVT-II so I decided to fail harder, charging forward to the finish line of 2023, by also acquiring this Curved Line for $1,300.
A glimmer of future downsize planning: I've got an Origin Effects Cali 76 and OE Bassrig SV and I'm thinking of making a board of those with an Ashdown ANT 200-watt pedalboard bass head.
I still have my Eden D410XLT and my '89 SVT-II so I decided to fail harder, charging forward to the finish line of 2023, by also acquiring this Curved Line for $1,300.
A glimmer of future downsize planning: I've got an Origin Effects Cali 76 and OE Bassrig SV and I'm thinking of making a board of those with an Ashdown ANT 200-watt pedalboard bass head.
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