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Downsizing your rig can be a drag

Breslin dp

Breslin dp

Aug 13, 2008
467
182
Fort Worth, Texas
#1
So I am currently downsizing my rig. I only intended on selling my cabs at first but now I am rethinking my position on keeping my current head. All the cabs that I am looking at handle up to 600 watts and my head well its a 2001 rb.

My game plan so far is to buy (1) 2x12 cab but maybe I should look at a new head too. I just like having the power there for any future use.

Any words of wisdom from you tbers?
 
#2
I just sold off my mesa 6x10, bagend 2x10, and Aggie AG500. Then I said.... what am I doing. Now I'm looking for either a 2x12 or something like a Markbass 804 to run with my DB750.

My advice, now that you have some cash in your pocket, look around at everything before grabbing up another rig. I feel a bit naked without a large gig rig, but I'll look around for a while and resist the urge to just have a big ole cab.

Best of luck.
 
#4
Downsizing = The Way.

You have gained wisdom, grasshopper.

The value of this wisdom grows exponentially with:
- Each additional year you log on the planet
- Each unnecessary pound you gain
- Each hour after midnight you gig regularly

[words from a late-40s not-in-shape guy who loves to gig, but pays the price]
 
#5
IMO, you don't have to lose anything if you downsize right.
a fEarful 1212/6 (or have LDS make you one), with a good preamp and a new featherweight power amp (i.e. Peavey IPS1600 or Crown Drivecore XLS1500) will do everything and more than most any heavy big rig can do, and with more power to boot.
 
#6
The system I'm currently using is totally modular. I decided to go with a Carvin BRX10.2 neo cab and a Carvin BX500 and I'm amazed at how much power this little system puts out. Normally I use a BRX10.4 with the smaller system, but got tired of carrying around all the extra equipment. I'm very pleased at this moment with my rig.
 
#7
I'd consider selling off the 2001 and replacing it with a 700rbII or maybe a 1001 if you're worried about headroom/power, if you like the GK sound. The 700 is a plenty strong amp. GK is like Peavey in that their X wattage amp sounds louder than most folks X wattage amp.

Use that with a pair of 8ohm 112's, 210's or 15/6's depending on your taste. One cab where that's enough, both when needed.


My .02
 
#10
shame that you don't live near me. I own a Barefaced big one cab, and with its weight at 45 lbs, and output on 1000 watts - I'd say I have more bang than I need without PA support. if you get a chance to try one of these babys out please do so. it only consists of 1 15" woofer and a 6,5" speaker, but MAN the excursion on that 15...

here's a link to his site http://barefacedbass.com/index.php?page=big-one I've only done this one deal with Alex - but from what I can understand on everyone else who dealt with him and based on my own experience - it's kick butt (yeah I cant type the word that rhymes with jazz...) service and a product way above anything else I've tried in that pricerange.
 
#12
I use a 112 combo and a 112 extension cab when necessary. I have 300+ watts with the combo and 600 with the extension. Plenty of power for my gigs as I am almost always PA supported. I can have 1 or 2 12's depending on the gig. They are light and easy to move. Couldn't be happier.
 
#13
I went from a Mesa Big Block 750 and an Ampeg SVT-CL and 2 4x10 cabs to a TC RH450 and a GK1001RB-II and a TC 1x12 and a TC 2x10 and never looked back.

I may not move as much air with this rig, but it sounds great, I still have headroom no matter the size of the gig and my back thanks me.

IMO (and I have been a all-tube guy for 25 years) the new class D micro gear sounds great and nothing is comprimised by "trading down".
 
#15
vinxbass said:
The system I'm currently using is totally modular. I decided to go with a Carvin BRX10.2 neo cab and a Carvin BX500 and I'm amazed at how much power this little system puts out. Normally I use a BRX10.4 with the smaller system, but got tired of carrying around all the extra equipment. I'm very pleased at this moment with my rig.
Click to expand...

+1,I am now running the same system as vinnie,the brx cabs are great,they can handle alot of power.They are easy to move around(I have casters on the the 410).the bx 500 will power the cabs nicely toghther for outdoor gigs or no pa support or run it through either cab alone.It is suprising how powerful the bx500 is through the 210,seriously. Killer versatlie rig!:bassist:
 
#16
I would keep the GK. It is a nice amp and you already paid for it and it is always better to have more power than not enough. As long as a 2x12 is rated at least 600 watts RMS, that should give it a peak/program rating of 1200 watts. Your amp puts out 1080 watts in bridged mono at 4 ohms, this will leave a cab like this with a little headroom when running to the maximum amp output in bridged mono mode. Always check with the cabinet manufacturer for the proper peak/program rating if you don't have it to ensure the power handling of bridged mono mode. And if you or anyone else never ran an amp in bridged mono mode, be absolutely sure you are using the proper bridged mono cable only.
 
#17
here's the way i look at it...i'm 48, and i spent 10 of the last 11 years not using an svt/810, and i don't have many more good svt years left. plus i have extra added incentive to use it because it's the very best example of an svt ever made. doesn't look like it, but it is, trust me :bassist:

but i also have a downsized rig as well because you can't lug an svt up flights of stairs or do small standards gigs in hotel bars with one. through a bit of trial and error i've discovered that the trick to downsizing is not going too small. don't get the absolute smallest cab out there. get one that's got a little ass to it, and if it's 10 lbs heavier than the smaller one but has a more satisfying tone, you'll be happier about it in the long run. same with heads. i love the little amps and think they're better sounding than the big ss amps. but if the 2001 gets it for you, it's not THAT heavy.
 
#18
If I had an svt on an 810 ampeg I would play it as much as possible,definitly worth the effort. I saw some young kids playing a gig fri night. This skinny little rocker couldnt get his ampeg 810 up on the stage & his bandmates didnt help him? I bout gave myself a hernia grabbing the bottom of that thing! Sure looked and sound great during the show though! I like the look of an ampeg 410 with a racked svt head,looks just as cool for the older guys.
 
#19
Let It Fall said:
theres no replacement for displacement
Click to expand...

lol...do you read Car Craft?

All my stuff is on the heavy side. (SVT -2 Pro SWR Goliath II and Goliath II Jr.)
I downsized by going from 4x10 + 1x15 to 4x10 + 2x10.
I'm looking to get a small head, most likely a BX 500 because it will handle 2 ohms, and my rig is 2 ohms total. Mot many micro-heads will go down to 2.
If I wanted to go any smaller for whatever reason, I'd go with a pair of 2x10's

Bu I don't want to get rid of the SVT, it just kills; why would I want to lose that?
 

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