Perhaps you can point out an example of anyone here taking such a stance???
- georgestrings
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Everyone's downsizing these days..
- Thread starter I play metal
- Start date
Perhaps you can point out an example of anyone here taking such a stance???
- georgestrings
having a really nice sounding tube amp paired with a large cabinet is fun and exciting.
plugging into a small black box and handing an XLR to the soundguy is not exciting to me.
plugging into a small black box and handing an XLR to the soundguy is not exciting to me.
+1
Nothing better than loading out in one trip total weight 50 - 60 lbs!! Feeling the bass all night and loving your tone.
I play a regular gig in a basement bar. I solid flight of steps, straight down with no landing. Once you get inside, the path to the stage is cluttered with tables and chairs. There is an aisle, but it's too narrow for a 810.
I've seen a number of bassists play this gig with a 810 and 1000 watt rack. Me? I play it with my ShuttleMax and an Acme Low B2. I fill the place with bass, plus I don't have to become a furniture mover during my load in and out.
I've seen a number of bassists play this gig with a 810 and 1000 watt rack. Me? I play it with my ShuttleMax and an Acme Low B2. I fill the place with bass, plus I don't have to become a furniture mover during my load in and out.
Well, this thread is already too long for me to actually invest the time in reading it all... 
But to respond to the original post...
I could very easily play a big rig if I wanted to. I play at my church and most of my gear (beside my bass) stays there pretty much all the time, so moving it wouldn't really be an issue. Plus I'm young, in good shape, and have a good group of guys to help me out if/when the time to move came. Of course, it'd also be overkill for what I need, but I get what you mean by it's nice to have the power/headroom if/when you need it. But as for what I'm playing for a LMII (300W) into a Schroeder Mini10+L (8 Ohm) to be enough? Modern/contemporary praise and worship (for those not familiar with it, it's pretty much on par with U2, pop rock kinda stuff...) with up to four vocalists, one or two acoustics, couple electrics, keys, and acoustic drums. The stage volume is usually about 100 dB (give or take 5 dB depending on whether the sound guys just told us to turn down or getting ready to
), I believe. Nothing super loud by any means, but that little rig can keep up with some volume, that's for sure.
But to respond to the original post...I could very easily play a big rig if I wanted to. I play at my church and most of my gear (beside my bass) stays there pretty much all the time, so moving it wouldn't really be an issue. Plus I'm young, in good shape, and have a good group of guys to help me out if/when the time to move came. Of course, it'd also be overkill for what I need, but I get what you mean by it's nice to have the power/headroom if/when you need it. But as for what I'm playing for a LMII (300W) into a Schroeder Mini10+L (8 Ohm) to be enough? Modern/contemporary praise and worship (for those not familiar with it, it's pretty much on par with U2, pop rock kinda stuff...) with up to four vocalists, one or two acoustics, couple electrics, keys, and acoustic drums. The stage volume is usually about 100 dB (give or take 5 dB depending on whether the sound guys just told us to turn down or getting ready to
), I believe. Nothing super loud by any means, but that little rig can keep up with some volume, that's for sure.
I downsized this fall from a 810 cab with a 1200 watt (55 lb) head to 2 x 410 cabs (each on casters) with a 2 x 600 watt 6.5 lb head that I carry in a amp bag over my shoulder.
Makes loading and unloading a lot easier.
TD.
Makes loading and unloading a lot easier.
TD.
So you can't get excited about playing and don't have fun unless you are using a tube head and big cab? Interesting. Fun and excitement for me is much more dependent on the gig, crowd, how tight the band is that night, etc.
To each their own.
Yep. And frankly, I'm in Beast's camp. I have fun no matter what, but I have more fun when I plug into a beastly rig. Even if it's only 25w
And don't you guys tell me it can't be done:
Invalid Link Removed
Yep. And frankly, I'm in Beast's camp. I have fun no matter what, but I have more fun when I plug into a beastly rig. Even if it's only 25w
And don't you guys tell me it can't be done:
Invalid Link Removed
every time you post a picture of that rig, I start to drool.
Right but how do you tell the difference for any given situation. And further to that, how can you say that thinking anyone who is using an 8x10 thinks everyone should be using an 8x10 or they aren't loud enough isn't hypocritical. This and the "why do all pros use ampeg?" thread that are going right now both seem to carry the same connotation, "I know what's best and I don't know all you people are using something else!?" and I think people need to take a step back and realize that what they like doesn't work for everyone. Not saying that's what you're doing, but your and several other people's posts are coming off that way.
I have two rigs at either end of the spectrum...
NV610 and Ampeg SVT-II for the big jobs
Genz Benz Shuttle 3.0 10" combo for the jams and cafe gigs.
Would be nice to have a mid sized extension cab for the Shuttle combo to cover the mid-sized gigs but what I have works really well for me.
NV610 and Ampeg SVT-II for the big jobs
Genz Benz Shuttle 3.0 10" combo for the jams and cafe gigs.
Would be nice to have a mid sized extension cab for the Shuttle combo to cover the mid-sized gigs but what I have works really well for me.
Funny,
Seems like the guys who don't mind hauling all the freight like the sound of big cabs and are OK with those who don't
Why are the guys with smaller rigs so defensive about how the big rigs guys don't need to use the gear they love, and that smaller gear sounds just as good.
Live and let live boys; their isn't a best, right, or wrong on this one.
Seems like the guys who don't mind hauling all the freight like the sound of big cabs and are OK with those who don't
Why are the guys with smaller rigs so defensive about how the big rigs guys don't need to use the gear they love, and that smaller gear sounds just as good.
Live and let live boys; their isn't a best, right, or wrong on this one.
I don't have any idea why bass players give even a second's thought about why someone else uses what they use and how "wrong" it is. Seriously, don't you guys have better things to do than worry about what anyone else uses? I can't believe anyone has a "problem" with what someone else uses. I said my piece about why I use what I use, but I'm totally behind anything anyone else wants to use, and I think it's ridiculous that anyone gives two craps about it.
It's an old, tired saying, but get a life.
I use both. 
I have:
Eden WTX500, D112XLT, D210XST for the small to mid sized rooms and put up the WT800c, D410XLT and D210XST for the bigger rooms. Larger than that I call and ask for appropriate help from Eden
But honestly...my students use the D112 and WTX500 for playing in the pepband (football so far) and it is just fine. Cuts through the mix, loud enough to be heard and felt, and small enough we don't need a ton of bandaides (kids to carry stuff) to get the job done. Oh... and NO PA support at the football games.
I used to carry the 18"folded horns, 2x15" cabs, 8x10" cabs. Just too much for what is needed. IMHO
I have:
Eden WTX500, D112XLT, D210XST for the small to mid sized rooms and put up the WT800c, D410XLT and D210XST for the bigger rooms. Larger than that I call and ask for appropriate help from Eden
But honestly...my students use the D112 and WTX500 for playing in the pepband (football so far) and it is just fine. Cuts through the mix, loud enough to be heard and felt, and small enough we don't need a ton of bandaides (kids to carry stuff) to get the job done. Oh... and NO PA support at the football games.
I used to carry the 18"folded horns, 2x15" cabs, 8x10" cabs. Just too much for what is needed. IMHO
I haven't read through the entire thread, just my own personal experience. I downsized from the DB750 - EXTREME downsizing - to the Markbass F1, which I really liked. I tried a few other Markbass heads, which were all great, then moved up to the Genz Benz SM12. That seemed to be the nice middle ground of super light and incredibly powerful. But then I saw the Mesa Titan for sale in the classifieds and I couldn't stop drooling. I've only played one gig with it, but it seems like the best of both worlds. It's light compared to the DB750, heavy compared to the SM12. I can move it no problem. It sounds awesome. Built like a tank, thunderous, sweet-sounding. So, count me in the group who is upsizing and happy.
- Aug 30, 2003
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- Disclosures
- Engineer & Owner, Sonic Nuance Electronics
I got tired of lugging heavy gear in a war to be heard. Once bass amp companies started getting better tone (early 90's imho) and light weight (mid 2000's) I didn't have any nostalgia for my old gear and sold it immediately.
Granted, I wasn't using SVTs with 810s (I would only use that if someone could haul it for me) but I'd NEVER go back because with my micro rig:
1) The tone is better
2) The weight is waaaay lower
3) The tone control is better
4) The low frequency reproduction is better
5) I can do one trip to the car
6) If the PA support isn't good then the volume better be low anyway (for the situations I find myself in)
Put it this way, if things were flipped and we *started* with light high wattage gear, do you think people would want heavy equipment that did the same thing???
To me technology has been a godsend for bassists. Remember upright bass and how little it was heard in the old days of rock and roll? I'm so grateful to be alive at a time to appreciate all that technology has done for bass players. Shall I list a few of the technological advances that we enjoy?
Active electronics
Roundwound strings (and better string manufacturing)
Digital power amps
Switched mode power supplies
Neodymium speakers
Advanced crossovers
Advanced speaker enclosures (no more gigantic open panel ala a Marshall Stack)
High mass bridges
Five (or more) strings
Better recordings
Better PA equipment
I'll get off my soapbox
Granted, I wasn't using SVTs with 810s (I would only use that if someone could haul it for me) but I'd NEVER go back because with my micro rig:
1) The tone is better
2) The weight is waaaay lower
3) The tone control is better
4) The low frequency reproduction is better
5) I can do one trip to the car
6) If the PA support isn't good then the volume better be low anyway (for the situations I find myself in)
Put it this way, if things were flipped and we *started* with light high wattage gear, do you think people would want heavy equipment that did the same thing???
To me technology has been a godsend for bassists. Remember upright bass and how little it was heard in the old days of rock and roll? I'm so grateful to be alive at a time to appreciate all that technology has done for bass players. Shall I list a few of the technological advances that we enjoy?
Active electronics
Roundwound strings (and better string manufacturing)
Digital power amps
Switched mode power supplies
Neodymium speakers
Advanced crossovers
Advanced speaker enclosures (no more gigantic open panel ala a Marshall Stack)
High mass bridges
Five (or more) strings
Better recordings
Better PA equipment
I'll get off my soapbox
Yep. And frankly, I'm in Beast's camp. I have fun no matter what, but I have more fun when I plug into a beastly rig. Even if it's only 25w
And don't you guys tell me it can't be done:
Invalid Link Removed
I play an 8x10 and I dont really like the small speaker rigs but I would rock that rig all night !
cant play standup though but I would love to learn they have such a sweet tone
haha that's funny jon as I litterally have your old rig.A GBE 1200 with a Genz Uber 810.And seriously thinking of grabbing another uber 810!!
I Pre-apologize to the nabors.
I play a 70's ampeg V4-B with an ampeg 4x10-1x15 fullstack cab, i love it althought i have played some nice combos, they're usually solid state and im a tube guy. i really havent seen many worth while tube combos, thats y i go big, i also play metal and i just havent got the tone or articulation out of a soilid state. my modded V4-B is super sensitive and punchy, and the lows thrown out by the 15 are scary, lol. I'm a true believer in the ole saying " Go BIG, or go home", lol. but for recording projects or live shows where you gear can be miced, volume is not an issue. for recording Tone is really the only issue so use what ever gives you the tone you want, even if it's small or solid state, lol.
