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From Practice Combo to first micro rig

#22
Mojo-Man said:
:cool:
I agree a2x10 cab won't cut it.
Try a 4x10, 2x12, or two 1x15,or a 2x15.
Click to expand...

:p I am being swayed that way - by the suggestions above in large part.

a 410 is big - and I have to say the form factor would dissuade me as much as the weight (25 - 50 kg!)

some 212's look gorgeous. GK makes light 'neo' cabs that are supposedly fantabuloso.... also tc electronic... so my inkling is:

Plan carefully... pick up a 4ohm head with 350 - 500 W (and hopefully 'honest'/'loud' watts...)
With an 8ohm 212 - adding a second 212 if Required.

So. I've been exploring this rather expensive (for me) option. I can see how the good initial speaker area of a 212 will deliver the 200 - 350 W 8 ohm load - a massive jump up in headroom - and a very perceptible increase in volume from my 110 at best combo.

Then later I can milk the head for the full wallop with a second cab. I'll never get 415 or 810 performance from one or two 212's.
But the power to weight should be huge.

So here's what I'm wondering... 212 < 410 - in area & weight,
will 2 212's (of equivalent speaker quality - an thus greater cost and area) be significantly more powerful/voluminous than a 410?

I think I'd be happy to swallow the extra cost for the stackability, storability, portability and best of all flexability - I need only bring one if that's all that's needed.

Even though this rig could be very much more than the initial €700 - €800 I had envisaged... I think I could bear the cost if the end result was the rig to make me play better - and strive to recoup the cost of it's purchase.
I'm lucky to have this choice. I think I've already made up my mind - a selfish flump am I? not really... I would want any other musician in my position to do the same. best option? sleep on it to know This is what I want, hone the technique... see about finding people who teach bass (at this stage I think I'll have to look into online lessons, too many jack of all trades teachers where I'm at) and perform - maybe I can make a few links and get some insight before investing heavily while essentially blind to the potential out there (at least as far as first hand experience) by being too introverted to start sharing with other musicians. I've no doubt part of the reason I want a killer rig is ego, but I feel I must play and sound 9/10 before I can call myself a musician. P.S. I know my work is cut out for me, and while I meet the definition of a hobbyist/amateur musician what I want to be is pro sounding and performing. This could take a while... (sounds of diatonic modes being practiced slightly clumsily in the backround:bassist:)
 
#23
PlungerModerno said:
:p .So. .
.. I'll never get 415 or 810 performance from one or two 212's.


You sure can get the same performance with 2/ 2x12 cabs at least if you get GK neo's , get the mb500 and one for now and when the time comes to play larger venues get a second, and then when you play REALLY large venues or outdoors get the mb800 and you won't need anything else.
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#24
rollerberg2000 said:
I don't know what your budget is, but I love anything Phil Jones makes. I'm looking to downsize to one of these eventually.
Six Pack Bass Combo at 700 Watts â&#8364;&#8220; Pure Sound for Bass Guitarists | Phil Jones Pure Sound
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OK now I'm scared... I've seen the pjb suitcase in action ... amazing for the size when I see 750 W quoted for the SIX PAK...

I'll just go pour some cold water on my head...

Nah, a bit outside my price range... But something I'd be delighted to work towards. For me I want to see the frequency I tune to attained on the rig.... if my E is 30 - 31 Hz.... why does my cab start an octave above that @ 50 - 65 Hz ?***
That was the first thing that put pjb on the map for me... but enough drooling. I can get a monster when I earn a monster. I'm intending to spend about half of what I would on a pjb:help:
If I was to go to the extreme of a pjb - the price and power - I'd match a head and cab, both of which are very A grade, with an appropriate price tag.

I'm upgrading from a D grade (not class) combo to a high C/ low B (mmmmm low b:p) grade rig - so pjb is not in my range just yet, at least not with the scalability I so desire!

It's never a bad thing to suggest pjb though. you can't argue with 25Hz at 120+ Db. well you can but nobody will hear you. coz they'll be deaf. coz the phil jones bass tone will have slain them all with awsomeness. so I hear....:hiding:

*** edit: I just realized I was off on the frequencies... low B is approx 30Hz, low E is 40 - 41 ish. not that it's all that crucial!
 
#25
2milehighspike said:
PlungerModerno said:
:p .So. .
.. I'll never get 415 or 810 performance from one or two 212's.


You sure can get the same performance with 2/ 2x12 cabs at least if you get GK neo's , get the mb500 and one for now and when the time comes to play larger venues get a second, and then when you play REALLY large venues or outdoors get the mb800 and you won't need anything else.
Click to expand...

True.... but not an 810 neo:hiding:

Lol just kidding:D, when I see the 2000W rated fender bassman neo 810 It just goes off my experience chart....

Except for rammstein live in the o2 dublin... the kick drum was hella loud out of the collosal PA system! (bass wasn't as loud in the mix as I wanted:mad:)

but an 800W 810 and two 450 - 600W 212's would be comparable I'd imagine. both with 450 - 800 watt heads of course!

I think the mb500 is the best choice if scalability is to be priority 1. I can't justify it's expense and a cab that would do it justice just yet (I'd be totally broke, and I'm not at an appropriate playing level yet).

The advice here is helpful, I know the best course is to play the long game - set realistic goals and improve my confidence as a player. Then this decision should come more naturally. The last thing I want to be is a fool with no talent and a loud rig. I need to improve 1000% before I go pro - or even think about it. so I'll get 150% better, get me a monstrous rig, and go from there!:)
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#26
It's months later.

I've ordered a Barefaced Compact 115 cab:

compact_01.jpg

http://barefacedbass.com/uploads/images/page_images/compact_01.jpg

but with 'vintage' silver grille cloth like this one:
img1856sgs.jpg

http://img.pixelhd.me/images/img1856sgs.jpg



Not certain of head. Leaning towards one of these:
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[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

I can't wait to get rockin' the low end proper!!!:bassist::bassist::bassist:
 
#28
::::BASSIST:::: said:
Dude that is a GREAT choice! I owned the Compact and if you want light and loud you found it. Also, GK heads go great with that amp. I ran mine with a gk mb500. Excellent tone.

I'd be very surprised if you dont like your new toys. :)
Click to expand...

If I can wait that long..... It's over my initial budget... But I've waited so much longer it doesn't matter.

Here's a fun demo (deadpan but effective). Check out the D.I. overdrive. Those tubes sound sweeeeeet!:bassist:

 
#30
::::BASSIST:::: said:
BTW, you may want to buy an amp that can really rip it up at 8 ohms. The gkmb800 is one such amp if you can afford it.
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From the 110W 112 cheapo combo I'm currently using.... 350W into 8 ohms is more than enough . . . especially if they are 'GK watts' through a sensitive cab like the Compact. I haven't tried this combination of gear... and have the option of returning this rig should I need to.

I doubt volume will be an issue. Sorry, I doubt lack of volume will be an issue. Volume will definitely be an issue. I can't play full volume almost ever . . . but I'll only ever need to play very loud when I'm up against an acoustic drum kit... The best time to play IME.

This is going to get LOOOOUD! I've already got a good pair of ear protectors & plugs.:help:
 
#33
Have you looked into Carvin Micro Bass Amps? I have a Carvin MB10 (200 Watts and 1x10 speaker) for practice. If you add a second cab it brings it up to 250 watts. I also have a Carvin MB15 that is 200 watts and 1x15 speaker. It's louder than the MB10. It moves a little more air. I have an external Carvin 1x15 cab that brings both amps up to 250 watts. I'm 63 so the Micro bass amps are a real plus. The MB10 only weighs 23 lbs and the MB15 weighs 32 lbs. The external extension cab weighs in at 30 lbs. Even an old geezer like me can handle them with ease.
 
#34
Let's step back a bit here! :hmm:

Going from a small practice amp right into a micro rig is akin to going from childhood straight into middle age, without all the stuff that makes us men (and women), you know what i mean! ;) Where's the schlepping a huge, macho amp rig up and down three flights of stairs, day in and day out, to grow hair on your arms, etc.? :rollno: :D
 
#35
hsech said:
Have you looked into Carvin Micro Bass Amps? I have a Carvin MB10 (200 Watts and 1x10 speaker) for practice. If you add a second cab it brings it up to 250 watts. I also have a Carvin MB15 that is 200 watts and 1x15 speaker. It's louder than the MB10. It moves a little more air. I have an external Carvin 1x15 cab that brings both amps up to 250 watts. I'm 63 so the Micro bass amps are a real plus. The MB10 only weighs 23 lbs and the MB15 weighs 32 lbs. The external extension cab weighs in at 30 lbs. Even an old geezer like me can handle them with ease.
Click to expand...

I'm in Ireland, so getting carvin could be tricky. I have a Peavy and Fender distributor near me. Cool gear but It's all heavy, and as expensive as comparative lighter gear. The MB prefix is used by a bunch of companies, including Carvin, GK, and obviously Mark Bass. I've heard the GK mb combos get a lot of love, and Carvin, like Peavy, are great value and quality for the money (carvin being a bit lighter though). I Like the simplicity of a combo, but I want the flexibility of being able to change heads / cabs without replacing the lot. Also Barefaced don't make combo's!:D
Thanks for the advice though. When I have a rig I like, I might consider upgrading my combo for quieter practice. I have GAS for a PJB briefcase amp. The bass-buddy is a very cool idea.

Jeff Scott said:
Let's step back a bit here! :hmm:

Going from a small practice amp right into a micro rig is akin to going from childhood straight into middle age, without all the stuff that makes us men (and women), you know what i mean! ;) Where's the schlepping a huge, macho amp rig up and down three flights of stairs, day in and day out, to grow hair on your arms, etc.? :rollno: :D
Click to expand...

LOOOL!!!

If you're like me, a fairly lightly built guy who's no stranger to manual work... you appreciate the value of your back. The suffering you can cause is hard to fathom. I've never messed myself up, but I've seen some very strong ladies and gents (both stonger than me!) cause injury to themselves by bad habits (harsh exercise with improper warmups, lifting with back & legs rather than legs alone, etc.). I like the Idea of a mega rig... but mega in sound, not in size or weight if I can help it!
I can't afford roadies, and even the 16 kg combo is a pain to carry up lots of stairs with two other bags...

This micro rig will probably be the same weight if not slightly lighter than that. Not that 25 or 30 kg would be undoable... I'd be far less stable in tight landings etc. esp. after carrying it for a while, like after a 15 - 20 minute walk...:help:
The form factor is a massive deal too. The awkward form of a 410 or such is a massive pain through domestic space. Fine with a coaster-ed roadcase in a purpose built / adapted load-in space at a really good venue.... and that's not likely to be my situation in the immediate future!

I'd love to have 2 215's I could stack 8 feet high, with a 75kg monster tube amp running at 1000W RMS... But it'd be impractical... for the minute. I have a concept of an amp that uses 'questionable' case graphics and suggestive animatronics to delight and amaze. Probably be illegal though...:hiding:

Satan__s_Guitar_Amp_V1_by_KoRnKidd.jpg

Like this but more... suggestive. T'would be perfect for a traditional country and westen ensemble. with washtub bass.
 

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