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Gigging cab configuration

Cab configuration

  • 1 cab, 1 speaker

    Votes: 86 21.2%

  • 1 cab, multiple speakers

    Votes: 165 40.7%

  • multiple cabs, 1 speaker per cab

    Votes: 112 27.7%

  • multiple cabs, multiple speakers per cab

    Votes: 99 24.4%

  • cabs are always provided

    Votes: 5 1.2%

  • no cabs

    Votes: 17 4.2%
  • Total voters
    405
#101
Now the marketing people or…….from all amp / cab manufacturers that follow TB which I’m pretty sure all do
( you’d think right ) will bring info to next meeting. They have to build what the buyers want and throw in a few 8x10’s or ….. too.
Notice, GC carries no “larger” rigs anymore, bass or guitar.
 
#102
Salud!

I usually go with the venue backline (usually a Markbass 12, a Hartke 12 combo, a Behringer combo, sometimes a 15 combo, whatever there is).

MY amp is a 210 TC Electronics cab + MarkBass head, perfect for hearing/understanding what I’m playing in any situation, although not for raising all of your body hair with low-end bass glory excitement.

Edit: here in Madrid, bass almost always is on the PA, very rarely the stage amp is the only bass source.
 
Last edited:
#103
1 GK 210 combo (either Fusuon 800 or 1001RB) + MBE 410 cab.

or

1 Sunn 200S or Sunn Concert head + 215 Concert cab or 8028 cab (12" + 18") biamp input.
sometimes 200S (highs) + Concert (lows) into separate speaker inputs 8028.
 
#104
I have several amps and cabs. I play music theater gigs and big and small jazz groups. Often I will need to set up and leave a rig in a theater for 3 to 4 weeks, so I need other rigs for gigs and rehearsal that come during the run of a show.
If the show, or gig is better done with acoustic bass (I only play EB) I use the Acoustic Image Double shot cab. It's a 2x10 cab but with speakers pointed in opposite directions. It's small fits under a chair and since the sound comes from different directions, it has a fuller impact vs. the direct impact that a traditional cab has.
For shows or gigs that benefit from EB sound, I use a Phil Jones C4. It has four 5" speakers and is very tight sounding. For R+B gigs, a 2X10 Hartke cab (with Eminence speakers does a nice job).
 
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#105
seanm said:
Trying to get a feel for what configurations people are using live. If you are not gigging now because of covid, or any other reason, feel free to pick your last setup.

Please pick current configurations, not every setup you have ever used.

If you use multiple cabs but they are a mix of multiple speakers per cab and a single speaker (e.g. a 2x10 and a 1x15) please select "multiple cabs, multiple speakers per cab".

Note: For the purposes of this poll tweeters do not count. If you use a 1x10 with a tweeter it is a single speaker.
Click to expand...

Combo.
 
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#106
seanm said:
Trying to get a feel for what configurations people are using live. If you are not gigging now because of covid, or any other reason, feel free to pick your last setup.

Please pick current configurations, not every setup you have ever used.

If you use multiple cabs but they are a mix of multiple speakers per cab and a single speaker (e.g. a 2x10 and a 1x15) please select "multiple cabs, multiple speakers per cab".

Note: For the purposes of this poll tweeters do not count. If you use a 1x10 with a tweeter it is a single speaker.
Click to expand...

My favorite gig enclosure is the Bergantino NV610. To my ears it is lighter, smaller, louder, better than the classic Ampeg 8x10... though of course some of that is subjective. However my Stoopid Loud Rock Band(tm) broke up just before the pandemic (not only were they loud, they played venues with easy load-ins), so I've had very few opportunities to use that cab since then. If I do, it's typically outdoors when I know I'll have an easy load-in.

So, I've been using my Reiner cabs. Most of the time I use a pair of hybrid/reflex 1x12 cabs with neo drivers: they get plenty loud enough when pushed by 700+ watts, I've only reached their maximum at outdoor gigs where I probably should have brought the 6x10. I'm not the biggest fan of neo drivers, but these are the least-neo-sounding I've ever heard.

For smaller/quieter venues, I've used a single 1x12 and it was enough.

The other Reiner cab I own is a sealed 2x12. It has ceramic drivers which can't handle as much power as the neos in the 1x12s... they were selected for tone, not volume. I do happen to prefer the tone of this cab, and it can get pretty darn loud, but I only use it when I'm 100% certain I won't need to push it hard.

The Reiners are not currently in production, but you're not asking for specifics.


Background: I play in a variety of gigging bar bands. Bass usually does NOT go through the PA, so it's up to my rig to fill the venue, which is typically a small to moderate sized bar or restaurant.
 
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#108
I currently own and gig what I think is the best rig I have ever played:
Mesa Boogie M9 Carbine head, Behringer Racktuner, with 2 x 10" and 1 x 15" Mesa Boogie speakers.
The Behringer Racktuner has lights on it that illuminates the face of the Mesa Boogie that allows me to see the settings on a dark stage and it looks cool. (After one disaster I am never going to be caught on stage without a spare bass and a tuner again.)
I have used my practice amp Ampeg PF-20T with a 15"EV for some small gigs, worked better than I expected.

IMG_4085.JPG
 
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#109
I use a 2x10 (SWR Goliath Jr) and either an old Ampeg head (B2R-350) or Hartke TX300. We have FOH support everywhere we play, so it's a simple set up. The little Hartke head does amazingly well in all situations, but the Ampeg is preferred by the sound guys (old hippies like myself); I run it through a Radial passive Pro DI.
 
#110
I have a bunch of different cabs that I use with various heads (V4b, Micro VR (2), PF50T, Bassman 500) based on the gig and the venue. PF115he (1), SVT212av (2), SVT210av (4), Rumble 115v2 (2). Obviously, I have major issues with G.A.S...but, God do I love it!
 
#112
Right now, one cab with two 12” Celestion speakers. It’s very light and I can carry it in one hand. In the past I used two cabs with one 15” in each for many years. That was a great set-up but as I got older I wanted less gear to carry. I tried one cab with two 10”s but wasn’t happy. Then one four 10” cab that I liked but still a bit bulky and heavy. The two 12” cab is what I’ll most likely stay with now.
 
#114
I used to have a Markbass 1x12 combo with a 1x12 extension speaker. It was nice and modular if I didn't need two speakers. That rig was replaced by a Quilter BB-800 and GR Bass Aerotech 212 Slim cabinet, which is so light that weight is no longer a factor and I take the whole thing with me all the time and just turn down. I am currently waiting on a custom made GR Bass Aerotech 212 Slim combo which is delayed due to the worldwide lack of chips. The new combo will make setup and teardown even faster. I can't wait!
TowerOfBobo02.jpg

VFWRig01.jpg
 
#117
I have 3 full rigs that I can mix and match.
A lot depends on what sort of load in it is and what else I carry.
My fave atm, is Aguilar DB112x2 plus Forte HP head.
I could add enough cabs to go down to 2ohms if needed.
 
#118
I have Genz Benz Streamliner 600 and a Greenboy 12/6 for grab and go.
I have a Gallien Krueger Fusion 550 with 2 Neo 212 cabs for more volume.
Unfortunately in the last couple of years, the church I am at has gone DI/IEM's so its just a bass and Mozztronics DI pre amp lately, sadly no pants flapping.
 
#119
I'm in two bands. One doesn't use amps at all...everything goes direct and we use in-ear-monitors. With the other, I fly most of the time so we are at the mercy of whatever amps are provided. I carry an in-ear system with me and fortunately, I am able to use it most of the time so it doesn't really matter what kind of amp is there. Sometimes I'm even able to do my own ear mix which is great!
When we have a show close enough for me to drive to, I use my Vox bass rig which has two Eminence Beta 15's and the head cab has a Gallien-Krueger 700RB Mark-II which is 480 watts. The size of the gig doesn't matter as it's the only amp I have.
 
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#120
I sometimes gig with a provided backline, but I prefer to bring my own gear.

For most of the last 15 years I've used 112 cabs. First 1, 2 or 3 Bergantino cabs, then 1 or 2 Barefaced cabs. All with Aguilar amps.

With my 5 string P and J basses this signal chain just works, even in difficult rooms.
 
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