Gigging Musicians: Cabinet Choice

[jasonbraatz]

I have a pair of Baer M112's that cover everything for me. For a long time my only cab was an Aguilar GS412, which was a ton of fun, but I don't lose any of that big-cab presence when using the two Baers and this gives me the option to just bring one if it's a smaller gig.

I have two heads, a Carvin B1000 and a Baer Valkyrie, and a small Carvin MB10 combo, so I have all my possible permutations covered.

 

[MCS4]

Two lightweight Markbass 4x10s. Every now and again I'll just use one.

 

[Dave Hill]

I really like the 215. Wish I had one.
I got an SVT/810 that I love taking out. I've got an old 360/361 I've been itching to take out. If it's a smaller venue I'll just take my GKMB212II. But I always bring my Bro-Ton P-15 for the house.

When's the last time that SVT was out?
Lol

 

[The Eristic]

Accugroove Tri112L, ~30 lbs. Looking for a second. Replaced a 120-lb Mesa 4x10" and/or 65-lb 1x15".

 

[Dave Hill]

F212. Covers any and all gigs.
65 lbs. Tilt and roll.

 

[BassinCT]

Bergantino's discontinued HT112ER + EX112ER. If I had to purchase something new today, I would do their HDN212 + HDN112. Having a versatile, modular setup is very important for my needs.

 

[BassmanPaul]

Mine is always the same whatever gig I’m required to play. My own design tube pre-amp into a Carvin HD2000 Class D power amp feeding a pair of Acme B2 2x10s in a vertical stack.

Haven’t weighed the amp rack but I can easily heft it with two fingers. The cabs about 50Lbs.

 

[fdeck]

DIY cabs. 1x12 uses Eminence 2512-ii, 19 lbs. If I ever needed more sound, I'd build another. Meanwhile, I play a lot of my jazz gigs with a 1x8, 12 lbs.

 

[Catbuster]

For most shows I carry a 50.5 lb GK NEO 212. For big shows I carry two 50.5 lb GK NEO 212s, one at a time.

 

[ShadowImage]

Ampeg SVT-410HLF at 75lbs. I'm kind of baffled by you guys who play with 115s or 210s. I can't always count on the PA for club/bar gigs here so I need enough power on stage and our drummer hits heavy.

 

[Doner Designs]

Pair of Markbass 1x12's or a single Berg HG310 which weighs about 30 lbs and moves as much air as a 212. I have toyed with the idea of getting a second Berg 310 to replace the Markbass and then I could combine the two rigs. Downside is it would require an amp that runs below 4 ohms. I also like the tiny footprint of the Markbass rig. The other thing holding me back is that I have one of the early Class AB Markbass combos (they're class d now and not made in Italy either).

 

[Doner Designs]

Lately it's been an Ampeg PF112hlf. Sounds like Ampeg but only weighs 30 lbs. Nice!

You must have good FOH support to run with only that? Feeding it with the PF50?

 

[CharlieC]

One or two F112's (38 pounds) and I'm half-way to salivation (sp.)!

 

[nostatic]

Ampeg SVT-410HLF at 75lbs. I'm kind of baffled by you guys who play with 115s or 210s. I can't always count on the PA for club/bar gigs here so I need enough power on stage and our drummer hits heavy.

the answer to these types of questions are always, "it depends." My gigging rig varies from a QSC K8 powered PA cab (for when I really need to travel small/light) to a single Hathor 1203 with Mesa D800 (for most of my jazz gigs, but also some funk/soul/rock depending on the lineup/venue) to adding a second cab (MAS109 which will get quite loud) or Subway 1-12) for a loud gig like Live Band Karaoke or Steely Jam (10 piece with two loud guitars). But I certainly don't need an 8-10 for any of my gigs.

As long as your band isn't a competition on who can be the loudest, a pair of modern 1-12 cabs and a high-power class D amp likely can cover it. Really any louder than that and you probably should think about stage volume vs FOH. If you don't have any FOH, then it becomes basically keeping up with the drummer, though the guitarists will no doubt continue to turn up as the night goes on.

Then again, at 55 my days of diming my amp while sticking my head in front of it for visual effect are long behind me. That said, I do still dial up some feedback and get in front of the cabinet, but I'm wearing ear protection and have a rig that will get feedback and less than crazy volumes.

If you're in certain genres of music, then the look is part of the equation. In that case, you're on your own

 

[Steven Ayres]

For most situations I'll take an EA Wizzy 12, which weighs in at a little over 34lbs with the pole mount.

 

[BPhillips]

Ampeg PF115HE and PF210HE. 45lbs and 48lbs respectively. Powered by Ampeg PF500. They both have removable castors which helps tremendously. One of my bands uses IEMs so I only use the PF115HE for a bit of stage volume and vibration. The other band has our own PA and powered subs. No IEMs at the moment but moving that way. I use both cabinates to compete with the guitars for stage volume or mainly rehearsal volume. It is ridiculous at times. I also go straight to FOH from DI, so I really only need a cabinate for my own stage volume when gigging. I haven't played any gigs where there wasn't a PA and subs so I can get by with little if needed (sometimes just the SCR-DI on my board).

 

[FingerDub]

I have 2 Aguilar 1x12 cabs, but recently i've been leaning toward my 4x10 cab, one speaker of which is blown. I couldn't care less, it still puts out more volume and no one hears the occasional fart from it but me. I think I'm gonna get rid of the 2x12 cabs and get a nicer 4x10.

 

[Medicine Man]

If I'm bringing our pa: markbass 2x10.
If not: powerhouse 4x10 or svt 8x10, depending on venue size.

 

[Al Kraft]

For indoor gigs, Berg CN212 (46 lbs, one hand carry) or Mesa Subway 115+112 (38 lbs/33 lbs, one trip with a cart).

For occasional larger outdoor gigs it's usually a Mesa PH410 (100 lbs) or couple of PH212's (76 lbs each).

 

[Munjibunga]

Berg CN 2x12 46 lbs (it's really 51 but we don't like to mention that)

That one is.