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Go big or go home

#62
chris_b said:
Seems like the common theme in this thread is Roadies. You have 'em and your choices are very different to when you don't.
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I am my own roadie... And I haul the PA too... two 2x15 towers with horns, 2 bass bins... Like I've said before, I come to move air. With that, we usually play to full venues and large private events because we are known to get the butts off the seats as well.
 
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#64
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the big rig and the little rig......View attachment 3609829
 
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#65
lightbg said:
You would think differently if you were dragging around a Hammond B-3 and a pair of 122s Leslies. Total weight close to 1/2 ton counting bench and pedals. If it wasn’t for my 15 lb. Nord clonewheel I’d be sitting home wearing my hernia belt.....
;)

Jake
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Back the day we toured with not only a B3 and a Leslie 900, we also had had an upright piano. Nord is a great instrument much more versatile than a B3, but a B3 and a cranked Leslie 260 it isn’t.
 
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#67
tshapiro said:
With the growing number of threads directed towards going direct and lightweight amps I think it’s about time for a thread which brings us back to some punch-you-in-the-chest reality and why some of us will never let go of the heavy iron.

So why full-sized stage amps when running into a FOH system can get you just as loud? In my opinion, the answer to this question is what separates the boys from the men with regards to your sound. Somewhere along the way, the lure of minimalist setups has fooled guitarist and bassists into giving up their beloved stage possessions… namely their amplifiers. In some cases, giving them up totally, and in others trading them for stage monitor versions of their amplifiers. This was done under the thought that ‘it sounds just as good out front’. Well guess what? No, no it doesn’t. It doesn’t in a small bar, and it doesn’t in a concert venue. And, your live playing might take a dive as well. First off, just like cymbals and snare drums real amplifiers reverberate off the walls and ceiling – even in large venues. These reflections come at you in a multi-directional fashion and carry not only realistic characteristics of the amp but also the ‘color’ of the venue which you are playing in. And, it sounds awesome! This akin to a real band vs. a DJ or band in a box. Sound which is originated or largely amplified by the FOH is generally coming from isolated points left and right. And, this is done without the benefit of studio processing where mic placement, reverb, delay and compression have been strategically used to give the illusion of reality. Combine the sound projection coming from a glorified stereo with a flat mix and you are no aural competition for the real deal. Most people may not be able to put their finger on it, but they can tell the sound is kind of… meh, lacking excitement. Well, how about full-sized ‘light weight’ amps? I’m sorry to say, but there is a certain ‘heft’ to the sound of the old school gear. For many reasons it’s the heavy components in transformers, speakers, and cabinets that just can’t be beat when you want the best sound without compromise. In the end, I am certainly not telling anyone what gear you should use – use whatever makes you happy. But, if you’d like some straight talk on how to go directly to some world class sound, go for classic gear. Gear that is sized right for your stage and venue when using the FOH for reinforcement – not your primary sound source. Lean towards tube or solid-state amps with reputations of being work horses. You don’t need to over do it with speaker cabinets, but, bring enough so that your cabinets have plenty of head room to support your sound. There’s a reason why so many touring bass players use 2 4x10’s or an 8x10. Do you need that? No. Will it give you amazing authority, touch sensitivity and headroom? Absolutely. Gear that is undersized takes away your feel. Again, none of this is necessary. But if you’ve reached the point where you and your band just need a great sound than hopefully this helps you find your way. Lastly, while hefty amps and speaker cabinets do play and sound great in all sized venues, they can ruin your hearing and give you tinnitus. This is some serious stuff my brothers. Regardless of your amp size, you should have controlled stage volume and use in ears. Rock on!
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And in ear filters.

Me, No, I’m not going back to SVTs and 18” speaker cabs, but I’m going to keep playing my Eden rig (410s powered by 600 watts from my 75lbs rack) until either I expire, or the gear turns to dust.
 
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#68
lightbg said:
You would think differently if you were dragging around a Hammond B-3 and a pair of 122s Leslies. Total weight close to 1/2 ton counting bench and pedals. If it wasn’t for my 15 lb. Nord clonewheel I’d be sitting home wearing my hernia belt.....
;)

Jake
Click to expand...
Yeah, we dragged a b3 and leslies in high school. Couldn’t even think about something that heavy these days.
 
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#69
TonyP with GK

TonyP with GK

  • Media owner TonyP-
  • Date added
TonyP with GK

Ok that photo might be a little D-shy
;)
Normally I’m using just a quarter to half that. However for some larger stages, you bet...All 4 or a pair of NEO412s
 
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#71
I've used this rig at a few gigs not too long ago. (see avatar) My band still bitches about it, but really, they asked for it. Lead player has a Marshall half stack and likes to crank it so loud I can't hear my backline. So I brought this rig along a couple of times. He's much more considerate now. He's back to using his Peavey Classic combo, and I'm using my Fender Rumble 350 and a Traynor TC115.
 

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#72
The SVT, with (2) 1x15's goes out for gigs where I don't have to bring the PA. The 3pro goes out when I do. Been on a Class D amp kick lately but mainly out of curiosity, and as backup to the Ampegs. Picked up a pair of Neo 12's because the price was too good to pass up.

I really prefer the sound of the Ampegs. As long as I'm able to carry the stuff, it'll go out regardless of the size of the room.
 
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#73
I pretty much disagree with everything the OP mentioned. Regardless of the venue size, stage volume often interferes with FOH sound, particularly in front of the stage. I have been to concerts in small venues where there were no amps on stage and it sounded much better. I've also played gigs with no amps on stage and it also sounded much better. If the FOH and monitors mixes are handled properly, you will get a good sound regardless of whether or not you have amps on stage. I think we are so used to seeing amps on stage that we find it difficult to comprehend trying to play without them. Having said all this, I still love having my SVT rig on stage.
 
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#74
Kmonk said:
I pretty much disagree with everything the OP mentioned. Regardless of the venue size, stage volume often interferes with FOH sound, particularly in front of the stage. I have been to concerts where there were no amps on stage and it sounded much better. I've also played gigs with no amps on stage and it also sounded much better. If the FOH and monitors mixes are handled properly, you will get a good sound regardless of whether or not you have amps on stage. I think we are so used to seeing amps on stage that we find it difficult to comprehend trying to play without them. Having said all this, I still love having my SVT rig on stage.
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You have a good point but if you FOH is less then to be desired, then a little push behind you is a godsend. We all have been there before...
I did an ampless tour in Europe and it went great, I have also done local shows on large stages with deaf engineers and needed the backline.
 
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#77
this was my big rig. sold it awhile back. juice goose power conditioner/surge protector. korg pitchblack pro rack tuner. hartke 7000. all hartke cabs. Bi-amped. 350 watts into 2 older model 4x10xl's (not transporters) and 350 watts into a 2x15xl. this thing sounded incredibly massive. and was a complete nightmare to try and move. sold it because it never really left the practice space.
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