This was my covers band vocal only PA/club rig. So the amp was only running on about 4 master volume but that’s what a master volume is for! Quieter/no drummer gigs I might just bring the 2x10
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Go big or go small for gigs
- Thread starter wyleeboxer
- Start date
I fell into the amp/cab hole these last 4 years. It has to do with multiple bands and changing bands. I bought my GK MB800 playing heavy rock and roll, drove through two cabs to get the stage volume to where it was keeping up with the guitar god and the drum pounder. Well that band went away, go to the next band....needed a smaller amp with punch, went with a Fender Rumble. That has worked for those corner of the establishment gigs. Now a new rock band that controls volume, so I don't need all of the GK cabs, sound man told me to turn down....I went to 9 o'clock on amp, and my cabs sounded anemic. I wanted quality where I can use my GK head, in comes the Genzler 210-3 SLT....sounds fine, and gives me wattage I need if I ever, and mean ever, play in a band that has that extremely loud stage volumes. I wish I could tell you that there is a quick fix to an all around one stop/one amp/one cab sound. I haven't found it without investment into other tools for specific jobs. I won't be playing the Genzler out until August (new band), but I am hoping that I can get a great sound with lower volume.....and I think that will be the case from my basement evaluation of my new Genzler.I usually like to bring a single 112 cab (440 Live with B&C driver) to my cover band gigs either with the 4 or 5 piece band. I’ll push the 112 just before it’s limitations with my Quilter bb800, which gives me a nice growly tone but can be a little under gunned sounding when the night gets louder.
When I bring an extra identical cab (the 2 112) it seems to be overkill and of course the amp runs at less then 20% volume and the cabs are barely moving, so the tone is less growly. However, ill probably start bringing both cabs to every gig now and just keep working with the tone and gain knobs until I get the tone I need.
So how many of you are always bringing more cab then needed to every gig? Do you still find a way to get a good tone at lower volume levels with a large rig? I don’t know, just something I was thinking after the show last night
This, and I hardly have to push it to get a great sound.
Depends on venue/location, available space and type of gig. I used a 1x12 last night and it was sufficient for an outdoor beachfront gig. I could have brought the 2x12 but due to parking (had to park in a lot) and having to drag my stuff 2 blocks to the location.....uhhh...nuh!
I do, and yes. Always my 4x10 rig. Width-wise, it really doesn't take up but a few more inches than my 1x15 combo, so physical size is not really a factor for me.
I’m looking forward to bringing 2 cabs to every gig now and getting some clean lows when the band is pushing the volume up. 1 112 cab actually did great as far as articulation and easily being heard in front of the mix, I just knew when it wasn’t going to give me any more lows by pushing it too hard and I think when your doing funk R&B covers you need that bottom, maybe not so much if it was a Rush Tribute band?
As far as future one cab options, there’s some interesting cabs I’m eyeing: PJB C8, Bareface two10’s ( might sound too much like my SVT210av sealed cab which I’m too into for funk) or the Hathor 1203.. I need a small footprint usually. I’ve been selling gear off lately and don’t want to buy another cab unless the gigs really call for it?
As far as future one cab options, there’s some interesting cabs I’m eyeing: PJB C8, Bareface two10’s ( might sound too much like my SVT210av sealed cab which I’m too into for funk) or the Hathor 1203.. I need a small footprint usually. I’ve been selling gear off lately and don’t want to buy another cab unless the gigs really call for it?
I ended up settling on a 4x10 as my one go-to cab. I had a 2x10 (same speakers/manufacturer) that I could pair with it (it had a separate head) or use individually. The 2x10 was smaller and about 45lbs (vs. 75lbs for the 4x10), but it never had the full bottom end of the 4x10. In some rooms, it was literally like all the bass was sucked out of my sound. Conversely, I rarely played anywhere where I needed what was effectively a 6x10. Since I have an SUV, own my own home and can carry the 4x10 without issues, I just decided to use that one exclusively. I could understand that someone who lives in more of an urban situation where there may be lots of stairs, public transit/taxis, etc. might want something significantly smaller.
LOL I'm honestly starting to wonder. At one brewpub venue, I now take the full 12 + 12x6x1 LDS stack (with the sexy tan grills) and the mesa tube head, and leave it in standby all night. It's a tube DI with custom stand. (and a quite nice one but still) I'm seriously considering having a lightweight "amp prop" built, and just admitting this to someone else makes me feel a bit dirty.
Talk about taking more speaker than you need. #rolleyes
haha man I was just thinking, last weekend I played a gig with monster subs, so we soundchecked it and one box was fine, so I just unplugged the bottom one because I'm getting old and fat and I could reach the knobs on the amp without having to lean over if I left them stacked up. What I want is a dummy, inflatable bottom cabinet that I can deflate and stick in my gig bag
I guess this would be a good reason to get a road case for one of the boxes!
I almost always bring two medium sized cabs and then play it by ear. Part of it is the Boy Scout in me (be prepared) but I’ve also been burned a couple times when i had downsized the rig and then showed up at a venue we hadn’t played before to see the pa was inadequate for bass. But I’ve used a ton of cab combinations over the years including going ampless with a pedal pre. Really just depends.I usually like to bring a single 112 cab (440 Live with B&C driver) to my cover band gigs either with the 4 or 5 piece band. I’ll push the 112 just before it’s limitations with my Quilter bb800, which gives me a nice growly tone but can be a little under gunned sounding when the night gets louder.
When I bring an extra identical cab (the 2 112) it seems to be overkill and of course the amp runs at less then 20% volume and the cabs are barely moving, so the tone is less growly. However, ill probably start bringing both cabs to every gig now and just keep working with the tone and gain knobs until I get the tone I need.
So how many of you are always bringing more cab then needed to every gig? Do you still find a way to get a good tone at lower volume levels with a large rig? I don’t know, just something I was thinking after the show last night
Most of the time I’ll use both cabs and if it’s too loud I’ll unplug the bottom cab that way I’m not turning down the cab that’s closer to my head but I’m giving the soundguy the lower stage volume they want.
One 1x12 for sound, the 2nd 1x12 for more sound and also looks. 
skyline_01
Endorsing artist: Nordstrand Audio, Tsunami Cables
I use an Aguilar GS112 for everything, as my band usually play venues that are smaller or have decent PA support. My head (EBS Reidmar 750) is kinda overkill for it but it gives me headroom out the wazoo. I had a small-stage gig this past weekend and my volume was at about 8:30 and it was probably still too loud lol.
I would really like to add another GS112 at some point to take advantage of the EBS and add some beef to the larger venues, but lately my $ has had more important places to go.
I would really like to add another GS112 at some point to take advantage of the EBS and add some beef to the larger venues, but lately my $ has had more important places to go.
Always better to have more than not enough, use the volume knobs..
I always use 1 amp... a Quilter or a WD800.
I always use 1 cab...a 1x12 Hathor 1203T or 2x12 Mesa subway.
I always use 1 cab...a 1x12 Hathor 1203T or 2x12 Mesa subway.
As time (decades) go by, you will eventually subscribe to the "less is more" philosophy.
Prefer no cab, no head, DI and in-ears. 1x12 if FOH or mons are inadequate. If I need more than that, I'm in the wrong band.
I have 2 1-12" cabs that are both light and don't take up much room stacked. 8 lb head and there's not too much to lift or move. In some instances I could get away with 1-12" cab but I don't see bringing a 2nd cabinet to be too inconvenient.
Less weight, less trips and more growl? Push that 112 like your b****!I usually like to bring a single 112 cab (440 Live with B&C driver) to my cover band gigs either with the 4 or 5 piece band. I’ll push the 112 just before it’s limitations with my Quilter bb800, which gives me a nice growly tone but can be a little under gunned sounding when the night gets louder.
When I bring an extra identical cab (the 2 112) it seems to be overkill and of course the amp runs at less then 20% volume and the cabs are barely moving, so the tone is less growly. However, ill probably start bringing both cabs to every gig now and just keep working with the tone and gain knobs until I get the tone I need.
So how many of you are always bringing more cab then needed to every gig? Do you still find a way to get a good tone at lower volume levels with a large rig? I don’t know, just something I was thinking after the show last night
I gigged many times with just the TC 15" combo and that thing was LOUD.
