Has anyone switched from a monster rig to a rig "lite"?

[Blueszilla]

Not yet.. but here's how I set it up.. the 1210 sits one the drummer's right side... I put my Focus SA on top of it, and the True-Voice sits on top of it. (the true-voice will fit inside the front pouch of the padded bag that comes with the SA.. so it's REALLY easy to carry them!!!) then I put the mini 12 on the other side of the drummer and point it towards me. This way I never have a problem hearing myself.. and no one else does either. I also have a Peterson Strobostomp that goes right in front of my on stage.

It's a simple setup... and it's plenty loud.. and plenty punchy with the basses I use.

Yes.. I could be louder and more powerful before... but this rig still cuts through like crazy.. and I still have tons of punch.

Mine is similar.

the big rig was/is SWR 750x with korg tuner into G3 4x10 and SOB 1x15. Sounded good but needed more than one trip to load and kinda heavy.

New rig is an iAMP800 in a 2 space case and Schroeder cabs, a 1210 and a mini 12. Much easier to haul, and sounds huge. I took Jorg's advice and got an 8 ohm mini 12 to go with the 4 ohm 1210. at 2.67 ohm's the iAMP provides more headroom than I need.

Lost: 1 or 2 trips between parking lot and stage.

Gained: More power, more flexible choices, depending on the need.

I just got a regular weekend gig, very small place, no need for this rig (for the time being!), so I bought an Ibanez Soundwave 35 combo amp. anyone else try these? I've used it once and it seems to do the trick, lots of features, works great as a practice amp, tiltback design, for about a buck and a half. I like it.

 

[IvanMike]

one word - Modular

I used to use a peavey mark 4 head and 2x15 cab back in the '80s (great rig)

later i used an eden wt-400 with a 410 and 210

these days i use a preamp (right now it's a tiny SWR electric blue head functioning as one), and a stewart 2.1 poweramp (400-2100 watts depending upon configuration). the poweramp is in its own 2 space skb rack, and the total weight is about 20 lbs. It fits anywhere a large breifcase would.

for cabinets i use bag end 15" and 12" single loaded cubes - very portable. The final rig can be really tiny, or really big.

 

[Matt Morgan]

I previously owned the monster rack system (power conditioner, tuner, effects, preamp, power amp, etc.) and any combination of 2x10s, 4x10s, 2x15s, 1x15s and 1x18s.

Today it's an EA Iamp800, two CXL112s and an Analogman Clone Chorus pedal.

What I've lost is a half an hour of load in and load out time, always asking band mates for a hand loading, an aching back, being tired and sweaty before the show, the need for an SUV or Pickup truck, etc.

What I've gained is a good bit of my time before and after shows, a great deal of space in my home , a better understanding of how loud I really need to be on stage, and an overall better tone.

As technology develops and bass gear gets smaller, lighter and more powerful while still retaining great tone, I can't ever see myself going back to the big rig again.

That's just me. I've known guys that went from lightweight stuff back to all tube amps and 8x10s because that's what they loved. It's great having choices!

 

[SuperDuck]

I downsized from an old Ampeg SVT w/ 8x10 to a Peavey 2x10 combo.

I think it still weighs the same.

 

[The 0x]

I downsized from an old Ampeg SVT w/ 8x10 to a Peavey 2x10 combo.

I think it still weighs the same.

That's funny. [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[the dude]

I went from an iAmp 800 with Schroeder 1210+1212 to a 70's SVT with Bergantino NV610...does that count?

 

[The 0x]

I went from an iAmp 800 with Schroeder 1210+1212 to a 70's SVT with Bergantino NV610...does that count?

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] No. But I think for rock it was a wise decision.

 

[SteveC]

What I've lost is an aching back, being tired and sweaty before the show...

What I've gained is a better understanding of how loud I really need to be on stage, and an overall better tone.

Exactly!

 

[XtraLongScale]

I recently switched from my SVT(Magnavox) head & 8X10 to a Peavey Firebass 700 & Avatar B212 Neo. A few factors came together at once to facilitate the switch. I got rid of my gas swilling pickup in favor of a car (where no 810 could possibly fit), I'm primarily playing a 5 these days (I wasn't completely getting the tone I wanted) , I'm pretty fed up with the routine maintenance/upkeep of an all tube head for steady gigging and the weight issue was a factor as well. Not a major reduction in weight from the SVT head to the Firebass (w/flight case), but with the cab, it's night & day especially for manuverabilty (everything fits nicely on a handtruck). I'm also ordering a B212 Delta in order to extract all the wattage from the head, but as it stands right now, the rig gives me exactly the tone I'm looking for and if I want any tubey OD, thats what the BDDI is for. The old Ampeg dinosaur served me very well and deserves a long rest in my storage space where it can appreciate in peace.

 

[SuperDuck]

I went from an iAmp 800 with Schroeder 1210+1212 to a 70's SVT with Bergantino NV610...does that count?

How's the ol girl treating you?

 

[the dude]

How's the ol girl treating you?

Ah, very well, thank-you. Strong as ever.

 

[Sufenta]

Plenty of big gear. 4x10's, 15's, 2x10's. Initially paired down to Aggie 112'sx2 then the infamous Bergie HT/EX mini. Oh Yeah! Ninvana in a back-sparing, tone-freeky package.
PS: with a 21lb 3000w chest-thumpin' PLX helping to generate the dyno-low, groovebernacle. All allowing my fingers to walk with confidence and conviction, and still have plenty left over for the post gig special ops.