Well, if your were HAULING all that gear in a big truck and setting it up, that'd be impressive.
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Has Class "D" Bass Heads Taken Over In Your Gigging Area?
- Thread starter shoot-r
- Start date
Lightweight rigs and going ampless is trending across the board (a lot of rig rundown videos have artists showing their Kemper rack gear or whatever) for good reason- portability and seemingly ease of set-up. The fewer moving parts the better, right?
But there is also a trend towards more traditional gear. Blu DeTiger is a new generation bassist (she's 27) and her rig is an Aguilar stack with their DB751 tube head through a pair of 4x10s. Pretty traditional. And, in her words, the best her bass ever sounded was through that big ol' Aguilar tube head.
(My rig is a Peavey MiniMax head through a pair of Bergantino 1x12s. It's powerful, portable, and does what I need it to do, especially if I'm playing somewhere where going direct via a DI box or some other ampless config isn't feasible.)
But there is also a trend towards more traditional gear. Blu DeTiger is a new generation bassist (she's 27) and her rig is an Aguilar stack with their DB751 tube head through a pair of 4x10s. Pretty traditional. And, in her words, the best her bass ever sounded was through that big ol' Aguilar tube head.
(My rig is a Peavey MiniMax head through a pair of Bergantino 1x12s. It's powerful, portable, and does what I need it to do, especially if I'm playing somewhere where going direct via a DI box or some other ampless config isn't feasible.)
No, the cool part is that it's a one trip load in - I don't have to haul anything besides the bass, the pedalboard, and a bag of cables. I don't have a commercial license, so I couldn't even drive one of the semi trucks that it would take to get the stuff there, but....it doesn't have to be hauled, - it's installed.
Small amps.
I've predicted that bass amps will keep getting smaller and smaller, as bands move to PA and in-ears. The reason is that amps will remain useful for gigs that don't provide PA support for the bass, with experienced tech staff, for whatever reason. And a niche of musicians will work those gigs. There are still more venues without PA support than with, and they tend to be the smaller places that the high-dollar rock bands have never seen.
Well, I thought the post was about what I’m seeing on the local gigs, not what I’m bringing to a gig……
Around here, I see the same 3-4 bassists doing most of the gigs. They are the typical cover band 4-hour $100 gigs that I’m just not interested in anymore. So I don’t get out much.
I know I’ve seen Aguilar, GK, a larger older Trace Elliot, and there’s a buddy that’s been playing an Ampeg SVT7 and a 610HLF cab that I sold him almost 10 years ago. I see him every great once in a while and he still sings the rig’s praises.
Except for the SVT7, I couldn’t tell you what is which class. No one around here cares, including and especially me.
Other than this, there’s just not much to see in these parts.
Around here, I see the same 3-4 bassists doing most of the gigs. They are the typical cover band 4-hour $100 gigs that I’m just not interested in anymore. So I don’t get out much.
I know I’ve seen Aguilar, GK, a larger older Trace Elliot, and there’s a buddy that’s been playing an Ampeg SVT7 and a 610HLF cab that I sold him almost 10 years ago. I see him every great once in a while and he still sings the rig’s praises.
Except for the SVT7, I couldn’t tell you what is which class. No one around here cares, including and especially me.
Other than this, there’s just not much to see in these parts.
"That" moaning sound from the bassist during the third set, with hand cramps and a sore back.
I remember about 11 years back where I was the only person using Class D in my area and people would ask me all the time about it, they couldn't believe a bass amp could be that small and yet loud. It was a TC Electronic RH450 with two RS210's. Now it seems everyone here is using Class D such as Darkglass, Mesa, Fender or are now using combos by TC and Fender which are also Class D. I kind of miss when I was the only one lol.
I don’t get out to see lots of local performers here in Massachusetts, but I see lots of class D when I do. Everything from Rumbles to Demeter. Plenty of jazz guys still using Walter Woods.
As for myself, I have only class AB head at this point and it’s a backup. I’ve been gigging with nothing but class D for over 15 years.
As for myself, I have only class AB head at this point and it’s a backup. I’ve been gigging with nothing but class D for over 15 years.
Please tell me more about this rig - what kind of speaker, etc. My first "real" bass amp was the Vox Essex (2x12). I have a weakness in my heart for Vox. Our guitarist had the Royal Guardsman (back in late, late 60's, early 70's).
I had the speaker cabinet made for me. I measured an Eden 2x10 cab. (this was made when Eden was the new thing) so the upper compartment is the same size as the Eden with 2- 10" Eden speakers and a tweeter, it has a lower compartment with a 300 watt EV 15. The Head is a tube VOX 125. The chrome trolley was from a VOX Super Beatle.
I play original music so the bands we play with run the gamut. Fender Rumble, Markbass, and Ampeg Rocket combos. Old heavy Ampeg, SWR, Peavey, and Crate cabs. 70s Peavey and other stuff that would survive nuclear annihilation. The metal dudes playing Ampeg, Orange, and Darkglass fridges. Dudes with in-ears who run direct and take 30 minutes to soundcheck because the kids who run sound have no real experience.
For band gigs, I bring a Mesa D350 and GK 115 with a small pedalboard. For open mic, I go direct with a Para Driver. But yes, amps are alive and well.
For band gigs, I bring a Mesa D350 and GK 115 with a small pedalboard. For open mic, I go direct with a Para Driver. But yes, amps are alive and well.
Why would you use anything else to gig with in 2025? They sound great, they are reliable and easy to transport. I just don't see the downside. i have zero desire for a heavy expensive tube amp. The current crop of class D sound just as good , if not better.
I haven't seen any class D heads in my area. A few class D combos, mostly Ampeg. Heads are usually Ampeg as well. SVT's and B2-RE kind of thing. Ampeg, Ampeg, Ampeg. Nothing like my old Shuttle series.
We're not all saying what our "areas" are. (Mine is stated in my profile.) What city, what state? And there are members from Europe and Latin America. Makes it hard to get an understanding of this...trend?
edwinhurwitz
Supporting Member
