Help choosing touring rig

I'd buy something light and small. Look at all the lightweight tops.

 

It kiiiinda depends on what your bandmates are using and what sound you go for. Also, what kind of transportation will you be using?

I toured for 3 years with an Ampeg 2x15 and Kustom200. I got both used for a total of $400.


Buy used.

 

Buy used ... You can find a Hartke HA3500 for a third of your budget.

Shop around here: http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showforum=20

 

What kind of music are you playing/what type of tone are you going for?
Do you have a trailer or are you cramming stuff into a van?
Are you worried about weight/size?
What size of gigs will you be playing?

 

I have had the Ashdown and the Hartke. The Ashdown is more reliable than it gets credit for. If you go the Ashdown route get the 600 instead of the 300. The 600 with a pair of matching 410s is a great sounding, loud setup. The Hartke 3500 is good as well. Which ever amp you choose go for the most power and speaker coverage you can afford.

 

The last tour i did one of the bands we were out with used a sprinter. I'd say if you're using just the back of the sprinter get a 4x10. There isn't as much room in the back of those as you think. Plus the 4x10 will be super easy to load in. And as far as the road case goes, i wouldnt. You'll be loading this stuff in and out so much that it'll get real old real fast.

 

Yep, a 410 which you put on a case or something to bring the cab nearer to your head (that's how I do it - the drummers hardware case fits my needs perfectly).
If you play rock and you want a Hartke, I'd suggest the LH500.

 

I don't know the conversion from # to $, but take a look at GK Backline 600 or for a little more an 700rbll super reliable, great sound, and powerful, then take what you have left over and buy the best 4x10 you can get.

 

Hire stuff, where ever you gig whilst on tour and maybe bring only your favorite piece of gear.
That way you don't have to worry about it too much.

 

DO NOT RENT GEAR IN EACH CITY. If you show up to town late / get lost / dont book gear in advance then you could be out of a rig.

I have done 3 or 4 national tours in a sprinter, and for all I brought along my 8x10 in its road case. Those things do actually fit a lot of gear if you know how to pack properly.

Don't go for combos. You want lots of power/speaker surface because you never know what you're going to get for PA coverage unless you've visited the venue before, and even then recently. I suggest obviously going used, and try both heads to see which you like better. Then I suggest pairing it with at least a 4x10. Get another cab or upsize if you can afford it. The bonus of grabbing 2 cabs is that you can modulate for whatever suits the venue best.

 

I've toured professionally for over 12 years with some major artists and trust me when I say this DO NOT BUY HARTKE! That is entry level crap. Spend the money and get Eden or Aguilar. Trust me you will appreciate it in the long run. My current touring rig has become an Avalon U5, dbx 160A compressor and a good Shure PSM 600 in ear system with e5's...........sound guys love it and I get EXACTLY the tone I want........but that's just me. Also, most top acts are going in ear now anyway plus if you're doing gigs with sound provided they are always set up to give you a great monitor mix. I played Gilley's and they gave me a pair of JBL 12" wedges along with my ear mix and it was PERFECT.............

 

The first time I went on tour I went with a Hartke HA3500 + ashdown 4x10 bass cab. The Hartke never died despite it having lots of loose knobs/inputs. It literally was dropped, kicked, sprayed water with 0 problems. I recommend it.

 

I'm honestly not a fan of the Marshall solid state sound. I don't know of a single person that gigs a non tube Marshall amp (for bass, anyways). However, i know PLENTY of very skilled and respectable bassists that gig Hartke.

I'd say go with the Hartke for now.

Good luck, dude!

 

Looks like I kind of missed the boat on this one, but based on your answers to my earlier questions I'd recommend going with a head and a 4x10 cab, not a combo. Even if you can fit an 8x10 in a road case into your van, it may not always be easy getting it in and out of venues.

I remember one time, it was the last show of the tour before we were heading home, and the venue was in a basement, and the only way to get down there was a narrow staircase with really high handrails. At that moment, I was so glad I brought my 4x10 instead of my giant 2x15 Ampeg fridge cab. If you have PA support in the venues you're playing, you shouldn't need much more than a 4x10 for stage volume anyway.

I can't comment on any of the heads you're asking about though. Try them all and see which one sounds the best.

And, unless you can get the venues to have the backline provided when you show up, I would NOT recommend renting gear in each city. Just thinking about trying to do it that way makes me cringe.

Best of luck!