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How big, how small?

garya

Guest
Feb 10, 2014
106
15
It;s been awhile since I have been on these forums and if IRC, there was a lot of talk about making a small two 10" Neo speakers cabinet that is properly ported for bass guitar. And, a small powerful solid staet amp, like the Markbass amps. I am talking about the smallest, lightest rig for bass guitar that will cover playing in a rock band from small bars to what? A medium size club? A gymnasium? If not, how much more would be needed? More two Tens cabs and more watts? How many watts?

Or has something new come along?e help me get up to speed on what is popular for this type of rock band and venues? Which speakers 9make and model) are the latest for bass guitar?

TIA
 
i play different tomes, depends on the song. I also use a round wound string for certain songs and a flat wound, Thomastik flats, for other songs, like pop stuff and some funk. I am not into slap. Stones, Humble Pie, ACDC, etc. most of the time.Just looking for the smallest lightest rig with a lot of volume to fill most venues. Getting too old to move SVT's around anymore. LOL
 
sometimes we have PA support, but I am looking to not rely on it for small to mid size rooms. I have trio with a Bonham type drummer and a Jimmy Page/Beck type guitarist. He uses a half Marshall stack/100 watt for medium to big gigs and a 50 watt amp for smaller gigs and rehearsal. I was thinking/hoping to go two 10" for small gigs and double up for big gigs. 500 watt amp
 
no budget set. just researching what is new and fits what I was saying about small, light and puts out. My old days of wanting something tall behind me with lots of watts are over.

So, is two 10's in a tuned cab with about 300 watts good to go for rehearsal to maybe a mid-ish size club? ? maybe double up for bigger gigs, like a gym or larger club? Or, maybe a 4x10 with Neo's/ 4 ohms and 500 to 800 watts class D amp. Two, two 10" cabs at 8 ohms each would be easier to move around, I would think. Both together make 4 ohms which amps like to see for their larger power outputs.
 
So, is two 10's in a tuned cab with about 300 watts good to go for rehearsal to maybe a mid-ish size club? ? maybe double up for bigger gigs, like a gym or larger club? Or, maybe a 4x10 with Neo's/ 4 ohms and 500 to 800 watts class D amp. Two, two 10" cabs at 8 ohms each would be easier to move around, I would think. Both together make 4 ohms which amps like to see for their larger power outputs.

For me, a 210 is really never going to be enough. A super premium 210 might cut it for lower volume gigs for me, but that really boosts the price.

If you want something off the shelf I would look at the Ampeg PF-800 and a pair of PF-115LF's.

For my money, I would be rocking a pair of greenboy F112's, and a PF-800. You may want something else though.
 
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If you have the cash and want light, with state-of-the-art designs you can get very small and light. If a "regular" 210 and 300 watts will be good for you (it is for me), then a fEarless 112 and a micro head that pushes 500 watts into it will be all you need to fill a small bar without PA, as long as the drummer isn't a crasher and the band isn't super loud. An excellent off-the-shelf option is a Bergantino CN 210, which is under 35 lbs (yup, <35 lbs) and has well-placed side handles. Pair that with a good micro head and be happy, but it will cost 1G for the cab alone.
 
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We played a medium sized bar and a bassist I another band used a markbass 210 combo playing metal win a band with 2 guitarists and I could hear him fine.

Me personally id rather have more speakers, but the allure of lightweight is tempting

That being said, even when I did bring both of my 410 cabs rarely did I use them both.

Medium rooms. Metal.
 
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I've seen a number of threads from people that bought two 2x10 cabinets and when they need both, stack them vertically. If you need more than 4x10's you are often playing in a situation where you have PA support.

^ this has been my experience. I have a pair of Avatar 210 neos and a GK MB 800. Plenty of power for practice (I'm in 2 bands and usually leave 1 cab at each rehearsal space). Rarely need both for small - medium sized gigs. Louder / larger gigs I will always have PA support or they'll have a fridge for me. The head fits in the front pocket of my gig bag. One-trip load-ins for the win
 
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Forget a 210.

Do a 15/6 (or 15/6/1) . Used. 410 (greater in most instances) volume in a much smaller/lighter package. A 12/6 (or 12/6/1) will get you almost to the same place. Pair it with something like a GK MB-500 or Aggy ToneHammer 350, again, used. You're looking at about $1 Grand for both the box & amp.

Serious sound. Serious value.
 
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If you are looking into the small rigs I think neo 1x12 is the way to go. I was never too fond of the 2x10 setups I've owned but have gotten a lot of use out of my Mesa PH 112. Great for rehearsal and and on stage for small/medium venues with "average" loudness rock bands. I have a full stack too and use that when I am in br00tal situations.
 
In another thread I have tried to define exactly how many watts I am using - as I didn't really know.

I can confirm that through a single efficient 15" speaker. I have enough for a loud rock band in rehearsal with 45watts solid state.

It would be enough on stage in a pinch but would have nothing at all in reserve.