How hard is it to load a 100lb cab?

[MJ_Sotti]

Based on the poll here, I am getting an impression that Talkbass is mostly composed of old people and weak dudes who can't even lift 100lbs. Of course with help, I would never advocate doing it yourself.

But even so - I think that lifting a 100lbs even daily doesn't even come close to the physical labour challenges people experience on a daily basis till they retire.

Where I come from, people would laugh at you if you weren't able to handle a 100lbs load.

Edit: Oh, to answer the OP - VERY EASY. Especially if you have a bandmate to help you out it only takes a minute and it's over. The sound of these beasts is worth it alone.

If I responded to this I'd get suspended...and I'm one of the guys who has no problem lifting equipment.

 

[asands]

A 100# 4×10 sounds like a 2 person job. Because of its mostly square shape, it has a lower center of gravity when needing lifting.

Also depends on where you'll be taking it. Casters aren't good for stairs, nor anywhere off road like a gravel driveway.

Strapped to a hand cart as suggested above would definitely help there (even going up stairs) plus reduce cosmetic wear on the cab's casters.

But I'd still shell out the extra $150 for lighter

This, a 4x10 is just awkwardly shaped to life with side handles

 

[MJ_Sotti]

This, a 4x10 is just awkwardly shaped to life with side handles

I have a couple of those molded JBL powered 15"s that we use as monitors (not Neo) and those are more of a pain to move that my 610

 

[HeadWind]

Dude. That is the most underrated cab ever. Those things sound freaking great.

If you can haul it, it wil serve you well amd move a lot of air.

+ (some big number).

I got one of these cheap because nobody wanted to buy it off Craigslist because of the weight (it was up there forever and finally I went over and bought it). It really sounds great. A very nice cab. I moved it with one of those folding hand carts, which worked well. Band mates helped when I needed it.

That said, I did get tired of moving it so I ended up building a greenboy 12/6, which also sounds great and is much easier to move. However, I still sometimes miss that TVX sound. I won't ever get rid of it even if I don't gig it all that much.

 

[rtslinger]

Definitely, but a dolly doesn't lift it 3 feet into the back of the truck or SUV. Moving it and lifting it are two separate issues.

a lot easier than carrying it 20ft from the gig and than trying to pickup 3 ft as long as it has handles 96 lbs shouldn't be an issue

 

[micgtr71]

Based on the poll here, I am getting an impression that Talkbass is mostly composed of old people and weak dudes who can't even lift 100lbs. Of course with help, I would never advocate doing it yourself.

But even so - I think that lifting a 100lbs even daily doesn't even come close to the physical labour challenges people experience on a daily basis till they retire.

Where I come from, people would laugh at you if you weren't able to handle a 100lbs load.

Edit: Oh, to answer the OP - VERY EASY. Especially if you have a bandmate to help you out it only takes a minute and it's over. The sound of these beasts is worth it alone.

For me (47), it’s not the weight but the size that deters me from moving a 410. I can still lift well over 100 pounds in various ways but not in the form of a cube. As for sound, in my experience, two 210 cabinets sound similar enough to me as a 410. That’s me. I’ll admit I’m oldish, but I’m not weak.

 

[BruceWane]

It's not simply a question of whether or not you can lift 100 pounds - it's not like lifting a 100 pound barbell. It's a shape that's designed for sound, not lifting.

As long as you can count on having help, it's worth considering. But in my experience you can't always count on that, especially if you're single and starting and ending the gig trip from home.

So, if the question is "how hard is it to load a 100 pound cab?", my standard answer is "not nearly as hard as going through rehab after surgery for a herniated lumbar disc".

I'm 6 feet tall, 185 pounds. I've been lifting weights, doing crunches, etc. for over 30 years. No one would consider me to be "weak".

The damage I did to my back regularly loading heavy gear between age 16 and ~30 didn't really "blossom" until I was 46. Leaned over one day at work to pick up a laptop bag and suddenly had no choice but to fall straight to the floor in excruciating pain. 9 years and two surgeries later, I still deal with chronic pain. Low level, but it's always there. And there's not a neurosurgeon in my region that hasn't told me that this is as good as it gets. And my region is Houston, TX, one of the largest medical centers in the world.

People usually have the idea that you can injure your back and it's no big deal, you go to the doctor and get it fixed. That is not reality. Reality is you're pretty lucky if you get back to 90% overall with mostly good days, some pretty bad.

Let me put it this way. You ever go to the grocery store and see people that have to use a cane to get in the store, and then the electric carts to get around? I got to see that as my possible lifetime reality up close and personal for a while. I assure you, that is not a good feeling. Thankfully, that's not where I ended up.

There are many good quality bass cabs out there that are of a reasonable weight and size. Break the load up into manageable pieces. Get a pair of 2x10s........ hell, get 4 of 'em.

Unless you've got roadies doing the lifting, I'd set a rule is that no single piece of lifted gear exceeds 60 pounds. If you must exceed that, it has to be moved on a dolly/cart with ramps, etc.

 

[bassicallybob]

I have never owned a heavy bass cab, but, I am thinking of getting a cheap used 4x10 (Peavey 410 TVX) that ends up coming in at ~96lbs. It has handles on the sides... Is this a feasible one man load in? Should I spend an extra $150 and buy a light cab like the rumble 4x10?

First time you load it: "It's not so bad"
Second time you load it: "Yeah I guess this thing is a beast, pretty heavy haha"
Third Time: "It's a pain but wow is it sturdy"
Fourth Time: "This is really a b*tch"
Fifth Time: "I should sell this and get a rumble"

Exp: Owned an 8x10 for years

 

[Freight Train]

It would be heavier than 100 lbs. of feathers, but you don't need feathers, you need a cab. So what are you gonna do?

 

[two fingers]

+ (some big number).

I got one of these cheap because nobody wanted to buy it off Craigslist because of the weight (it was up there forever and finally I went over and bought it). It really sounds great. A very nice cab. I moved it with one of those folding hand carts, which worked well. Band mates helped when I needed it.

That said, I did get tired of moving it so I ended up building a greenboy 12/6, which also sounds great and is much easier to move. However, I still sometimes miss that TVX sound. I won't ever get rid of it even if I don't gig it all that much.

I think I need to steal "Some Big Number" and tale it over to the thread anout my bamd name drama.

 

[zachoff]

IMO, pounds don't matter. Form factor matters. I can lift a 120lb 410, but can't lift a 120lb 810 into the back of my car without laying it on the bumper first. The biggest cab I can handle myself is a 2x15.

 

[mmon77]

I think it also depends on what kind of gigs you play. I've seen some posts on here about some nightmarish load-ins up narrow stairways, fire escapes, icy stairways, etc. A cart or dolly is of no use to you there. A tilt and roll type 610 or 810 would likewise be a nightmare.

I've never done a gig where I couldn't drive up to within a reasonable walking distance of the venue, and I've never had to deal with stairs. If I had to deal with those on a regular basis, the more expensive but lighter and modular approach would be more attractive to me.

As it is, I don't have a problem rolling a heavy cab on a cart and lifting it a few feet into a pickup bed. It can be done safely if you use proper leverage and don't try to deadlift the thing.

 

[JoeWPgh]

As others have noted, it's not just the raw weight, but the ergonomics of the shape. There's an old saying that I'm sure we've all heard, "It's not that heavy, but it's really awkward". That is a huge factor. And then there's the environment - How many flights of stairs, uneven ground, gravel, tight spaces to contend with. I live on the 3rd floor with relatively narrow stairs. I wouldn't even consider a cab like that.

 

[groooooove]

some people would say a 100lb cabinet are no big deal.


just saying...


for the rest of us? mine is 40lbs and I can handle it, but it would be nice if it was less I suppose.

 

[klokker]

You don't always have help. Once you get to the gig, fine it wouldn't be that big of a deal. I supposed with a good hand truck that has sliders on it you could make it work on stairs. Maybe a board that would help getting it in your car or truck. Laugh at me all you want, but I don't think I could pick up a 410 that weighed a hundred pounds. Frankly, I wouldn't even want to try.

No for me.

 

[Lava]

My vote is always for the lighter cab if it sounds as good or better than the heavier. Try and pick up each said cab and see which lifts easiest. Oddly placed handles can make even a lighter cab a real pain to carry around. And lastly, if the cab doesn't have casters, I'm a big fan of the four wheel carts that can expand such as the RockNRoller or the Gruv Gear. They may be an investment at first but they make carrying any cab and gear much easier.

 

[mcnach]

Know of any decently priced 210s that you recommend?

Not really but I haven't been looking at what's out there recently. I use a pair of Barefaced Two10, which I love, but they're not the cheapest these days...

If you find a couple of Peavey 210 TVX, that could be a good solution. Peavey's TVX and TX series are not the world's best, and they're not the lightest or anything either... but they always work. I'd be happy using them.

The TC RS210 cabs were not bad, and can often be found for not a lot of money. More expensive than the Peavey but still not crazy. Stay away from the TC BC210 'though. They're light but very inefficient.

You may want to consider also a pair of 115 cabs as an alternative

 

[mcnach]

And honestly... i dont get the amount of people warning against full sized cabs. Do you all not understand the basic principles of lifting something? I mean... 135lbs is essentially the starting point for any deadlift. My ex gf was 5'0 and 130lbs at 38years old and she could deadlift 225lbs. Why is a 100lb cab an issue for adult males? Its like two bags of dog food. Are you guys standing sideways and lifting with the opposite arm while wearing one flipflop and one high heeled shoe?

it's not about the weight, but the combination with the dimensions, position of handles and centre of gravity.
Do you not understand that?
I can and regularly lift way more than that in the gym... but it does not directly translate to lifting a big awkward box that wants to tilt one way...

However, if it makes you feel better to post snarky comments, please carry on

 

[mcnach]

I'm 67, 5"6". I deadlift 275lbs 5x5 (315 singles). On a nicely balanced barbell. It's not the weight, it's the size. Getting it in/out of the car is no big deal. Getting it down the stairs to the car and up the stairs at the gig is another matter. Doing the reverse at 3am REALLY sucks. And by the time I get it loud enough to put a smile on my face (oh yeah, big cabs sound GREAT, at high volume), the bartender is waving a shotgun at me!

40 years ago, when I needed that kind of volume/low end, what choice was there? I sucked it up and did what I had to do. Today I have a choice. I'll take it!

EXACTLY!

 

[mcnach]

Based on the poll here, I am getting an impression that Talkbass is mostly composed of old people and weak dudes who can't even lift 100lbs. Of course with help, I would never advocate doing it yourself.

But even so - I think that lifting a 100lbs even daily doesn't even come close to the physical labour challenges people experience on a daily basis till they retire.

Where I come from, people would laugh at you if you weren't able to handle a 100lbs load.

Edit: Oh, to answer the OP - VERY EASY. Especially if you have a bandmate to help you out it only takes a minute and it's over. The sound of these beasts is worth it alone.

and where you come from, look at the state of their bodies by the time they're 55 or 60 after a life of not looking after their bodies...

Work smart.