I would get a 100lb cab only if somebody would be carrying my gear for me. As long as I am doing it myself, I will stick with lightweight cabs.
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How hard is it to load a 100lb cab?
- Thread starter thisisntme
- Start date
It always amuses me when we talk about the weight of our speakers, in a forum dedicated to an instrument that was invented to overcome the physical challenge of playing the bass. 
I'm 65, when I was 19-20 I had a Marshall Major head (200 watts but probably more) and used two Sunn 2000S cabs with it (4J BL-D140's) and used to play a regular gig at a PNA club, those things moved so much air with my flat wound P bass the bartender used to call us The Big Wind
. They never told us to turn down though because we used to pack the place.
Wimp, I used to do the same with the SVT head balanced on top of my right shoulder.
I use a Mesa PH410 as my "huge and cumbersome" cab. 96 lbs. is easy if (a) your son helps you load it in your car, (b) your bandmates help with the load in and load out at the gig, and (c) you're son's around to get it out of your car when you get home.
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My opinion... with all the NEO options out there nowadays, why would you ever want to lug a heavy cab around?
I got rid of all my 100-pound cabs not long after I started having to ask my wife to help load them.
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
If you are young, and don't mind the carry, you can get some fantastic sounding cabs for a very good price. Obviously it can be carried - it was done for years. The issue is whether it is worth the price for you to have the easy carry. I can bring my 212, bass, head, and backpack with cables, mic, etc. in one easy trip to and from my car.
I know this is Rumble country but I’m going to say it. Gallien Krueger MB410. Great quality American made equipment. The tone is excellent. Light, easy to move.
I just got a 4 ohm TFX410 for $150, it sounds great, no wheels but i use a 2 wheel dolly so it's not bad on stairs either.. @ that price it's worth it if you have help. I've also a pair of 4 ohm TFX412's, $200 each, heaviest cabs around but sound killer too and have wheels. I buy used , can't afford new, if i could, maybe i'd get some good 2-10 cabs and pile'em.
If you have a gig where all you have to do is move a 4x10 and play have at it champ. If you're like us and you have to haul a whole stage of stuff, set up a pa, rig lights, load the whole thing out at the end of the night, etc a few times a week, those heavy cabs lose their luster pretty quickly as all those trips add up. I'm in my forties and have been doing steady gigging since I was 16, and my only wish is that they would have had neo drivers the whole time. I can't tell you how happy I am to have lightweight bass rings and pa gear such as exists now. I don't care who on this forum thinks I'm old or weak, light stuff makes more sense for working types. Disclaimer: I still haul out the svt for special occasions.
It isn't easy, but if it's the sound you want, it'll be worth it to you. I used an 810 for years and I could load it by myself, but it sucked. Only time I ever second guessed it, was when I joined a band that had a practice space on the 2nd floor.
My 6x10 is way easier to move then my old AE410. Tilt and roll and into the back of my Ford Flex. I dreaded moving the 4x10, no wheels and an awkward lift. Tilt and roll is WAY easier and I like the sound of the 6x10 by leaps and bounds.
Fishheadjoe
PS... my head weighs more than my 6x10!!!!!
Fishheadjoe
PS... my head weighs more than my 6x10!!!!!
With age comes wisdom. Had an Ampeg 410HLF since 1995. Loved it's deep throb and thick tone. Hoisting it when I was 35 was no issue. Three years ago, I finally tweaked my back levering it into the back of my lifted Jeep. Sold it for what I bought it for and got two Aggie Sl112's. Not necessarily the "tone in my head" but they are great for bar gigs, and I can load in out in one trip. Mesa is discontinuing their Powerhouse series - the market wants lightweight. Once you realize that a healthy back us important for daily mobility, you realize that Neo is the way to go.
Back when me and other Neanderthals around my age started, EVERYTHING was heavy. I was in my 20's, a lean and mean bass playin' machine . . . . . . and it was still a pain the *** to move 215's, folded horns, etc. There weren't any 210's, 112's, shoot, those were guitar cabinets. But then too, in the 70's, cars were big, pickups too.
Now you get something with casters, pull up to the gig, roll a level parking lot right thru the front door to a low stage, no problem. But then there's always that gig . . . . . . . seems like you park 1/2 a mile away, gravel parking lot, gotta go around the back of the place with a 2-foot gap between the wall and a brick fence, squeezing past the central and empty kegs, only to get through the back door and a 5-foot dead lift up on to the stage . . . . and it's raining and you're alone. Then later repeat in a backwards fashion at 3AM, when it suddenly dawns on you you're REALLY on the wrong side of town.
Neo cabs are fine, and I'm not suffering any back troubles, but bass cabs are always going to be heavier. I'd prefer lighter than heavier, but for me 50 or 60 pounds is plenty, I'm out of the furniture-moving business.
Now you get something with casters, pull up to the gig, roll a level parking lot right thru the front door to a low stage, no problem. But then there's always that gig . . . . . . . seems like you park 1/2 a mile away, gravel parking lot, gotta go around the back of the place with a 2-foot gap between the wall and a brick fence, squeezing past the central and empty kegs, only to get through the back door and a 5-foot dead lift up on to the stage . . . . and it's raining and you're alone. Then later repeat in a backwards fashion at 3AM, when it suddenly dawns on you you're REALLY on the wrong side of town.
Neo cabs are fine, and I'm not suffering any back troubles, but bass cabs are always going to be heavier. I'd prefer lighter than heavier, but for me 50 or 60 pounds is plenty, I'm out of the furniture-moving business.
Don't do it man. Aside from the obvious back destroying potential, consider the vehicle destroying potential as well. I used to use an 80ish pound Carvin 4x10. Sounded great, no issues there. I could get it to gigs solo as I'm still a relatively young and able-bodied guy. However, getting that thing into my Hyundai left the back body panel by the door looking like someone had hit my car with a 12 gauge.
No matter how strong or careful one is, there's that moment when loading a big cab into a tiny car where you're forced to lift the thing with one handle and kind of duck-walk the cab into the back seat. This is a moment that is always awkward and leads to car dings.
4x10s are also the worst shape for picking up. If you've ever deadlifted in the gym you know your knees need to go out and your hips back so you can push up with your legs first. Well guess what? A 4x10 in front of you hits your knees so you are forced to keep straight legs and pick the darn thing up with just your lower back.
Now if you have a truck or SUV and aren't a putz like myself, have at it!
No matter how strong or careful one is, there's that moment when loading a big cab into a tiny car where you're forced to lift the thing with one handle and kind of duck-walk the cab into the back seat. This is a moment that is always awkward and leads to car dings.
4x10s are also the worst shape for picking up. If you've ever deadlifted in the gym you know your knees need to go out and your hips back so you can push up with your legs first. Well guess what? A 4x10 in front of you hits your knees so you are forced to keep straight legs and pick the darn thing up with just your lower back.
Now if you have a truck or SUV and aren't a putz like myself, have at it!
I am absolutely a fan of lightweight cabs these days. However, I was hauling around an Ampeg SVT-610HLF since they were first made (mine is the actual prototype cab), and I still think it's the best sounding cabinet I've ever played through. It weighs in around 115 lbs, but the casters, kick plate, skid rails, and rear bar handle make it pretty easy to move.
If you're playing every night and moving your own gear, lightweight cabs make more sense. If you're just a weekend warrior like many of us, though, there's nothing wrong with moving some heavy gear once in awhile. It's good exercise.
If you're playing every night and moving your own gear, lightweight cabs make more sense. If you're just a weekend warrior like many of us, though, there's nothing wrong with moving some heavy gear once in awhile. It's good exercise.
my main rig is an Ampeg SVT410 + SVT1510 and they each weigh 90+ pounds. They aren't too bad to move, It's much easier with two people but I can definitely do it myself when necessary. I'm also 6'3" and 210 lbs though so it may be quite a bit easier for me than someone of a smaller stature.
