Is anyone image conscious about their rig?

[Sundogue]

I'm dealing with an image issue right now. I gig with a Mesa M9 carbine powering a Mesa 1x15 and an Aguilar GS410. The rig sounds great but I'm bothered by the look of the Aggie cab. It just doesn't fit in. I've been going back and forth on buying either a Mesa 4x10 or 2x12. It's an expense I don't need to make because I doubt it'll make my bass sound any better. I would be laying out cash just for the purpose of enhancing (in my mind) my rig's image. And the bottom line is that nobody really cares but me. I'm glad this thread came up so I can voice my issue.

Get another Mesa 115 OR another Aguilar GS410 so you have two of the same cab. It's always better to match speakers (many threads on that subject). And THAT has nothing to do with image, but since you are using that as an example of dealing with what you perceive to be an image issue, you might as well do it right if you are going to replace one of the cabs.

 

[nysbob]

I think the only ones aware of a bass rig are other bass players.

My stuff is all old, I use cabs that don't match my ampeg tube heads...I've rolled into quieter gigs with an old Standel combo that looks like its molting.

As long as you bring the rock, I don't care what the hell you're playing through. I think most audience members would concur with that.

 

[Spinal Tapper]

I went from this:

to this:

but it was more of a fun project to do myself. I really hated the rat fur, so, yeah, I guess I didn't like how it looked so I changed it. plus it looks better on top of my Orange 15"

 

[Rickett Customs]

What I use for "medium gigs", the smaller places I actually use a 410.

 

[ERIC31]

Who sells good looking, light weight dummy cabs? So then I can impress the amp/size snobs and not break my back in the process! LOL

 

[daflores]

Get another Mesa 115 OR another Aguilar GS410 so you have two of the same cab. It's always better to match speakers (many threads on that subject). And THAT has nothing to do with image, but since you are using that as an example of dealing with what you perceive to be an image issue, you might as well do it right if you are going to replace one of the cabs.

I admit that previous attempts at mixing cabs has not yielded good results for me. It seems that one cab responds slower than the other which generates a kind of warble. I've only used the Mesa/Aggie combo for a couple of gigs and I would probably get better results using one cab or the other. So, for tonight's gig, I'm using the Aggie 410 only. Who am I trying to impress anyway? The local bassists who are happy playing their SX's through their Behringer amps?

Anyway, I won't be buying anything for a while. I just laid out 800 bucks replacing a broken crown (dental, not power amp).

 

[JoeVictim]

I wanted to build a BFM cab because of the performance. I am painting it green because of the looks.

 

[babebambi]

I replaced the logo on my Bergantino cabs with Behringer logo

 

[agomes]

the other night i watched a reggae band, and went to go check out the bassists rig, which he stood about 6 inches directly infront of for the whole show.
he saw me lookin and says 'what you lookin for mon'
i say: 'just wanted to see what your playin thru'
he says: 'it sound good?'
i : 'yeah sounds ok'
he : then don't worry 'bout it mon'

when he was packing it away i could recognize it was all peavey gear with lebels removed... it sounded great, but he was ashamed of the brand i guess.

i play a cheap ass peavy head and carry no shame. why wouldn't some one be praised for pulling off great tone with out having to spend a few months rent on it?

 

[elavate7]

no.....i do like the look of full stacks though. i would love an 810.....but hauling it around would get mad annoying for me, and im too lazy for that lol

 

[elavate7]

the other night i watched a reggae band, and went to go check out the bassists rig, which he stood about 6 inches directly infront of for the whole show.
he saw me lookin and says 'what you lookin for mon'
i say: 'just wanted to see what your playin thru'
he says: 'it sound good?'
i : 'yeah sounds ok'
he : then don't worry 'bout it mon'

when he was packing it away i could recognize it was all peavey gear with lebels removed... it sounded great, but he was ashamed of the brand i guess.

i play a cheap ass peavy head and carry no shame. why wouldn't some one be praised for pulling off great tone with out having to spend a few months rent on it?

i dont know.....i get tons of great feedback on my tone and im using seismic audio cabs lol

 

[Deluge Of Sound]

I care if its sounds good to me.

Of course, since I've got an Orange rig, it looks good too.

 

[deshi00]

I use an acoustic head and 410s i think it sounds good and looks good, but for me id play out of somthing worse looking if it sounds better. I have to say though the 410s look small on stage compared to the mesa half stacks both our guitarist use. =/ maybe i should get somthing bigger lol.

 

[Jefenator]

Basses? Little bit (just blew some $$$ on chrome and pickguard upgrades )

Amps? Not one bit!

 

[Din Of Win]

BUT.. a good friend of mine (you know him Matt) plays a cobbled together rig of beat up mismatched stuff.. like an old peavey 118, an old gallien 15, an swr 610 and an old sunn coliseum with an EQ pedal jimmied rigged onto the front panel as a graphic EQ... and IT SLAMS!!! and I would be PROUD to lug it around!!

Whose rig is that?!

Haha, i probably DO know who it is, but maybe i'm just not familliar with his rig! and with an awesome rig like that, me not being familliar with it makes me =

 

[southshoreconor]

i don't think there are nearly enough pictures in this thread

 

[Corevalay]

I'd use an ipod if it could do the job. Lugging an 80 lb tube head and a 180lb 8x10 is for roadies, not bass players ...

Couldn't agree more... whatever sounds best is what I go with. I use what I use because I like it... not because of what it looks like.

 

[Din Of Win]

Amps? Not one bit!

You can't say that with having, arguably, one of THEE hippest/coolest heads out there

 

[Din Of Win]

i don't think there are nearly enough pictures in this thread

Agree'd with my fellow straightedge bro!


Here's my beat to death rig that i use most often:

Though, if you check my profile it lists all the other crap i can mix/match. But honestly, this 2x15 and Kustom are (more than) enough for about 90% of my gigs!

My back thoroughly enjoys the fact i don't play heavy music anymore.

 

[interstatejoe]

I'm dealing with an image issue right now. I gig with a Mesa M9 carbine powering a Mesa 1x15 and an Aguilar GS410. The rig sounds great but I'm bothered by the look of the Aggie cab. It just doesn't fit in. I've been going back and forth on buying either a Mesa 4x10 or 2x12. It's an expense I don't need to make because I doubt it'll make my bass sound any better. I would be laying out cash just for the purpose of enhancing (in my mind) my rig's image. And the bottom line is that nobody really cares but me. I'm glad this thread came up so I can voice my issue.

Why not just get some matching custom grills made for both?

I'm not too image concious, I've played some shows with just a BDDI through the PA and others with my 6U power/pre amp/flashy tuner/wireless rack through either my Ampeg 810 or Warwick 411PRO.

If I were that worried about image I'd buy a MarkBass head and hide it in an empty Ampeg headbox...