Is it important to own multiple/different amps?

[flam]

I have two setups, using the same cabs. a 300 watt tube amp that that run through both 2x15's, or a 100 watt tube amp that I run through one 2x15.

It's basically a volume thing, though the 300 watt amp is less mid forward, less gritty, and has a ton more bottom end. I could get by with either of them, though.

I'd love to have an ultra portable rig/practice rig, but that stuff gets expensive, so I'll stick with heavy and cheap.

 

[tekhedd]

Oh, absolutely. It is important to have as many amps as you can possible find room to store, and you should have lots and lots of cabinets to choose from too. Very, very important.

OK, I'm convinced. Now could you please explain this to my wife?

 

[static0verdrive]

I currently have a small practice amp (Line 6 LowDown LD15 - 15W, 8", about 28 lbs) and I use it for rehearsal if there's no drums. I picked up a "real" amp more recently in anticipation of drums (Traynor small block SB500H micro head, TC1510 2x10" + 1x15" cab at almost 90 lbs) but I'm considering swapping the 4 ohm TC1510 for two 8 ohm TC115 NEOs (40 lbs each). This would allow me to bring only what I need to a smaller gig (one of the TC115s) or both to bigger ones. If it was a really important, smaller gig or someone was going to use my cab it could be nice to have both 15s handy too. No matter what happens I suspect I'll have the little Line 6 somewhere like by the TV and the Traynor in the practice space / gigs.

EDIT: I'm also toying with the idea of building or buying one or two of those Crazy 8's instead of the two TC115s... I hear good things and they'd be hilariously portable. I just wonder if they'd move enough air if I really needed volume, but if I did in a case like that there'd probably be FOH.

 

[orange joe]

I like to have a solid state and a hybrid at all times.If I need to one can act as a backup to the other.I have a SWR 350 redface for my Hybrid(thinking about the A/E mod)and I recently picked up a Yorkville 400B for my solid state.For cabs I have a EV B210 and EV 15L cab I can split in half.I keep the 2x10 at the practice space and the 15 at home.I can combine them with either head for medium/large shows.I also have a BFM simplexx 2x10 that I just built.I wanted to have a more portable rig with some more output and this thing does the job of my EV 210+15.I might try a lighter amp head but so far the class D amps I've tried I havent really been a fan of.

 

[BassFishingInAmerica]

Would certainly be a luxury. Not a necessity.

 

[anton72]

I like the idea of modular rigs. I have Markbass F1 and two NY604 cabs, 250 Watt @ 8 Ohm with one of them for smaller gigs or 500 Watt @ 4 Ohm with both, same head, same tone, different power.

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

Negative.
It *is* important to have a reliable amp that will provide sufficient wattage to power a sufficient cabinet to meet the needs of the gig.
It is a good idea to have a cheap/light backup head tucked away, to (MB200, anyone?)

After that, it's just having toys to mess with.

 

[Thumper19605]

A 200w combo for practice and small jobs,a pair of 15,s used as a pair or single
.
Yes if you can afford some versatilitie ,,great.

 

[FretNoMore]

Not for me; the amp on stage is mainly a monitor, most of the sound is from the PA. If the amp fails I can get along with a bit of bass in the floor wedges, or in a pinch just by hearing what comes back from the FOH speakers (has happened, though it's not fun).

I do have two "rigs" though, one bigger main one, and a small 12" combo mainly for practice but also for "unplugged" gigs with EUB.

 

[Nephilymbass]

I'll be using 3 preamps on our upcoming recording so I'll get back to you on how it turns out. But to a certain point yes. Right now I own a couple sans amps, a SWR head and a crown power amp. I plan on using thm all this go around in the studio. SWR for completely clean, rbi for slightly gritty and gt2 for really dirty.

different amps are good for different sounds. My rbi setup is a happy medium which is good enough for me most of the time. But listening to our last record there were parts I wish were cleaner and other parts I wish were dirtier. My guitar player always uses multiple amps in the studio. Roland jazz for super cleans, a fender tube amp for several tones and a 5150 for hi gain.

 

[seansbrew]

Not necessary, but fun.

My rigs from small to large

GenzBenz 212 neo x + Streamliner 900
GenzBenz Uber 4x10 + Streamliner900 or GBE 1200
GenzBenz Uber 4x10 +GenzBenz Uber 212+ GBE 1200

So far I have yet to see the last rig combo in action, but it could happen.

 

[Alexander]

I have two, but only one sees playing time - the other is strictly back-up.

 

[jerry]

I do all size gigs so I have a few different rigs to accommodate them.

 

[Spaldo]

I think it's super important to have a backup. I usually gig with a tube amp, but I also take a markbass F1 in my gigbag....I haven't needed it yet, but sod's law.....

 

[chuck3]

Who has a micro-rig for small gigs, a medium sized rig for bars and a massive rig for big halls/festivals?

I do. I'll play with a Genz Benz Shuttle for small gigs, a Genz Benz Streamliner 900 on a Schroeder 2x12 as a medium sized rig for bars, and the setup below as my "massive" rig (which I rarely need).

 

[hennessybass]

Would love to but for that cash I'd rather have a Verellen or Reeves amp custom built for me. I've found them at good prices used but have only held off because I can't seem to find a reputable, honest and knowledgable tube amp tech in Austin. Shoot, it's almost enough to push me forever into solid-state world...almost.

I've ownd a frw tube amps, and I live in Austin, TX. A lot of the amps I've bought were old ones that needed a lot of work.

For tube amps I usually hit up Austin vintage. Jessie Duke is an awesome tech, but I've used a couple other dudes there as well. All good work, and good experiences. They know tube amps there. So much so, that I couldn't even get them to look at one of my SS amps.

Hit me up if you want!

 

[Kmonk]

I don't think its a necessity but I have more than one amp out of necessity because I play in more than one band. My stage rig is an SVT 6 Pro with two 410 cabs. I also have an Ampeg BA500 combo which has an external speaker jack so I could use that on stage if I had to. I use that at one band's rehearsal space. I have an Ashdown combo that I use at the other band's rehearsal space.

 

[moody]

Personally I have a few. Not because I went out of my way to.

A single 15" combo amp bought specifically to use in the small hatchback that is my daily drive. This is slightly underpowered and used for rehearsals.

A Fender super twin valve amp into a marshall bass cab. This is on paper my main rig. The valve amp currently needs repair and has been out of commission for 2 years. I just have not had the time or energy to get it fixed.

PA head (600 watts per side). This is my current actual main rig into the same marshal cab. I use one side and then run an EV monitor wedge with the other side. My singer doesn't trust wedges that venues provide so I take an additional out from the desk just for him.

Several other PA heads to use as backups. (mostly 300 watts per side). If I am running the PA I will be able to reconfigure something to run my bass through if I have to, otherwise I will have a yamaha PA head in the car just in case and a spare 12" wedge.

 

[Humbled]

After well over 40 years of playing I currently have seven bass rigs (albeit four of them are combos of various sizes), four guitar amps, three pedal-steel amps, and one "keyboard" amp. Not because I necessarily need 'em, but because after years of procuring and culling, I've kept what I like, kinda sorta, and a few of them are spread out at various buddy's places for having something there when I need it without schlepping.

 

[jeffbassguy]

i asked myself that question many years ago when my amp fan stopped working on my Eden on a gig and I accidently loaded an old GK I was getting rid of that was there to save the day..always have a backup I say...I throw a carvin bx500 in a laptop bag with all my cables so its a really easy schlep and readily available.