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Is there realy any need for huge rigs?

#101
I love having a big amp rig. It's just plain FUN and satisfying ...for me... and my bandmates too. 1000 watts of SS power on tap with a tube pre and a DBX compressor, a 2X10" atop a big 18", and it makes big thunder. I love it.

Last weekend I played through another guy's SVT (early '70s) atop his Ampeg 8X10" and it was a BLAST! Sure, some people thought we played too loud, but the 20 or so people on the dance floor up front were basking in it.
If you like to do so, play through a big rig and find a band that likes it too.
 
#102
Over the last few years through my contacts in the industry I've converted to Neodymium 15s, I started using them at a very early stage in their evolvement and am now a 100% convert.
Neo loaded cabs are really lightweight compared to equivelant cabs loaded with 450 watt old style magnets.
I am also taking a great interest in the Ashdown 'Little Giant 500+500.
After 46 years the Bassists ultimate dream; a lightweight high powered big rig.
 
#103
Bassman62 said:
Over the last few years through my contacts in the industry I've converted to Neodymium 15s, I started using them at a very early stage in their evolvement and am now a 100% convert.
Neo loaded cabs are really lightweight compared to equivelant cabs loaded with 450 watt old style magnets.
I am also taking a great interest in the Ashdown 'Little Giant 500+500.
After 46 years the Bassists ultimate dream; a lightweight high powered big rig.
Click to expand...

Sure it is a Dream!! big sound and lightweight!! how do Neos compare tonewise to, say, an old styled cabinet (an 8x10 neo vs an 8x10 regular for example)?
 
#104
I still WANT Johnnys rig......

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I got to play this rig, last Sunday.... OMG!!!! Punchiest, most dynamic rig I've EVER played through. AMAZING SOUNDING!!!!
 
#107
Geddy Claypool said:
My next amp, as it turns out, isn't going to be an SVT stack.

Rather, it will be either a Genz Shuttle 6.0, LMII, or Ashdown Little Giant 1000 into an Avatar 2x10. Yay for small and loud rigs.
Click to expand...
What are you going to do with the 500 watts that you won't be using?
Surely the 500 Little giant is what you need the 1000 watt version is not bridgable so you would have an unused 500 watt section.
 
#108
In all honesty, no, its really just for show. I use a Fender Bassman 210 series for all of my gigs and its loud enough for anything. And besides, most big venues will go direct through the PA via your amp if ure amp has a direct input slot (which nowadays is pretty much every amp).
 
#109
Massenburg said:
In all honesty, no, its really just for show. I use a Fender Bassman 210 series for all of my gigs and its loud enough for anything. And besides, most big venues will go direct through the PA via your amp if ure amp has a direct input slot (which nowadays is pretty much every amp).
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The bulk of the bands that I'm connected with and the bands on the most numerous type of UK venues do not take around big PA rigs, a 2x10 is certainly not up to main backline work in the type of bands that I play in (Blues, Rock Blues, Rock etc).
We all take our own gear, very few UK pub venues have in house systems; the ones that do are usualy for younger bands who cannot yet afford a PA rig yet they also get charged for the engineer and using the system.
I'm in the market for a 1k Ashdown Little Giant, I've already started to build my Eminence Neo cabs loaded with 15s as after 46 years I deserve a break but I still want my trousers/pants to shake from the air moved by my speakers.
 
#110
I don't use a very big rig at all and even as I'm considering an overhaul I'm not planning to go any bigger. My band, and a lot of bands we know, hire out the sound reinforcement on larger shows so that we can insure solid sound, lights, and mixing when our image is important. It does cost a little more, but it seems like we get more shows because we completely look/sound like pros. We also use in ear monitors, so that could have a lot to do with how I feel about it. I find that the combo of my in ears, FOH, side fill monitors and my onstage rig (a 4x10 but soon to be a 2x10 and 1x12) work really well for me. My bands are a country band and a folk/bluegrass band, so i can't speak to the need of huge rigs for really heavy rock.
 
#111
LP75 said:
I love having a big amp rig. It's just plain FUN and satisfying ...for me... and my bandmates too. 1000 watts of SS power on tap with a tube pre and a DBX compressor, a 2X10" atop a big 18", and it makes big thunder. I love it.

Last weekend I played through another guy's SVT (early '70s) atop his Ampeg 8X10" and it was a BLAST! Sure, some people thought we played too loud, but the 20 or so people on the dance floor up front were basking in it.
If you like to do so, play through a big rig and find a band that likes it too.
Click to expand...


I don't think a 2x10 on a 1x18 is really all that big, i'm not insulting you, just maybe realizing that we all may be defining a big rig differently.
 
#113
Lunchbox4u_6 said:
I don't use a very big rig at all and even as I'm considering an overhaul I'm not planning to go any bigger. My band, and a lot of bands we know, hire out the sound reinforcement on larger shows so that we can insure solid sound, lights, and mixing when our image is important. It does cost a little more, but it seems like we get more shows because we completely look/sound like pros. We also use in ear monitors, so that could have a lot to do with how I feel about it. I find that the combo of my in ears, FOH, side fill monitors and my onstage rig (a 4x10 but soon to be a 2x10 and 1x12) work really well for me. My bands are a country band and a folk/bluegrass band, so i can't speak to the need of huge rigs for really heavy rock.
Click to expand...

I think that the defining point here is how often do you gig, 90% of the UK venues are pubs where A) you couldn't get FOH in most. B) you aren't paid enough to hire a roadie or a sound system. C) when you're gigging 2-4 nights per week you want to be as we are in and out with the gear as quickly as possible because most have daytime jobs.
But most of all you should be able to play without being dependent on someone else else.
 
#114
Bassman62 said:
I think that the defining point here is how often do you gig, 90% of the UK venues are pubs where A) you couldn't get FOH in most. B) you aren't paid enough to hire a roadie or a sound system. C) when you're gigging 2-4 nights per week you want to be as we are in and out with the gear as quickly as possible because most have daytime jobs.
But most of all you should be able to play without being dependent on someone else else.
Click to expand...

I don't think it takes anymore time for me to setup my rig than it does anyone else...besides, we all know it's the drummer that takes the longest to load in and out
:D
 
#116
Bassman62 said:
I was talking about the complexities of micing/DIing for a full band and annoying customers with the crash, bang, thuds, changs and one twos.

But I know what you mean about drummers.
Click to expand...

You brought up something that I hadn't considered. Since we always hire out PA stuff we never worry about the DI/Mic setup stuff, they do it all for us...now I feel like a spoiled brat...and will until i load my Ampeg SVT in and out of my Focus this weekend.
 
#117
The whole heavy bands = big rigs thing bothers me you know. Ive been to see Maiden 3 times and its been a clean stage every time. Not once did I hear anyone in the crowd complaining about the lack of 'visuals' with the miced cabs backstage.


Personally I easy, Ill take the smallest rig that will handle the place comfortably. Thats anything from a DI box to a 750W 3x12" rig. I got a really small 1x10"Laney combo that makes a great stage monitor too.
 
#118
yes, and no.

for the Yes vote:
-club has crappy low end in PA so no one hears you play your whole set
-club HAS NO PA (or vocals only).
-club won't put you in the drum monitor
-can't hear yourself against the maniac drummer and two half stacks

for the No vote:
-most clubs have decent enough PAs so you'll be heard AND felt out front
-some clubs will actually put you in the monitors, and sometimes enough to be heard!
-most decent half stacks will allow you to hear yourself on stage, especially if you can set up your rig on the drum riser.

For me, i hate showing up to a gig and not being heard, either by the audience or myself, or I might as well not play, so i always take the "big rig" just in case. Better to have and not need than need and not have.
 
#119
my big rig is heavy, arkward to move round corners, time consuming to set up, horrific to tear down, expensive, ugly and has never been pushed higher than 4 volume wise

but its totally nessicary and if given the option of a smaller easy to carry rig i'd probably turn it down

so no there not essential but then neither is a ferrari but people still buy them its a penis thing
 

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