Let's talk about weight

[blindrabbit]

If all other things are equal, then why not choose a lightweight amp over a heavier one?

To me though, all other things aren't equal. I've yet to find an amp that sounds as good as my TH350 and is at the same price point, let alone going double to triple above it. I might even consider playing it if it was heavy too, but with my bad shoulder and back, that just isn't an option. I may have moved into lightweight gear because of a need to not carry heavy things, but it is primarily the tone, and also the value, that is keeping me with them.

 

[Scotty1230]

Tech 21 changed everything for me. VT Bass on one board and the deluxe on the other. Now I can fit lights, a bass, a board, and my duffel bag of odds and ends in my two-seater and carry them in with one trip. Carrying an amp and head wasn't the end of the world but I love that it's unneccessary now.

 

[alaskaleftybass]

I could never handle being a lead singer, all the weight on my shoulders from BS and attitude? NO WAY

 

[bikeplate]

Just people generalizing. It's always best to do what you like and enjoy your gigs. Be it w a 4lb amp or 80lb SVT

 

[707GK]

Personal preference. Some people like lightweight stuff, some people don't. Some people like being able to load in & out in 5 minutes & get about their business. Some people like making multiple trips to load in and out. Sometimes those multiple trips can lead to interesting conversation & scenarios that would otherwise be missed by loading out & leaving the venue so quickly. Sometimes you have guys playing back to back gigs in different locations who need to load in & out quickly so lightweight gear is the best option. Sometimes you're the only one with decent gear, all the bands use your stuff all night and you have 3 or 4 bassists willing to help you load in & out.

An amp's weight may or may not matter for many reasons. Nothing wrong with heavy amps, nothing wrong with lightweight. Use what you want, don't care so much about what others use. That being said, I love my heavy, boxy, awkward gear & hope I never have to have it another way.

 

[FFTT]

I'm O.K with 59 pounds for a great sounding, well built amp head.
It has alway been the cabinets that were both heavy & awkward to deal with.

 

[Tom Howland]

This is the age old question. Sound & tone always come first. But lugging a 80 pound head, and a 100 pound cab. in 90 degree heat for a gig sucks.
That said, I still have a heavy rig, and a light-weight rig.

 

[FFTT]

I got really spoiled with my old band being booked for the week solid most places.
We stopped doing one nighters unless they paid very well.
The PA & racks gave us a workout!

The problem with 4X10's is you're stuck lifting the dead weight, where with taller cabs
you can tilt them in and out of vehicles.

Out of vehicle to paved driveway and garage, 1 step up into house.

 

[LiquidMidnight]

Weight is always a big consideration for me when it comes to the cabinet end of things. While it matters less with the larger cabinets that you that you don't actually dead lift (e.g., 8x10s, 6x10s, 2x15s), I doubt I'll ever purchase a 4x10 or 2x12 sized cabinet that isn't loaded with neos. As FFTT pointed out earlier, cabinets are bulky, and added weight just makes them all the more difficult to shelp.

With amps, while I do appreciate less weight, it's not as important on the hierarchy of requirements when I'm making a purchasing decision. Also - and I know I'm opening a can of worms with this - while I do not perceive a sonic difference between neos and ceramic speakers, I've yet to find a light weight, high powered amp that slams as hard as the heavy lead sleds I've played. This even includes a difference I audibly observe between my QSC RMX850 and PLX1602. Now, I'm not saying that Class D does have different sonic properties; I'm saying that I've yet to play a Class D amp that has the full, tight, solid low-end of comparably lead sleds. The difference I hear is enough for me to deal with 35+ more lbs. of weight. With that said, I still like the micros I have. I've used my Micro VR and always sound great on stage and in the house, while receiving many compliments from bandmates, musicians in the audience, and sound engineers.

 

[alaskaleftybass]

My wife has been wah wah wah about my weight for several years now and I think I've left the land of six pack abs behind for the land of twelve pack bellies!

Odd, I'm slowing migrating all my gear to smaller higher wattage equipment as the years go by. Twelve years ago my p.a. was bi-amped, stereo high powered, and I had a large bass stack. I'm actually in search of the dream rig that will be "just right." I don't want an ultralight, and I don't want to get a hernia moving equipment.

For those of you who can haul the Ampeg SVT's to your gig, go with God and enjoy these bright days/nights. One day in the future your outlook may change.

I'm thinking that companies like fEarless, Greenboy, etc. are breaking barriers for sound big bottom / size. On my next trip south I would like to go somewhere with these boutique / honegrown products that kick arse!

 

[M0ses]

I practice/rehearse on the third floor. If I can carry a 4 pound amp up and down those stairs every time instead of upwards of 70 pounds.....not exactly a tough choice.

 

[fdeck]

For me, tone comes first, but if I ever get to the point where I'm too weak to carry my amp, then I'll invest in lighter gear.

It always strikes me as ironic that we're talking about we're talking about the physical demands of bass playing in a forum about the electric bass.

 

[Means2nEnd]

I don't get it either unless you live in a city where I think size and portability would be more of a concern. You guys ever lift to bag with all the drum hardware? That thing is like carrying a car. We all pitch in together and carry everyone's gear together my crap is just a few pieces of many and some trips are the guitar stands when I need a light trip and some are heads so if I downsize the night as a whole won't change much at all. My guitar player has a rolling case with a Mesa dual rec and a Bogner in the same case. What are you going to do? Singers seem to be the only ones who show up late and leave early or jump off the stage to sell swag or "promote" but I'll be playing long after he loses his hair gets fat and loses his voice.

 

[AaronVonRock]

I live in a mega-city and rely on public transportation to get around, mainly taxis and subways. That's why small and light amps and cabs are a must for me. I can easily carry around an 11 lb. Orange Terror Bass 500 that's the size of a lunchbox through subway turnstiles (along with my bass and pedalboard). Not so much with a 60-80 lb. amp. If I need to take a cab, my 410 Hartke Hydrive or Hydrive 112 fits in the backseat no problem. I can carry everything on my person in one trip from the taxi to the venue and vice versa.

 

[tbirdsp]

Bad back, bad shoulder, have to store all my gear upstairs in our house to keep it away from the stupid cats.

 

[TomB]

I haul all my own stuff. At 2am, I am packed, and can carry it all in one trip to the car, in under 5 minutes. I haven't found anything under 150 pounds for a reasonable price that sounds better or puts out more volume.

Actually, I find 2 am a bigger problem than 60 lbs these days. Don't call me old school, just call me old! But 150 lbs? ...nah. Somebody used flake board.

 

[Kirk Bryant]

No, I think not, let's not talk about weight. Why ? .....cause it just doesn't matter to me what anyone else thinks about weight. Oh and I get a kick out of being the guy that is walking out while the Sax player is still cleaning his ax. And generally nobody helps anyone else with their gear on casuals. Unless I feel like it just to hang. And... Sorry got to go, got places to go and people to be! Later! Haha

 

[Neon Blues]

Sure, I'll chime in. As years go by, I care less and less around finding the grail tone like I used to. Whether I use a 300w Sunn, a Fender Rumble or an Epifani Rig, if I have a good bass, good setup and I am well rehearsed. I am going to sound good.

Whilst when recording and practicing, I love my sound best when I am using tubes. The most compliments I get when I gig by crowds and band members is when I use the cleanest tone/amp possible. This also acts as the best platform for me for when using effects.

Of course, as someone with a bad back and no interest in owning a car bigger than a hatch. A lightweight and compact amp is ideal.

A third factor is I generally play small clubs where large amps are just overkill. Most of the time, the backline is supplied so I rarely even gig my amps.

I surely have no interest hauling a monster rig to a rehearsal where a 112 will cover it.

 

[Kirk Bryant]

Forgot to mention that I find no, zero, nada, compromise in tone quality and volume levels using my 1200 watt Shuttlemax, Berg Neo cabs and sub 8 lb Elrick. NO compromise, period. Enjoy your weightlifting.

 

[ashtray]

If you have back problems, here's a way to ruin a gig: drive to gig, unload heavy cabinet, badly pulling a muscle in your back. Then you have to stand up playing music and moving around a bit for the next 2-3 hours. (and then load out!). I have done that a few times, and you're just watching the clock all gig while you suffer, waiting to get home to stretch out (and hope you can still walk the next day).

Heavy gear is fine if you have help - but I've found at gig time no one wants to help you unload your heavy stuff. "Oh yeah man, let me first just set up my gear, do a sound check, get a drink at the bar, THEN I'll give you a hand with that cab..."