Lightweight touring rig - Help

[Mualk]

Hi everyone and thanks in advance. I know there will be lots of opinions on this...
I am looking for the lightest weight head and cab that I can find, but still be pro and sound good. It will be used for 150-600 seat venues, backed with PA, but needs to have plenty of juice. I plated through an Aguilar Tone Hammer and really liked the sound - are those still good amps or is there something new ad better?
Opinions on the markbass heads? Do you like them and what is your preference?
Finally - looking for a lightweight 4x10 cab - but open to suggestions here as well. Genre is rock and roll.
Thanks everyone!!!

 

[ACWild]

The Markbass heads sound great but they are super-clean sounding. So if you want something that has no breakup, they are a great option.

 

[MrLenny1]

GK MB500 head, 4 lbs. 500 Watts.
GK 1x2 Neo cabs, 36 lbs each, 400 watts ea.
Very light and portable.

 

[BlackCatBassman]

backed with PA

In that case, do you really need an amp/cab at all? If you can convince your band to go full IEM or have good stage monitors then it may not matter.

Also what kind of music? If you're playing outlaw country, then a little 300w head and a 1x12 or 1x15 cab would be more than adequate. If you're playing Peruvian Death Metal with two loud guitarists, then you'll need 500w+ and at least a 2x12 or 4x10.

 

[BassCliff]

Hi,

I like my rig, GK MB500 (3.75lbs) and GK Neo 4x10 (64lbs). I think the Neo 2x12 cabs (50lbs) sound great too. I love the Neo 4x12 (96lbs) but it may be a bit too big to tour with.

Or hit the music stores and try out a bunch of gear.

Do you have a budget?


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[Mualk]

Thanks for all the input!
I think the 2x2x10 option is a good one - thank you for that.
Genre is rock.
I like the sound of the Aguilar - just curious if there was anything better or lighter that someone would recommend. The Aguilar still seems big and MAYBE old??? Not sure, I've been out of the gear game for awhile

 

[basscooker]

Cant go wrong with the Mesa Subway gear. Lots of options in that line. 3 heads and the full gamut of cabs; 112, 210, 115, 212, 410, 215...

 

[Mualk]

Cant go wrong with the Mesa Subway gear. Lots of options in that line. 3 heads and the full gamut of cabs; 112, 210, 115, 212, 410, 215...

I'll look into those, thx!

 

[Zbysek]

Plenty of leightweight amps with "plenty of juice" to choose from:

• Aguilar (TH700 or AG700)
• Mesa Subway (D800 or D800+ or WD800)
• Markbass (many models)
• Gallien Krueger MB800
• Ampeg PF800
• Quilter BB800
• Genzler Maghelan 800
• EBS Reidmar 750
• Eich (T900 or T1000)
• Bergantino Biamp, Forte or Forte HP
• Trickfish Bullhead 1K

Yes, Aguilar TH500 is still a favourite for many (it's not "old"). There is a brand new model with more power (TH700).

As for the cab: if you want a lightweight rig, I would recomment getting two cabs (2x10, 1x12, 1x15 or 2x12).

Most 4x10 cabs are above 30 kg, some between 25-30kg, few between 20-25kg (Aguilar SL410x, Barefaced Four 10).

Good luck!

 

[Zbysek]

The Markbass heads sound great but they are super-clean sounding. So if you want something that has no breakup, they are a great option.

+1

 

[Mualk]

Plenty of leightweight amps with "plenty of juice" to choose from:

• Aguilar (TH700 or AG700)
• Mesa Subway (D800 or D800+ or WD800)
• Markbass (many models)
• Gallien Krueger MB800
• Ampeg PF800
• Quilter BB800
• Genzler Maghelan 800
• EBS Reidmar 750
• Eich (T900 or T1000)
• Bergantino Biamp, Forte or Forte HP
• Trickfish Bullhead 1K

Yes, Aguilar TH500 is still a favourite for many (it's not "old"). There is a brand new model with more power (TH700).

As for the cab: if you want a lightweight rig, I would recomment getting two cabs (2x10, 1x12, 1x15 or 2x12).

Most 4x10 cabs are above 30 kg, some between 25-30kg, few between 20-25kg (Aguilar SL410x, Barefaced Four 10).

Good luck!

Wow! Great list!!! Thanks for the info. Good to know about the Aguilar.

 

[MaxSpinrun]

Mesa, Genzler are my top choices. Both 800 watt heads, both very flexible with extensive EQ and I/O flexibility. For a 410 cab, Genzler Bass AARAY 410-3. The BASS AARAY cabs are game changers. I chose the Mesa D800+ head. Awesome head and light weight. The head comes with a carry bag as well. Here is a pic of the head. Hope this helps with your decision. Definitely check out the Genzler cabs.

 

[hardtop]

This one is my favorite:

 

[REV]

I use a Markbass LMII with a Euphonic Audio Wizzy 12 cab. It sounds great, it's light weight and it's never let me down.

 

[Ewo]

I'll second the suggestion of the Mesa Subway gear--a WD-800 head and a pair of the 1-15 cabs, or a single 2-15 cab. You'll definitely get your money's worth out of that rig.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

What is your budget?

 

[matante]

1. Without knowing your budget it's difficult to give meaningful advice.

2. There are pros who tour those types of venues with 1x12 or 1x15 combo amps.

 

[bherman]

Never cared for MarkBass stuff much - owned one, played through more. Budget is important to know. In your case, would probably be a good idea to go modular, 2-210 cabs or 2 - 1x12 or 1x15 cabs. I'm a big fan of RevSound - only available from the owner/builder but they are fantastic cabs and reasonably priced. A 210 or 212 is about 30-35 lbs and $700 or so. A pair of them would be an amazing rig. Don't need much for a 150 seat venue. Are you going into FOH also?

 

[Lepparda]

This is a great lightweight but seriously kickass set up - Bergantino B-Amp and a pair of Barefaced Two 10's.

Or this works too - Aguilar AG700 and SL410x.

 

[waynobass]

GK 1x2 Neo cabs...

Two-inch speakers are not rock'n'roll.