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Most Versatile Rig?

Daulton

Daulton

Apr 20, 2016
11
4
24
#1
Trying to figure out what amp and cab will work best for me.
Some insights:
  • I play "smooth jazz" gigs, background music at events. Typically consisting of bass, drums, keys and tenor sax.
  • Pop covers for parties, add guitar and vocalist^
  • Rock/blues gigs at small to medium venues
  • I'm playing out pretty regularly, have a gig at a local nursery (flowers, not kids) playing holiday music every sat./sun. until Christmas and it's a double this Saturday playing a party in the evening.
  • Smaller gigs are more frequent than the larger ones.
For the smaller background music I use this tiny combo amp (can't think of the name, but think like a roland cube bass amp). I can get decent volume but the tone is really lacking. It's a hit and run rig.
As for anything else its typically a SWR 350 watt Super Redhead combo or GK Backline 600 with matching 4×10. These are borrowed pieces of gear. Since I'm most likely going to college and it's right around the corner, I need my own.

I would like a setup that can produce a good sound for a variety of styles (Motown, reggae, modern pop, jazz, classic rock). I play finger style and only slap or use a pick when required. Used flats for awhile as well and loved them, really my favorite tone, but only having one bass I couldn't get everything I needed out of them. I play a Yamaha RBX170EW with really no complaints.

A seperate head and cab seems like it would be the best since I could add to it if needed. I was thinking the TC Electronic RH450 with the RS 212 cab would be the best I could get for what I'm doing, but it seems as if that vertical 212 cab has been discontinued. I was also considering the Fender Rumble Stage 800 210 combo but I was really looking for a seperate amp. (Being extra picky, I don't like the knob and jack placement. I prefer them on the front)
Really interested in a mid frequency knob like on the Readhead.
Anyways, looking for suggestions on something versatile decently portable that I can add to if needed with a good eq selection. If guitar :speechless:will sound good through it that is a plus.
Budget is pretty much maxed at $1000 for amp+cab. The more cost effective the better but I obviously want something that will last. Would love to hear what you have to say.

Thanks in advance!:bassist:
 
#3
Versatile sounds? Helix.
Versatile volume levels? No cabs, 800W/1x12" or 1600W/2x12".
rigmay2018.jpg

I know you mentioned a budget (that wouldn't stretch to that) but a stomp into something like a QSC K12.2 would come in under budget if bought used and it would sound amazing for bass in many genres and guitar.
 
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#4
I've had a lot of success with using a head and a pair of 2x10 cabs. That gives me the option of a small rig with one cab or a bigger one if I use both. I found all my current components in the used market and took enough time to eventually track down some great deals. I know that your situation might be different if you're needing a rig in more of a hurry, but the deals will show up if you can be patient and keep hunting.

My head is a "conventional" Traynor DB-800 (800 watts down to 2 ohms) with a decent eq and several very useful bells & whistles. It's a little on the hefty side, but I've been otherwise adoring it for a while. I also found two different premium cabs - SWR Goliath Jr. and an Acme Low B2 - that play together with no problems. This whole rig cost me about $750 along with a couple of 1.5 hour car trips to go get them.

This is just my one example. I suppose that if I wanted a single semi-portable cab that could do a lot, I'd look at a neo 2x12 - maybe a Genz Benz Uber. Terrific stuff is always coming and going in the 2nd hand market and there are probably a hundred different potential solutions out there that will work for you.
 
#5
Jack said:
Versatile sounds? Helix.
Versatile volume levels? No cabs, 800W/1x12" or 1600W/2x12".
View attachment 3618342

I know you mentioned a budget (that wouldn't stretch to that) but a stomp into something like a QSC K12.2 would come in under budget if bought used and it would sound amazing for bass in many genres and guitar.
Click to expand...

Wow, never thought about using a pa speaker like that. It honestly would be perfect for multiple situations. My main issue with it is having all the controls on the back, but thank you I am really considering it!!
 
#6
groove pump said:
I've had a lot of success with using a head and a pair of 2x10 cabs. That gives me the option of a small rig with one cab or a bigger one if I use both. I found all my current components in the used market and took enough time to eventually track down some great deals. I know that your situation might be different if you're needing a rig in more of a hurry, but the deals will show up if you can be patient and keep hunting.

My head is a "conventional" Traynor DB-800 (800 watts down to 2 ohms) with a decent eq and several very useful bells & whistles. It's a little on the hefty side, but I've been otherwise adoring it for a while. I also found two different premium cabs - SWR Goliath Jr. and an Acme Low B2 - that play together with no problems. This whole rig cost me about $750 along with a couple of 1.5 hour car trips to go get them.

This is just my one example. I suppose that if I wanted a single semi-portable cab that could do a lot, I'd look at a neo 2x12 - maybe a Genz Benz Uber. Terrific stuff is always coming and going in the 2nd hand market and there are probably a hundred different potential solutions out there that will work for you.
Click to expand...

Do you think the Hartke TX300 with the HyDrive HD210 would be enough power? Bundled at 759.99 on sweetwater
 
#7
Daulton said:
Wow, never thought about using a pa speaker like that. It honestly would be perfect for multiple situations. My main issue with it is having all the controls on the back, but thank you I am really considering it!!
Click to expand...
A lot of people are doing it these days. A search for 'frfr' in these places will give you more information and evangelizing than you'd ever want.
 
#8
Everyone's needs are different. My portable rigs:

GB Shuttle 6.0 (~600W) into two GB STL-12 cabs (or one) -- plenty of volume, great tone
GK MB200 into one GB STL-8 cab -- (plenty volume, great tone)

The smaller rig is perfect for wineries, house concerts, dinner gigs and such, and I use it for duo/trio work (no drums). The larger rig gives me all I need for what I do with the country band. They've worked so well for me that I haven't even been tempted to replace them. Prior to that I was using an SVT and 4x10 and/or 1x15 Ampeg cabs, glad I wised up, before my old back gave out!
 
#9
Daulton said:
Do you think the Hartke TX300 with the HyDrive HD210 would be enough power? Bundled at 759.99 on sweetwater
Click to expand...

It really depends on the setting. No experience with those pieces, but I'd expect that head/cab combo to be okay in a "small" setting. When I was playing with my last band (rock & funk covers), I was running my rig with no PA support at most of our shows. So I always had the impression that I needed my two cabs to be able to push enough of my sound into the room.

Compared with the gear you've borrowed lately, I wouldn't expect much if any "more" from this pair of components compared with the SWR or the GK plus 4x10. But again, I haven't sampled them myself.
 
#11
I think I'm going to go for the hartke bundle for now and see how it works for me. I'm assuming (hoping) when I will need more than that a PA will be available.
Still would love to hear what other people are running in similar situations! :bassist:
 
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#12
When I bring a rig, it's an SVT7Pro into an Avatar 2x10 Neo - for small standalone and large stages too!
DI out the back to PA (or not) as needed!
IME - a 4x10 or 2x12 + 1x15 combo can be serious overkill for the average setting and will overdrive any decent PA.
Much volume control is required in that environment.. something I find lacking in many bands I run sound for!
 
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