My amp is petite and still too big!

[boilingTheDead]

I went through a phase wherein I wanted the least amount of amp to deal with. Worked about 60% of the time. That other 40% was not much fun so I finally just bought a 2nd cab. Volume knobs work in both directions.

+1 better to have and not need than to need and not have.

Thats really what it comes down to in the end. Can I live with having more than I need? I gess so. Also selling means losing some money and time. Ill probably keep it for now.

Just for reference, If anyone is starting out right now with a "normally loud" band In a scene with halfway reliable FOHs and playing small to medium sized venues: A good combo with 200w+ is probably enough. I would go the 1x12 combo + 1x12 cab extension route (when needed) If I could choose again.

 

[SJan3]

We are a alternative rock band with 2 boss katana 100w and a pretty "normal" drummer. I decided to get a very reasonable 2x10 fender rumble and a 500w class d amp. (250w would have been enough but 500w version was on a discount). I am absolutely satisfied with the quality but in retroperspective I wished I would have gotten a smaller and lighter amp. The cabinet, even though it sounds great, is 17kg. I never set the volume past a quarter when reheasing. We played quite a lot of gigs locally, mostly small stages but also medium sized clubs.

-never did I not have powerful PA to support me on any location, my amp always functioned as a stage monitor basicly.
-If there is one thing I cant have enough of on small stages, it is space. Why bring anything bigger than 1x12 and put it on a beer tray?
-on bigger stages there was usually a 4x10+head backline free to use

I recently played a relatively big club stage and the other bassist brought a tiny 1x12 Mini CMD Markbass combo. That was more than enough. (I know the thing is 500w but the vol was also set so 1/3...maybe) There were at least 2 other venues that offered a small bass combo as a backline and it always was enough, even for metal bands. Is the era of 4x10 and even 2x10 over for most people? (not talking about very big stages, which most of us dont encounter, lets be honest) PAs in clubs sound gooood these days!

opinions appreciated on the topic! should I sell my 2x10 and see how small I can go? Maybe a rumble 100 combo will even be enough?

Why not get the MarkBass CMD Mini 112? It's a great amp and in sale at GC!
Personally, I'd own the MarkBass over the Rumble all day.

 

[lug]

Also to consider....outdoor gigs. I've found I need to use nearly double the power/speaker area for this.

 

[SJan3]

I can tell you one reason for 800+ watts and 410 cabs: Neurotic Guitarists.
In my main band, the two guitarists run everything, and listen with their EYES. They want to SEE big iron in the backline.

I'd quit that band!

 

[TheDuff]

If the Rumble cab is too bulky for you, get a lightweight 1-12” cabinet. Prepare to pay a lot more than you did for the Rumble (there are a few that are less expensive). Prices below are for USA.

Rumble 210 39 pounds, $525

Ashdown CTM112, 26 pounds, $359

Orange OBC 112 26 pounds, $599

Ampeg Venture 112 27 pounds, $799

Darkglass 112 27 pounds, $899

Aguilar SL112 25 pounds, $899

I like that Orange cab.

Here is another neomydium cab.

Amazon.com: Ashdown ABM-115H-EVO IV-PRO NEO 1 x 15-inch 300-Watt Bass Cabinet with Horn Black : Musical Instruments

Buy Ashdown ABM-115H-EVO IV-PRO NEO 1 x 15-inch 300-Watt Bass Cabinet with Horn Black: Cabinets - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

 

[SJan3]

I'm even considering the Rumble 100, thats significatly smaller than the 2x12. Not sure if that will be enough watts though.

I doubt it.

 

[wjcstp]

Also to consider....outdoor gigs. I've found I need to use nearly double the power/speaker area for this.

True, but it still depends on the situation. Every outdoor show i've played here so far has had sufficient PA and usually provided backline, so if anything I'm bringing less gear than a typical indoor show.

 

[jthisdell]

I'm even considering the Rumble 100, thats significatly smaller than the 2x12. Not sure if that will be enough watts though.

IMHO this is the big advantage if separate heads and cabinets. I have three cabs that handle different sized gigs and can be combined in different ways and can also leave one cab at our rehearsal.

My only experience with the Rumble 100 was disappointing, could not get enough power or low end out of it. It compared poorly to my Rumble 150 head with budget 15" cab that I was using (and a 8 ohms only 758 watts). Many others have been happy with the 100 but it was a 'blemished' item from zzounds so I think there was an issue with it.

 

[KevInDaBassment]

Life hack for me, that became absolutely perfect when Class-D micro heads started coming out, was getting a side-by-side 2x10, and then setting it up vertically....

- Same footprint on stage as a 1x10
- Could hear myself better, since the top speaker was closer to my ear
- Power and low-frequency handling was better than most 1x10s alone
- Largely adequate for near any gig or rehearsal I took it to.


Eventually I landed on the GK 700RB-II on a sideways Avatar Neo 2x10 (fit perfectly). I liked the increased low end of the Neo 2x12, but that 2x10 could do some serious damage if it needed to.

 

[Micha84]

I have a 500W amp and a pair of Orange OBC112. In this day and age of light weight gear I can't see the downside of having too much power.

 

[brianrost]

True, but it still depends on the situation. Every outdoor show i've played here so far has had sufficient PA and usually provided backline

It depends on the type of outdoor shows you're doing. If the outdoor show is a festival or large fair it’s more likely to have backline.

I have yet to play a summertime town gazebo show that had a PA or backline, the band had to bring their own. I once played an outdoor festival that was supposed to have backline but for some reason, no bass amp was there, just drums and guitar amps and none of the other bassists there would loan me their rig. If I had tossed a small combo in the car, it would have saved the day. Instead I had to stand right on the edge of the stage next to the mains to hear myself at all, I didn't want the bass in the monitors making it any harder for the vocalists.

Only you can decide if you need to bring your own amp to any gig, it will be different for everybody. Better to be prepared

 

[chris_b]

If your amp is too loud, turn it down, if It's too quiet, you're sunk, and you bought the wrong amp.

My main rig is a 500 watt amp through 2 Barefaced 112 cabs (600 watts each) and the Master volume can be anywhere between 1/4 and 1/2. I get a great sound every time and I'm never caught out with less volume than I need.

 

[Maartenaerts]

You are already down to a 2x10. That's basically only good for a monitor to begin with. If you always have PA support, there's no reason you couldn't just trade out your current speaker enclosure for a proper stage monitor. Just add an attenuator for the tweeter and off you go. This points the speaker directly at your head, eliminating the need to stack a proper cabinet on top of beer crates. Perhaps even look into powered monitors, ditch the head and just run through a good pedal preamp/DI.

Yep, I’ve seen it happen

 

[NY2NH]

I'm using an Acoustic Image Clarus head into a Ten2 cabinet. It's smaller than the Eden 112 I had before and has better low end. It's a shame that AI is no more, they made some really nice gear. I usually have pre and master volume below 12:00. It's good to have some extra power available when it's needed.
I have a Phil Jones Double Four for home use and have thought of playing out with it but I think it could get buried if the PA support isn't there.

I just ordered one of the PJB double 4 plus boxes (90 watts) to use as a living room practice amp and also try it out as a personal stage monitor for places with a PA. If I can use it as a monitor that's a bonus, but I've read that it's great as a little practice amp, or for low volume unplugged-type gigs.

 

[bigdaddybass12]

As a Rumble 100 owner, I use at a small restaurant gig, look around a little more. Mine just doesn’t have a sound i like. I guess it’s just the rumble sound. I have reverted back to an old SWR 12 “monitor” cab (pre fender, not a wm) and a TC head. Trust me, the 18 pound rumble is so easy and convenient. Especially after I have worked all day, straight from work to gig. I have been kinda looking around for another 12 combo. Markbass or GK. I don’t like the rear-port of the Markbass. That is energy and sound lost out the back. Especially if you play where there is no wall behind you. I read where a few GK’s have power supply issues. Back to separates. Head quits? quick swap to backup and I am back going. But I lose the lightweight convenience.