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My rented backline adventures

#701
JimmyM said:
Agreed with everyone. I've played the DB751, and while I didn't like the DB410 cabs it was plugged into because they're pretty dark without the tweeter on, the head itself sounds pretty good to me.
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Yup, I've played them before too, which was why I was excited to see the DB751 sitting on the cab when I arrived. Unfortunately, thinking about what it might have sounded like with a different cab, or with properly wired speakers, or decent tubes, etc., doesn't change the fact that this rig was a TFM.

Oh well, the adventure continues...
 
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#703
The thing about Markbass that I don't like is how they stand out. I prefer a backline that blends into the background and doesn't distract. Having said that, I have a dark red Vox AC-30. But it's a conservative dark red.

Maybe I'm dead wrong on this but there seems to be two levels of backline companies. Pro companies that specialize in backline, stages, lighting, backup power, outfitting concert halls, even acoustic space design. These places typically have a large inventory and offer professional workhorse type gear that is well maintained.

The other class of backline companies are music stores that have a rental department. Musicians and small organizers often rent from these guys. They rent some of what they sell so there can be a big variety. They may have one of two 810's, often a lot of smaller rigs. Maintenance can be spotty. These people supply the "surprise" amps, where you say, oh, one of those.
 
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#705
I just had to use a back line last Sunday at a benefit Carvin BX500 with a Neo 4*10. I have never used a carvin amp, but I knew what it was going to be ahead of time (because I asked ) TB search I found it had many issues :( not a good feeling going into the gig. Hit the stage and for 500w it wasn't giving me a lot though I really had no time to dial it in, I barely heard it from the 3 bass player's before me. My 1975 Svt 300w will blow back your head so I expected so much more from the Carvin.
 
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#707
NKBassman said:
I'm expecting "some kind of GK head and a 4x10" tonight.

The last time I got an 800RB I didn't really dig it (though I had zero time to dial it in), so I think the Aguilar TH500 is coming along just in case.
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That the greatest thing of all about a good small head - totally portable and they all pretty much seem to have a good DI output. I'm going to start bringing the GK MB800 for exactly the same reason.
 
#708
Smogcity said:
I came across this backline jackpot at the High and Lonesome club in Winnipeg Canada last week!

So happy to leave my gear in the van and just plug in...Sounded amazing! The head was hand built by some local mad scientist who actually came to the show and the cab was a 70's Ampeg flatback.
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Look familiar? ;)

Last night was my first time playing at the Times Change(d) High & Lonesome Club in Winnipeg. The place is a roots/blues institution 'round these parts, so I'm super excited to have finally taken that stage.

This custom made amp sounds great. Full but with a really nice midrange. I passed the bass off for a few songs and was shocked at how much louder it sounded out in the room than standing 3 ft from the cab. What I thought was really quiet on stage was perfect out in the room. :)

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#711
esoxhntr said:
TFM (Total Fart Machine)

View attachment 918160

Got to the gig today and was surprised to find an Aguilar DB751. I had been promised an SVT1000, and wasn't to enthusiastic given what I had been able to read in the morning before leaving. So... I am pleasantly surprised to see one of the best loved heads on Talkbass. Then I plug in. Yuck. It was like having to push every note through a bucket of molasses to make it heard.
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I had the same experience when I got a DB751 as backline one time. I was excited to see it; I could not make it sound good. It was paired with a DB410, or whatever their heavy 410 is.
 
#712
Smogcity said:
I just loved that rig and would have bought it on the spot if it was for sale! So cool!
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Haha, me too! But I'd hate to take it away from from the Times. :)

beans-on-toast said:
Nice old flatback 810. The amp looks like it has four power tubes. Perhaps it is 100W. The sort of power sounds massive through an 810.
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That rig always sounds great no matter what band is on stage. Very very fat, full low end, but not at all lacking in clarity. It's a very small room, so 100W would be more than enough.
 
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#714
Haven't posted much in this thread for a while because I think it got a little boring now that I end up getting an SVT-CL and 810e on most of my backlined gigs, but I got a good one on Friday in Panama City Beach. We played a big car show with Bowzer, Freddy "Boom Boom" Cannon and Peggy March, and at first I got an SVT-CL and 810e from 2005, but halfway through Freddy's first song, it crapped out. Just quit working and wouldn't come back on. Next thing I know, the backline guy and the stage manager bring this out for me:

SVT2-11-11-2016_zpssgnszxub.jpg


Whoa! Haven't played one of these in probably 15 years! Had to snap a picture of it after the show. While I can't say that I thought it sounded better than the CL, it darn sure sounded great. After the show, the stage manager said that it belongs to the bassist in his band and he wants to sell it, and asked me what they go for. I told him between $800 and $1000 usually. He said the guy offered to sell it to him for $450 or $500, and I told him, "If you don't want to buy it, tell him I'll give him $525." He said, "Nope, I think I'm going to buy it." Oh well...
 
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#719
rolandm said:
I've gotta wonder, how many bass players tag along a preamp they like (I have an Eden WTDI) and just bypass the preamp section of the head they get and use the power amp section of the amplifier only?
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I don;'t usually bypass but I have brought a preamp for when my rider that says "SVT/810" gets turned into "cheesy combo that belongs to the promoter's son."
 
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#720
JimmyM said:
Haven't posted much in this thread for a while because I think it got a little boring now that I end up getting an SVT-CL and 810e on most of my backlined gigs, but I got a good one on Friday in Panama City Beach. We played a big car show with Bowzer, Freddy "Boom Boom" Cannon and Peggy March, and at first I got an SVT-CL and 810e from 2005, but halfway through Freddy's first song, it crapped out. Just quit working and wouldn't come back on. Next thing I know, the backline guy and the stage manager bring this out for me:

SVT2-11-11-2016_zpssgnszxub.jpg


Whoa! Haven't played one of these in probably 15 years! Had to snap a picture of it after the show. While I can't say that I thought it sounded better than the CL, it darn sure sounded great. After the show, the stage manager said that it belongs to the bassist in his band and he wants to sell it, and asked me what they go for. I told him between $800 and $1000 usually. He said the guy offered to sell it to him for $450 or $500, and I told him, "If you don't want to buy it, tell him I'll give him $525." He said, "Nope, I think I'm going to buy it." Oh well...
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That's the first time in the last 15 years or so that i've seen a bass cab mic-ed up. Any reliable reports of how the FOH sounded??
 
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