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My rented backline adventures
- Thread starter JimmyM
- Start date
I did a sub gig in the 90's where I was assured that they would have an amp for me at the venue, which means that I would not have to drive from Houston to Dallas with my rig. I grab my bass, get on the plane, get to the venue and lo and behold, there is a 70's Peavey Centurion head on stage left. No speaker, no direct box, nothing. I couldn't wait to get out of there.
It's stories like I'm reading here that I always pack my light weight Eden WTDI. Its no REDDI but for $125 its a cheap piece of mind. I've always liked the Eden tone personally and am amazed how that WTDI can turn a crappy back line combo into something decent.
My first experience with it was with a Crate Bass combo. Ya know, with the WTDI in the "Power amp in" jack it worked really well. The FOH sounded much better with the DI signal too as the previous band had an SM58 mic on the combo... FAIL!
I've also used it to beef up a Peavey Minx on a gig. The Compressor managed to get a little more volume out of it.
My first experience with it was with a Crate Bass combo. Ya know, with the WTDI in the "Power amp in" jack it worked really well. The FOH sounded much better with the DI signal too as the previous band had an SM58 mic on the combo... FAIL!
I've also used it to beef up a Peavey Minx on a gig. The Compressor managed to get a little more volume out of it.
Hey, before I got the REDDI, I used the VT, so I get you. I'll admit that the REDDI isn't the easiest thing in the world to get through an airport. But it isn't the hardest, either, so since I have room in the bag, why not?
Today's rental rig:
At the South Shore Music Circus in Cohasset, MA with Bowzer and a bunch of other 50's-60's acts. Interesting rig...an SVT 4 Pro with a mid-70's towel bar 810 covered in Duratex. Had to lay it on the floor since the Music Circus has a rotating stage and it blocks sight lines. Oh well, what can you do? Sounds killer, though. 4 Pro hits hard like a hammer. Every time I play one I enjoy it more.
At the South Shore Music Circus in Cohasset, MA with Bowzer and a bunch of other 50's-60's acts. Interesting rig...an SVT 4 Pro with a mid-70's towel bar 810 covered in Duratex. Had to lay it on the floor since the Music Circus has a rotating stage and it blocks sight lines. Oh well, what can you do? Sounds killer, though. 4 Pro hits hard like a hammer. Every time I play one I enjoy it more.
scotch
It's not rocket science!
- Nov 12, 2006
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svtb15
Inactive
- Mar 22, 2004
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- I play it all. Whatever works for the gig. Q+
there ya go.... I actually like the 810s on their side if i dont have to play too loud...
Today's rental rig:
At the South Shore Music Circus in Cohasset, MA with Bowzer and a bunch of other 50's-60's acts. Interesting rig...an SVT 4 Pro with a mid-70's towel bar 810 covered in Duratex. Had to lay it on the floor since the Music Circus has a rotating stage and it blocks sight lines. Oh well, what can you do? Sounds killer, though. 4 Pro hits hard like a hammer. Every time I play one I enjoy it more.
Well that's better! I'm just waiting for the 'Vertical Array Police' to chime in...
Jimmy gets a reprieve this time due to sightline restrictions.
Today's rental rig:
At the South Shore Music Circus in Cohasset, MA with Bowzer and a bunch of other 50's-60's acts. Interesting rig...an SVT 4 Pro with a mid-70's towel bar 810 covered in Duratex. Had to lay it on the floor since the Music Circus has a rotating stage and it blocks sight lines. Oh well, what can you do? Sounds killer, though. 4 Pro hits hard like a hammer. Every time I play one I enjoy it more.
That's pretty much my rig, except I don't know how old my cab is. That and my tolex looks like it slid down the highway. I seriously think my ampeg cab has the weakest tolex of any amp or cab I've ever had. They sure are pretty when new though.
Well that's better! I'm just waiting for the 'Vertical Array Police' to chime in...
Ha. Not much point considering the 8x10 set up right still beams
scotch
It's not rocket science!
- Nov 12, 2006
- 6,944
- 2,081
- 51
- Disclosures
- Please see Profile for Endorsement disclosures
"X-max!" "Line array!" "True rms power ratings!" "Tubes vs transistors!" "Like size drivers!" "Oxygen free, piece of the One True Cross gold anodized speaker cables!" "Switch mode power supplies!" "Iron transformers rulezzzz!"
...meanwhile, the musicians just keep making the music...
Just having fun, not picking a fight!
...meanwhile, the musicians just keep making the music...
Just having fun, not picking a fight!
Jimmy, I didn't read the entire thread, but that reddi should be your insurance policy. Plug its output into the FX return of virtually any mainstream amp, and at least you will have an workable sound without scratchy pots.
If I do that, though, I can't EQ it. Plus it's unpredictable whether it works as a de facto preamp. Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't. But you bet it's my insurance policy against crap backline!
Fortunately, today was pretty great backline. Those towel bar 70's cabs rule pretty hard, even with the Eminences that replaced the CTS alnicos. And the 4 Pro is one of those amps that you actually don't mind isn't all-tube because it still crushes in its own way. And even though I'm still down with their micro rigs, you don't get that out of the micros. Or the tube SVT for that matter. If I didn't already have an embarrassing amount of amps that crush but I can't turn up louder than a B-15, I'd get one.
Fortunately, today was pretty great backline. Those towel bar 70's cabs rule pretty hard, even with the Eminences that replaced the CTS alnicos. And the 4 Pro is one of those amps that you actually don't mind isn't all-tube because it still crushes in its own way. And even though I'm still down with their micro rigs, you don't get that out of the micros. Or the tube SVT for that matter. If I didn't already have an embarrassing amount of amps that crush but I can't turn up louder than a B-15, I'd get one.
Sure...there are a few up on Youtube, but you have to spell Bowzer with a Z, otherwise you just get some cartoony looking Mario Bros thing or you get dogs
Thx bro. Yeah, we do occasional benefits over the course of a year. We'd like to do more but those charity shows can be risky. They still cost a lot of money to put on.
Years ago I was backing an artist on Warped Tour. Our stage had a Hartke rig, can't remember what the head was since I always just used my SVT-2 Pro, but the 8x10 cab sounded decent.
About 3/4 through the tour the truck that carried the backline got into an accident, and I had to play 2 or 3 shows with a totalled bass cab. I think only two speakers worked, and I use the word worked lightly. Luckily a label rep brought me an 810e cab to finish the tour with.
About 3/4 through the tour the truck that carried the backline got into an accident, and I had to play 2 or 3 shows with a totalled bass cab. I think only two speakers worked, and I use the word worked lightly. Luckily a label rep brought me an 810e cab to finish the tour with.
Missed this post for some reason...that's a really bad feeling when you get into an accident on the road with a band. Too bad it took the label 3 shows to get in gear, though. How hard is it to get an 810 sent to the Warped Tour? It's the Warped Tour, you know? They already have backline being sent over wherever they go anyway. What's one more cab?
Anyway, just brought this back up to plug my gig today I'm in Orange County, California and I'm doing a free show with Bowzer from Sha Na Na at Pittsford Park in Lake Forest. From what I'm told, opening act starts at 5, and we're supposed to start around 6. I figured since it was free, some of you who live around the area might actually go this time
That means I'll also have a new backline amp to share in this thread tomorrow night, but it'll probably be the last one for a while since I don't have much in the way of roadtrips coming up.
Anyway, just brought this back up to plug my gig today
I'm in Orange County, California and I'm doing a free show with Bowzer from Sha Na Na at Pittsford Park in Lake Forest. From what I'm told, opening act starts at 5, and we're supposed to start around 6. I figured since it was free, some of you who live around the area might actually go this time That means I'll also have a new backline amp to share in this thread tomorrow night, but it'll probably be the last one for a while since I don't have much in the way of roadtrips coming up.
