IMO this would have all been a moot point of ZOOM simply released a B5n rather than the B3n.
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New: Zoom B3n Multi-Effects
- Thread starter CharlieC
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IMO this would have all been a moot point of ZOOM simply released a B5n rather than the B3n.
My setup now ...
I really, really want to go down this route with a powered, Frfr speaker and digital preamp/effects- but I play in a two guitar rock band that just needs huge, meat and potatoes volume
The better compact powered FRFR boxes (QSC K series, Presonus, E-V, etc.) sound great these days, and are very versatile. You could build a nice stereo guitar rig with a pair of them.
But they don't have enough low end to allow a bassist to keep up with a couple of cranked half-stacks. For that, you'd need suitable powered sub as well.
I've never sized a setup like that to figure out what you'd need to match various conventional rigs. I haven't given much thought to pricing either.
Still, that's an interesting proposition...
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Yeah- there are so many great options out there. But once you start adding the powered subs in any of the higher quality series (k series, ev etc) the price really mounts.
BUT
The resale is better than most bass guitar speakers, and the market for them is just huge, so I guess that wipes out some of the price differential.
A helix or ax8 setup would be amazing. Heck- this b3n sounds like it would do the trick!
BUT
The resale is better than most bass guitar speakers, and the market for them is just huge, so I guess that wipes out some of the price differential.
A helix or ax8 setup would be amazing. Heck- this b3n sounds like it would do the trick!
Hmm.
A QSC KSub weighs 74lb. The K12 weighs 39lb, and the stack is about 4 feet tall. Max SPL around 130dB. Add a B3n, and street price in Canadian dollars would be about $2,700 plus tax.
A G-K Neo412 is lighter, at 90lb. Pair it with a Mesa Subway D-800 or a G-K Fusion 800, and you've got a rockin' conventional rig that weighs under 100lb. With the Mesa, price would be on par with the QSC/Zoom setup. Add about $250 for the G-K, which has an all-tube preamp.
The conventional rig is a little shorter and lighter than the QSC stack, but harder to fit into a small car. The G-K cab is easier to maneuver, since you don't need a dolly and you can do the tilt-and-slide to get it in and out of your vehicle. Either setup would be a two-tripper for most people.
At least on paper, the biggest advantage to the QSC setup would be if you double on upright, keys, and/or guitar- one rig to conquer them all.
On fly dates, there would be a small advantage to the Zoom, especially compared to the rather chunky Mesa, which would force you to leave a bunch of t-shirts behind...
I've never put a dB meter on one, but my gut says that the Neo stack would move a little more air when cranked. It would look more intimidating on stage, but also be a pain to squeeze into small clubs.
I expect that most touring pros would go with the conventional rig, but a weekend warrior might prefer the more compact PA setup.
A QSC KSub weighs 74lb. The K12 weighs 39lb, and the stack is about 4 feet tall. Max SPL around 130dB. Add a B3n, and street price in Canadian dollars would be about $2,700 plus tax.
A G-K Neo412 is lighter, at 90lb. Pair it with a Mesa Subway D-800 or a G-K Fusion 800, and you've got a rockin' conventional rig that weighs under 100lb. With the Mesa, price would be on par with the QSC/Zoom setup. Add about $250 for the G-K, which has an all-tube preamp.
The conventional rig is a little shorter and lighter than the QSC stack, but harder to fit into a small car. The G-K cab is easier to maneuver, since you don't need a dolly and you can do the tilt-and-slide to get it in and out of your vehicle. Either setup would be a two-tripper for most people.
At least on paper, the biggest advantage to the QSC setup would be if you double on upright, keys, and/or guitar- one rig to conquer them all.
On fly dates, there would be a small advantage to the Zoom, especially compared to the rather chunky Mesa, which would force you to leave a bunch of t-shirts behind...
I've never put a dB meter on one, but my gut says that the Neo stack would move a little more air when cranked. It would look more intimidating on stage, but also be a pain to squeeze into small clubs.
I expect that most touring pros would go with the conventional rig, but a weekend warrior might prefer the more compact PA setup.
It gets a lot more interesting at the low end.
I was just looking at the Alto stuff, and a TS212 or TS215 paired with the TS215S sub and a B2n is les than $1,400.
I wouldn't expect it to sound as good as the QSC K series, but it should be within 3-6DB for max SPL.
Price-wise, the equivalent would be a G-K MB212 combo, plus a pedal or two. I'd rather schlep the MB212, but I wonder how they would stack up for max output and overall tone?
I was just looking at the Alto stuff, and a TS212 or TS215 paired with the TS215S sub and a B2n is les than $1,400.
I wouldn't expect it to sound as good as the QSC K series, but it should be within 3-6DB for max SPL.
Price-wise, the equivalent would be a G-K MB212 combo, plus a pedal or two. I'd rather schlep the MB212, but I wonder how they would stack up for max output and overall tone?
For this very application, I give my highest recommendation to Greenboy Fearless cabinets. Mine are the F112 model.
Their sonic performance is unmatched by any commercial powered speaker in similar or larger size class.
Cheers!
Agreed.
Ditto for the AudioKinesis Hathor 1203, my Thunderchild 112 or the 212 equivalents. Paired with a good class D head, they are smaller/lighter/louder/better than powered PA cabs.
But most people have to buy them sight-unseen, and the initial investment is steeper. Resale is tricky too, at least on the local market.
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You could still go the fEARful or Barefaced way and use a bridged QSC or Crown power amp. If I had the need (and funds) that's what I would do. If there's one good thing about the Brexit, then it's the very favorable £ vs € at the moment.
Is there anyway to use each of the 3 buttons on the GT1B as individual stomp effects. What I am thinking is to assign 3 different clean type sounds to one button, 3 overdrive types to the 2nd button, 3 modulations to the 3rd. Is this possible?
Full range cabinets that are relatively small and lightweight [edit: AND powerful] come at a premium price. The price drops as the speakers become less full-range, larger, and heavier. I'm over $2k into one of my rigs that is nothing more than a small pair of 15" (full-range, coaxial, biamp-only) cabinets and a head to power them. Nobody said going this route is cheap. You may consider a lesser output rig augmented by IEM for a lot less money, but keeps the size small.
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You'd be best off getting an FS-7 but it would be possible without one (but you'd lose the ability to cycle through patches).
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Thank you, @Heisenbass !
My wish is that you could experience it in person. It is a modular monster!
Cheers!
Man - what an awesome setup.
I have thought about making a fearful before - but the required eminence drivers are so expensive in New Zealand.
I have thought about making a fearful before - but the required eminence drivers are so expensive in New Zealand.
Seems as what you are saying is that It is possible to assign a patch to each button but it limits you to just that. There is a utube video that describes how it's done but only with the CT1 button and an additional pedal similar to what you recommended.
Not to get too far off topic here but has anyone built/used BFM cabinets for their rig and can they speak to the results/performance?
