Poll: More or less amps?

[pingvuiini]

I have been quite happy shlepping my current rig back and forth to reherasal, but that's because it's all so lightweight (Quilter BB0800, GR Bass 212 Slim & KB Baruke semi hollow uke bass. Total rig weight: 39.6 lbs., perhaps 20lbs more if you add the Pelican case and gig bag full of things). I can carry everything in one trip as long as its not more than, say, the length of a football field. I will probably be singing a different tune 10 years form now. The power to weight ratio is fantastic and the sound diamond clear yet very beefy. That being said, I do have enough additional Mesa gear for a separate killer home rig as well.

 

[chadds]

I gig more than I practice (Covid!). So I have different rigs for different sized gigs and for certain sounds for certain genres. What I would use in the studio is also flexible because sometimes just a pre with great DI all the way to big rig which sounds, yes, massive inside.

 

[BBassBassington]

I have been quite happy shlepping my current rig back and forth to reherasal, but that's because it's all so lightweight (Quilter BB0800, GR Bass 212 Slim & KB Baruke semi hollow uke bass. Total rig weight: 39.6 lbs., perhaps 20lbs more if you add the Pelican case and gig bag full of things). I can carry everything in one trip as long as its not more than, say, the length of a football field. I will probably be singing a different tune 10 years form now. The power to weight ratio is fantastic and the sound diamond clear yet very beefy. That being said, I do have enough additional Mesa gear for a separate killer home rig as well.
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That is a very nice portable rig! It weighs as much as my cab! lol

 

[Rip Van Dan]

I like the idea of having multiple amp heads but every time I look at them I just think that's a ton of money to pay for a sound I like slightly less than my Rumble!

The multiple rig solution does seem to be very popular, same with headphone usage at home. Funny enough on the headphone front I have 6 pairs. My AKG K7xx lives at my PC, my Hifiman HE4xx live with my Rumble, my Sennheiser HD558s were demoted from main cans to Mustang Micro duty, and I've got Headrush bluetooth over-ears which were replaced with Samsung Galaxy Buds+ (designed by AKG). And I've got studio monitors at the desk and tiny powered 3-way speakers on my dresser.

So I guess really it's just time to take my bass rig in that direction too!

Yeah....you have a LOT of headphones. I have a Bose and a Sennheiser set and primarily use the Bose because it sounds so good and my wife can't hear me playing music in our small place. I wore out a pair of Bose headphones years ago and my wife bought the Sennheiser's for me. Little did she realize that although they are over the ear, they are still open air headphones meaning I can hear her talk. Bad news was she kept coming around the corner of my grotto (not big enough to have a door) and asking me to put on my headphones when I was already wearing them. So got a set of the Bose AE2 headphones and am still using those. Made her happy because she can't hear them.

Of course, with the amps and cabs, it helped that I already had them. I got the small class D Eden head and the small Eden EX-112 very specifically to play at a brewpub where we'd host open-mic Friday nights about 40+ times a year. Used my first Eden head, Nemesis RS400 for that 112 at first. I bought the Eden class D TN-226 from a friend for a good price a little later and preferred using that because I could quite literally bring the amp in it's shoulder bag over one shoulder, my gig-bag over the other shoulder, pick up the cab by its top rear handle in one hand and my bass in the other and load-in/out was pretty much done. Plus I was playing gigs all this time so I used gig money to make the purchases.

I liked the sound of that compact 112 so much, I bought a second EX-112 to use at our medium-sized venues and kept my DNS-410 cab for large and outdoor venues as well as Festivals. Then in 2019 when I got accepted into the DNA Endorsing Artist program, I bought my DNS-210 cab. It's so loud I use it for medium and large indoor venues now. That left me two-112 cabs when I would only be using one, so it was easy to leave one of those at our practice space until my guitarist upgraded his gear a bit and started upping his levels too. Then I moved my 210 into the studio. So I didn't really buy them for the convenience of leaving them in different places but, since I already had them, it made perfect sense to do so.

 

[chadds]

I have been quite happy shlepping my current rig back and forth to reherasal, but that's because it's all so lightweight (Quilter BB0800, GR Bass 212 Slim & KB Baruke semi hollow uke bass. Total rig weight: 39.6 lbs., perhaps 20lbs more if you add the Pelican case and gig bag full of things). I can carry everything in one trip as long as its not more than, say, the length of a football field. I will probably be singing a different tune 10 years form now. The power to weight ratio is fantastic and the sound diamond clear yet very beefy. That being said, I do have enough additional Mesa gear for a separate killer home rig as well.
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That middle pic! Someone’s stealing your stuff!

 

[Wasnex]

I used to run with a touring rig and a rehearsal rig. The touring rig was in a 16-sp rolling rack and consisted of an Ashely MX508 rack mixer, QSC power amp, rack drawer, tuner, power strip with lights, etc. This rig made sense because I switched between bass guitar, electric upright, and acoustic upright. I used Shure A95UF so I could plug the instruments into the mic inputs. The A95UF is pretty much a passive DI with no through connection. To my surprise, my audio tech took a single composite feed from the output of the MX508.

I could expand this rack to a small PA and use it for local or tour gigs. For monitors I had four Galaxy Audio HotSpots. For mains I borrowed a pair of active speakers.

My rehearsal rig was a GK 700RB/112 combo. I had a rolling flight case for this, so it was sometimes used on tour as well. Usually I left it setup on top of the flight case in the rehearsal room. I also used this amp for local jazz combo gigs as well. For local combo gigs we travelled in a van and did not use flight cases.

IMHO what I did was somewhat suited to the type of work. Everyone will need to make there own decision as to what makes sense.

 

[Rnr..........4]

I'm looking at a 2x10 Hartke HyDrive. Wondering if (2) would be good for metal stacked.

 

[Al T.]

On the rare occasion I play at church I bring my Clarus SL and Thunderchild 4 Ohm cabinet which is 36 lbs total. I never got in the habit of leaving my musical tools anywhere due to the fact that I have had them for a long time and they are only insured while they are at home.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

I'm getting my first dose of vaccine this month, which means that even though Ontario is in dire straits right now the end is in sight! And that means I get back together with the band soonish!

I've actually been considering having two rigs since before the pandemic. Throughout the pandemic though I've turned my office into a film and recording studio, so now is the time to finally make a decision.

I currently use a Fender Rumble 500 head and Rumble 210 cab as well as a decent-sized pedalboard. 90% of the time I just need the Rumble with the vintage and OD engaged. That's my tone. I'm obviously not a big fan though of setup and teardown of this rig to bring it back and forth. My health is and the extra energy this requires is often the difference between recording something this week and not. And the less energy I have to expend redoing old work the more energy I have for new work. So two rigs is a worthy plan for me.

All options cost the same in the end.

Option 1 has the advantage of I don't have to do anything. I put up an ad looking for a used Rumble cab and if it doesn't pay off I order a new one once I know when the band is getting together. I'd leave my pedalboard at home most times, so no effects with the band.

Option 2 is essentially a blend of the two, but it's not my favorite option. I don't need the volume when at home but the bigger amps have a better form factor, as I have to keep my amps and audio interface stacked. So the Studio would get shoved onto a small shelf. It just doesn't look as cool and on set that matters a bit.

Option 3 was what I was originally set on but have been starting to lean back towards option 1. It's very appealing to the minimalist part of me. 1 amp to rule them all. No need for pedals, I can stack my katana on it and ditch the audio interface, there's less cable mess, I don't leave anything anywhere and I don't have to worry about potentially storing an extra cab.

So yeah, just curious to see what others would do.

I don't get the poll vs your post options. But, cab at home, cab at practice, transport head is the best option. That's what I do.

But, in your case, cab at practice, transport combo, buy nothing.

 

[BBassBassington]

Yeah....you have a LOT of headphones. I have a Bose and a Sennheiser set and primarily use the Bose because it sounds so good and my wife can't hear me playing music in our small place. I wore out a pair of Bose headphones years ago and my wife bought the Sennheiser's for me. Little did she realize that although they are over the ear, they are still open air headphones meaning I can hear her talk. Bad news was she kept coming around the corner of my grotto (not big enough to have a door) and asking me to put on my headphones when I was already wearing them. So got a set of the Bose AE2 headphones and am still using those. Made her happy because she can't hear them.

Of course, with the amps and cabs, it helped that I already had them. I got the small class D Eden head and the small Eden EX-112 very specifically to play at a brewpub where we'd host open-mic Friday nights about 40+ times a year. Used my first Eden head, Nemesis RS400 for that 112 at first. I bought the Eden class D TN-226 from a friend for a good price a little later and preferred using that because I could quite literally bring the amp in it's shoulder bag over one shoulder, my gig-bag over the other shoulder, pick up the cab by its top rear handle in one hand and my bass in the other and load-in/out was pretty much done. Plus I was playing gigs all this time so I used gig money to make the purchases.

I liked the sound of that compact 112 so much, I bought a second EX-112 to use at our medium-sized venues and kept my DNS-410 cab for large and outdoor venues as well as Festivals. Then in 2019 when I got accepted into the DNA Endorsing Artist program, I bought my DNS-210 cab. It's so loud I use it for medium and large indoor venues now. That left me two-112 cabs when I would only be using one, so it was easy to leave one of those at our practice space until my guitarist upgraded his gear a bit and started upping his levels too. Then I moved my 210 into the studio. So I didn't really buy them for the convenience of leaving them in different places but, since I already had them, it made perfect sense to do so.

Your amp situation sounds a bit like my headphones one. I used just the Senns for like 5 years before getting the bluetooth ones for on the go, and then another like 3 years before getting the AKG and Hifiman. The Senns need new pads badly but that'd cost more than I paid for them, which seemed silly. I intended to keep either the AKG or Hifiman but couldn't decide and kept both. Got the Buds+ when I got my new phone in December.

The amp story is a little similar too. I was perfectly happy just leaving my Bassman 100 there but the guitarist upgraded so I did. But I hated that Peavey stack so I went in the complete opposite direction with a GK MB112. Which worked great until we got another guitarist, but it could still hang so it became a case of it works even though I'm not totally happy with it. And then that guitarist got a Fender DeVille 410 tube combo and I was gone.

The Rumble with the 210 has kept up nicely though and the head itself has been great to just bring around places for headphone jamming before I got my TC Spectradrive and then replaced that with the Mustang Micro.

Anyway with the second cab comes some interesting choices. Do I go for:

• An Eden 208 for maximum lightness and something very different from anything I've used in the past
• Another Rumble 210 or a 115 which is the cheapest and most flexible option
• Or an Ashdown Roadmaster 4ohm 410 to unleash the full power of my Rumble at a whole 46lbs of weight (which is about as heavy as I'd go because I will have to move it at least twice)
• Or for a real oddity a Rumble 200 combo and add the 210 for gigs (which again, probably not gonna happen)

 

[MLC_BassPlayer]

Four complete, independent rigs:
1) at home for practice
2) rehearsal space
3) band trailer for gigs
4) something to take for that "hey we need a bass player tonight" gig, so you don't have to mess with your home rig

Gig rig is the best. Practice rig is the coolest. Rehearsal rig is the cheapest. Gig on a fly rig is the most portable/loudest because you'll never know what FOH you'll have or how far you have to carry it.

 

[jdh3000]

I have 2 main rigs I play out, one big, one smaller(back saver), 1 amp in mt practice room at home and one I leave in the band rehearsal room.

I don't need anything stellar in either of the practice areas some my old amps are fine... If I were shopping for those I'd just pick up the cheapest used think I could find.

 

[BBassBassington]

I don't get the poll vs your post options. But, cab at home, cab at practice, transport head is the best option. That's what I do.

But, in your case, cab at practice, transport combo, buy nothing.

I have 1 head, 1 cab, and 1 pedalboard. I get that I can just unplug everything from it and the interface that sits ontop of it, set that aside, wiggle it out of the shelf, bag the head, and then I'm good. Bass on back, amp over shoulder, cab in hands. Total weight about 55lbs.

And I mean that's what I've been doing, or just bringing the head and pedalboard back and forth and having no speakers at home.

What it comes down to is my health. 3 hours of music that's too loud and dealing with various physical pains sucks. I'm often way too drained after practice to deal with any of my stuff and I won't even unpack my bass until the next day sometimes. And those are the days when I'm well enough I'm confident I'll be fine to be out for 5 hours straight. I don't drive so I don't get to set schedules. But it's time with my best friends doing something we all love. Just because my body wants to be done after 2 hours doesn't mean it's not worth doing. I just want to make it as easy on me as possible.

I've also got this problem where I feel I've been working my ass off my entire adult life (at least it feels like it) and I've gotten nowhere. I've spent a ton, learned a lot, done many things, worked jobs, been in college in multiple programs, and the difference between me now and 12 years ago is I have more debt and everything costs more. So I hate anything that adds to that feeling of I just live on a treadmill. Having to redo and undo cable management every week just so I can either film/record or play with the guys isn't good for my moods and often results in me pushing off 1 or the other.

So why not spend a bit of money on what would amount to a good quality of life improvement that also benefits the band?

 

[BBassBassington]

I have 2 main rigs I play out, one big, one smaller(back saver), 1 amp in mt practice room at home and one I leave in the band rehearsal room.

I don't need anything stellar in either of the practice areas some my old amps are fine... If I were shopping for those I'd just pick up the cheapest used think I could find.

I am liking the idea of just getting something cheap for the rehearsal space. I wish I had the strength to lift those old cabs that people sometimes basically give away because they're too heavy and no one wants them. That'd be perfect as it could just live at the drummers house and if we ever disband I could just say Merry Christmas! To which he'd probably hurl the thing at me in protest but hey, you never know.

 

[arbiterusa]

I have one rig. I never leave gear anywhere; this leaves with me and comes home with me. That’s my solution.

OP: Given your situation and wants, I’d get the stage 800 and be done with it. Not the cheapest option, but I think maybe the most convenient.

 

[Killing Floor]

To me there are really 2 schools of thought:
Use a small combo, 10 or 12", maybe 50W to practice.
Or...
You can rock. Put me in the Rock camp. Knitting is for gentile, AMPS are for rock.

 

[Wasnex]

To me there are really 2 schools of thought:
Use a small combo, 10 or 12", maybe 50W to practice.
Or...
You can rock. Put me in the Rock camp. Knitting is for gentile, AMPS are for rock.

Modern gear has really come a long way. I have a Greenboy Dually loaded with Faital 15PR400s. It tilts back and rolls very easily, and is so light that I can lift it with one hand.

I also have an older GK 700RB/112 combo. This little guy also tilts back and rolls. It has a telescoping handle so it reminds of airport luggage. Pretty sure it's heavier than the Dually though. I can do low volume gigs with this rig with one trip from the car.

But the GK is barely loud enough for a cover band. So for loud gigs, I have to use an extension cab for additional headroom. At that point I would be better off with the Dually and a light-weight, class-D head.

 

[JimmyM]

Tons of the greatest bass tracks known to the world have come a little 25w amp and a 15" cab.

 

[brianrost]

I voted for the two cabs approach. I'm always only too happy to carry as little gear as I have to, whether it's rehearsals, recording or gigging.

At home, I just use my backup gig amp so it never moves unless my main amp is in the shop. That only happened once in the last 40 years

 

[Nephilymbass]

I recommend getting some good headphones for the house and just taking the head back and forth if you don’t want to move the cab. Unless of course you might play a rare gig where you could use both cabs together. The rumble 500 head has an aux in and a headphone out. At least the one I know of does. My Mesa amp has those features also and it’s super easy to connect my phone or iPad to the aux in and put on some headphones and jam at home. It doesn’t make much sense to not move these light class d heads back and forth when they only weigh 5 or 6 lbs which is less than our basses weigh and also less than my small pedaltrain mini pedalboard weighs. I know for me I’m using the Mesa subway stuff and I don’t mind moving the entire rig.

For me, my Mesa subway rig is super light compared to my previous rig which included a 90lbs ampeg 410

so I don’t mind moving the entire thing. But when I was using those ampeg cabs they stayed at the rehearsal spot and only left for gigs. I do use my Mesa cab at home when I can but for late night jamming I’d rather crank some headphones than baby the amp level. Lot of bass players frown at using headphones. But I think the key is to get some over the ear actual headphones, not cheap earbuds. These days you can even get stuff like active gaming headphones that have a boat load of low end. I used my Xbox turtle beach active headphones for playing at home for a while. They just have a separate usb tip at the end and you can plug them into a usb charger to power them (like an iPhone charger) and the low end is nuts. I use more flat response headphones for recording to get a more true representation of the sound. But if you’re just practicing and want to be able to feel it, get some over the ear headphones that have really good bass response.