Poll: More or less amps?

[BBassBassington]

Despite my and others support for moar amps those few who said I shouldn't add anything did manage to get my brain rumblin.

So I think I've set my Rumble up now to be grab and go. All it took was giving up access to the top panel of my Katana and building a shelf around my drum kit!

I can build a small pedalboard or something to leave at the drummers technically. I've got a handful of boards kicking around if I wanted to have one there and thus only need to bring out the big boy for gigs.

Anyway thanks to this thread I've got a solution which requires:

• No cable management. Just unplug the Rumble and go.
• No moving things to get at the amp
• No moving things to put the amp back (these 3 have fulfilled 90% of what the Stage 800 would have)
• Shared USB access for the Katana and interface (same as before, not a big deal)
• My wireless system to play guitar and PC to modify the Katanas settings (no issue since I almost never play outside recording, it's just another app to have open)
• No need to set up a tripod to film just slide the phone in the holder and hit the red button

And it looks cleaner than before too! I've got better access to the wall plug. I can stand on set and my amps and drums get shown off, and whatever I put on the little display table.

So unless I'm missing something, I think we solved my dilemma Talkbass!

And I greatly appreciate everyone's input! Because should I for whatever reason not like this option I already know that the answer then is to just buy a second cab.

 

[Bill Murray]

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.

1 lightweight cab, done.
Unless you’re gigging full-time there’s no need for 2 rigs (even then I gig 3-7 times a week and only have one).

It’s always good to practice, rehearse, and perform on the same rig. Seems convenient owning two until you have to relocate the gear at your jam spot. Plus, if anything needs to be repaired or replaced it’s the head so even though two cabs seems like you have a back up, you really don’t. Furthermore, cabs (especially bass cabs) are generally going to depreciate so I don’t think it’s worth the investment.

 

[Ken Morgan]

I’ve got 3 distinct pre/power setups with 4 different cab options…I choose the one I think will suit the gig.

For home practice just plug direct into DAW interface…for actual tracking purposes plug in to an Ashley PB41 or Mesa Subway+ pre…if the need arises I can mic any cabinet here, or whatever…

For gigs requiring rehearsal, there’s always something available to plug into.

 

[DrMole]

Rigs everywhere (dead serious)

This is the optimal answer.

Never enough amp rigs.

 

[Black Out Jazz]

The Stage 800 could actually run two Rumble 210s for an extra tall stack that no one can read the settings on!

 

[VitoMB]

I have the same Ampeg rig 410 and rack SVT amp at home and rehearsal. I take my pedalboard and bass back and fort. Then I always have the same tone all the time. I even bought a Ampeg SCR-DI stomp box to simulate my rig tone when I use headphones at home (50% of the time). YMMV

 

[Verb the Noun]

It’s always good to practice, rehearse, and perform on the same rig.

I agree with this line enough enough to have my own rig set up consistent throughout the ways I use it. However, your one lightweight cab and done approach is not for everyone. For those of us who can afford it, saying "Eff it, I want what I want" makes far more sense.

I have the same Ampeg rig 410 and rack SVT amp at home and rehearsal. I take my pedalboard and bass back and fort. Then I always have the same tone all the time. I even bought a Ampeg SCR-DI stomp box to simulate my rig tone when I use headphones at home (50% of the time). YMMV

^ Case in point!

 

[sedan_dad]

i like my Ampeg set up. PF350 and two 210 AV bottoms. ( head + 2 cab ) ( head+ 1 cab) (head+ head phones).

 

[TonyP-]

t
This is how you roll, forget lugging gear around.

Well...Pretty close.
If I’m playing a place regularly, there is a rig there. More specifically, a GK rig. I know not everyone can do that, but it makes it easier on just concentrating on your job.

 

[Bill Murray]

I agree with this line enough enough to have my own rig set up consistent throughout the ways I use it. However, your one lightweight cab and done approach is not for everyone. For those of us who can afford it, saying "Eff it, I want what I want" makes far more sense.



^ Case in point!

Oh for sure, if you have the $$$ go nuts, buy three of everything. I just personally want my load-ins to be as quick and painless as possible and I want to sound the same (within reason) everywhere and every time I play.

I used to have separate rigs for different venues and one at each rehearsal space but it became too much to keep track of, maintain, and look at. Plus, I always wished I was just playing my favorite rig rather than the one that “made sense”.

There are so many incredible amps/cabs out there that are relatively portable and that’s the route I went after slugging around 8x10s, 6x10s, 2x10s, 2x15s, 2x12s, etc.

Barefaced, GreenBoy, Phil Jones, Bergentino, Markbass, and GR that is where the future of bass amplification lies IMHO.

Everyone else is just trying to keep up.

 

[TonyP-]

You get a rig, and you get a rig, and you get a rig!

Boy do I wish someone was handing out free bass rigs.

Oprah approved

 

[TonyP-]

This is the optimal answer.

Never enough amp rigs.

Put one of these everywhere and life gets easier

 

[Wangus67]

I would vote for ‘fewer’, not ‘less’..

 

[Artman]

I voted for #1
I have a Markbass lm3 on top of a 210 and 115 at the rehearsal studio.
At home, a Rumble 210+Rumble 112, another custom built 112, a Rumble 500 head, and a Hartke 3500 head.
I mix and match those as needed for the demands of any gigs. I've had amp failures in the past. It's never a bad thing to have plenty of backup gear available.
I have a small pedalboard that goes back and forth between home and rehearsal or gig.
For recording, it’s always direct.

 

[BaltBass5]

I have my live rig at my rehearsal studio. I also have 2 complete rigs and 2 additional heads at home.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

Boy do I wish someone was handing out free bass rigs.

I've done that before. Total PITA, never again.

 

[johnnynitro]

I voted on #1. I have two Ampeg SVT 410HE's. One is at home. The other at our rehearsal space. I bring my bass & AmpHead to rehearsal. If I need a Big Rig I just stack the two 410s and Walla !!!!!!

 

[two fingers]

Mine would be option 4. Take the head back and forth like option 1. But save your pennies and get one of those little Trace Eliiot tiny heads. Or maybe grab an identical head to the one you already have if a used deal comes up. I could not sleep at night if I didn't have a backup head.

My main head is a Mesa TT800. But if that gets run over by a truck I can grab my Walkabout or Ashdown Little Bastard and keep right on going.

 

[BBassBassington]

i like my Ampeg set up. PF350 and two 210 AV bottoms. ( head + 2 cab ) ( head+ 1 cab) (head+ head phones).

My 2 amps I narrowed it down to was your rig, and the Rumble 500 and 210 that I ended up going with.

I love those little SVT210AVs, great cabs.

 

[BBassBassington]

Mine would be option 4. Take the head back and forth like option 1. But save your pennies and get one of those little Trace Eliiot tiny heads. Or maybe grab an identical head to the one you already have if a used deal comes up. I could not sleep at night if I didn't have a backup head.

My main head is a Mesa TT800. But if that gets run over by a truck I can grab my Walkabout or Ashdown Little Bastard and keep right on going.

You're not the only one while I was away from Talkbass who suggested getting a backup head.

Guess I'll just be keeping my eyes on used gear for a while!