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Rig Advice for someone without a car
- Thread starter Shaerah56
- Start date
Winner.
I was in 5 actively gigging bands for 2 years before I got my license (at 23...don't judge me...).
It can be done, size of the rig doesn't matter but you need to plan out very carefully your practice space(s) location, when you practice, what you leave there, and--most importantly--who in your band(s) you can count on to help you get around if and when you need it.
Dealing with parking in a city, it's always just understood that the fewer cars there are at load-in time the better, so even now that I'm driving I'm often loading my gear and myself into a bandmate's car. The only difference now is that I can return the favor.
Building on this idea, a couple of 2x10s that handle the OP's MB Fusion at 4 ohms and hand truck may solve all his problems. Yes? No?
I was thinking of the MiniMega mainly for the built-in compresser and HPF to save a bit of space on my pedalboard. But I do definitely love my Fusion. It would kind of be a downgrade.
I did also actually look into one of the little micro stack type deals, but those are another thing no one freaking has here. And if I'd be trading amps I definitely want to hear it first.
I think it sounds like my best options are fEarful which I do have people to help me build the flatpacks or a Hathor. Too bad no one builds these things in Canada though.
Also, got a chuckle out of the used car thing. No worries on that score.
We have some fairly decent sized taxis here, a 4x10 fits in most of them either in the trunk or the back seat. It's just not worth keeping the one I have since I can't really push it as it'd be destroyed within a couple months from banging against stuff. And I'm no longer with the band who had a truck and was willing to drive.
I've definitely contemplated the DI route, or even going straight from the Fusion into the PA. But there are still clubs here that don't have them, and may also cause issues at practice if it's just a basement.
A couple 2x10s on a cart would probably work. The size issue wouldn't be so big as I imagine most cars, even little hybrids could handle a 2x10 in the trunk and a 2x10 in the back.
Finally, sorry for not doing the quote thing. The forum software is not the easiest to do that without using the mouse. Especially multiple quotes in one post. I hope I'm understandable without.
I did also actually look into one of the little micro stack type deals, but those are another thing no one freaking has here. And if I'd be trading amps I definitely want to hear it first.
I think it sounds like my best options are fEarful which I do have people to help me build the flatpacks or a Hathor. Too bad no one builds these things in Canada though.
Also, got a chuckle out of the used car thing. No worries on that score.
We have some fairly decent sized taxis here, a 4x10 fits in most of them either in the trunk or the back seat. It's just not worth keeping the one I have since I can't really push it as it'd be destroyed within a couple months from banging against stuff. And I'm no longer with the band who had a truck and was willing to drive.
I've definitely contemplated the DI route, or even going straight from the Fusion into the PA. But there are still clubs here that don't have them, and may also cause issues at practice if it's just a basement.
A couple 2x10s on a cart would probably work. The size issue wouldn't be so big as I imagine most cars, even little hybrids could handle a 2x10 in the trunk and a 2x10 in the back.
Finally, sorry for not doing the quote thing. The forum software is not the easiest to do that without using the mouse. Especially multiple quotes in one post. I hope I'm understandable without.
Barefaced G3 Super Twin wouldn't be a terrible option. I have a Super Compact and you could get away with that depending on how loud your band gets, but I think you'd be pushing it.
Save your back, go DI. If this is not an option then find a GF/bandmate/friend/bum on the street who can drive and has the kindness to drive you to gigs. If all else fails get really friendly with a cabbie/mailman/ups dude/limo driver/pizza guy, but if pizza guy remember *stonerpizza*. Hopefully you get the reference, if not good luck!
It may just be me and my OCD, but I would never trust a cabbie with my gear. I always load my gear a particular way and I drive carefully to minimize the risk damage.
If there's no choice but to take a cab, then I would take a shortscale bass and a DI box so that it can ride with me on the back seat.
If there's no choice but to take a cab, then I would take a shortscale bass and a DI box so that it can ride with me on the back seat.
I gig around town with an Orange TB500 and either a Markbass NY121 or Traveler 121h. Both can handle most of the power the TB dishes out, and have yet to be inadequate when taken to a gig. The head/cab fit easily onto a hand cart, and I take that around on the buses/subways or in taxis. For the biggest gigs I have, I'll bring both cabs in a, well, uh, cab. Outdoor shows tend to have some sort of fridge cab, and any decently large venue will have FOH support, so I can get away with bringing a fairly small cab
- Nov 24, 2008
- 4,343
- 7,163
- Disclosures
- Owner & designer, AudioKinesis; Auth. mfg, Big E (Home Audio only)
It looks to me like there's a 500 watt MB Fusion, and an 800 watt MB Fusion... I'm guessing yours is the 800 watt version?
I don't know of any 12" woofers well suited for bass guitar that can handle an honest 800 watts long-term.
Your backpack idea is intriguing. Without specifying woofers in advance, would something 18" wide by 12" deep by 22" tall be a candidate for your backpack idea? That would give an internal volume in the ballpark of a 112 cab, and I'm thinking that the shallow depth would tend to be backpack-friendly, keeping the center of gravity closer to your body than if the cab was of a more typical depth.
Funny. I had the backpack idea for my situation. It's the getting the pack on and off which seemed like it'd be the hardest part. Once in, maybe not so bad.
maybe I'm missing something blindingly obvious, but if you're talking about wearing a cab as a backpack for non-vehicle travel, where does the bass go?
I was/still am in the exact same position as you and I went for a Genz Benz 210 cab. It's reasonably light (although I would hate to carry it more than 500metres...)
I can (and have) gone to gigs on the bus like this... cab in hand with a gig bag on my back and my Genz Benz Stl 6.2 head.. It's a little awkward but it works!
I can (and have) gone to gigs on the bus like this... cab in hand with a gig bag on my back and my Genz Benz Stl 6.2 head.. It's a little awkward but it works!
Get a hand cart/dolly, and a couple bungee cords to strap it in tight, and you should be able to easily wheel around your head/cab with one hand, leaving you a free one to push people out of the way so they don't bump into/scratch your fancy gear
I think the GK MB410 II is a nice compact rig. It's 500w, and with the extension cab it's 1000w. You should be able to carry it in one hand (only 49lbs), bass in the other.
