• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Rig Advice for someone without a car

#81
Dave W said:
He mentioned that he's either legally blind or probably should be.
Click to expand...

I was being lazy, I read his post, and none of the replies...

THEN I read the thread backwards...

I get it now... For what it's worth, I know a couple of blind guitarists. I don't mean severely reduced vision, I mean no signal through the optic nerve kind of blind... Depending on your city if you are in a city at all, public transit systems often have special shuttles specifically to service the disabled / blind citizens. I have relatives that utilize this service with Houston's Metro transit system. The advice for the Rumble rig is pretty solid IF it meets his B string needs. I wish I knew for sure.... I know one 5 string player that says no, I know a couple others that say yes. I don't know...

I digress though. The guitar players I know that are blind (2 of them, one born that way, one made that way in Iraq I believe he said) rely on friends and family to transport them and their gear. But then again, they don't gig much. The one that does plays an accoustic guitar around town somewhere. I don't recall where... He does pretty well with tips for sure...
 
#82
B-string said:
OP was already going to step down to Peavey, now Fender? :D Slip sliding away, slip sliding away................
Click to expand...

Use an open mind and go audition a Rumble 200 or 500. Lots of guys are moving from Ampeg, Markbass etc... rigs and going to these for the tone, portability etc... I admit I upgraded to mine from a Crate, but my Crate always did what I wanted. My Rumble does things and makes tones I didn't know I wanted but now that I have them I will fight to keep them...

It's funny how Fender seems to get a good name and a bad name at the same time... Go figure.
 
#83
Ok, I'll also put the V3 Rumbles on my list as they do look somewhat interesting.
So I've basically paired it down to a 2x10 with neos, a hand cart and my MB Fusion 500, the RS210C with or without a Rebel head for the wheels and handle, or going with some sort of 2x10 combo whether that be GK or Fender or whatnot. Ideally with built-in transport or on a hand cart.

Good point about cab construction buldog5151bass.

Off to browse L&M to see what's available in Calgary.
 
  • Like
Reactions: dgrizzly
#84
Here are my thoughts on the matter:
I've been in bands with disabled people and if the band wants you, they'll do their best to help. Possibly a guy with a car keeping your cab for you and bringing it with on gig nights.
I'd call a cab company and find out what their max dimensions were for moving the cab, and go from there.
I've been down the road of using PA only. It works but doesn't sound the best. Playing through vocal monitors is no fun. I just got sick of hearing the soundman whine about the bass volume so I told him to deal with it. Also hearing the bass come from the same location as the vocals makes it harder to sing.
If I had a head that I loved and was in such a small package as the MB, I'd stick with it and just find a cabinet.
Modern bass cabs can put out a lot of good sound in small and lightweight packages. I might be looking at MarkBass in that regard. I tried the GK MB line and they weren't quite up to snuff. The NEO line is tremendous, the NEO 115-III being my fave cab of all time. The New fender Rumble V3 stuff is worth a look; leagues beyond the old Rumbles.
Be sure to look at Avatar. The make some nice stuff for a fair price.
Personally, I'd stay away from 12s unless I was using 2 of them. But then, how do you move two of something that you have trouble with moving just one of. (My English teacher would have a heart attack if she read that). Having said that, The GK NEO 2-12 II might be worth a listen. Handles a good bit of power. Reasonable size and weight.
Buy something you don't mind beating up. Again, see Avatar - their lowest level is covered with rat fur. Bedliner if you're going to war. Tolex get junky, fast.
In the end, because you're doing metal and, in my mind, requires a minimum of a 410/212, I think you're going to rely on the graciousness of your fellow band mates to help you get around. And nothing wrong with that at all.
 
#85
Big Hoss said:
I was being lazy, I read his post, and none of the replies...

THEN I read the thread backwards...

I get it now... For what it's worth, I know a couple of blind guitarists. I don't mean severely reduced vision, I mean no signal through the optic nerve kind of blind... Depending on your city if you are in a city at all, public transit systems often have special shuttles specifically to service the disabled / blind citizens. I have relatives that utilize this service with Houston's Metro transit system. The advice for the Rumble rig is pretty solid IF it meets his B string needs. I wish I knew for sure.... I know one 5 string player that says no, I know a couple others that say yes. I don't know...

I digress though. The guitar players I know that are blind (2 of them, one born that way, one made that way in Iraq I believe he said) rely on friends and family to transport them and their gear. But then again, they don't gig much. The one that does plays an accoustic guitar around town somewhere. I don't recall where... He does pretty well with tips for sure...
Click to expand...
I play 5-string through a Rumble 500 combo and for me it works fine. But I play funk, jazz soul and blues, not metal. In my mind, it would be a stretch if I was pounding on that B-through-D for entire songs. Not for the amp, but for the cab. That a lot to ask of 10's.
 
#86
I'd say get u a set of IEM's and a Jule Monique . Feed the house PA and play away.

If I where in your place I'd make sure that what ever club you where trying to play at, had a decent PA to suport your rig before booking a show there.

Also if u play in a band, can u not ride with one of your band mates to the gigs?
 
#87
Make your own 410 cab but stack the speakers vertically so you have a slim tall cab? You could also get a class D amp. And then place it on a dolly cart with straps. That way you could walk down the street and perhaps go on the train with it. They have spots for people with bikes. Maybe they would let you on too. I recently got a 5 string and the low B comes through fine on a 410 in my opinion.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MattZilla
#88
Shaerah56 said:
It's definitely difficult. But until they figure out how to let people with little to no sight drive I'm depending on others or transit. I do have some numbers of cabbies, but waiting especially after gigs could be an issue.
I'd love to just get a 1x12, get someone to make a nice strong backpack type case for it and go that way, but I haven't seen anything that'll handle the Fusion at full power in a form factor I could carry on my back. Except maybe Barefaced, and possibly fEarful, though I haven't really looked into fEarful much.
As for a girlfriend with a car, yeah that's been a fantasy since I've lived on my own. Hasn't come true yet though. They don't seem to grow on trees. Or bus stop poles.
I'll cross the PH1200 off my list, the negative opinion by far outweighs positive.
Again, thanks for the responses.
Click to expand...
I would really look into a 212. A fearless or barefaced 212 may be the answer. Depending upon your budget.
At least a 112.
 
#89
Shaerah56 said:
Hi TBers
Here's the situation: Due to not being able to drive I need a good loud rig that'll fit in the back of smallish cabs, on a hand cart for transit/walking or have its own tiltback transport system. I have to be able to pull it behind me. I've currently got an MB Fusion and may be upgrading to a MiniMega this summer if it's as good as it looks from description and specs.
I play mostly metal at this point, but I don't have a steady band so that could change. I'm a 5 stringer, so I'd like something that can handle the low B, but still give me some clarity for higher notes.
The options I've found I can test before buying are the Mesa Powerhouse 1200 and a Traynor 8x8 cab. Other options I'm looking at are AudioKinesis and Barefaced, a stack of TC Electronic 2x10's, or a 6x10 from Mesa or Ampeg.
Are there any other suggestions I should think about? Opinions on the cabs mentioned for my type of music? Should I give up, find a stage monitor or set of IEMs and do everything through the PA and hope I don't get a gig where there isn't one?
Thanks for any opinions offered.
Click to expand...
Forget the girl friend with a car you don't want to bring sand to the beach. Look around for a used mini van you mite fine one cheaper than an amp!!! and go from There. good luck.
 
#91
I know this thread is almost a year old but I would recommend a big enough combo just to hear yourself on stage and a DI like a Whirlwind. The person doing sound will love you for it. in a pinch just take the DI and use a floor monitor, won't sound the greatest to your ears but will get er done.
 
#95
@Shaerah56 — I recommend the Ampeg PN-210HLF cabinet. Ampeg PN-210HLF 2x10" 550-Watt Neodymium Bass Cabinet with Horn | Sweetwater.com
47 lbs., 550 watts at 8 ohms, small, loud, light, not cheap.

With the right cart and a taxi-cab friendly cabinet(s), you could take just about anything.
Check this out: Gruv Gear V-Cart Solo | Sweetwater.com

A pair of cabinets that are about the size of large roll-aboard type suitcases should be within the cargo capacity of any cab. A cart that folds to not much bigger than a bass case, and you are good to go. Take a 210, a pair of them or even 2x115. Heck, a fEARful 15/6/1, or even a 212 dually would work. Skip the combos, the 410 and the 4 space rack!

 
Last edited:
#96
You can easily fit a Markbass 2 x 10 cab in a car seat or a trunk. Add an LM3 to that and you're covered.
It won't be the biggest, loudest rig on the planet but it will handle quite a lot of situations. And you can DI it for bigger presence if the need calls.
 
#97
Avatar SB126 are @ 39 lbs each (with the neo drivers) and are a good bet. Cheap, loud, light, small.
6 inch mid drivers, crossover, and you can pick from several top-rated 12 inch drivers. You could do two on a cart.
Invalid Link Removed
 
#100
Jim Carr said:
Isn't the form factor of the neo 212 essentially the same as a 410 cube? Those are a problem fitting into most taxi cabs, IME.
Click to expand...

Makes ya miss the old Checker Marathon cabs doesn't it? Those things could haul a mess of speaker cabs!
27780134.165182156.jpg
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back