Tiny Head, Same Big Speaker Cabs: What's the Point?

[InhumanResource]

You're either trollin' on the backwaters looking to tease the faithful here, or are seriously out-of-touch with today's cabs.

Aside from the boutique brands, Fender's Rumble series has been the darling of lightweight cabinets since the V3's were introduced.

Look and tell shall see, Selowitch. BTW, I'm guessing the latter...

I like this, but I don't get it. My band is fairly loud and I have to resort to a double 410 for enough stage volume. Granted we are a weekend warrior band and don't have a monster PA with subs where I only need a monitor. I still rely on the PA for front of house but with smaller rigs I'm just steamrolled in the mix.

 

[BOOG]

I can see this logic applying to someone who is lugging around an 8x10 - if you're hauling a fridge then what difference does it make if you have a bass amp that is small? I guess I could understand that...but...there are quite a few options for lightweight cabs which also have a small footprint and sound awesome (Markbass, GK, TC electronics).

Gone are the days of lugging a 165lb 8x10 fridge and a 75lb SVT head....or are they?

Naa, just different tools for different jobs.
I would venture to wager that the majority of bass players are not playing in front of more than a hundred people capacity venues. If that’s true (admittedly I have no data to back that up but I think their are more amateur musicians than professionals) than peavey and TE and others are locking in to where a large part of their revenue is generated. That includes people like me who are musically inclined, have the $$$ to spend and doing weekend warrior gigs and jamming in smaller places.
Peavey/Trace Elliot filled a niche and they’ve done it above all others IMO.

 

[beaglesandbass]

I am aware of the trend toward tiny, lightweight bass heads. That's all well and good, but what's the point if most speaker cabinets are just as large and heavy as they've always been. I am genuinely perplexed. Other than perhaps using a tiny bass head for practice (with headphones) or maybe the studio, what's the point of having it in a live setting?

If you have PA supports what’s the point of having any amp in a live setting if you can just get something like a Sansamp and go right to the board?

 

[Josh Kneisel]

My GK 700RB rides in it's rack with a Furman on top of my Ampeg 610 which rolls on it's back in it's case... For small gigs I either use my 1x15 or if there is no space at all a SansAmp directly to the PA. I do want a smallish combo amp to add to the arsenal, but I don't really feel a need for a micro head.

 

[Josh Kneisel]

If you have PA supports what’s the point of having any amp in a live setting if you can just get something like a Sansamp and go right to the board?

I do both because I don't trust most/every sound guy to give me what I need/want to hear of myself through monitors, and I like hearing myself through a bass amp.

 

[bassbrad]

I like my tiny GK MB500 head because it has the sound and enough power for all my gigs small to large. These days I rarely need anything more than my 1x15* that is either loud enough or a stage monitor into the PA. If something more might be needed I am sure to negotiate cartage.

*Walter Box "Tall Boy" ported 1x15 loaded with a Peavey Black Widow 1502-4

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Would you rather hump one heavy SOB into a gig, or two of them?

Also, lots of cabs have casters.
I haven't seen too many wheeled tube heads around.

There is also an invention called a hand truck.

 

[mrjim123]

The fact that he's 13 feet tall and his head is normal sized doesn't enter into it, right?

Isn't that Todd's little brother, Todd of Big Head Todd and the Monsters?

 

[dbsfgyd1]

I am aware of the trend toward tiny, lightweight bass heads. That's all well and good, but what's the point if most speaker cabinets are just as large and heavy as they've always been. I am genuinely perplexed. Other than perhaps using a tiny bass head for practice (with headphones) or maybe the studio, what's the point of having it in a live setting?

Lots of cabs out there that are much lighter. A lot of posters here swear by the Neo cabs. At age 65, I understand the attraction, but frankly, I haven’t found a cab that I like better than what I’m using. Yep, they’re a load, but they are extremely efficient, built like a tank, and weigh half as much..lol! But I’ve not heard a better sounding rig.

 

[David Jayne]

I want O/D from the amp, not a pedal.
I own one pedal, out of functionality, DigiTech Drop.

In line with the topic, tiny amps. I think it's kind of strange to get a tiny amp & then plug pedals into it. Just get a bigger amp with the functionality you need.




I've never played bass (or guitar) in my bedroom.

Most big amps don't do overdrive either.

 

[4SG]

190 replies before I got to this thread so I'm not reading those. Just replying to the OP that lighter weight is worthwhile in both heads and cabs if you don't have to sacrifice sound. For example, I love my 5 lb. Mesa D800 but am still waiting to replace my 100 lb. Mesa Powerhouse cab with an ultralight one. And if Mesa doesn't bring out a Subway 4x10 or 2x12 sooner than later I'm going Barefaced.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

Most big amps don't do overdrive either.

That's why I shopped mostly for tube guitar heads.

 

[David Jayne]

That's why I shopped mostly for tube guitar heads.

That's fine and all, but wouldn't work for me with the load-ins I face working in a wedding band. Mini lightweight all the way. When my rock gigs come up I toss a pedal on it. Easy.

 

[alaskaleftybass]

musicians friend

Very true, I jumped the gun, but I bought one similar at our local True Value. A great addition to any musician's inventory!

 

[matthewbrown]

So I have to go out and buy lightweight cabs to replace the ones I currently own?

Or, you could have your current cabs go on a diet.

 

[Stumbo]

Very true, I jumped the gun, but I bought one similar at our local True Value. A great addition to any musician's inventory!

190 replies before I got to this thread so I'm not reading those. Just replying to the OP that lighter weight is worthwhile in both heads and cabs if you don't have to sacrifice sound. For example, I love my 5 lb. Mesa D800 but am still waiting to replace my 100 lb. Mesa Powerhouse cab with an ultralight one. And if Mesa doesn't bring out a Subway 4x10 or 2x12 sooner than later I'm going Barefaced.

Check out Revsound 2x12(35lbs) or 4x10(56lbs).

RS212 Bass Cabinet | RevSound
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[Breeze3]

I am aware of the trend toward tiny, lightweight bass heads. That's all well and good, but what's the point if most speaker cabinets are just as large and heavy as they've always been. I am genuinely perplexed. Other than perhaps using a tiny bass head for practice (with headphones) or maybe the studio, what's the point of having it in a live setting?

I use/have a GB Shuttle for a few reasons , first off it's a great sounding amp and second I can fit into a small shoulder bag. I don't always need any of my cabinets for gig's because back line is supplied but I always take my amp.

 

[yodedude2]

here's a thought: i am not so naive to believe that heavy = good.

 

[mmbongo]

190 replies before I got to this thread so I'm not reading those. Just replying to the OP that lighter weight is worthwhile in both heads and cabs if you don't have to sacrifice sound. For example, I love my 5 lb. Mesa D800 but am still waiting to replace my 100 lb. Mesa Powerhouse cab with an ultralight one. And if Mesa doesn't bring out a Subway 4x10 or 2x12 sooner than later I'm going Barefaced.

What Powerhouse cab do you have? If you want a 2x12, I'd get a pair of the Subway 12's..or better yet a 115 and a 112. Or you might want a pair of the 210's if you need more output.

I haven't used the Barefaced 212's, but comparing the 112's, the Barefaced cabs are definitely lighter. But they also don't have the output, heft, or bulletproof construction of the Mesa's. They are also very clean, uncolored sounding cabs so they won't sound like your Powerhouse cab at all. But BF cabs are fantastic considering their light weight.

 

[Red Planet]

So how about a massive head into a tiny cab?