To downsize or not to downsize

[NL_Bsss65]

Was discussing with the mrs the other day about my amp set up.
It’s a tranyor yba200 and 1x15 cab
I don’t currently play in a band or out any where and just use it for home practice
It’s defiantly overkill but I love its tuby goodness. Just too much for what I need .

she thinks it takes up too much space in the house and I should ditch it for something much smaller. And put the money toward something else.

I’ve had this setup for the past 10 years it was a gift from my parents back when I was in collage and still played out quite frequently.
I love it’s tone being all tube but I kind of agree whit her in some ways

we were at the local music stores the other day picking up my Xmas present
(Ehx bass mono synth) and she pointed out some smaller amps that might be better for my situation.

what are your guys opinion on downsizing in this matter what are good options?
I’ve looked at a couple I might like but haven’t tried yet
Ex:
Tech 21 vt bass 200
Fender rumble 200
Vox mini super beatle bass
Amped mini svt

or keep the yba200 and get a smaller cab

or a smaller cab and head set up

 

[Biffa]

Aye, keep it all and bin the Mrs. All that stuff cost a small fortune whereas a new Mrs can be picked up for three Bacardi and Cokes and a Kebab

 

[DeepFriedBass]

Youre in the best situation to owna tube amp. Stays stationary at home. Wife sounds more worried about her feng shui than your passion. Theres a lot of guys that would love to have your amp, it's just too heavy for them to lug around all week.

 

[ihixulu]

If a 115 is "taking up too much space", your next smallest option will also "take up too much space" pretty soon. It's a rig you like, is in good shape, is paid for, and has sentimental value. Sorry but ***

 

[Wasnex]

IMHO, a YBA200 and 115 is certainly more than you need for home practice, but it's not a huge rig and you retain the ability to do a gig if the opportunity presents.

If you can't afford bacon and there is no room for the babies crib, sell the amp. Otherwise perhaps something else is going on.

I've been divorced for a long time, so I probably shouldn't give any more advice on this matter.

Good luck with your dilemma .

 

[Raw N Low]

I agree that the YBA and a 115 should have a small footprint considering. Maybe she wants something that is a bit quieter? I'd keep your tube amp and purchase a small quality head that you can use with it.

 

[Hundred proof]

I’ve owned the Traynor in the past, used it with a 2x12 same footprint as my current 1x15, not a big amp for for my live needs. What size is right for in home is totally up to you. Me personally I use a 1x15 at home.

 

[DeepFriedBass]

2 x 8" cabs are pretty cool.

I am curious as to where she's coming from, I wouldn't want to give advice that would hurt a relationship.

 

[pcake]

having more space is overrated - our place is packed with bass gear (mine) and guitar gear (his), and i have a keyboard on the way

it's your residence, too - if you love your gear, you should get an equal vote.

 

[Omega Monkey]

If you're not playing in a band or gigging, why would you want to lose money selling what you already have, and then spend MORE money to get something small for the sake of being small, that you will probably not like as much? That makes no sense. And at any rate, anything you get is not really going to be significantly smaller in terms of footprint anyway.

Also, selling the thing you like that has sentimental value as well is ill advised.

And as someone said, a homebound rig is the best time to have heavier gear.

I think you're almost certainly going to lose money and lose enjoyment if you go with something different than you have. Is the space really that big of an issue, or is she just trying to assert control? Is there another area where you can make more space somehow as a compromise? If a bass, head, and cab is all the gear you have, frankly she's being a bit unreasonable by demanding you shrink even further and sell the thing you got from your parents. If she has something of similar sentimental value and functionality (or just that might be worth, see if she wants to get rid of that in solidarity. My guess is she'll say no and then you'll know what this is all really about.

I could never be with someone who tried to limit my passion and pursuit of music like that. It's one thing to have a compulsive gear buying habit (like the recent thread with people talking about having dozens of basses that they have stashed in every crevice in the house that they never play), but this doesn't sound like that at all. I say stand your ground and see if there's some other path forward that you can both be happy with. But right now she's asking you (rather unfairly) to sacrifice something for her without getting anything in return. That's bogus and not how healthy relationships should work.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Odds are you will lose money if you flip, and what you get won't be much smaller.

 

[DeepFriedBass]

To a previous poster, It may just be that she's taken an interest In how he can get extra money for more effects pedals by downsizing the rig, hard to draw conclusions

 

[40Hz]

she thinks it takes up too much space in the house

Thinking about the physical dimensions of a YBA200 and your average 1x15, I get the distinct impression the space it occupies is not her actual issue with it unless you’re living in unusually small digs.

 

[hennessybass]

I vote to get a new “small amp” that you like and she likes the look of, and stash the Traynor /115 in a closet in the spare room - you can pull it out now and again for a little playing sesh, and have it ready to go when you start playing out again.

 

[lomo]

If space is the major issue, and not $$, then a good 112 combo won't be THAT much smaller, but will be easy enough to move around that it can live in a closet when not in use. I'd go with a Traynor SB112....made in Canada with 2 year warranty, sounds good, can hang with a reasonable drummer and has a DI.

 

[juancaminos]

A 1X15 takes too much space?
Anyway...cover the 1X15 and put it in the garage, get a 1X10. Or get the Fender Rumble but I don't see that as being much smaller.

 

[singlemalt]

Join a band, leave the amp at the practice space.

 

[BluesWalker]

MarkBass Micromark 801 combo.

 

[staurosjohn]

MarkBass Micromark 801 combo.

+1... and not much bigger than a Yorkie!

 

[FronTowardEnemy]

Keep the tube amp. It was a gift, and well...............it’s TOOBZ!!!