To those who have downsized their rig

[rtslinger]

I downsize to 2*10 with a 1*12 when needed
running a 500w head to FOH 90% of the shows, so my Carvin 2*10 on a amp stand works great for me some gigs I will run IEM
and no stage amp any of these solutions beat dragging out my 1975 SVT amp.

 

[JRA]

What's up with this "one perfect amp for all occasions" thing ??

ha!

well, you're right about taking the rig that suits the gig, however: many of us are either under-funded (to actually be able to do that) or under-whelmed (tired? enough to avoid doing that). but good on you for having the variety of gigs to warrant multiple rigs!

TBH: i could summon up a rig for any occasion no matter how big or small, but: one lightweight, go-to rig is a preference these days... if i can help it.

 

[jnewmark]

I haven't used any of the rigs the OP mentioned. I just got tired of hauling around a rack mounted rig and a JBL loaded 215. Portability for sure, but also light weight load on my 71 year old back. I split the 215 in to two , neo loaded 15 cabs, and use a GB Shuttlemax 12.2 light weight head. Usually, I only use one 115 cab most of the time. Got a little, Rock n Roller hand cart and I'm good to go.

 

[johnpbass]

If you want to stick with Ampeg, the 112AVs sound really great, IMO. Would work well with your PF500

 

[dramatwist]

I went from Carvin BX600 with 210 and 115 to a Carvin BX600 with 212 to a Genz Benz 12T 6.0 shuttle to direct into PA (VERY minimalistic).

I wanted an amp again so...
I now gig with an Acoustic B300HD amp into a Carvin BRX 10.2 4 ohm cabinet ($432 total). Couldn't be happier. Portability and a smaller footprint were my deciding factors. I don't miss the larger rig at all and I sometimes leave my amp home and run direct into PA for very small gigs.

...recently acquired an Acoustic B300HD and couldn't be happier with it... also run direct for smaller gigs with an MXR bass d. i. +...

 

[CallMeAl]

I haven’t used a 410 since college. I’ve been doing small scale stuff and using mostly 12” or 15” combos.

I just picked up a Markbass CMD 121p, and it’s freaking incredible. The high quality speaker makes such a difference. I can add a second 12” cab, but doubt I will even need to do that! I can’t ever see going back to a 410

 

[Das Jugghead]

I have some questions, but first:

I am thinking of going from a 4x10 to 2 1x12s. I plan on keeping the same amp (Ampeg PF-500).

I have: Ampeg 410HLF
Interested in: Hartke HD112 (x2)

The Hartkes are great cabinets

-If for a reason other than portability, why did you do it?

I did this for portability as well as stage foot print and PA support. Some of the stages I play are stupidly small and real estate is at a premium. With PA support I use my cabinets as monitors.

-Were you dissapointed in any way?

I tested them up at Sweetwater and was thoroughly impressed with them. I ended up buying Mesa/Boogie Subaway 112's but it was awfully close between the two of them.

-Do you have any live experience with the cabs I have listed above and, if so, how did you like them?

I do not have any live experience with them per se but I did have them up pretty loud in the room where I tested them.

-How does a pair of 1x12s handle the low B? (Not worried about this for shows with PA support)

I did a review of them here

Why? Half of our gigs, I am in the PA and half I am not. My plan is to use 1 of the 12s when I am, and both when I am not. I understand that the reality is that I will not be sure until I gig with them. They sound fantastic in the store, but we all know that isn't the end all be all.

Very true. You will not know how they sound for you unless you put them in the environment you plan to used them in. All I can tell you is that I had them up pretty loud and was worried I might get into trouble for it. They sounded great but in the end what works for one person may not work for others. I would say the best bet would be if you were able to find a way to test them at full volume such as at rehearsal to see how they perform for you. Most reputable places have a return policy on gear purchases (within reason).

 

[Pizza1988]

Ya know... A lot of folks here are proud of owning way too many guitars and basses (I'm reformed to a reasonable number now, but I've been there), so I just don't understand the seeming obsession on TB with having apparently ONE "right sized" amp. I own six different bass amps right now, and one of them is "just right" for whatever I may encounter, including leaving one in a practice space, loaning one out to a close friend, etc. ...but I'd buy another if it was something really cool that I really wanted. What's up with this "one perfect amp for all occasions" thing ??

I think you took all of this the wrong way I am keeping the 410. Not looking for the "perfect rig for all occasions". I am weighing my options to remedy the biggest part of gigging that makes it a PIA. I just don't want to jump on spending money and find out it was a waste. I plan on using the 410 for outside gigs and leaving it in my drummers basement where we practice. This way, I don't have to haul it up and down steps and around corners every time. It will, at the very least, be my "rehearsal rig".

Portability was the only reason for me, weight was the biggest concern, though I had also been hearing good things performance wise to the cabs I was downsizing to (a pair of GK Neo 112-iis)



Honestly, yes. For my needs, one was nearly useless even for rehearsals with my drummer, and with the pair, I felt I had a hard time getting enough low-end from them at-volume. I had to sacrifice lows for low mids, which is sometimes fine, but sometimes I just wanted my low-end.



Nope, I can only speak from my experience with my GK and Avatar 12" pairs that I had in my transitional phase before going to a Fearless.



Honestly, my 12s handled the low B just as well as any other note. It was more the overall tone of the cabs that left me wanting. B was fine, and consistent with other notes.



YMMV, but I couldn't have gotten away with one as a monitor. Thankfully many Philly venues have backline cabs, but I wouldn't be surprised if you wind up taking the pair everywhere.

Thanks for the well executed response, Kro. I think if I end up taking both 12s everywhere, it will still be better than hauling the 410.

If you want to stick with Ampeg, the 112AVs sound really great, IMO. Would work well with your PF500

I thought about these, but I really like the Hydrive speakers from Hartke. That on top of the fact that I have played through them but haven't found the Ampeg ones to try. I haven't completely ruled them out though.

 

[fhm555]

I have some questions, but first:

I am thinking of going from a 4x10 to 2 1x12s. I plan on keeping the same amp (Ampeg PF-500).

I have: Ampeg 410HLF
Interested in: Hartke HD112 (x2)

-If for a reason other than portability, why did you do it?
-Were you dissapointed in any way?
-Do you have any live experience with the cabs I have listed above and, if so, how did you like them?
-How does a pair of 1x12s handle the low B? (Not worried about this for shows with PA support)

Why? Half of our gigs, I am in the PA and half I am not. My plan is to use 1 of the 12s when I am, and both when I am not. I understand that the reality is that I will not be sure until I gig with them. They sound fantastic in the store, but we all know that isn't the end all be all.

I’ve been using a pair of Avatar 126 cabinets with a BX500 for a few years now and i have zero complaints. I rarely play through FOH but i can still get away with a single box unless the room is pretty big. Since both cabs are 4 ohm and my amp is 2 ohm capable, i can get really loud if needed but it’s rare and usually outdoors with no PA support that I need to push my amp. Both cabs have a variable crossover which is another nice feature that allows me to add or subtract boom as required. I made the switch from a Hartke 410XL and an SWR Basic 350 after an accident mangled my legs and i could no longer have something riding against my legs while carrying and i have a hard and fast rule that i don’t take anything out of the house i can’t schlep on my own. There are exceptions but they are rare. I was concerned at first but after my first outing with the new rig any concerns were assuaged and i also discovered i could get away with just one box for a lot of what i’m doing these days. Sorry i can’t help with brand specific info on the speakers you are looking at but i can say without reservation i’m a happy camper with my pair of 126 cabinets.

 

[Pizza1988]

The Hartkes are great cabinets



I did this for portability as well as stage foot print and PA support. Some of the stages I play are stupidly small and real estate is at a premium. With PA support I use my cabinets as monitors.



I tested them up at Sweetwater and was thoroughly impressed with them. I ended up buying Mesa/Boogie Subaway 112's but it was awfully close between the two of them.



I do not have any live experience with them per se but I did have them up pretty loud in the room where I tested them.



I did a review of them here



Very true. You will not know how they sound for you unless you put them in the environment you plan to used them in. All I can tell you is that I had them up pretty loud and was worried I might get into trouble for it. They sounded great but in the end what works for one person may not work for others. I would say the best bet would be if you were able to find a way to test them at full volume such as at rehearsal to see how they perform for you. Most reputable places have a return policy on gear purchases (within reason).

Another great response. Thank you. I think they will be loud enough since my one guitar player (the loud one) just downsized from a 4x12 to a 2x10 Orange combo. Still loud, but tamable

 

[Spidey2112]

Once you go down the only way is back up again.

 

[40Hz]

Went from an Acoustic 360/361 with dual cabs, to an Acoustic 371/301 with single cab, to an SWR SM-400 and two Goliath Jr. II 2x10s back in my heavy gigging days.

My two main rigs today are an Ampeg B100R for small jobs and an SM-400 and one 2x10 for the “bigger” stuff.

I was never disappointed with any of them.

I’m a subscriber to the notion of appropriate technology. As in “just enough tech to do it right.” I’ve gradually downsized over the years because I could never see the point of owning and schlepping around a bigger rig or using more “stuff” than I actually needed. And I never liked “LOUD!!!” despite it being the thing back in the day.

Probaby sounds like heresy saying that in the land that brought the world breast implants and the 50 oz Double Big Gulp Dr. Pepper. But so it goes.

 

[Slevage]

I did the same thing years ago with excellent results. My gigs are not hard hitting rock, but I did a couple loud jams where the 2-12’ did the job.

If I were in a situation to need more volume, I’d have 2, 2-12 cabs.

 

[micguy]

I used to play loud gigs with amps on stage in small clubs. Now, I play much bigger gigs (audience wise), where the PA covers the audience (I'm ampless on those gigs), so the need for a loud amp rig went completely away. I do have a 1x10 and a 1x12 cabinet - I use the 1x10 for "coffee house" (OK, maybe a bit louder than that, but not a lot) gigs. The 1 x 12 is in case I ever get a somewhat bigger gig that needs an amp - it's also designed to work with the 1x10 (very similar phase responses), so I can use both at once if need be - that combination will be a little more capable than a typical 2x10.

In doing all this, I have gone from 80 pound cabinets (without handles - the only way to carry them was one person bear hugging them) to cabinets (very well braced) that weigh 32 and 42 pounds respectively, and...they have 2 handles each, so I can enlist help if need be.

Funny thing is, the amps I have now, while much lighter and smaller, have more power available than those I used to use to play loud club gigs.

 

[crabbybassman]

Downsized to a Bergantino Forte head with the Bergantino HDN212 and have not even thought about using anything else. To my ears this little rig and my Gibson SG Basses are a match made in heaven. I recently started adding in the two Notes Le Bass Tube pre-amp in order to give me back a little grit and quick tonal options. As the Bergantino amp doesn't have any added coloring. Constantly getting compliments on my tone. Glad I downsized for sure.

 

[Shanannigan]

I wish more manufacturers would offer cabs with smaller speakers than 10' and 12'. The most convenient for travel, and the best sounding set up I've ever seen was a local bassist in my area who has a number of 4x4 cabs. He just brings however many of them he needs for the gig type. They're just as powerful sounding as any 12' I've heard, but they're also the tightest sounding speakers I've heard.

 

[Pizza1988]

I wish more manufacturers would offer cabs with smaller speakers than 10' and 12'. The most convenient for travel, and the best sounding set up I've ever seen was a local bassist in my area who has a number of 4x4 cabs. He just brings however many of them he needs for the gig type. They're just as powerful sounding as any 12' I've heard, but they're also the tightest sounding speakers I've heard.

The Hartke HD508 (4x8 Combo 500w) had my interest for a minute. Didn't like it much in person though.

 

[brianrost]

-If for a reason other than portability, why did you do it?
-Were you dissapointed in any way?

I went from using 15s to using 12s back in the 90s because I was working a lot in a really tiny bar and my 1-15 cab was pretty big. I used a homemade cab loaded with an EVM-12L. Around 2000, I bought a pair of Epifani 112's and then about a year later switched to Bergantino 112's which I still use. I goosed the bass EQ up a bit to compensate for the slightly weaker low end of the 12s.

As far as heads I went from an 1961 Fender Bassman to a 60's Sunn Sonaro to an 80's Boogie D-180 before going all solid state with an A.M.P. BH-420 around 1990. A decade later changed over to a Walter Woods head because it had two preamp channels and I was starting to do a lot of gigs playing both BG and DB. The Woods was a precursor to today's class D heads. A Woods weighs 7 pounds, the A.M.P. was about 20 and the tube heads were measured in tons The weight was not a purchasing factor, although I certainly grew to appreciate it!

-Do you have any live experience with the cabs I have listed above and, if so, how did you like them?

No experience.

-How does a pair of 1x12s handle the low B? (Not worried about this for shows with PA support)

Even a single 12 can handle the low B, at least all of the ones I've used. I only use a pair when I have to really blast, like on outdoor stages.

 

[Paulabass]

Only one reason. Good P.A.s. The only time I need more stage volume these days is a sidewind at a festival, but even then, when I can, I spec wedges...just in case.

 

[mrjim123]

Just last month I bought two Hartke HD112's and I'm very happy that I did. I haven't gigged them yet but in the bedroom at low volume or relatively high volume they sound better (more balanced, more clarity) than either my Acoustic BN112's or my Trace Elliot Elf 1x10's. They sound great with my Mesa Boogie D-800 and my Fender Rumble 500.

I like small cabs for portability reasons. I'm 68 and I've learned my body's limits.