To those who have downsized their rig

[rtslinger]

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 currently own 12-13 amps of all sizes and shapes most were purchased long before class D was a thing
so the combos are all in the 40-65 lb range and the amp heads are not as heavy as my SVT head but they aren't feather weight stuff either. When class D rolled out I went for another combo and it was serving me well till we started to add larger rooms and that pushed me to step away from the combo amps and roll with a light weight head and cabinet. I recently needed more wattage for some larger out door stuff I have picked up. I could bring out a 60 watt for a gig a 200 watt or 300 w for a large show or a 500w just for the really big stuff, but since the 500w head weighs less than any of them as does the 2*10 cabinet just makes sense to gig it. I still gig the Peavey 200w combo at times when the area is too small for the other cabinet.

 

[Stumbo]

The 410HLF is what I have now. Don't get me wrong, I love the thing and plan on keeping it either way (mainly for outdoor gigs) but it can definitely be overkill in many situations and annoying to get in, out, and around some places.

I really appreciate everyone's input so far!

For more options to apply to your 4x10, Check out my thread Rethinking 4x10s

 

[dbase]

I settled on this (I had the PF 50T before and it was nice but it weighed 19lbs) now total is 44.5 lbs, each 12 is 19lbs at 600w.

I can go to 1-12 if needed but 2 keep the Mesa 800+ higher to my eyes if I need to adjust anything (love the HPF for use on practice speakers, Peavey 2x15)

SVT stays home forever now.View attachment 3703076

Sweet

 

[LoTone]

I use that Hartke HD 112 with a GK 800 RB and it has a nice tight punchy tone.

 

[RedMoses]

I don't see this is a downsize, rather a smart reconfig. I ran a Aguilar DB212 with an Eden head bridged @600w, it keeps the paces with any 4x10. If you are going to FOH a 1x12 (300w) you should be good, unless your drummer is really loud, you may want to consider getting the cab off the floor on a stand that is pointing towards your ears.

 

[Pizza1988]

I don't see this is a downsize, rather a smart reconfig. I ran a Aguilar DB212 with an Eden head bridged @600w, it keeps the paces with any 4x10. If you are going to FOH a 1x12 (300w) you should be good, unless your drummer is really loud, you may want to consider getting the cab off the floor on a stand that is pointing towards your ears.

Exactly. That's a better way to put it. I did plan on getting a stand as well like you mentioned. When I am in the PA, sound guys always have my stage volume low enough that I'm sure a 1x12 will be ok lol

 

[bikeplate]

Going modular is a great idea. Especially if the venue sizes are varies and your style of gig is varied

 

[RhynoRock]

I went from a Peavey Kilobass thru a 2x15, to a TC Electronic BG250 combo, to running direct into the board and using in-ears. Best decision I ever made. The portability has been a tremendous blessing as I'm basically a pedal board, two basses & a stand. Plus it frees me up to help with setting up our PA, stage lights and truss etc. Even where we perform and not use our PA system, I'm not battling with the sound guy (when he's sober, that is) to keep my stage volume down and still be able to hear myself.

 

[Lepew]

I use a SansAmp BDDI into the input of an EDEN ENX260 (But probably any clean class D amp would do), and DI out of the amp when there's FOH. I use two Hartke HX112s but I can't comment on the HD112s. It's loud enough for me and I get the tone I want.

-If for a reason other than portability, why did you do it?
>> It sounds good.

-Were you dissapointed in any way?
>> No.

-Do you have any live experience with the cabs I have listed above and, if so, how did you like them?
>> I have the HX112s, not the HD112s but I love them.

-How does a pair of 1x12s handle the low B? (Not worried about this for shows with PA support)
>> I don't know - I only play four strings.

 

[fishdreams]

I went from 2 x G&K 1x12s with 600W Baby Sumo to Quilter Interbass (45W) with 1 13lbs 12x11 Inch Acoustic Image Doubleshot.

For my live needs way more than enough (couldnt believe it myself but there it is), sounds very good, and something I can easily bring taking public transport, walking up and down stairs with a bass and pedals. Also, load-in + setup time <30 seconds.

While every one's musical needs are different; I still think we all (myself included) listen way too much with our eyes (= looking at the size of a rig and reading power ratings that don't tell us anything about what we need, musically).

 

[awakefie]

When I downsized I went from an Eden 2x10 cab stacked on an Eden 1x15 (about a million pounds a piece) down to a Markbass CMD121P (27 lbs @ 350 W). I have since sold the Markbass and went to a pre-amp into the board (<1 1b). That worked fine until I changed bands and had to buy an amp again. Picked up a Rumble 500 2x10 (300w @ 37 lbs) and it works for any gig I play. Never needed an extension cab for either to get the full 500w.

Why did I do it? Getting old and don't want to lug around cabinets. Not planning on going on tour any time soon and if I do it would have to be enough money to hire roadies .

Do I miss the Eden rig? No really, it was my friend for many years but someone else younger is enjoying it.

The Fender (and the Markbass before it) put out a beastly amount of sound for the size and weight. I like a clean modern tone so they both work for me.

The Hartke HDs are nice (I owned one) and put out a brigther, more modern type of tone but can still handle the growl.

 

[Bassdirty]

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 went from a SWR 410 Goliath III (and, for a short time early on, a 115 - long story) with one of the following: an SWR 350X / GK 700 RBII/ GK 1001 RBII/ OLD Carvin 300 Bass / Peavey Mark IV

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

Just for a change, and I felt the 410 was overkill.

-Were you dissapointed in any way?

Never Once

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

Not that brand, But I Use 2 Epifani 112 cabinets. Powered by a Genz Shuttle 6. Played TONS of shows. I will note that I always had PA support. Whether or not you will totally depends on how loud your band plays (and EQ settings). Not really something one can answer on the internet. I think for a standard rock band at "normal" stage volume, 2 @ 112s will be fine.

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

I play a fiver and MY 2 112s handle it fine for what I do (current to classic pop n rock coverband). Again this is subjective. It handles my low B with relatively flattish EQ. I think if youre the type to crank up the bass knob on your amp and crank the volume, 2 12s may not be enough for anything. So its not just volume here, its also EQ. Alot of folks miss this part, and then say that their "brand X" amp cant handle the Low B without "farting out" , only to find that they have the bass knob and volume cranked all up, with all mids and highs turned down.

YMMV

I say go for it.

T$

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

I honestly wasn't impressed with the PF cabs. Love the look though.

Yeah? I haven't tried the 12s, but my 210 is amazing. And loud as hell

 

[gorneyg]

I've had Hartke 4x10 cabs and 1x15 cabs and two 2x10 cabs and a number of other combinations.
I did the same with Eden...and Markbass.
I actually like all the gear I mentioned. All very different but I feel I can make any quality gear work for me.
I decided to go 'lighter' an now have 2 Bergantino 112 cabs and the B|Amp head. I love the sound...the weight...the flexibility.

 

[pingvuiini]

 

[shoot-r]

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'm going counter to where most posters are at in this thread.....

I tried.....I really tried to downsize to smaller cabinets, but found the old saying, "There's NO replacement for displacement" to be 100% true.

I'm back to using my Bergantino NV610 and end every gig with a smile because of the stage filling, huge tone that only comes from multi drivers moving air.

Guess I'm one of the old schooler's, I won't trade transport convenience for sound/tone.

 

[Stumbo]

The 410HLF is what I have now. Don't get me wrong, I love the thing and plan on keeping it either way (mainly for outdoor gigs) but it can definitely be overkill in many situations and annoying to get in, out, and around some places.

I really appreciate everyone's input so far!

+1 for Two vertically stacked 2x10s. Modular, easy to monitor and will fill a venue better than a standard 4x10.

 

[Guitalia]

I've gotten some strange looks from sound guys, but my main setup is now a 250-watt Carvin 1x10 combo sitting on an old wedge-shaped Rocktron 1X12 cab (standing upright). I hear the bass better with that arrangement than with any other I've used, with the possible exception of my beloved mid-'70s 60-watt Univox tube stack (2x2x12 cabs; from their blue-and-lavender era).

By the way, for anyone who still hungers for an affordable moderately powered tube head, the blue/lavender Univox amps are terrific. They were essentially designed as Marshall clones but, unlike the unreliable Marshalls of that era, were built with military-grade components, according to the amp's designer, whom I once met at the Unicord facility in Long Island.

 

[ezstep]

My band had an outdoor gig not long ago, only vocals in p.a. I carried two Bergie 1x12's and a Shuttle 6.0 head. The drummer, the guitarist, and the steel guitarist all commented on my "micro" rig - until we actually started playing. One of them commented afterward that he couldn't believe the volume coming out of a rig not even waist high and fairly narrow.

(I have since "downgraded" in size only, but I have two Subway 1x15's.)

Yes, the 2x12's will handle a low B, depending on eq settings. A hpf might be a good purchase. I firmly believe in them for protection. No, no regrets, either before the Subways nor after.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

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.

Instead of One 410 cab, I have (2) 210 cabs for being modular and also because these two cabs are slightly differently tuned, it’s a great combination. For most shows due to having FOH support, unless I’m on a huge stage or outdoors, I only use one cab (Eden D-210-xst) rated at 500 watts RMS, also rated down to the 32-35hz, so my B string pumps.

To your original question, more than likely you can get by with a 212 cab IMO. No law saying you have to sell the 410 for those occasions where you get into something 212s can’t handle.