What size Cabinet do you use to play Live

[Thir13teen]

For live playing it is a SWR 2x12 and on top of that an SWR 8x8.

 

[abarson]

There's a seeming consensus of what size rig you need to play live bass here, which is totally at odds with my experience. So I thought, what size rigs do we really use. Poll is limited to bands playing live with an acoustic drummer who uses sticks, otherwise it becomes too meaningless.
I'll do one for amplifier power rating as well. If you have something not listed, then pick the next one up, eg for 3*12 select 4*12. Only select tweeter if you actually use it, not if its turned off! Unlimited selections so you folks with complex rigs can mix and match, or add all your different rigs...

You fail to stipulate whether the gig is indoor or outdoor, crowd size, and whether there's any bass signal feeding the PA. All this is substantive to determining rig size and configuration.

 

[Altitude]

Two Audiokinesis 1x12 Changeling cabinets with a Mesa D-800. I never play anywhere that wouldn’t be enough. And I’m normally IEM and carry only one cabinet and might leave it off.

 

[staurosjohn]

Outdoor (larger) events: 2x10 over 1x15

Smaller venues: 2x12

 

[UtS]

Ampeg SVT 210AV and 212AV, always both. Covers any/every possible scenario, as they sound great quiet and loud, and can get stupid loud if need be... Really, the 210 is mostly there to provide monitor for me, not so much add to the tone (as, IMO, it sounds like the 212, just with far less bottom), but maybe it adds some mids. Doesn't matter much as I'm usually DI'd to the PA/board. But, when there is no board, that 212 can fill a pretty big club with some serious bottom end. It's a beast!

 

[RustyAxe]

I actually bought the Neox used because I have illusions of needing to be stupidly loud at a gig that exists only in my imagination...but it's there if I need it.

Yep, that's why I bought a 2nd STL-12 ... I think it's left the studio three times in six years.

 

[msb]

GenzBenz Streamliner 900 into Bergantino cabs , I have a HDN210 and 112 , most of the time I just bring the 210 . Nice lightweight modular rig .

 

[DWBass]

2x12

 

[MLC_BassPlayer]

One 4x10 for large shows and two 2x8's stacked vertically for small shows.

 

[nilorius]

I would try to use as small and lightweight 2 x 112''

 

[micguy]

I have two classes of gigs:

1) An "acoustic" gig I play, where it's a 110 in a relatively small room, just keeping up with a piano. There is a PA, some reinforcement is used sometimes for me, but not much.

2) Ampless. I don't bring speakers on stage, but the subs are typically 4) 2x18's on the periphery under the stage front. The line arrays, of course, carry some of my signal as well.

 

[el murdoque]

I can't think of a situation where a well built 2x12 with a powerful head won't get the job done.
I sometimes use more but I can't say I need to.

I've played countless gigs with two 212s in the car. I would bring in one to start with, and if I found out I was lacking volume or bass, I'd bring the other. It has not happened that often, but it did happen. Mostly, the room was to blame. But it's hard to tell the venue owner to shift the stage a little and tear down two walls to better accommodate the special sonical needs of the bass playing folk. So brute force it is. Bring in the second 212.

 

[jerry]

It varies according to the gig.

 

[jmhaslip]

I voted 2X10. I played 40+ years with either 1 or 2X15 cabinets but the 10s in the Fender Rumble 500 combo convinced me that I can downsize. As my avatar shows, I also have a 2X10 extension cabinet but it's rarely used.

 

[TinIndian]

Genz NEOx 212t cab with a few different heads, 1980 Musicman HD150, GK 400RBII and my Genz Streamliner 900.
Plenty of volume and it sounds great no matter which head I'm using. Relatively lightweight at just over 50lbs and very easy to live with. I also have a Hartke HyDrive 112 for small rooms and a MESA RR115 (TL606) with and Eminence 3015 driver but that mainly stays in one of my bands practice room.

 

[Stewie]

I like 2, 1X15 cabs. The bottom one is basically to hold up the top one high enough that I can hear it. Also just the right height for a cup if coffee, or soda if there isn't any coffee.

 

[alembicguy]

I use 5 drivers

 

[skyline_01]

I recently went from just using an Aggie GS112 to using an Epifani UL 210. 112 was fine for my original band playing smaller venues but I've also started playing with a 70/80/90s cover band that does a lot of the festival circuit and casino gigs.

I needed to move just a little more air but didn't want to add the extra weight/bulk of a 410 or 212. So far it does everything I need it to do and more - beastly cab!

 

[BioWeapon]

4x10 now, 2x112 once I'm done building them! I can't wait to have 30lb boxes instead of a single 85lb one

 

[lug]

2X12's. One or both, depending on need.