What size Cabinet do you use to play Live

[AlexanderB]

Small and moderate gigs: Ampeg SVT-210HE
Medium and larger gigs: Ampeg SVT-410HLF
Occasionally (ie outdoors): the 210 on top of the 410. This sounds the best, it gets thicker around 80-150 Hz, where the HLF is slightly "leaner" than many other cabs. Speaker closer to the ears help a lot, too.

Have also tried the vertical 2x210 solution, but was not overwhelmed by the results.

 

[MTN.bass72]

Fearless F112... tweeter off.

 

[Bunk McNulty]

Two2x10s (Avatar) and a Genz-Benz Streamliner. Stacked vertically. I also have a 4x10 for big outdoor stuff.

 

[Kevorargh]

I use a Mesa Subway D-800 into 2 DNA 1x12 cabs. For everything. I have yet to play any gig that the rig can't handle.

 

[Kmonk]

For large and outdoor venues I use a U.S. made Ampeg SVT 810. For smaller venues I use a U.S. made Ampeg SVT 410HLF.

 

[Muttleybass]

For the last 8 years it's been a 2x12. Just recently downsized to a 1x12 combo that works for me.

 

[okcrum]

There's a seeming consensus of what size rig you need to play live bass here, which is totally at odds with my experience.

Somehow, I'm not feeling consensus from the poll results after 4 pages.

Perhaps it's the venues or genre you play or frequent?

 

[socialleper]

My cab is a 212. If the venue has a backline it is almost always an 810, in which case I use theirs.

 

[Eddie LeBlanc]

No place to select three twelves........

My three twelves do everything I need and not necerssilay need into the PA. All depends of venues size. But so far my three 12 cabs set up can cover many gigs,

 

[Pings Bass]

thought I'd be in the minority with 1x12

 

[mrcbass]

I don't think this is a one answer situation. For me, I play through FOH, so a little 210 for stage sound is plenty.

This probably wouldn't cut it if not going through FOH for a large venue.

Venue and FOH considerations are pretty important to answer this question...

 

[gitfiddl]

Put me in the "depends on the gig" crowd. For small gigs, I tote my old Hartke 1155 Combo (3500 Mosfet head in a 1x15" combo cab; it originally had a 5" HF driver, but it has been disconnected). For larger gigs, if I think I'll be playing funky stuff and roundwound strung bass the majority of the time, I'll take my 4x10" cab. For blues, old-school R&B, gigs where I'll be playing flats for most of the night, I'll take my 2x15" cab. For the latter two, the heads are usually my SWR SM-400 or my GK 400RB-III.

 

[2cooltoolz]

I have several different rigs and different configurations.

My main rig for larger rooms; Mesa Carbine M6 (or D800) with two GK Neo 115s.

Usually for smaller rooms (and they don't have to be THAT small); My GK MB200 head and GK Neo 112:

 

[dbsfgyd1]

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...

I use (2) 210 cabs and run about 600-700 watts into them.

 

[Ooba Tooba]

2 of these stacked vertically powered by that^
They are 2 10s and 2 5” tweeter cabs *image was snagged from a Talkbass member off Google.

 

[Zooberwerx]

Primarily Epifani 3 x 10's but I have Acme 2 x 10's that I rotate thru on occasion.

Riis

 

[beaglesandbass]

none. di.

 

[KohanMike]

For indoor small to medium indoor gigs, a PJBD4, for outdoor and big gigs, a Carvin MB15 combo D 200w with added neo 15" and the matching extension 115MBE, makes 250w. Kick ass, versatile and compact rig.

 

[gelinas666]

This weekend an Ampeg 810 SVT-AV.

 

[alembicbones]

My main rig is a Darkglass Microtubes 900 into a Genzler Magellan 212T, so 2x12 is the standard. However, when I want to use my tube amp, I use a 4 x 10. Thus I voted both.

Bones