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When do you need a big rig (stack)?

Matthew Bryson

Matthew Bryson

Jul 30, 2001
4,006
23
www.flufferrocks.com
#1
I have an Eden D210XLT and so far it has been all the cab I've ever needed. BUT, I haven't really played any gigs yet. I do play with a group and we rehearse twice a week and have played a couple of private parties. We do plan to start playing out, starting next month. We have two gigs booked and there will be more, probably all at small venues. I'm pretty sure that the 2x10" will still be all that I need.

There is a part of me that wants to add a 15" bottom cabinet just for the tone, but I feel like it's probably overkill. It doesn't help that recently I had an older, more experienced musician whom I very much respect come to a jam and he suggested adding a 15" or 18" cab to my rig for gigging - just for more "thump in the chest" out in the club. It made sense.

I don't ever want to be the guy that shows up at the little tiny club with the huge stacked system that is just over the top for the venue. How big does the club need to be before a 1x15" plus 2x10" is a reasonable rig?

There has been some talk of trying to play an outdoor "street fair" type event (or two) this summer. Last summer we were invited to play one, but had to pass due to "drummer issues"… this summer we have a drummer that is more than ready to play out, and in fact is demanding that we do, so we're going to try to get that gig and the one in our immediate neighborhood as well. Is it worth it to have 1x15" + 2x10" stack available to me for outdoor gigs?

In your opinion, at what point does a 1x15" + 2x10" become appropriate? When should one of the cabs be left home?
 
#2
In my opinion, I use a 1x15 with a 2x10 because that's the tone I want. the 15" punch is part of my sound. My epi 2x10 could easily cover any gig I do, including the bigger 400+ capacity venues, but I want the tone the extra cab gives me.

If you think the added 1x15 would give you a more impressive sound, then it's reasonable wherever you use it, in my opinion.
 
#3
It depends on the music you're playing and, most importantly, your PA support.

You need a big rig, in my opinion, when you've got no PA support at all, or when you're playing somewhere so huge that you need more just to hear yourself on stage. Especially outdoors, though, I'd guess you'll wish you had the 1x15 if it's not available.
 
#4
My rig is almost rediculous for some of the places we play, but I don't care. I'm putting out the sound I want. In fact after I got the NV610 and NV215 several people have come up and said we've never sounded better, or tighter.

So I agree with Inflin. If you think your sound needs more gear, than it absolutely does.

Go for it.
 
#5
you have to remember that this is a forum that fully supports buying new gear for almost any reason ;) GAS is a b****

but yeah, I'd say that adding a cab to your setup now certainly wont hurt anything and it will make you happier with your tone, on stage volume, and probably audience perception of your playing as well. Go for it.
 
#6
This depends on multiple factors as all the others said. There has been very few times I have played that I have not had PA support and IME even on the big stages, the monitor support was enough to overcome any stage volume issues. If you use a DI, your cabs (and amp in some cases) have nothing to do with your sound out front. If you are mic'd, then get the tone you want out of your drivers. If you have a hard time hearing on stage, ask the sound guy for bass in your monitor. My opinion, you never "need" a big rig, but (to contradict myself) it is nice to hear your amp without monitor help. A 2x10 plus 1x15 should be all you need. I almost always only use my 4x10 and it is plenty. Hope that helps ...
 
#7
I use a 210 and a 115 together; I like the way it sounds. As to having too big a rig for a given gig (sounds like a song lyric...), doesn't yours have a volume control? ;^)

EDIT: Since when has 210 + 115 been considered a "big rig"? 2 SVT's and 4 810's, now thassa big rig...
 
#8
ggunn said:
I use a 210 and a 115 together; I like the way it sounds. As to having too big a rig for a given gig (sounds like a song lyric...), doesn't yours have a volume control? ;^)


Headroom is a wonderful thing. It's way easier to find "too small" than "too big". And too small sucks. And you won't know 'til it's too late.

I can't believe so many people on this site gig with such tiny rigs.
Click to expand...
 
#11
It really isn't a case of "when does it become appropriate". As several here have already stated, the size of your rig really isn't that big of a deal as long as you love the sound coming from it. There was a time when I would show up to gigs with a 8'' Yamaha practice amp and have the sound guy mic it. It's a great, clean amplifier for jazz and that was all that mattered. Go ahead and add that extra cabinet. You will end up loving it. Promise.
 
#14
I used a 1/15 and a 4/10 cabinet everywhere I'd played when I was gigging out becaise I got a great tone out of it. I didn't have to turn it up loud at all. I could play in a 100 person capacity bar and be told to turn up some times, but I could play outside fairs and festivals, and have plenty. Truthfully, if you are playing bigger outdoor events, they should have the PA capacity to run a direct line into the board and give you all the extra umph you need out front. It just depends on what rig gets the best personal tune for you first and formost!
 
#15
when do you need a big rig? right now is the answer. i have a hybrid that i love, i have a 2x10 with a mesa walkabout for jazz/blues/jamming/small venues/recording, and then i have a 4x10 with a ampeg svt for rockier music and for huge venues and totally rocking out i have a amp selector so i can use both at the same time, the mesa and 2x10 for low end precision and the ampeg and 4x10 for trebley tool tone.
its orgasmic
 
#17
I used a friends Walter Woods and a 2-10 cabinet and it sounded like poo-poo 'till the mains were kicked in.
He needed more speaker. You need more speaker.
We all need more speaker.
You really need it if you play outside. That is unless the P.A. can handle anything you ask of it and can give you the lows your gonna want.
 
#18
I'm having a similar issue here, I have a SWR workingpro 2x10 combo and I'm thinking i need to add an extension cab. I play a 5 string at times, so I'm thinking an 18 or a 15 is the way to go, anyone have recommendations on what I should be looking for specifically?
 
#19
SMHP said:
when do you need a big rig? right now is the answer. the bigger the rig the larger the size of your penis. {...} its orgasmic
Click to expand...

You might confuse someone. Here's TBer fourstringgirl's rig (I know she was looking to downsize recently):

the_rig_2005.gif
 
#20
Matthew Bryson said:
I have an Eden D210XLT and so far it has been all the cab I've ever needed. BUT, I haven't really played any gigs yet. I do play with a group and we rehearse twice a week and have played a couple of private parties. We do plan to start playing out, starting next month. We have two gigs booked and there will be more, probably all at small venues. I'm pretty sure that the 2x10" will still be all that I need.

There is a part of me that wants to add a 15" bottom cabinet just for the tone, but I feel like it's probably overkill. It doesn't help that recently I had an older, more experienced musician whom I very much respect come to a jam and he suggested adding a 15" or 18" cab to my rig for gigging - just for more "thump in the chest" out in the club. It made sense.

I don't ever want to be the guy that shows up at the little tiny club with the huge stacked system that is just over the top for the venue. How big does the club need to be before a 1x15" plus 2x10" is a reasonable rig?

There has been some talk of trying to play an outdoor "street fair" type event (or two) this summer. Last summer we were invited to play one, but had to pass due to "drummer issues"… this summer we have a drummer that is more than ready to play out, and in fact is demanding that we do, so we're going to try to get that gig and the one in our immediate neighborhood as well. Is it worth it to have 1x15" + 2x10" stack available to me for outdoor gigs?

In your opinion, at what point does a 1x15" + 2x10" become appropriate? When should one of the cabs be left home?
Click to expand...

Heck yes it's worth it to have a 1x15" + 2x10" stack at an outdoor gig.

If you don't mind hauling the gear, then use whatever you like. Some players like to use the smallest rig possible, and mike it up through a PA, and that's fine.
Some bass players like to make fun of others for having big rigs - ignore them and do what YOU want to do. If you feel like you want it, and you can afford it, then do it.

It's FUN to push around lots of air! It's fun to play bass, and using lots of power & speaker cone area is a blast!

I built an amp head using a tube pre-amp, and a 1000W 2-ch SS power amp, and I bought a 2 X 10" (+ hf horn) cab, and a 1 X 18" cab.

For small gigs, the head + the 2X10" works nice, like a coffeehouse gig, or a very small stage in a small room.

But for festival sets, or bar gigs, I use all of it.
Sometimes I feel like it's overkill when I bring my whole rig, but *I like it* and that's what matters. I like standing in front of a big rig and feeling as well as hearing the bass. It doesn't always have to be loud to enjoy it, just find the right balance between cabs, and you get full spectrum sound.

As long as you can haul it, and afford it - Go for it!
 

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