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Why lightweight?

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Well, if I had roadies, I wouldn't think twice about the size and hassle factor of anything I use. But, I like a quick load in and easy setup so I am always looking for ways to make things as simple as possible. Moving to smaller lighter stuff helps. I am talking small to medium sized bars/restaurants with a band that doesn't play too loud.

If I were playing big stages and outdoor shows I imagine my preferences would be different.
 
While this is obviously a troll thread and as such has been inhabited by more than just the OP troll (the usual TB stable of pot stirrers), I'm still gonna answer.

I carry a nice ol' Fender Twin Reverb filled with nice heavy Weber California speakers for every show. I also carry plenty of other heavy gear too.

I have a wonderful sounding high power amp and speaker setup that is all of 6 feet tall when set up. It kills and doesn't need to be 300 pounds to do it. One (or three) less heavy lifting trips in and out of the club is never a bad thing.
 
Well, if I had roadies, I wouldn't think twice about the size and hassle factor of anything I use. But, I like a quick load in and easy setup so I am always looking for ways to make things as simple as possible. Moving to smaller lighter stuff helps. I am talking small to medium sized bars/restaurants with a band that doesn't play too loud.

If I were playing big stages and outdoor shows I imagine my preferences would be different.

I get your point about having a rig that's easy to move, but I play bars with tube amps and I bring a big cab to the larger rooms I play. I think it's not as big a deal as it's being made out to be. I respect your choices in gear, and I hear case for light weight amps, but because I grew up with heavy gear I find it hard to imagine a great sounding amp as something that's impractically heavy. When my back gives out I'll be changing my attitude, but as a reasonably healthy 45 year old, I don't see it as something terribly onerous.

Peace
 
I don't see what the problem is either. You take it out of the vehicle, have two guys carry it, set it down, play for a few hours, pick it up, and go home. You are only holding it for maybe 5 minutes. It's not like you have to carry it on your back during a gig or anything...

OP obvious troll is obvious.

While this is obviously a troll thread and as such has been inhabited by more than just the OP troll (the usual TB stable of pot stirrers), I'm still gonna answer.

don't understand the 'troll' reference. Here's a pic of my rig; not that big really, just two 100 lb cabs and a 50 lb head. Pretty moderate for the rooms.
 
Yeah, load in and load out time - both shortened - can't complain.

So, I help the other band members with their gear. The drummer loves me. LOL.

The guys in the band are pretty happy to help load in, but when I get home at 2am, I'm alone and for the 4th loading of gear that night, I appreciate lighter gear especially since I'm still moving at least my Twin and sometimes PA gear too...up the stairs to my flat.

The dudes who act all obnoxious about the fact that others have light gear would find something else to cut on people about if it wasn't the weight of their gear. The stupid part is that we're not talking about how it sounds but what it takes to lift it.
 
My Ford Taurus won't fit a 8 X10 cab and my basses. That plus I have bad hands and can't lift much. So a light weight combo is perfect for me. Not playing the Superdome any time soon. Hell if you need big and heavy for a big gig you can always rent it:eek:
 
The guys in the band are pretty happy to help load in, but when I get home at 2am, I'm alone and for the 4th loading of gear that night, I appreciate lighter gear especially since I'm still moving at least my Twin and sometimes PA gear too...up the stairs to my flat.

The dudes who act all obnoxious about the fact that others have light gear would find something else to cut on people about if it wasn't the weight of their gear. The stupid part is that we're not talking about how it sounds but what it takes to lift it.

the elements that allow the super- light weight absolutely compromise the sound and that is the point of my post. Why do people favor light weight over a good sound? I know there are small amps that sound great at a low level, so cool. If you need to really move some air the light weight amps start to crap out pretty early. Just curious as to why that doesn't seem to bother some people. Maybe it's just me and I should leave it alone but why shouldn't I have a right to pose a question?
 
The guys in the band are pretty happy to help load in, but when I get home at 2am, I'm alone and for the 4th loading of gear that night, I appreciate lighter gear especially since I'm still moving at least my Twin and sometimes PA gear too...up the stairs to my flat.

The dudes who act all obnoxious about the fact that others have light gear would find something else to cut on people about if it wasn't the weight of their gear. The stupid part is that we're not talking about how it sounds but what it takes to lift it.

Your biceps are bigger than my body! No wonder you have no problems lifting large cabs and amps!

I was wondering if your user name was that Vail. I first saw you on Arsenio Hall many years ago!

yeah, that's me, I'm just bored here in Portugal, that's when I have the time/ energy to post; when I'm on the road at the hotel.
 
I'm going to voice my opinion, even though I probably shouldn't...since I don't own much of a bass rig at all.

But I do work in the health care industry. For those of you lifting the big cabs by yourselves; if you aren't doing specific daily core strengthening exercises and using very good body mechanics, and wearing a back brace, you will likely be meeting someone like me sooner or later. Think it won't happen to you...so do 90% of our clients.

Now if you do perform the correct daily exercises, or have roadies, good for you. But even though I haven't met most of the members here, I'll bet that the vast majority do not. So for them, the only good option is a lighter weight rig, regardless of the tonal differences. It really shouldn't be viewed as an issue of being "wimpy or lazy."
 
vail_bass said:
the light weight absolutely compromises the sound and that is the point of my post. Why do people favor light weight over a good sound? I know there are small amps that sound great at a low level, so cool. If you need to really move some air the light weight amps start to crap out pretty early. Just curious as to why that doesn't seem to bother some people. Maybe it's just me and I should leave it alone but why shouldn't I have a right to pose a question?

How very ........ subjective. Surely there must be some people that prefer the sound of light gear over heavy gear? Or do you speak for every single bass player that has ever lived?
 
I'm going to voice my opinion, even though I probably shouldn't...since I don't own much of a bass rig at all.

But I do work in the health care industry. For those of you lifting the big cabs by yourselves; if you aren't doing specific daily core strengthening exercises and using very good body mechanics, and wearing a back brace, you will likely be meeting someone like me sooner or later. Think it won't happen to you...so do 90% of our clients.

Now if you do perform the correct daily exercises, or have roadies, good for you. But even though I haven't met most of the members here, I'll bet that the vast majority do not. So for them, the only good option is a lighter weight rig, regardless of the tonal differences. It really shouldn't be viewed as an issue of being "wimpy or lazy."

another good reason to hit the gym every day! Good post.
 
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