Author Topic: Big Rig, Big Trouble (Read 1184 times)

mario_farufyno · « **on:** December 28, 2008, 07:25:51 PM »

In the late 80's I finally could afford buying a big stack from GK. It was a 800RB head with a 4x10 and a 1x18 cabs. I was so proud and happy because I would be finally heard out loud after years being hidden by guitarrists's tiny amps. That same week we got a gig in the national bank labour's union and I decided to make its debut there. It was a historical building downtown with just 3 floors and the club was on the roof.

It was great to finally have power enough to be heard along overdriven Guitar and busy Drums (that time I playied with this fusion power trio). But, at the end of the gig, I discovered that the elevator broke up. Can you imagine what was to get all that weight downstairs? Suddenly the 3 floors seemed to be the road to hell... Not just the weight, but the size was completely unconfortable to carry alone and I had to ask my pal on guitar to help me. It wasn't easy, it wasn't quick, but we succeeded.

In front of my car the guitarrist - panting and covered in sweat - tapped me on shoulder and said:

This is one of the few things that just a real friend can do for you, but DON'T EVER, NEVER, ASK ME TO DO IT AGAIN!

I will let you put on your car by your own, that way you'll think better next time you wish to use such big rig, bye...

This was the last time I dreamt with gigantic rigs. I rented it to a rehearsal studio next home and started the quest for the big sound in a tiny box (the holly grail of all bassists). And it lasted almost 20 years until I could finally reach it. The problem was always not having the low response that I needed. The best choice I found until then was a 2x15 from MESA/Boogie - but it weighted a ton - or the lighter weight but spit sounding horns of any 2x10! But there is a revolution going on right now.

Thanks to the new neodimium speakers, just now we can have really big sound in light weight cabs. It is a real bless to our bass and back. I'm now using a fantastic 2x10 from Epifani (its response goes flat down 40Hz, but can also makes a low B sound pretty decent). This isn't an ad for them, but is a joy having all this power (500W RMS), all this sound pressure (102dB) in just 38 lbs package.

All companies are introducing their neodimium equiped cabs. I recomend everyone to try one of these new Cabs sometime, specially if you carry your rig yourself, LOL. Best regards!

jacko · « **Reply #1 on:** December 29, 2008, 04:34:09 AM »

I'm with you ther Mario. After years of humping a trace elliot rig (4x10 and 1x15) I finally gave it up and switched to EBS Neo cabs about 18 months ago (4x10 and 2x12). My back still hasn't finished thanking me. They sound pretty incredible too ;-)

Graeme

georgie_boy · « **Reply #2 on:** December 29, 2008, 05:00:39 AM »

Agree with that Graeme!!

dannobasso · « **Reply #3 on:** December 29, 2008, 07:14:10 AM »

I am also a convert to the Neo class. I currently have an Epi UL2 610 and UL212 and an Accugroove Whappo Jr. (which is for sale)
I don't want to have to lift anything heavy for a gig again. Funny though the singer in my band also plays bass for Danzig and is endorsed by Ampeg. He came off tour with a brand new SVT classic head and 810 cab which I helped him move into his new place. UFFAH! No neos there. I also switched years ago to an Epi T310 because it was lighter than conventional 410's. Not too bad but the neo version would be a joy to lift,

sacredheartattack · « **Reply #4 on:** January 06, 2009, 12:31:39 PM »

Neodymium is where it's at! I played an Ampeg SVT 8x10 for years on the road. That's one heavy Son'B (and I hate the tone, but that's neither here nor there).
I picked up a new Hartke HyDrive 8x10, and damn does this thing sound good and boy is it light! There's a 25lbs. difference!
I as a player will NEVER sacrifice tone for weight, but now I don't even have to think about doing it!

David Houck · « **Reply #5 on:** January 06, 2009, 05:10:01 PM »

Hi Anthony, welcome to the board. Don't ever sell your F-2B.

sacredheartattack · « **Reply #6 on:** January 07, 2009, 06:29:35 AM »

Thanks Dave!
Oh I'm not going to. Oddly enough I work for a Pro Audio Manufacturer, and a buddy in R&D has offered me outrageous sums of money for it. I keep saying no.

neyman · « **Reply #7 on:** January 07, 2009, 08:46:50 AM »

I've gone the opposite route.

I've been playing through light gear for years (various preamps, single 15 cab, Walter Woods, etc). Then I stumbled on a Trace Elliot stack (AH600SMX, 410, 115). Weighs a ton, but the sound is unbelievable. I mostly just use the 410 at indoor gigs.

And yes, it came with a hand truck!

andbassforall · « **Reply #8 on:** January 07, 2009, 05:14:42 PM »

For many gigs, I'm on the Neo Train as well. I run a Genz-Benz Shuttle 6.0 through a NeoX 2X12. The cab is so light and has rollerblade like wheels on one end so I don't have to bring a cart. . I really like the low end on the 2X12. There's nothing to wish for when it comes to the rest of the range of the instrument either. The rig recently showed me what it was really made of where I had to compete with a Mesa MarkIV head and a Dream Theater sized drum kit. I still do have an old school SVT II and 810 for some gigs, but I've hardly used any of it over the past year. I also use the Shuttle head with a 1X12 for many other gigs and it's got some serious volume and articulation to it.

benson_murrensun · « **Reply #9 on:** January 08, 2009, 08:24:29 AM »

I had to bail on the big heavy rig thing as well. I had an SVT Classic head and 8 x 10 cabinet... it sounded great, but I was unable to move it out of my basement without help, it wouldn't fit into my car, etc. Now if I need big sound I use (2) Acme Low B-2 cabs and a rack with a Yamaha preamp and a QSC RMX2450. If I don't need that much amp I just use one Acme cab and an Eden WT-400+. One day I'll look into the neo thing....

terryc · « **Reply #10 on:** January 13, 2009, 07:19:02 AM »

I have had the big stuff but my back ached and the bands I were in complained about the volume as we only did small venues.
The current band play very cheesy 70's party stuff(not my taste but loads of gigs, I am doing it for the dosh) SO now I have a tiny stack, a Roland Bass Cube with and 12 extension cab I built myself - all Thiele/Small calculated to get the best sound.
The bass goes thru the PA so it is out of my control but after the audience has beered up I don't think they care!!

andbassforall · « **Reply #11 on:** January 13, 2009, 02:35:23 PM »

Most decent soundguys don't want you to totally crank on stage anyhow. So 9 times out of 10, my amp and cab are for me and the band to hear on stage. The rest goes through the house. I've only be mic'd up a few times over the past years. Everything has been DI only more recently. So to me, it's more about satisfying your stage volume.

Oddly enough, I did play a room last month that held about 500 heads and the sound guy at check kept asking me to turn up which was way louder than I would have even liked. I thought he was on crack. I'm thinking, my one cab isn't going to fill the room.

Tough thing about bar gigs and small venues is your amp usually does have to fill the room because your sometimes not going through a PA, but the stage isn't very big for such a rig. It's all Catch 22 isn't it.

terryc · « **Reply #12 on:** January 14, 2009, 05:16:19 AM »

Well with this band everything goes thru' the PA, the drums go thru' a noise gate so at least it isn't picking everything up.
The PA is only Mackie Bass subs with Peavey HiSys500 tops, 1500W Mosfet drives it all, anyway, in the previous band I ran the PA but now all I do is turn up with my mini stack, Alembic and gig bag..absolute dream, no more whining to me about the sound anymore, someone else gets that.

rowka · « **Reply #13 on:** April 20, 2009, 11:34:07 AM »

I'm on the downsizing train, too. I went from this:

To this:

and I'm much happier. Same bass in both pics to give you a sense of scale.

dadabass2001 · « **Reply #14 on:** April 20, 2009, 04:39:55 PM »

Hi Dan,
It also looks like you added a guitar synth pickup as well?

Mike