Author Topic: The big rig (Read 2353 times)

willie · « **Reply #75 on:** March 25, 2014, 12:33:28 PM »

I have to wear a fall protection lanyard attaching me to the rig so I don't get blown off the stage standing in front of it.
Thanks Joey. I had a 600 HP Caterpillar. 15 Speed Road Ranger Trans. But it was more powerful than todays 600 HP engines because mine was before the low sulfur diesel fuel and emission standards for class 8 truck engines.
And I actually do understand how a lot of how this rig works. I have a degree in electronics. I got it because I wanted to run concert sound systems ever since going to my fist concert. I am studying and will soon be taking the certification test to be a Certified Technology Specialist in Audio/Video. I still have JBL E140 and E145 drivers but the 15 Beyma's handle more power and sound great. And the Beyma 10 mid bass drivers sound much clearer than the 10 Eminence woofers that came in the Eden cabinets. And the Bemya super tweeters make the highs more natural and very clear. My preference for PA speakers are JBL Vertec 4889 and 4880 driven by Crown Amps Though.
If we had a day for people to play through this rig we would have to rent a place. It can't be turned up where I live. I knock things off shelves and walls of my neighbors houses. But I don't think the sidewalk cracks or water main breaks are really my fault but who knows. My 35 scale custom Alembic with the Ebony laminate in the neck can seriously shake the ground.
The back to the Future reference is hilarious.
Never drove a Prius but its fun to play Primus stuff through this rig.
I was actually released from a band for showing up with this rig. I wasn't going through the PA. And I had family there and they said my volume was perfect. And I didn't make any mistakes during the show. I was simply told my system was intimidating even though they said it was the best bass sound they ever heard. And I had hired someone to help me move it so no one in the band had to help move anything. I used my 4 string Europa that night. Sounded good to me. Oh well.

bigredbass · « **Reply #76 on:** March 25, 2014, 04:53:08 PM »

OK, Willie, let me pick your brain.

Having done all this homework, and while I certainly acknowledge the big difference in serious sound reinforcement / studio gear and instrument amp / cabinets, are there any 'off the shelf' amps or cabinets out there that might bridge the gap at all?

It's not how loud that rig gets; after all, the increase in volume is logrhtihmic (sp!!), not geometric. It's that the headroom ceiling is way past the typical working SPL's. Unbreakable headroom, or at least it is with the knowledge Willie has in assembling and running this system, it essentially is a dedicated bass PA.

Aggravating, yes. I often would have kept gigs IF I looked as if I'd slept off the hangover in a ditch, went out in the alley with them between sets, and forgot I was married. That I showed up with beyond first rate gear and played their show in one pass . . . . just didn't seem to matter.

I'm turning into Uncle Ted more and more every day.

J o e y

willie · « **Reply #77 on:** March 26, 2014, 06:26:20 AM »

Joey
My bass Rig is in reality a Full Range Bass PA System. With the frequency response and SPL's it has, I could easily use it as a PA system and it could do that at even higher SPL's than when used as a bass rig due to the tremendous power required to reproduce a live bass guitar as compared to other instruments.
And you are right about increases in volume being a logarithmic function. I had to learn to use formulas to figure out if the person in the 2nd row experienced 115db SPL, then how much loss of SPL would there for someone in the 100th row 200 feet back and what would the SPL be there and you have to use a logarithm in the formula to figure that out. It takes 10X the power to make something sound twice as loud. But I have given up on trying to explain this stuff to members of a band I am talking to about playing for them. They never understand the physics of it. I wouldn't say I have an unbreakable headroom with my system, but I can't imagine ever having to push it to it's limits. But try to tell people they are more likely to damage their speakers with too little amplifier power as opposed to too much and they think you are out of your mind.
And people always say why can't you just show up with a Mexican built Precision Bass played through a 1X15 Peavey combo amp. Well, if that's what they want, I'm probably not the right person for that band.
Are you asking me if I know specific amps to use that are between combo amps and full concert rigs like mine? While I read a lot about amps that are out there and available, I prefer to purchase the drivers I feel will do the best job for what I intend for them to do and then design my own cabinets to put them in. And I do pay attention to mfg. suggestions for internal volume, resonant frequency and square inches of shelf venting or porting.
What are you currently playing through?
I know I have some ideas I would like Charlie Holmes to try with his system. He has a series bass, 2 F1-X pre-amps, 2 power amps and 4 cabinets. I want to try configuring his system so each pick up's output is amplified in a separate bi-amp configuration.
And how did showing up with a professional sound system with a roadie to move it in my own van, have the best type of bass available, (Alembic), and knowing the material better than the other members of the band and having no ego or attitude become grounds for being fired?
Will

edwin · « **Reply #78 on:** March 26, 2014, 08:29:40 AM »

Hey Willie!
If you even want to reduce the footprint of your rig while maintaining headroom, etc., you might look into what Mike uses!

:-)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NDxginP3fk

I'm still humping my own gear, so it's an F2B, Peavey IPR 3000 and a fEARful 15.6.1 for me. Or, if I'm feeling old school, a Fender Showman/Sunn 200S.

5a_quilt_top · « **Reply #79 on:** March 26, 2014, 08:53:19 AM »

Hey Willie -

You seem like a top-notch pro player with a great attitude. Maybe you, your gear and your work ethic were just too much for them.

I can relate - been dere, dun dat and got a few T-shirts along the way for my efforts.

If your rig was better than the band's PA, I could predict trouble right there. If your bass was better than the guitarist's guitar(s), well...game ON.

IMO, you shouldn't ever aspire to mediocrity on any level just to fit in - however, sometimes you need to be a little flexible if the gig is really important to you. That having been said, if you flex too much and compromise YOUR standards, you will be unhappy and will not deliver the performance you are capable of.

This is a lot like using the correct tool for the job. A tank is formidable weapon in the right context, but sometimes a hand gun is all that is required.

Or sometimes just a sling shot.

But, if you really love tanks - you need to go find general Patton and make history!

willie · « **Reply #80 on:** March 26, 2014, 11:45:00 AM »

I did get an e-mail from the guitar player from the band who was from Liverpool but moved across the pond stating that being released from the band had nothing to do with my personality. He said I was the best bass player they ever played with or heard. It was just that I was doing things on a much higher level and had higher aspirations than they did and that the leader of the band was intimidated by my rig and basses.
I had way more power than their PA,(but did not play too loud), and although the guitar player had about 30 guitars, none of them compared to my Alembic Basses. And in 1 month I knew their set lists better than they did and had to correct their mistakes. And I don't like mistakes when playing live. They also didn't know how to work their PA. I was trying to teach them.
At this point in my life I just want to find musicians with pro attitudes who are serious about playing and want great sounding bass and don't make such a big deal about what I play through. How the bass sounds is all that should matter. And there must be a band out there that wants the bass to sound good. Shouldn't everyone in the band want to play and sound their best. That way the whole band can sound it's best.
I know that playing through my stuff makes me play better because the sound I picture making in my head actually comes out of the speakers. It took me 36 years of work, research, studying, trying different things and a little bit of money along the way to put this thing together. I just want the chance to use it.
Thanks for your nice comments and encouragement.
Will

charles_holmes · « **Reply #81 on:** June 14, 2014, 10:39:49 PM »

I did take note of the shotty leaning on the speaker! I betcha nobody will try and steal your rig!

hammer · « **Reply #82 on:** June 15, 2014, 10:12:39 AM »

Good pick up Charles? I've seen that photo a number of times and never noticed the shotgun. Two thoughts...

(1) Has Willie ever experimented with what volume is needed from his rig to fire that shotgun (safety catch in the on position); and

(2) If the shotgun is officially part of Willie's rig and he brings it to practices to help teach fellow band members, could its presence, more than the incredible amplification and sound production system itself, be the reason they are intimidated (haha)?

jazzyvee · « **Reply #83 on:** June 16, 2014, 01:33:33 AM »

I never even noticed that shotgun, I just saw the chains linking the gear together and thought that's a pretty secure way of keeping your gear safe.

I'd actually love a proper big bass rig like that. I do have what I call big rig capability, (F1-x,SF-2,QSC PLX and 3x mesa boogie cabs). However most times I only use one cab usually the 4x10 or 1x15. But for at least one gig I'd like to be able to use all 3 cabs. :-)

Jazzyvee

coop · « **Reply #84 on:** June 16, 2014, 09:57:58 AM »

My big rig is usually two Eden 112s with an Eden 212 in 4 ohm, all driven from an Eden 550 (2 ohms total). I've never really needed anything bigger since I go direct for venues that need more horsepower.

For smaller outdoor gigs, I often take one 112 and my SWR SoB 1x15.

charles_holmes · « **Reply #85 on:** June 17, 2014, 09:18:05 AM »

Although I like the chains, I think it's more fun to use a shotty because it will really expedite the soiling of the pants!

wfmandmusic · « **Reply #86 on:** July 04, 2014, 08:49:15 PM »

I appreciate Willie's courage and persistence to end up with this rig. I truly believe in the idea of it. I've taken my own rig somewhat in that direction at times but end up bailing because my brain gets all clogged up with the science of it all. And yes I have had other musicians, FOH, and my community say I was crazy. I did a show last month and my band was setting up the back line. I wheeled my rig in and asked the sound tech about where to put it and he replied How about back in the truck. That's more low end than my PA. I said well I don't have to turn it up very loud and he said That's right because I'm going to run you direct through the house. I explained that I would have 0 control of my tone that way and he said That's okay, I got it and I've been doing this for years. After a long explanation I finally got him to agree but it was a process. I for one would really love to try your rig out and if we all get together, I'm in as I live in Philly anyhow. Oh yea I get to hear Mike's rig up close in person this Tuesday and Wednesday as they are playing at the Mann Center right here in Philly.

willie · « **Reply #87 on:** July 08, 2014, 05:12:17 AM »

Ah, someone noticed the shotgun. It's a Remington 870 Wing Master 12 Gauge Magnum. I didn't mean for it to be in the picture. But I always have at least 1 Deterent at my side. Usually several. 44 Magnum, 303 British Enfield Sniper Rifle with bayonet and a 32 cal. Beretta. Not a good idea to show up unannounced. And definitely don't break in. I got to use the rig in Western Pa a while back. It scared people a little but they loved the sound. Couldn't move it without my van. Thanks for all the acknowledgement and nice words on my system. I've put a lot of work into it and it is the best bass sound I have ever heard. Where exactly are you in Philly?

charles_holmes · « **Reply #88 on:** July 08, 2014, 07:04:44 AM »

Hey Ken, Willie is a great guy! You gotta hook up with him. I grew up in Southwest Philly but moved to Williamsport 26 years ago. There is some kind of fish (but it looks like a sea monster & it's big enough to take your hand off with one bite!!!) over here that Willie fishes for, Anyway he stopped by to see me and tried out my rig/bass. We had a nice mini gathering here in Wmspt. Thanks again for stopping by Willie!

pierreyves · « **Reply #89 on:** July 08, 2014, 07:56:47 AM »

here are mines, I can use seperatly or both. The big one with Carvin power amp is "light" ;-) because the amp's weight is 3.5 kg

on stage