Downsizing weight without losing tone

[jar546]

I have a nice little Hartke 2x10 combo that is 250watts that I use for practice but it lacks on the lower end with the 5 string when it needs to be turned up.

For playing out I have an Eden 410 and an all tube Mesa Boogie 400+ in a 6 bay rack with a dbx compressor.

Problem is that my back is shot and hauling the bigger setup is becoming difficult for me.

I am coming to terms with the fact that I won't be able to reproduce that wonderful tube tone if I get rid of the Mesa Boogie.

Looking for opinions on a lightweight setup that can handle the SR5 and have the headroom that I currently enjoy. I play mostly rock, both classic and some newer stuff.

Thanks in advance for your opinions.

 

[MrMusashi]

get a cabinet with neodymium magnets.. saves a lot of weight
then an amp with a digital amp..

markbass amps are sweet, the f1 is my fav. i also like 2x12 cabinets because they push air like a 4x10 but have lower weight

MrM

 

[strummer]

I know the buzz here is all about those minmarks and stuff, but...

Check out the 503 from markbass, and why not the fathom or carbine or whatever mesa calls it these days. Sure you'll lose some tubeyness from the power amp, but my guress is you'll enjoy the trade for the sake of your back!
Of course, you might be surprised by the minimark or f1 too, but the bigger amps, well they're niiiice...

Boxe-wise, I like 1x12:s, two make enough noise and they are easily handled one at a time.

 

[Basspro]

I know what you mean. I use a svt and a nightbass in a rack with a redeye 4x10 top
and my custom built 15 bottom. I wont even haul my svt pro 50 bottom around.
Thats an awesome setup you have, Strap that puppy to a good handtruck, or build ya a dolly.
Or...I use to use a GK RB700ll with a ART tube preamp. Pleanty of headroom with nice tone,and alot lighter.

 

[five7]

I just sold my svt 8-10 this morning and had to help the guy take it out of my basement. Way to heavy. Now I am using a markbass f1 and an ampeg 2-10 portabass. It has its own dolly built on the back. What a killer little rig. Puts out plenty of low end. I had an ampeg 1-12 portabass cab and that sounded great also. A dolly on that one too.

 

[bradfordws]

Here's a quick story for you guys. I've been downsizing my rig for two reasons over the last 6 months - putting bread back in the bank and reducing the weight of my cabs - and with great success. I lost my day gig a few months ago, so one of the things I sold was my Walter Woods Ultra 1200 watt head (over $3,000 new). I got $2,900 for that. I had already bought the Carvin BX1200 last year as a backup head, so I started using that with my pair of SWR 2x10's and it sounded great. I recently picked up the new Carvin BX500, which is about the same size as the Woods - and has 500 W @ 4 ohms. This thing is great - you need to check it out. I had been researching all the NEO cabs out there including Carvin - and Avatar. I decided on a pair of the Avatar NEO 2x10 cabs and they are great - and 20# lighter than my SWR's - I've had back issues as well, so 40# 2x10 cabs are pretty cool. I sold a pair of Aguilar GS112's to pay for the new Avatar cabs. The only bad thing about Avatar is that there's no return or trial period. I had been considering these for over a year and finally went ahead and ordered them. They're only around $325 each! It's pretty funny actually - I had been a Walter Woods snob for around 14 years, but found out that I can get a great sound with budget gear - and my EB/MM basses of course! Just something to think about in this lousy economy. So, with the bread that you save on your rig, you can afford another EB/MM bass, no?

 

[jar546]

Already thought of that. Downsizing will allow me to get the maple fretboard SR5 that I need (not want). I really want a Bongo but need the maple fretboard.

 

[SharonG]

Try Markbass. I use the LMII head (6.5 lbs) and amarkbass cab w/ 1 15" and a horn (38 lbs) and I haven't dimed it yet.........even w/ a drummer. Even their larger cabs are ridiculously lightwieght.

 

[jlepre]

Look at my Sig. I downsized from an Ampeg SVT5PRO in a rack, (60 lbs) and an Ampeg SVT410HLF cab (115 lbs). UGH!


I now have a Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0 (3.75lbs and 600 watts) , and (2) Epifani UL112 cabs (30lbs each)

If I'm playing a small room, just bring 1 cab and have 375 watts. If I need to fill the room, add the 2nd cab and 600 watts with a tube pre-amp is all I need.

 

[Russel]

Eden cabs are real nice.


I'd suggest maybe looking into eden's neo stuff. Great musicality and eden has a great dynamic response. I hear they make a killer 2x12, and neos are very, very light. Can't speak for the WTX line, but the WT405 was a great clean head, and the warmth switch really pulled the tube sound out of the amp well.

I'm a youngin, so hauling the big stuff around isn't bad for me. I just wish I actually had an amp.

 

[Aussie Mark]

A pair of 2x10s is a flexible rig that is easy to lug. Any of the lightweight (5-7lbs), high powered amps on the market - Markbass, GB Shuttle, Acoustic Image etc - will give you more than enough headroom (I've never had my Markbass LMII master volume above "3" at a gig or rehearsal). If you want to warm the tone up further or add some tubey dirt, a Sansamp pedal or the new Tech 21 VT bass will give you the familar tone that you have now with your Mesa.

 

[Bloodfist]

Become friends with some strong people lol. Seriously, I have a pretty messed up elbow on my right arm right now that is restricting me from lifting anything semi heavy. I just let the guys in the band know that I have physical limitations and I could really use their help with loading and unloading my amp. They've all gone the extra step to help me out with my gear, and in return I buy them beer lol. Maybe you could ask the guys you play with to give you a hand? You'd be surprised what a band will do to help a member out, especially if it's a bass player.

 

[Hellboy]

German amp company Tecamp have some great stuff. I have their Tecamp Puma 1000 head.

Puma 1000

1000 Watts and 2,8 kg in weight!! Sounds GREAT!! Digital transformer. Truly amazing little amp. That along with one or two of their lightweight 212 speakers (600 watts/20 kg each) should make everyone happy I´d say.

Sincerely//Jan

 

[jar546]

Went to NYC and apartment sitted for a couple of days in Manhattan. Stopped in at Rudy's Music on 48th St right at "music row" and looked at a great SR5H with the maple fretboard that I wanted, beautiful.

Anyway, they had a few setups since NYC is the one place you really need lightweight equipment for loading into cabs, etc.

Setup #1 was an Eden WTX-260 driving a Bergantino 112 neo. Absolutely great tone and loudness. I was impressed for a single 12" cab.

Setup #2 blew me away. It was a German made AER Amp One combo that was a single 12" neo speaker. This by far was the most amazing setup I ever heard coming from a very small package. Unreal, even with the 5 string and the variation in tone was unbelievable. I had to check to make sure he wasn't running to another speaker cab somewhere. He said this combo is literally flying off the shelf in the city, next to that is Bergantino cab setup.

I have to downsize due to my bad back and have a lot to think about now.

Has anyone tried one of these Amp One combos?