| Author | Message | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 3852 Registered: 6-2002 |
A lady whom I have been helping to learn bass on and off for a while now has got the bug to take it more seriously since I invited her to play on one of my recent gigs. So now she is looking for a lightweight, inexpensive but good sounding bass rig. I have seen a few lightweight heads, TC Electronics BH 250 which I have tried, and Ampeg PF350 head and some Ashdowns (yuk) that are very lightweight. I know there are some great combo's out there but we think that having the ability to take her own amp to rehearsals etc and some gigs, without the cab is a more flexible arrangement. Any advice. Jazzyvee | ||
| briant
Senior Member Username: briant Post Number: 674 Registered: 12-2004 |
A Mesa Walkabout head paired with just about any cab is going to sound good to fantabulous. Starting with the right head is obviously the key and those heads are wonderful. They're lightweight and can drive just about anything. I've used mine to drive two Mesa Diesel 2x15 cabs for an entire gig (3+ hours). Yes, you read correctly, two. It handled it like a champ and it sounded like thunder. My point being it would be a great place to start for a small portable rig and can be used to drive something a bit more later if they go that route. This guy is selling a Walkabout head shipped (con US) for $400 right now. (Message edited by briant on February 06, 2014) | ||
| gtrguy
Senior Member Username: gtrguy Post Number: 695 Registered: 9-2004 |
I highly recommend an SWR workingman 10 combo. Very light yet with a DI out and a nice sounding 10 inch speaker. The workingman 12 combo is a great one too. Either does not sell for much these days. Other than the workingman 15 12 and 10, I do not like any of the other ones in the workingman or LA series at all. | ||
| hammer
Senior Member Username: hammer Post Number: 454 Registered: 9-2009 |
Phil Jones Bass Cub, or Briefcase for combos or a D-200 head (2.5 lbs) with a 4B cab. I know others question PJ speaker size and their ability to produce the low end but for my money if you want clean sound his stuff can't be beat and is rugged as hell. | ||
| tubeperson
Senior Member Username: tubeperson Post Number: 465 Registered: 5-2005 |
I agree with Hammer regarding the Phil Jones Gear. I use my briefcase for coffee shop gigs and as a great practice amp. The sound is very deep, and if you play a 5 string, you should add the 4B extension cabinet. The PBJ Six pack has a high watt head, with 6 Piranha 5 inch speakers. The late Bob Babbitt used on (check out Standing in the Shadows of Motown). It is easily wheeled (built in Casters) around with a telescoping handle. One would need help with lifting it however. | ||
| hieronymous
Senior Member Username: hieronymous Post Number: 1338 Registered: 1-2005 |
Remember this little rig?  GK MB800 through a AudioKinesis Thunderchild 112 I've been using and enjoying the GK MB-112 II combo. Very lightweight! | ||
| edwin
Senior Member Username: edwin Post Number: 1706 Registered: 5-2002 |
Lightweight is awesome (I use an Eden WXT500, which is a little underpowered) and a fEARful for lightweight rigs, but tonight I'm going for the opposite. Two Fender heads and two Sunn 200S cabs! I'm not expecting super loud, but it should sound interesting! | ||
| rjmsteel
Advanced Member Username: rjmsteel Post Number: 221 Registered: 7-2008 |
Hey Hieronymous I have (and use a lot) a TC (Thunderchild) 212 (loaded with 2 Eminence 3012LF's and horn/Waveguide). The cabinet is in composite (Fiberglass) @ 38 pounds (17Kg). | ||
| mtjam
Intermediate Member Username: mtjam Post Number: 137 Registered: 11-2011 |
My usual rig is an Aguilar Tone Hammer 500 head (4 lbs.) with 2 Aguilar SL 112 cabinets (25 lbs. each). Light, loud, and sounds great. A huge change from when I used to run an Ampeg SVT with a 610 cabinet (over 200 lb. rig!). Sounded thunderous, but I don't miss it. Edwin, I have entertained the thought of getting a Showman or Dual Showman just to pay further homage to Phil! I would probably end up just using that at home. | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 3206 Registered: 5-2009 |
For a light weight studio amp I like my GK MB 150E . It can be found used . Take a look at the foam speaker surround before you purchase it. Replacement of the foam surround and/ or speaker is not that difficult on the MB 150E , however , on the predecessor , the 200MB it is quite an ordeal. I have done OEM speaker replacements on both models. Speakers replacements should remain OEM on these for design engineering reasons in my opinion. | ||
| edwin
Senior Member Username: edwin Post Number: 1707 Registered: 5-2002 |
OK, it was plenty loud. The 200S for the bridge pickup was overkill, it was turned down to 2. It would have been interesting to hear it all run full range mono, but I didn't have time to experiment with that. Next gig will lightweight rig, as there is a serious flight of stairs involved. F2B, Peavey IPR 3000, fEARful.  | ||
| mtjam
Intermediate Member Username: mtjam Post Number: 138 Registered: 11-2011 |
Edwin, how do you like your Peavey IPR? Would you recommend it for use with an F1-X and Aguilar SL 112s? I've always plugged my F1-X into the effects return of either my TH 500 or my Eden 1205. A lightweight power amp like the Peavey might be right up my alley. | ||
| edwin
Senior Member Username: edwin Post Number: 1708 Registered: 5-2002 |
The weight and price are right (I got it used for $275). I haven't used it enough on stage to really have formed an opinion. One thing to watch out for is that the power ratings that are published are a bit misleading. They are generally at 1khz at a fairly high THD, so when factoring in full bandwidth at a reasonable distortion, the power output comes out much lower. However, the IPR 1600 and 3000 are both bridgeable, so when doing that, you can get a reasonable amount of power. It's definitely not the same amount of oomph as my QSC CX1202v, but it's about one third the weight. In general, I miss the old days when amp manufacturers gave us specs that meant something. It makes me a little skeptical of the new generation of very light class D amplification, because most often, the power rating is at 1khz, without reference to the type of rating (RMS, peak, etc.). I compared it to the Showman when doing the soundcheck for this gig and the Showman seemed equally loud and it's only 85 watts RMS. So, my take is that the IPR 3000 is probably equivalent per channel to something like the Eden WXT500, maybe slightly more, which would be unnoticeable in the real world. So, it's like carting around a couple of the WXT500 power sections. Peavey does make some higher power IPR amps, but they are not quite as light and are significantly pricier. There is a Crest version as well, which has a few more bells and whistles (like a switchable bridge mode instead of having to do a cable dance) and a heavier duty chassis. | ||
| ajdover
Senior Member Username: ajdover Post Number: 1023 Registered: 11-2003 |
Genz Benz. Any Genz Benz. I had an F1-X, and SF-2, QSC Power Amp, etc. Just couldn't take the weight anymore. I have a GB Shuttlemax 12.2 (375W at 8 ohms, 600 at 4 ohms, 3.75 pounds), GB Shuttle 6.2 (3.75 at 8 ohms, 600 at 4 ohms, 2X10 cab, 43 pounds total), Uber cabs (1X15 and 1288, about 50 pounds apiece) and an NX212 (47 pounds total, 2X12). As much as I liked the pre/power amp set up (and I did), the weight just got to me. I sold my Ampeg BXT series cabs too (the 4X10 weighed 122 pounds by itself). Want light, lots of features? Check out Genz Benz. Oh, and the tone? Awesome in my view. Alan | ||
| alembic76407
Senior Member Username: alembic76407 Post Number: 744 Registered: 5-2002 |
Alan, you are right, my Genz benz rocks with my G-B 2-10 focus box, I got a pistol case that my G-B 6.0 head and my wireless plus all my cables and it all fits. I can make it in to a gig in one trip, Bass over my shoulder, speaker box in one hand , head in other ready to rock, My Mesa Boogie 400+ is now my practice amp David T | ||
| dannobasso
Senior Member Username: dannobasso Post Number: 1529 Registered: 3-2004 |
Another vote for Phil Jones  vs this rig | ||
| dannobasso
Senior Member Username: dannobasso Post Number: 1530 Registered: 3-2004 |
Another vote for Phil Jones  vs this rig | ||
| fmm
Advanced Member Username: fmm Post Number: 382 Registered: 6-2002 |
My small rig is the following: Either a Carvin BX250 (3.2 lbs) or a GK MB-200 (2 lbs) (both go to all gigs) and a Bag End 12" + horn (about 40 lns). For bar gigs I use the Carvin, and add a Bag End S15-B (46 lbs) | ||
| lembic76450
Advanced Member Username: lembic76450 Post Number: 359 Registered: 5-2002 |
I'm with Alan on the Genz Benz. I have the Shuttle 9.0 and an Acme Flatwound with the Neo 12. Total weight under 30 lbs. Mono gig bag, (yeah, I know) all in one trip, and only I touch my gear... | ||
| darkstar01
Senior Member Username: darkstar01 Post Number: 506 Registered: 6-2005 |
I'm a big fan of mark bass stuff. When I play electric, I can fit my markbass head and all my effects in my backpack, and it's reasonable. The head itself is super light. | ||
| rustyg61
Senior Member Username: rustyg61 Post Number: 1222 Registered: 2-2011 |
Hey Edwin, I came across your picture in the Dig My Rig section of the new Bass Player magazine! Congratulations on getting published!   | ||
| edwin
Senior Member Username: edwin Post Number: 1760 Registered: 5-2002 |
Thanks! Not exactly a lightweight rig, though! | ||
| rustyg61
Senior Member Username: rustyg61 Post Number: 1223 Registered: 2-2011 |
Maybe not but it is definitely a unique rig & worthy of the magazine spot! I have often thought about submitting a picture of my gear to them but haven't done it yet. Maybe I will after I get my Europa! | ||
| pauldo
Senior Member Username: pauldo Post Number: 1143 Registered: 6-2006 |
Carvin MB15 is a nice relatively light rig. I've been very happy with it and the headphone output spares my wife from me noodling around in the back room. Just over 30 lbs. | ||
| dead_head
Junior Username: dead_head Post Number: 50 Registered: 12-2013 |
Posted on Thursday, May 01, 2014 - 8:16 pm: Edit Post-(from Phil Lesh omega cut thread) Hi Edwin, just got my June Bassplayer mag. in the mail. Saw your spot in the "Dig My Rig" section. I knew that was your setup before even reading the caption. Loookin' goood!!!!! (sorry for the hijack). Rob | ||
| 5sicks
Junior Username: 5sicks Post Number: 46 Registered: 8-2010 |
Look at the new Carvin stuff. Light and inexpensive with good reviews and bulletproof build. | ||
| fmm
Advanced Member Username: fmm Post Number: 384 Registered: 6-2002 |
I use a Carvin BX250 head with a variety of Bag End cabinets with excellent results. I will never again buy anything I can't cary with 1 hand. | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 2291 Registered: 9-2003 |
 The Eden WT-550 Time Traveller tube/SS-hybrid head fits in a shoulder bag and weighs less than 20#, but puts out a wallop. Choose one of two 4ohm D-210XST 500W cabs w/bell HF driver (60# ea). The two cabs in parallel were more expensive than an Eden D-410XST, but sound better, allow for a 2ohm load for the amp which unleashes 650W of power with 2dB of headroom and allows an even more portable option for smaller gigs. Not cheap, but fits in most cars and is easily carried by one person. | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 2292 Registered: 9-2003 |
Duplicate post, my apologies (Message edited by kmh364 on May 20, 2014) |
