Graduate from a combo to a rig?

[phbrown]

When did you decide to stop using a combo?


or are you still using a combo?

[malthumb]

I stopped using a combo when I started playing regularly at churches that had a lot of stairs.  Must've been back around 2000.  I'm basing that on pictures I have with my SWR Redhead and what basses were in the pictures.

I was also influenced by having a couple stereo capable basses that could split signal between two rigs.

I went to sort of a hybrid setup last year based on new technology.  The small micro-amps plus lighter neodymium speakers drove me to sell my rackmounted preamps and power amps and my heavy cabinets and replace them with a MarkBass combo and a MarkBass 2X10 extension cabinet.  They are so light I can carry the combo in one hand, the extension cab in the other, and have a bass strapped on my back.

For small venues either I can take  the combo or I can take just the extension speaker and my GK MB500.  For larger venues I take the combo and the extension cabinet.  If I want to run stereo, I take the combo as "Rig A" and set up the extension 2X10 and the GK MB500 as "Rig B".

So I kinda have the best of both worlds.

[SavnBass]

I stopped using a combo when I joined the band I am currently with. I prefer components over combos because there is more flexibility..

[phbrown]

I stopped using a combo when I joined the band I am currently with. I prefer components over combos because there is more flexibility..

do you ever feel overwhelmed by the flexibility?

[cordney]

I stopped using a combo when I started playing regularly at churches that had a lot of stairs.  Must've been back around 2000.  I'm basing that on pictures I have with my SWR Redhead and what basses were in the pictures.

I was also influenced by having a couple stereo capable basses that could split signal between two rigs.

I went to sort of a hybrid setup last year based on new technology.  The small micro-amps plus lighter neodymium speakers drove me to sell my rackmounted preamps and power amps and my heavy cabinets and replace them with a MarkBass combo and a MarkBass 2X10 extension cabinet.  They are so light I can carry the combo in one hand, the extension cab in the other, and have a bass strapped on my back.

For small venues either I can take  the combo or I can take just the extension speaker and my GK MB500.  For larger venues I take the combo and the extension cabinet.  If I want to run stereo, I take the combo as "Rig A" and set up the extension 2X10 and the GK MB500 as "Rig B".

So I kinda have the best of both worlds.

Can you post pics of your setup?

[malthumb]

Can you post pics of your setup?

Cordney,

Here is what it looks like as two separate 300W rigs.  On the left is the MarkBass 102P Combo.  The built in (and removable) amp puts out 300W at 8 ohms and 500W at 4 ohm.  On the right is the MarkBass 102P Extension Cab.  It's an 8 ohm 2X10.  In this picture it's driven by my GK MB500.  Like the MarkBass amp, it puts out 300W at 8 ohms and 500W at 4 ohms.

The way it's set up here, I have the bass on the wall connected to its external power supply (black box on the floor).  The bass output is going to the pedalboard, then to the MarkBass Combo.  The treble side is going clean to the GK / MarkBass set up.  Two 300W rigs powered at the same time.  For small venues, I can take either the combo or the GK / 2X10.



Here is what it looks like in 500W configuration......



The extension cab cables into the combo from the back, with a handy little escape hatch on the top, since it's a tight fit.



And finally, here's what I look like going to the gig.  Two basses in the gigbag on my back.....combo in one hand (couldn't do that with my Redhead) and extension cab in the other hand (couldn't do that with my Goliath Jr).  Alembic power supply, pedalboard, cables, GK MB500 can all fit in compartments in the gigbag.  I can even carry a 3-instrument guitar stand.



And here's PART of what that setup replaced......what you DON'T SEE in this pick are 2 Goliath Jr 2X10 cabinets and a GK1000rb head.

[phbrown]

hmm ... ... *heads off to start counting his pennies*

[blacklw234]

Man you got some nice equipment. Wow!!!!

[malthumb]

Man you got some nice equipment. Wow!!!!

Trying to figure out how to trade some of it for an extra dose of talent.

But seriously, keep in mind I've been playing for an awfully long time, sometimes getting paid for it.  Some of that money went towards gear and upgrading gear.  All the Crown / SWR equipment plus two Alembic F-1X preamps, and some other minor stuff got sold to fund the purchase of the MarkBass stuff.  I sold 2 preamps, 1 power amp, one head, and four cabinets to pay for one combo and one extension cab.

On top of that, my job provides me a car, insurance, and gas, so we only have my wife's car note and insurance. Mbeen that way for years, so we've been fortunate enough to have a little extra for some things.

But bottom line, this is the result of years and years of saving, trading up, and selling off excess.

[cordney]

Trying to figure out how to trade some of it for an extra dose of talent.

But seriously, keep in mind I've been playing for an awfully long time, sometimes getting paid for it.  Some of that money went towards gear and upgrading gear.  All the Crown / SWR equipment plus two Alembic F-1X preamps, and some other minor stuff got sold to fund the purchase of the MarkBass stuff.  I sold 2 preamps, 1 power amp, one head, and four cabinets to pay for one combo and one extension cab.

On top of that, my job provides me a car, insurance, and gas, so we only have my wife's car note and insurance. Mbeen that way for years, so we've been fortunate enough to have a little extra for some things.

But bottom line, this is the result of years and years of saving, trading up, and selling off excess.

Thanks for the pics...I need to learn more about amps

[SavnBass]

do you ever feel overwhelmed by the flexibility?

No not at all.. I have changed cabs ... I now use the 115 cab in the last picture instead of the 1212L that is in the first picture and I have also sold off the Boss Gt-10B ..  I leave the Avatar B212 at church so that the other bass player can use it. I sold him my old Shuttle 6.0 that is in the picture when I got my 9.0 , then sold the 9.0 to get the SL 900 .. I got all of them off of the TalkBass Classifieds .. a fantastic source for good used gear BTW... and have yet to be in a situation where I need both cabs but if I were both cabs are 8 ohms so I could use them together if I had to. I also use a different bag for the head but basically I have to carry the cab which is 42lbs and has wheels, the bass , and the head .. since the 115 has wheels I don't even use the hand  cart anymore.



My old rig packed and ready to go


Church rig


Basically this is my current setup. I still have the Schecter though .. which I still use.

Thanks for the pics...I need to learn more about amps

I'm telling you man ...

TalkBass.com

A great site for used gear .. Everything you see in the pictures below with the exception of the Schecter and the Avatar cab which I got a pawn shops  were bought from the TB classifieds..  That's why I always post links there to what seems like a good deal. A great site with many knowledgeable folks.

[cordney]

No not at all.. I have changed cabs ... I now use the 115 cab in the last picture instead of the 1212L that is in the first picture and I have also sold off the Boss Gt-10B ..  I leave the Avatar B212 at church so that the other bass player can use it. I sold him my old Shuttle 6.0 that is in the picture when I got my 9.0 , then sold the 9.0 to get the SL 900 .. I got all of them off of the TalkBass Classifieds .. a fantastic source for good used gear BTW... and have yet to be in a situation where I need both cabs but if I were both cabs are 8 ohms so I could use them together if I had to. I also use a different bag for the head but basically I have to carry the cab which is 42lbs and has wheels, the bass , and the head .. since the 115 has wheels I don't even use the hand  cart anymore.



My old rig packed and ready to go


Church rig


Basically this is my current setup. I still have the Schecter though .. which I still use.


I'm telling you man ...

TalkBass.com

A great site for used gear .. Everything you see in the pictures below with the exception of the Schecter and the Avatar cab which I got a pawn shops  were bought from the TB classifieds..  That's why I always post links there to what seems like a good deal. A great site with many knowledgeable folks.

I need to utilize talkbass a lil more

[malthumb]

SavnBass is totally on point about Talkbass classifieds.  I've picked up a lot of nice stuff there for decent prices. 

[SavnBass]

I went through 3 GB heads.. if I had to buy each one new I would not have been able to afford it.. BTW mal there is a MkB combo like yours in a pawn shop down here for $9xx .. I can't remember the exact price but it is under a G and the thing hs been in there for a while so it hasn't been getting used.. It's the same shop I got my Schecter at .. Those are nice combos..

[malthumb]

.. BTW mal there is a MkB combo like yours in a pawn shop down here for $9xx .........

That's a bit too close to new purchase price to move at a pawn shop.  $1,049 - 1,149 new depending on when and where you get it.  And you get a warranty.

[SavnBass]

Yeah but usually with cash you can haggle..

[Gemini47]

I moved from using a combo to components two weeks ago. I upgraded because my 40 watts Peavey Max 112 combo practice amp could project over the drums, keyboard and the Hammond organ.

My church setup is as follows: 
- Bass - Squire Vintage 70's 4 string bass
- Amp - Peavey Tour 450 (350 watts @ 8ohms)
- Cabinet – Fender HM-410 B (300 watts @8ohms)

I have no knowledge of EQ setting therefore the EQ is set to bypass (flat). The sanctuary is not large and sound carries well throughout. This works for me.

[stix_clgi]

I stepped up to a rig honestly because I saw my heroes had them lol. Like a crazy man I bought a 700w Peavey Tour head, and two Hartke V-XL 410 cabs.....for a church that sat maybe 60 ppl lol! I didn't sound that good and was definitely too loud but I loved it. This was probably 5 yrs ago. These days I'm playing an Eden WT800C through a Glasstone Lil G 2x12" cab. Sometimes I use my Kustom KXB500 head instead of the Eden. It uses the same ICE power modulator found in the Genz Benz Shuttle amps. I also have Kustom Powerbass 15" cab, but I don't use it hardly ever.

[SavnBass]

At this p[opint for me it is all about weight. I am trying to sell my two Schroeder Mini12+L cabs (400W, 8 ohms 21lbs each) because the band I was with broke up and I got a Glasstone Lil G cab. Great cabs.. a 39lb 600W  212 in a 19.5x16.5x16.5 box. The builder is a brother from MD who is also a pastor from what I understand.