Gotta get a new bass rig

[Rickenjangle]

...and I'm thinking of trying out the Gallien-Kruger Backline 600 head with a 2x10 and 1x15 cabinet. Anyone have any experience with a setup like this? It would cost about $725 for the rig, and what I like about this setup is that it's scalable. Plus, it's 6 times the wattage of my Ampeg Rocket 50 bass amp...

And before anyone mentions the David Eden stuff and the higher-end Ampeg stuff...that stuff is fantastic but is cost-prohibitive for me. I am a hobbyist on bass, but I play every week in church and find that, even using the amp as a monitor only and going direct, I've gotta crank the amp...and then I lose the headroom and my bass sounds like Geddy's on YYZ (which is great but not so much for church...).

[Offshore Angler]

I can get you a new BassCat or Ranger Z-series.

www.basscat.com

Actually, if you're a bass player and you're cool, you should wear one of these.

http://www.basscatstore.com/index.as...=Custom&ID=139

[Kap'n]

You know, if the lead guitar player turned down a bit, you could probably talk to him during gigs. He might have an idea.

[Rickenjangle]

That sumbitch has the loudest DRRI I've ever heard. Who knew that 22 watts could trump a loud lead singer, a drummer that likes to hammer on his dang crash cymbal, a bass player with a stack, and the loudest acoustic guitar player ever?

But seriously, folks, I have it on decent authority that GK stuff can sh** the bed pretty heinously. Should I stay away?

I played a Bassman 250 and an SWR Working Pro 15 today and I liked both of them...should I just go with a combo like that?

[Mikey]

RJ,
Drop down to Sound Source, see Johnny V., tell him what you want, he'll find it for you, pay for it, take it home, be happy.
That's all there is to it.

[doc540]

my 2 cents:

The older I get the less I wanna haul.

I went with a super light SansAmp Tech21 RBI with it's great, tube-like tone, and the lightest QSC power amp I could find.

Linked it to two very reasonably priced Avatar cabs.

Very portable, inexpensive, great tone for the money.



Just ignore that SX HO to the right. It's long gone.

[Kap'n]

I notice you've also got the rack with the luggage handle and wheels. I just did that for the PA power amp.

[doc540]

You know, we put a man on the moon in '69.

You think we could've figured out how to add wheels and handles to amp racks back then too.

sheeesh....

Well, at least my Acoustic 360 had'em to move that big coffin around.

And since that pic was taken, I've added casters to the 15 cab.

[FrankJohnson]

If you really wanted to go cheap on that setup -

add this 15/2-10 cab set
http://www.musicsupplycenter.com/Pro...Code=300%2D12L

and add a lower watt QSC bridged (istead of running one channel)....bring your total costs down, and allow you to afford the wheeled cases and casters like doc said......

[Rickenjangle]

Nice looking setup, Doc! And nice looking cabs, Frank!

I just had some disheartening news...the gear I have to trade is worth very little to my music store owner/friend, so I'd have to kick in big time to get anything. I'm gonna have to craigslist my drumset and bass amp, to even get a fair value for the drums. So I'll have to wait awhile...

[Offshore Angler]

That sumbitch has the loudest DRRI I've ever heard. Who knew that 22 watts could trump a loud lead singer, a drummer that likes to hammer on his dang crash cymbal, a bass player with a stack, and the loudest acoustic guitar player ever?

He, he,he...

[Mikey]

Hmmmmmmm....
Never thought I'd hear that about Swanky! Afet all the years we tried to get him to turn up!
Whooda thunkit?

[rudutch]

this might work

http://www.marty-obrien.com/Impellit...ur/BassRig.jpg

is portabiliy a factor?

[Rickenjangle]

Hmmmmmmm....
Never thought I'd hear that about Swanky! Afet all the years we tried to get him to turn up!
Whooda thunkit?

Yes, but he plays his acoustic through a Lab series...what is that, about 140 watts, into that Jensen speaker cab with a pair of woofers and a tweeter with a passive crossover?

[Rickenjangle]

this might work

http://www.marty-obrien.com/Impellit...ur/BassRig.jpg

is portabiliy a factor?

<guffaw> Well, if you want to be my roadie every Sunday morning at church, then it's not...

Seriously, I'm leaning toward the SWR Working Pro 15 (I'd like the 2x10 model but it's $200 more). Nice blend of power, clarity, tweakabilty, and portabilty.

[FrankJohnson]

<guffaw> Well, if you want to be my roadie every Sunday morning at church, then it's not...

Seriously, I'm leaning toward the SWR Working Pro 15 (I'd like the 2x10 model but it's $200 more). Nice blend of power, clarity, tweakabilty, and portabilty.

RJ -

You have mail.......

FJ

[rudutch]

<guffaw> Well, if you want to be my roadie every Sunday morning at church, then it's not...

Seriously, I'm leaning toward the SWR Working Pro 15 (I'd like the 2x10 model but it's $200 more). Nice blend of power, clarity, tweakabilty, and portabilty.

Just funnin' ya - I think I am busy every sun AM for the next 5 years or so.

That would solve YOUR volume issue though..

[trevorus]

I play GK stuff, and it's my main amp. The other one is a trace elliot pre/power setup that is not cheap or light...

The backline series is ok, until you get to the 600. The 600 is a step above all the rest, for sure. I play the 1001RB, and I really love it. I have abused the hell out of it for about 4-5 years with no problems (except for knobs which I broke off... )

I use it with an Aguilar GS212 cabinet, and it has some major ballz, if you know what I'm saying.

[cre2403]

I've played em all over a period of damn near 40 years playing bass, and even though I REALLY liked the sound out of the Tech 21 300 watt amp (and its light weight) - I keep coming back to Carvin. You just cannot beat the value for the money. I'm playing a 1000 watt red line amp that sells for $569 and has so much tone control capability you can make it sound like just about anything. Headroom galore, which is what you want in a bass amp. I've never had to turn it up past 3. If you want to save a little dough, you can get the 600 watt version. http://www.carvin.com/products/group.php?CID=RLS

I also bought an Avatar 2x12 this year, to replace my venerable Hartke 4x10 (which still functions fine) - but 2 -12's sound a bunch better and the cab is rated at 900 watts. Once again, its REALLY hard to get a better value for the money. The Avatar cabs sound great, reproduce the low B string just fine, have an adjustable tweeter, and are solidly built. The B212 is $299! plus shipping. http://www.avatarspeakers.com/

[Rickenjangle]

RJ -

You have mail.......

FJ

Frank, I've got a new email addy. I'll have to update my profile...

[Rickenjangle]

Thanks, cre...I've heard about Carvin now from a couple of pro players around here whom I respect, in addition to you...so, I'll have to give them a good hard look, too.

I assume they've got a money-back guarantee, since you can't try before you buy?

[FrankJohnson]

Frank, I've got a new email addy. I'll have to update my profile...

I sent a note to Mikey last night - if he didn't get up with you.....shoot me an email at tonegrowler@yahoo.com So I can follow up......

[Rich Briere]

RJ.....gorgeous Rick!! I see a lot of guys who want a killer bass amp that's easy to move going with the Genz-Benz Neo 400. It takes you right back to the days of walking into a gig with your bass in one hand and your amp in the other!!

Bass-ically Yours,
Rich Briere