casapete

[quote name='Daquifsta' post='594307' date='Sep 9 2009, 09:14 PM']I've just been in a very similar position: joining my first band and wondering what to do for stage gear. For me, quality rather than cheap, but also on a budget points straight away to the second hand market. What I've ended up with is an almost new Hartke LH1000 head (cost me £350), two pretty battered but servicable Peavey 210 TVX cabs (about £60 each) and some serious cables from an ebay seller called bassic bits to join it all together. Bassically , I've spent just over £500 to get IMHO a pretty serious rig, with the flexibility of only using one 2 x 10 cab in a smaller venue. But that's just what I've done - there as many opinions as there are members on here. Happy hunting![/quote] IIRC the Peavey cabs are only 175 watts rms@4 ohms, so there is a real danger of damaging the drivers with your Hartke if you give it some stick. The Peaveys are IMO a great sounding 2x10,just take care with that volume knob!

When I broke my left arm last year, I started gigging again playing bass parts (with my right arm!)on a Roland D5 synth. It was either that or not eat for a couple of months! My band was very understanding,and helped with gear etc. Did n't find it too difficult as have some piano knowledge, and at first was quite liberating not having a bass strapped on. However,after the novelty began to wear off it got a little frustrating so could n't wait to get back to the real thing.

[quote name='Finbar' post='589066' date='Sep 3 2009, 08:22 PM']Sean's picking it up from me I think, so no need to post it yet. That problem then falls on his shoulders [/quote] So given the fact that I drove 70 miles to deliver the cab to you, and also that Sean is collecting it from yours, maybe a few quid spent on some packaging is n't so bad after all?

[quote name='Finbar' post='588960' date='Sep 3 2009, 06:39 PM']So the "Double Midget Bottom" (hereby referred to as DMB ) is the subbiest thing I'd need for the sub 350Hz solution, although it is still not a true sub? The PLX 1804 looks like a good amp actually, and lighter than what I'm using now. If that would happily push the DMB for some louder bigger lows than the standard DM, then I'd consider it. I always liked that my current QSC has the filtering option on it, but couldn't tell you if it made an audible difference to the sound, just thought it would be more efficient for the amp? I suppose with the extra power, the filtering becomes less important? In other news, still waiting for a reply from Sean about picking the Compact up, just to keep people updated on progress! By the way, what the hell did casapete do to the box I received the cab in? There's only half of it o_O[/quote] The other half was falling apart when I got it. Parcel tape and cardboard should do the job!

Jimmie Vaughan Steve Winwood Both powered by Hammond pedals in a live situation. Saw Little Richard a while ago with 2 bass players (one who looked a bit like Prince funnily enough). Also recent showing on BBC4 of a James Brown concert from St Lukes - 2 bass players in the band.

Had an early Ashdown ABM500 - very reliable and okay sounding amp,though not over loud for its 500 watt rating maybe. Matching 4x10 cab was n't so good for me-heavy and a bit dull,also a sod to lift as the handles were not placed in the correct position,causing the cab to not balance properly when being lifted. A pal's combo had the speaker replaced twice - think the early models suffered from this a bit, though I believe this was later addressed. Always thought Ashdown stuff was generally okay,especially the MAG range-great value for money gear.

I have used one of my bands 1x15+horn ASS PA cabs on numerous gigs, and loved it! Same goes for amps - how come you can buy a good quality 6 maybe 8 channel mixer,say 500 watts per side output and with digital FX built in for less than a single channel bass amp of similar output/quality etc? My Yamaha mixer amp sounds fine for bass to these ears!

We usually do it in G, in whatever style takes our fancy but often swing for some reason...

Nor me - was playing at Bartholomew Barn in Sussex with a Barefaced cab on loan!

[quote name='Mickeyboro' post='579582' date='Aug 24 2009, 09:30 PM']The Rumour (as in Graham Parker and the...) Early Music Man user.[/quote] Great player - saw him with Graham Parker a few times in the late 70's. Stingray and Acoustic rig I think,proper old school sound! Looks like most of The Rumour in the TOTP clip of Nick Lowe too.

Just caught a bit of the interview on Radio 2 on Sunday afternoon with Nile Rodgers on the Johnnie Walker show. Am sure I heard mention of both Nile and Bernard Edwards playing on the song 'I'm doing fine now' by the band New York City. I never knew they had both been involved with the record. Great tune and bassline - produced by Thom Bell in 1973, and later covered here by The Pasadenas I think.

[quote name='casapete' post='571421' date='Aug 17 2009, 10:33 AM']Just received the Compact for my trial period. Am using it with a Gallien Krueger 700RB11 head and a Musicman Sterling bass. Used it last night in a small club with my band. Lineup is voc/guit/keys/trpt/tnr sax/drums and bass, doing covers of all sorts. The stage was tiny (especially for 7 fat lads), so I was crammed in a corner next to the (incredibly loud)drummer. Initial impressions very favourable. After altering my eq settings (usually use a 4x10) around a bit, ended up with a good rounded sound with a surprising amount of lower mids too. Cab performed effortlessly throughout 2x60 min sets, remaing clear and loud. Had to run my amp slightly up on the master vol to my 'normal' setting (my usual cab is 4 ohm,so guess thats why?), but still had plenty left. All the band were amazed at the performance of something so compact and light. Although not ideal testing situation, certainly has made me think it would be able to cope with most of my gigs okay. And how good to be able to walk into the gig with my amp in one hand and speaker in the other,both weighing nearly the same! So important to me following an arm injury which has left me difficulties with handling heavy cabs. Am going to be seriously considering putting an order in. Will report back from any other gigs before reluctantly passing on to the next guy on the list - Finbar in S.Yorks. Great idea for getting the cabs heard Alex - good luck with your business mate, and thank you.[/quote] Following on from the above, have used the Compact in 3 more gigs during my week with it. First was a wedding gig with the 7 piece band, again using my Sterling and GK700 head. Large room, used the DJ's PA via our mixer. Bass sounded great,loud and full but still enough top. Turned down my DI output as it was almost not needed! Next up was my weekly gig with my country-rock band. Medium sized pub room,noted for being a bright and loud sounding room anyway it has to be said. Just mainly vocals through the PA. Again used my Sterling bass but this time with a Gallien 800RB head,which is my favourite amp - not as loud as the GK700 but still punchy. The Compact again performed brilliantly,and compared more than favourably with the large 2x15 EV loaded cab that I normally use on this gig, especially when considering it's size and weight. Last gig was on Saturday night at a very swish wedding in West Sussex. Played some quiet jazzy standards outside on a terrace in the afternoon sun-the cab sounded fine at lower volume too,and again it's small dimensions made the job easier. Afterwards moved the band into adjoining barn conversion for the evening do-band crammed into a tiny corner of the room/lots of drunk punters etc etc. Through all this the Compact cut through fine again, and remained so all evening So regretfully took the cab over to Sheffield yesterday for Finbar to try. Have really enjoyed using the Compact, and it has certainly changed my ideas on what I actually need to take to my gigs now! Will hopefully be placing an order with Alex in the not too distant future. For anyone who is on the list to try it out, would recommend using the cab in as many differing situations as you can manage, especially on gigs where you already know the room sound etc so you can make an informed opinion on how it performs. Am sure you'll be impressed like I have been. Thanks again to Alex for setting up the 'tour'. Cheers, Pete.

Having just had the Compact on trial would be very interested to be included on a Big One list too. Not that near Nottingham but would happily travel to collect/pass it on - I'm in East Yorkshire near Hull. Cheers.