[quote name='david_l_perry' post='580431' date='Aug 25 2009, 04:58 PM']Stu's band plays fairly low backline levels, pretty sure that was the main reason for using the single cab.
I bought Shauns (4000's) 2 GS112's off him, great sounding cabs, but didn't for second suit his Rick tone at all. We go for massively different tones. I like a very modern twang, I like having the horn.
At a gig where the backline was our pal, Stuarts 2 GS112's and Mark bass head, the first bass player had a tone to me that was superb (active warwick dolphin from memory...great player as well), shaun's passive Rick through the same rig just didn't do his playing any justice at all.
I have been gigging recently with just the one cab, mainly as it is plenty loud enough for the small gigs I have been doing. but have to say the two cabs paired together are superb.
As always, one mans tone is another mans bag of washing.....
Dave[/quote]
Hi Guys,
Yes Dave, the main reasons for the single cab, is to get the backline level down so that my bass tone does not compromise the on stage monitoring, the three part harmonies etc on the Fleetwood Mac and Eagles tunes are quite tough on the singists and to give full authority to the sound engineer, front of house to get the best sound out of the performance i.e. no bleed over.
That said, I have used my LMK and single GS112 as a backline without pa support, in smaller venues with my regular band and as a dep for a local blues band in both cases a simple vocal PA was in use. I had taken two cabs but ended up using one!!
I see a lot bass players who perhaps do not appreciate how much cabs can throw their sound, they stand in front of a couple of 4 x 10s struggle to hear themselves whilst people in the middle of the room get too much volume. A bit of distance between bass player and cab can make a lot of difference. In many circumstances a smaller set up can give you more control.
I play quite a lot, up to three gigs a week with my main band, a jazz band jamming session most weeks, and a rehearsal, convenience is important. I have my LMK in the markbass rucksack type case, so bass, cab, and amp can be carried from car into venue in one trip. I have used this set up since 2005 with no real signs of wear or breakdowns (after lots of gigs), I get a great tone using my MM stingray, feedback from other bass players has been positive and I may have inspired one or two purchases of LMKs and Aguilars!
I also use a 1977 fender precision with tru bass strings and a Gary Willis Ibanez fretless, through the same set up and I think I get good results. I possibly agree with Shaun and Dave regarding the Ricks, I used a Rick for a while and whilst I got a good tone using my LMK and Aguilars my trace elliot rig really let the sound out better.
One cab is plenty for most applications, especially if you have pa support. The master volume on the LMK seldom gets above 2! I cannot recommend the Mark Bass and Aguilar combination more highly.
Stu