After years of playing with the same gear, I’ve decided to order a LFSys Monza. I was torn between a Monza and a Monaco.
Stephen really helped me along in making the choice, although ultimately I had to make it myself, and I went for the more compact and lighter option. I’m very curious, especially whether the cab will provide enough headroom, particularly during rehearsals with a band that has two guitarists, a solid drummer, and a keyboard player who really digs in on his Hammond plus Leslie. A second Monza is always an option, but I hope I can manage with just one.
It’s quite a gamble to put your money on a speaker cabinet you’ve never heard in person. I based my decision purely on the posts here on Basschat, the specs, and the info on the website. The cabinet itself (the wood, the bracing) already looks like a beautifully thought-out piece of craftsmanship. I don’t think it could be better. I’m as excited as a kid for the delivery and will of course share how the Monza performs in the field, both in the rehearsal space as a stand-alone and as an addition for stage sound. Live, I always play with my band using in-ears and PA.
I could even leave everything at home for gigs and just take my bass and pedalboard with me. But according to our sound engineer, some bass sound should also come from the stage itself. The drummer does that naturally, and the guitarists bring amps and cabs as well. People standing at the front of the stage also deserve the experience of a live band, not just PA sound coming from the sides.
It might seem like a noble goal that I’m making this investment for the audience, but of course I’m really buying it for myself (haha!). It’s great to have the finest gear and to purchase something from someone who puts so much heart and soul into their work. That part is definitely not a gamble. I am 100% certain about that and have complete confidence in it. Whether it stops at one Monza, I’ll let you know. If it does, then we’re truly talking about innovation, evolution, and refinement that I can benefit from now, and that younger bass players will also benefit from later.
There’s so much commercial gear for sale, including small cabinets at very low prices. I’ve also owned and used larger cabs, like the Chinese-made Kustom 8x10 (a fantastic cab in terms of sound) or Ampeg’s budget B-410 series. There’s good and affordable gear out there. It doesn’t always have to be expensive or boutique to sound great. But I also want to explore the spectrum of the best builders, the ones who make the very best there is. That can cost a bit more, and that’s a personal choice.