Just finished assembling my lightweight rig, and I’m absolutely loving it!
Set up now is:
[b]Feline Bass (5 string) --- DHA VT2-twin-eq-std --- Genz Benz Shuttle 9 --- Barefaced Compact[/b]
I’ve had the components for home playing for a while, and my first proper test was the weekend just gone, managing to get a rehearsal (finally) in with my “band”. I’d managed to dial in so many good tones at home on my own, i couldn’t wait to get it out.
The first test was whether I could actually carry it down the road (admittedly only 1,000 yards to the train station – then another 200 yards the other end). Pretty easy – cab in one hand, guitar on my back, bag of pedals and cables in the other.
I arrived early and set up with the drummer (guitarist was as usual late!) and let rip – this set packs one hell of a wallop. I EQ’d a little on the Genz, added the Extra low pre set to find my sweet spot, and it was tonal Nirvana! This is one hell of an amp in an almost ridiculously small package. I love the tone variety and the wallop it can hit you with.
Throwing in the DHA VT2 to provide some overdrive and fuzz when needed, and the versatility in tone was staggering! Really tubey and aggressive. I love the two tube stages – the first adding a little more bite than the Genz can conjure, the second taking it to a heavy overdrive/fuzz.
The compact just seems to throw out bass – literally trouser flapping!! The low B is the best I’ve ever heard it – articulate, fat, didn’t fade quickly, sounded equal in level to every other sting on the instrument.
When the guitar was eventually brought into the mix, it cut through easily, and kicked the arse out of a Marshall 412 – we’re a pretty loud band, and the guitarist resigned himself to running another amp in stereo to try and boost enough to get our mix right.
I know loudness isn’t what it’s all about, but running a single 15 in such a light weight rig, as well as more than achieving my tonal goals whilst being stupidly loud put the biggest smile on my face!!
What i thought sounded pretty good at home, just came to life in a rehearsal room in a live context. I can’t wait till next time, and to get it out gigging!!
I’m so pleased with each element of this rig, the tone, finish (The pedal and cab are extremely well built, and aesthetically i love their appearance) and the customer service I received from Alex and Dave, I just thought I’d share.