Bobo_Grimmer Posted November 16, 2012 Share Posted November 16, 2012 Hey, I've spent years developing a sound that i love. And i'm still working on tweaking and adjusting my sound setup to get exactly what i like. Right now i run an 8U rack with effects, comp's, tuner ect along with a 1000W old trace head with a trace 8x10 and a full rather large floor deck full of pedals, buttons and knobby goodness (all flight cased and protected other than my cab...). Also a 4 string, a 5 and an EUB. I feels like a lot some times but it really sounds lovely and exactly what i love in bass tone but... I feel worried about taking my gear to gig's. It gets me all worked up before i leave and sometimes it can really bugger up the mood of the gig for me. I'm going to be getting a new 300W tube amp soon as i'm after a more low mid growl that my trace won't achieve and this also makes my stomach knot up just thinking another flight case i'm going to have to walk in the door with at a gig. Am i being a paranoid weirdo? Does anyone feel like this? [size=3]I do suffer from depression and i'm kind of agoraphobic. Funny that then choose to play some gigs in front of hundreds of faces, packed venues on stage where people can see me....[/size] Oh i didn't think i need to explain my rig fully but can if needs be. Short answer is it sounds just right for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary mac Posted November 16, 2012 Share Posted November 16, 2012 Not sure what to say really. If it works for you, then great. If you are stressing, then downsize, unless you really need that size of rig for the venues you are playing. Personally I'm happy with a little class D amp, a couple of mark bass cabs and a P bass. Works for my pub gigs and occassional wedding/function type. Never found my set up to be under powered or lacking and no more back ache, so its all good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobbytodd Posted November 16, 2012 Share Posted November 16, 2012 no not really.because ive gone with a streamliner and 2 2x10 cabs stacked verticaly i get really defensive when our singer gets women up onto the stage.it might not be the most expensive rig but its mine and i worked hard to pay for it so i dont want it knocked over by some drunken bint that wont give two shits if it gets damaged Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arthurhenry Posted November 16, 2012 Share Posted November 16, 2012 I used to be excited about taking lots of gear to gigs, but these days and at my age, my approach is "What can I do without?" I'm constantly tweaking and refining things, so that I can take less gear with me. As a very simple example, I've just replaced a 20ft lead with a 5ft one for one particular connection. Every little helps! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobo_Grimmer Posted November 16, 2012 Author Share Posted November 16, 2012 [quote name='gary mac' timestamp='1353084709' post='1871512'] Not sure what to say really. If it works for you, then great. If you are stressing, then downsize, unless you really need that size of rig for the venues you are playing. Personally I'm happy with a little class D amp, a couple of mark bass cabs and a P bass. Works for my pub gigs and occassional wedding/function type. Never found my set up to be under powered or lacking and no more back ache, so its all good. [/quote] Sounds like a nice set up. i love those mark bass cabs. yeah it's loud enough for anything but because it's all i have i have to take it even if one gig is in a tiny place. I have alot of stuff as as a band we experiment with all genre of music without pigeon hole'ing our selves and different tunings so i can go from a clean rounded bass tone to some really squidgy mess that's more key's than bass in one set... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobo_Grimmer Posted November 16, 2012 Author Share Posted November 16, 2012 [quote name='bobbytodd' timestamp='1353084714' post='1871514'] no not really.because ive gone with a streamliner and 2 2x10 cabs stacked verticaly i get really defensive when our singer gets women up onto the stage.it might not be the most expensive rig but its mine and i worked hard to pay for it so i dont want it knocked over by some drunken bint that wont give two shits if it gets damaged [/quote] i can understand that. i have the same feeling. Spent all my hard earned money on this rig! [quote name='arthurhenry' timestamp='1353084934' post='1871517'] I used to be excited about taking lots of gear to gigs, but these days and at my age, my approach is "What can I do without?" I'm constantly tweaking and refining things, so that I can take less gear with me. As a very simple example, I've just replaced a 20ft lead with a 5ft one for one particular connection. Every little helps! [/quote] indeed it does! I've managed to condense everything down into the easiest to set up and rack down i can but still get all the things i like in there.... just still comes out at 2, soon to be 3, flight cases, cab, 2 basses and the upright.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted November 16, 2012 Share Posted November 16, 2012 I have 3 rigs ..and choose which one I want to use according to things like stage size/venue size or load-in etc etc .. I don't take out pdedals but am thinking of adding a pedal board for one or two tracks. It is not about what I want to carry..it is more about how much space I have at the gig. Some rigs are just too much rig for the gig, IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobo_Grimmer Posted November 16, 2012 Author Share Posted November 16, 2012 [quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1353085339' post='1871532'] I have 3 rigs ..and choose which one I want to use according to things like stage size/venue size or load-in etc etc .. I don't take out pdedals but am thinking of adding a pedal board for one or two tracks. It is not about what I want to carry..it is more about how much space I have at the gig. Some rigs are just too much rig for the gig, IMO. [/quote] That would be nice to be able to have a choice of rigs that i know i can achieve what i desire from and fit the gig.... But your thought of too much rig for the gig... that's what i worry about. If the gear i use is what get's me the sounds i use then it's not too much rig right? I guess i would like others at gigs to understand that and not think i'm some kind of pretentious pleb that wants to show off there gear or something.... O_o Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
51m0n Posted November 16, 2012 Share Posted November 16, 2012 Kinda, I am considered almost paranoid by some of the bands I work withy, but its quality kity, I literally saved for ages to buy some of the bits. I have every right to feel a bit worried. However it is all insured with Endsleigh (note to self need to redo that before the end of the month) for just over a hundred pounds a year - which really helps the sense of dread! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrenochrome Posted November 16, 2012 Share Posted November 16, 2012 Unless absolutely unavoidable, I wouldn't have any gear at all that wasn't comfortable to use, or I was worried about punters knocking into or whatever. I have downsized to a loud 4x10 on wheels and hybrid head. All my gear works well but isn't irreplacable by any means. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merlin Posted November 16, 2012 Share Posted November 16, 2012 Just down sized to Tc 500 thingy and 2 12 cab,dont miss all the cabs and I have binned the radio and effects,much happier now,just me and my jazz.But you know whats going to happen,dont you.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobo_Grimmer Posted November 16, 2012 Author Share Posted November 16, 2012 See i'm not as worried about the gear getting damaged or anything like that...I'm happy for others to use my rig and people offten ask if its ok because they'd like to. maybe i should be more worried about that... lol It's is starting to sound silly to me now that i'm worrying about what other bass players will think of me.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrenochrome Posted November 16, 2012 Share Posted November 16, 2012 [quote name='Bobo_Grimmer' timestamp='1353086161' post='1871551'] It's is starting to sound silly to me now that i'm worrying about what other bass players will think of me.... [/quote] It's a discussion forum and you're discussing, nowt wrong with that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted November 16, 2012 Share Posted November 16, 2012 [quote name='Bobo_Grimmer' timestamp='1353085633' post='1871539'] That would be nice to be able to have a choice of rigs that i know i can achieve what i desire from and fit the gig.... But your thought of too much rig for the gig... that's what i worry about. If the gear i use is what get's me the sounds i use then it's not too much rig right? I guess i would like others at gigs to understand that and not think i'm some kind of pretentious pleb that wants to show off there gear or something.... O_o [/quote] When I say too much rig for the gig... Some amps are just too damn loud..... and not suitable for the pub, for example. I used a DB750 in a room and was asked to turn up.... ??? I don't like the sound in this place at the best of times... too many low beams and knooks and crannies, so you don't want POWERFUL bass swimming around.. and this amp is POWERFUL, and the drummer was affected by the bass so much, he was feeling sick. Now, I turned down to the level i felt was ok for the mix and he was ok... but it left unattended, that could have spoilt the whole gig by thinking it was ok loud, when it was too much loud. For that gig I would normally run a 4-550w rig into 2x112's... For larger, I would use 550w into 2x210 and then there is 750w into a stage rig... I am not a loud player into the amp so need the headroom but even so..sometimes you can have too much. Of course, you can turn down, but then you can use a lighter amp..and not carry a rack weighing 60lbs or so. There Is a difference in the sound as well... the tone is consistant and to my liking but some amps have SO much more balls that others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE Posted November 16, 2012 Share Posted November 16, 2012 I look back to when I was younger. Used to always buy the bass mags, drooling over the gear. Those days I couldn't drive (still don't). I had a great big ohm cab /head. Then got various combos, which weighed a ton. I was only gigging infrequently and rehearsed more. Those lovely more comact combos from Gallien Krueger were being advertised , but they were too expensive. Everything looks so perfect in the mags. The impression that you have the perfect setup,and you are a rock/soul/funk star etc. Reality hits you when you have to lug stuff up tiny staircases thinner than Kate moss's chest. Then ,you're glad you've got that headless that people are laughing at as you're stuck next to the toilet, playing bum notes.(maybe) The average punter doesn't know the difference between a Trace and a little bastard IMHO , except for the odd beard twitcher. Bottom line, use what you want. I think small is best,) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeFRC Posted November 16, 2012 Share Posted November 16, 2012 I had 3 basses once and sold one cos at the time it fitted my head better having just two. Life's too short to be worrying - and if that means changing the rig so be it. I wonder if it could be made more modular so you can take bits of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobo_Grimmer Posted November 16, 2012 Author Share Posted November 16, 2012 [quote name='Adrenochrome' timestamp='1353086856' post='1871567'] It's a discussion forum and you're discussing, nowt wrong with that. [/quote] good point sir ^_^ [quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1353087353' post='1871574'] I had 3 basses once and sold one cos at the time it fitted my head better having just two. Life's too short to be worrying - and if that means changing the rig so be it. I wonder if it could be made more modular so you can take bits of it. [/quote] your right. And yes I have thought about making it more modular. that's another reason for me getting the new tube head. That way i can get the tonal things i'm afterand then i'm thinking i can run the floor deck all through the front of the amp and run the rack on the insert effect on the floor deck. that way i can choose what i want to take and when, depending on set list requirements and also the length of said set. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dingus Posted November 16, 2012 Share Posted November 16, 2012 Maybe your anxieties about other things are attaching themselves to your issues with your equipment. You say you suffer with a degree of depression and agraphobia - both of which are not uncommon anxiety conditions- and if your music and equipment are important to you ( as they obviously are) it would be unusual for your wider worries not to impinge on this part of your life in some way . If you aren't excessively worried about the gear getting damaged or stolen then you should ask yourself what is it exactly that you do fear ? What is the worst case scenario that you imagine or anticipate happening ? Is the situation bad enough that you want to do something to change it ? And being agoraphobic doesn't neccesarily impact on a persons ability to get up in front of others and perform . It's more likely to prevent somoene from being able to get out of the house and get to the gig in the first place , but someone who can do that , even if they were agrophobic to some degree , would probably be as capable as the next man of getting on stage and playing so you are not being inconsistant in that respect . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobo_Grimmer Posted November 16, 2012 Author Share Posted November 16, 2012 [quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1353088184' post='1871590'] Maybe your anxieties about other things are attaching themselves to your issues with your equipment. You say you suffer with a degree of depression and agraphobia - both of which are not uncommon anxiety conditions- and if your music and equipment are important to you ( as they obviously are) it would be unusual for your wider worries not to impinge on this part of your life in some way . If you aren't excessively worried about the gear getting damaged or stolen then you should ask yourself what is it exactly that you do fear ? What is the worst case scenario that you imagine or anticipate happening ? Is the situation bad enough that you want to do something to change it ? And being agoraphobic doesn't neccesarily impact on a persons ability to get up in front of others and perform . It's more likely to prevent somoene from being able to get out of the house and get to the gig in the first place , but someone who can do that , even if they were agrophobic to some degree , would probably be as capable as the next man of getting on stage and playing so you are not being inconsistant in that respect . [/quote] This is exactly what the missus and i have just been talking about. It kind of feel like i have a justification hat for my GAS and that hat goes on a lot. That then in turn feeds the negativity i feel from looks and wonders about thoughts other musicians are having of me at gigs.... If that makes sense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BottomE Posted November 16, 2012 Share Posted November 16, 2012 I'm with Luke. It's only gear after all. No matter what its worth there are far more important things in life to enjoy - most are free Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doddy Posted November 16, 2012 Share Posted November 16, 2012 I'm a big believer in the sound being primarily in your hands...with that I'm now using an Ashdown MiBass 550 with the Mi12 cab. It's a really small rig,but I'm getting the tone I want and enough volume for any gig- plus it's one trip in and out. If I take my pedal board out,it's one plug socket more than normal and that's it (I always use a volume pedal and tuner). That's a massive rig you've got.I reckon that you could totally downsize (especially the amp and cab) and you'd still be able to get your sound.I'm sure a rig that big is overkill for a lot of places. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobo_Grimmer Posted November 16, 2012 Author Share Posted November 16, 2012 [quote name='BottomE' timestamp='1353088684' post='1871600'] I'm with Luke. It's only gear after all. No matter what its worth there are far more important things in life to enjoy - most are free [/quote] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobo_Grimmer Posted November 16, 2012 Author Share Posted November 16, 2012 [quote name='Doddy' timestamp='1353088886' post='1871606'] I'm a big believer in the sound being primarily in your hands...with that I'm now using an Ashdown MiBass 550 with the Mi12 cab. It's a really small rig,but I'm getting the tone I want and enough volume for any gig- plus it's one trip in and out. If I take my pedal board out,it's one plug socket more than normal and that's it (I always use a volume pedal and tuner). That's a massive rig you've got.I reckon that you could totally downsize (especially the amp and cab) and you'd still be able to get your sound.I'm sure a rig that big is overkill for a lot of places. [/quote] Ok so your saying the amp and cab are the over kill bit? or all of it? The rack effects and the pedal board are all stuff for sounds we use..... The good thing about the amp is that it goes loud enough for playing big venues like the O2 and is tonally lovely at a lower volume in my local Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BottomE Posted November 16, 2012 Share Posted November 16, 2012 [quote name='Doddy' timestamp='1353088886' post='1871606'] I'm a big believer in the sound being primarily in your hands... [/quote] So true. It takes a lot of money and time to get to this conclusion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BottomE Posted November 16, 2012 Share Posted November 16, 2012 Don't you find though that when in a live situation with a band a lot of the nuances that you get from your electrics get lost in the mix? Then what is left is your style and feel which will be the same, especially to 99% of the audience, irrespective of which amp or pickups or whatever else you might use. Its easy to get hung up on a "sound" but actually its a style and feel thats more important Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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