Upsizing or Downsizing Gear

[tim_7string]

When I was starting out, I had some pretty humble gear. My first keyboard was a small, portable Casio CZ-101 synthesizer with mini-keys and a homemade keyboard stand made out of wood. For amplification, I had an old Ross Bigmouth combo bass amp (1x15). Later on, I upgraded to a better keyboard (an Ensoniq ESQ-1) and a real keyboard stand (Ultimate Support Deltex 2-tier). I never did get a specific keyboard amp though, but I may someday. I usually just use the P.A. monitors.

 

For guitar, I started out with an Ibanez RG-style guitar (not sure the exact model) and a Peavey Studio Pro 112 (1989/1990 version). The combination of the two sounded great! In my late twenties, I went through a phase where I thought I should buy something more professional ampwise. So, I bought a used Randall RG100ES head and a new Randall RS412J 4x12 cabinet to match.

 

Trouble is, even though I loved Pantera (the original reason I went Randall), I never really cared for it. It didn't have the sound I was looking for. It was good for classic rock, but not the crunchy metal I liked. The Peavey, cheap as it was, actually sounded closer to what I wanted. But, I thought I should have something BIG because I felt that it made me appear to be more professional than some little 1x12 combo amp would. Unfortunately, it was also a chore to haul around to band rehearsals and gigs (and an occasional open jam).

 

These days, I have downsized. Rather than buy a huge Ampeg head/8x10 cab set up when I joined a couple of country-rock bands, I just traded in my old Randall half-stack for a Fender Bassman 60 combo bass amp. I just lined it out and let the P.A. do the work. It was very easy to haul the Bassman and it actually worked better for the places I played, especially casinos, where you can't be too loud or you get the boot.

 

Now that I'm back on guitar, instead of searching for another half stack, I'm using my original Peavey amp again because it's easier to transport and I can get the sound I like out of it. I have it on an amp stand now, which works great since I can hear it a lot easier now rather than putting it on the floor or a box.

 

I see a lot of local and regional bands that play originals with big gear (Marshall stacks, huge pedalboards, expensive guitars), yet often do not get paid very much. Conversely, I see a lot of cover bands that gig frequently and make some $, but they hardly have any gear (not counting the P.A. system and lights). They're usually playing out of small combo amps with an all-in-one floor unit. It almost seems like the opposite should be true for both groups (big money, big gear and little to no money, smaller gear). Kind of odd, huh?

 

Anyway, I was just curious what your experiences and reasons were for upsizing (buying more "pro" stuff) or downsizing (playing on more "humble" toys).

[Zurich17]

A band we played with last night had full flightcases for all their guitars/pedalboards/amps (like proper ATA ones that wouldn't be out of place in a Rolling Stones semi truck), brought their own mics/mic stands to a pub gig, had wireless in-ear monitors (that they couldn't get working, but wasted 1/2 hour of soundcheck trying to set up).

 

But they also had an awful drum kit (the bass drum skin was held together by some tape, sounded terrible), cheapo guitars/basses (like

[brassic]

I've been thinking about downsizing. I've got a Marshall with a 4x12 cab that I don't bring out very much because it's such a pain to haul around. It's also ridiculously loud to use at home (100w + victorian mid-terrace house with families next door = no way). I can't bear to part with it because I love the sound but I only ever use it when I can talk the boyfriend into helping me out.

 

I've been using my 30w Laney 1x12 combo (bought 3yrs ago from a fellow HC-er actually), but that's even a PITA to move - there's now way I can carry it on public transport. I am considering selling it because I recently bought a Fender Deluxe Reverb. I know the snobs will turn their noses up at a solid state, but it sounds pretty damn good and weighs about 1/3 less than the Laney.

[quicksilver544]

I've downsized. Got rid of my pedal board in favor of an RP-250. That and a Keeley modded TS9 are my only efffects. For rehersals I bring my 5 watt Crate V8. Plenty loud for that activity and for small venues. Otherwise I'll use my Fender Vibrolux. I'm also down to one guitar, Les Paul standard. I'm traveling pretty light these days, who needs to haul a bunch of gear everywhere you go if your not a touring band?

[SpaceNorman]

Unfortunately, as a keyboard player - downsizing gear can mean giving up alot in terms of how your instrument actually plays and/or capability. I use two relatively heavy keyboards (Yamaha P200 and Roland RD700SX) - both are 88 key weighted action keyboards. While moving to smaller (less keys), lighter (i.e., non weighted action) would be a "playability" impacting change. Reducing my rig to a single keyboard would have much the same impact - and would require that I actually change the parts that I play (or spend buh-zillions of hours program splits and layers in order to get my parts to fit on a single board - which would be a change in itself). While there are other, lighter boards out there - the cost to replace keyboards I already own just hasn't been a priority for me.

 

There is opportunity to save weight in the amplication side of my rig. My rig is definitely NOT lightweight (it's a small slant rack - 8u Vertical / 10u Slant) and consists of a 12 channel Yamaha MG12/4FX mixer, a QSC 1450 Power amp, and Yamaha Motif ES rack mount synth module. There's an extra 15 pounds in the rack in the form of a rack mount CD player and a Furman power strip/conditioner. The amp rack powers a pair of JBL 12" floor wedges.

 

The amp rack would be my best target to reduce weight - perhaps by moving to a small format self powered mixer - and eliminating the CD player (relying on my Ipod instead). Going back to a mono system is another option - albeit a path I'd hate to take considering the huge difference in how it sounds (keys in stereo is the {censored}!).

 

Rather than trying to reduce weight / eliminate equipment - I've done everything I can to make my gear as easy to lug and set-up as I can. I recently built a pedal board that includes a junction box uses multipin cabling to simplify wiring setup. (There's a single snake cable that is pre-wired and stored in the back of the amp rack that runs to the junction box using a multi-pin connection - and a pigtail cable that runs from a multipin connector on the juntion box to a fan-out connectors that connect to the instruments themselves). The pedal board, the fanout cable, along with all the little stuff (i.e., keyboard stand attached mic stand, microphone and cable, etc.) are in a wheeled case that's roughly the size of a keyboard case. With the exception of the amp rack (which is best handled as a two man lift) - everything is as "luggable" as I can make it.

Everything (keyboard cases, amp rack, etc.) is wheeled -or can be moved atop something that is on wheels)

[e021708]

i think to downsize is smart, real smart. the trouble is that for lots of us, we just wanna have all the toys we can get, especially if you could not have them in early years. It turns into the game of "the one who dies with the most toys wins". i need to ebay lot of stuff but it's hard to do..

[twostone]

With all the new technology basically everything is down sizing heck a lot of amp companies make a 4 channel amp that dosen't weigh as much as a boat anchor like the old amps did back in the day and they pack waaay more power also a lot of speaker manufacturers started using molded plastic which reduces the weight plus not counting the more upgraded speaker components like Titanium compressor drivers vs the old Piezo drive that would blow every

3rd gig:mad: Now a days you have more of your suitcase guitarist using amp simulator and not a halfstacks. My first encounter of a suitcase guitarist was about 10 years ago guy walks in with his briefcase and guitar and we're expecting him to come back with a amp and he doesn't I ask him he where in the hell your amp he states it's in my suitcase and breaks out this floor pedal devise full of buttons and ask me you got a PA system I gotta amp and hooks it up into our PA system and wails Steve Vai guitar riffs types demonstrating different amp and FX sounds and we were there with our jaw dropped to the floor on how great it sounded thru the PA system but unfortunately he didn't join our band because our lack of musical experience at the time. Also mixer companies has jump in and made mixer with biult in FX no longer do you need a rack full of FX units. So yea downsizing pretty easy now a days with all the companies competing for your business it's way smart and plus your not gonna lose sound quality you might not be as loud as a Ozzfest concert but you'll be loud enough to piss off the bar owner. I know that from actual experience with our small downsize PA system which is just 2 on a stick and a powered sub and 2 wedges and one powered wedge for our drummer's V drums which IMO is one of the best advance technology ideal that has came along so far. Not only can you control the volume of drums which reduce stage volume that's also reduces FB issue, but the drum sounds from these units KICK MAJOR {censored}ING ASS need to sound like Tool drummer no prob just scrool thru the menu and presto you got that Tool sounding drums need Neil Peart drums just push a button only down side about these Roland V drum's is the cymbals but our drummer uses real cymbals but I guess that a matter of preference. IMO if you decide to downsize you gotta to be a smart shopper lots of marketing BS out there and buy from trusted name brand companies that have reliable and durable gear and doesn't skimp on sound quality like some companies will, so they can cram more BS junk that hinders the sound but looks great on a ad slogan. Just my 2 cents peace out.

[Flannery]

I managed to downsize my rig to where it's only one trip from the car to inside.

 

It took some time but I went with less of a lot of things, and downsized what was left. Now I use a couple of pedals, a 1x12 combo, and besides my guitars, that's it.....

[Blackbelt1]

I have downsized, although I do own my own P.A. and prefer to use it for most gigs.

 

The only guitar amps I have anymore are the 3 small practice amps I have lying around the house. I don't own a giggable amp. I run everything through my Pod XT Live and I'm very happy with this setup. For a lighter gig I have 2 guitars in gig bags, and the Pod XT Live in a gig bag - that's it. I put 1 of the guitar gig bags on my shoulder and carry the rest in - one trip in/out, no assistance needed.

 

For gigs where I bring the P.A. I strategically bought light gear. I have Peavey PR-15s (very large, imposing looking cabs that only weigh 20 pounds), a Yamaha powered mixer, and some small Kustom floor wedges. It involves more trips back and forth to the car but absolutely NO heavy lifting or sweating.

 

~Blackbelt

[Roy Brooks]

I have alot of old guitars, tube amplifiers, and antiquated effects units because that's the kind of {censored} I like. I could always use more. Though every few months or so I might sell off a few things and use the money I made to buy something else.

 

On gigs I usually use a 1x12 or 1x10 combo and a couple guitars. I can carry my entire rig from the car to the stage in one trip.

[The*Ataris]

My load will be increasing soon, though I've been fighting the urge for a while. I currently have a 30 year old Marshall, 2x12, pedalboard, and two guitars, but I think a synth is going to work its way into our set pretty soon. As soon as I can find an old Juno-60 for sale, I think we're going to push it a little harder. I think a Rhodes is next as soon as I can justify that purchase (yes, rhat, I've heard your argument. I'm still in love ).

 

Our bass player will probably be upgrading in the near future too. He's currently playing through some SWR amp and a 4x10 and playing on max at every show. It's such an important part of our sound, I'd like him to find something with more headroom and coverage.

[Luigi]

i went to a "one" keyboard set-up. My whole stage is an x-stand, a triton (splits/layers) and a small amp that lays on it's back, pointing up to my head. this only requires a plastic bin for a the amp and a handful of connections/pedals. I am very happy with this, as flying with keys was always a bitch, now not so bad. I can take the triton and power supply, and the venue has the rest on the gig.i have our entire show mapped out and only have to punch in a three digit number, or push the "next" button. Going back to multiple keys and big monitors/amps/racks....i just can't see a good purpose for it.

[twostone]

I have downsized, although I do own my own P.A. and prefer to use it for most gigs. The only guitar amps I have anymore are the 3 small practice amps I have lying around the house. I don't own a giggable amp. I run everything through my Pod XT Live and I'm very happy with this setup. For a lighter gig I have 2 guitars in gig bags, and the Pod XT Live in a gig bag - that's it. I put 1 of the guitar gig bags on my shoulder and carry the rest in - one trip in/out, no assistance needed. For gigs where I bring the P.A. I strategically bought light gear. I have Peavey PR-15s (very large, imposing looking cabs that only weigh 20 pounds), a Yamaha powered mixer, and some small Kustom floor wedges. It involves more trips back and forth to the car but absolutely NO heavy lifting or sweating. ~Blackbelt

 

We got 2 guitarist that use similar set up except we use Yorkie monitors and the other guitarist uses a J-Station gotta love it you can carry your guitar and amp Sim. pedal in a gig bag thrown over your shoulder and grab the PR 15's and then set up the mixer and your done, in what 15-20 minutes tops? Now that's what I call advanced modern technology because back in the old days it took 2 guys to carry 1 speaker and then another trip for the other speaker then your amp rack which took 4 guys because the amps weights as much as army tank and that was just for the PA system that wasn't including your back line gear. Can't wait for the day they make a PA system that's the size of a boombox and weighs 5lbs but can dish out SPL as loud as a Ozzfest. Now that would be just way to cool.

[kurfu]

I've mid-sized... Several years ago my bass rig was a 2x15 cab and a 12-space rack on top (Ampeg preamp, Crown power amp, tuner, compressor, 2-space rack drawer). I sold it all when I quit playing in bands for a few years.

 

When I got back into playing live, I got an Ampeg 1x15 combo, which was loud enough for the small bars, but was too weak for the bigger places.

 

Last January I traded the combo in and got an Ampeg 4x10 cabinet (with wheels, thank God!) and an Ampeg head. It all fits nicely into my Rav-4, and I'm happy.

[ggm1960]

I'm hoping the day will arrive when all I need to bring is a guitar, keyboards and a laptop computer /w interface.

[Scottywompas]

I've downsized and I'm thinking of downsizing even more.

 

I went from half stack to small rack with a preamp/effect/pwramp with 2x12's to a single 12 combo(boogie MKIV)

 

The boogie weighs nearly 70 lbs so I'm thinking that most of the private gigs we do don't call for a lot of firepower. I'm thinking of going with an express 5:50 or a riveral clubster, possibly even a blues Jr. I'll use the MkIV and the extension cab for the outdoor fairs,festivals etc..

 

I think the remark about the cover band who gets paid more and has less gear is simple business. Maximizing your profit. The less gear you have to load in, the less effort load in, setup and load out are. Therefore, you are earning more per hour if your only spending a half hour setting up (pa included).

 

Scott

[The*Ataris]

...and I suppose I'd like to say that I respect all of these guitarists who decided to play a modeling device through a P.A., but I can't get my sound out of one, and can't see myself using one as long as real amps are an option.

 

I own a POD XT and it sits in a box--absolutely hate the thing. Before you call me a tube elitist or something, though, I did give it a shot and found it worthy of late night practice, but I could never perform with it. It just doesn't sound like a guitar amp...

 

My gear is four trips and I never carry anything over 50 pounds. I'm done and helping everyone else in no time...

[way2fat]

I've downsized to the rig in my sig without any sacrifice in sound. 1400 Watts, 93 lbs. total. Now I'm looking to trans-size to a URB.

[newmaxnew]

As for gear quality I have upgraded my gear over the years as my general income has increased.

 

I have two rigs one for original band and one for cover band. I use a Line 6 HD147 and 4X12 cab for the original three piece band and a peavey classic 50 into a 2 X 12 cab and some stompboxes for the classic rock cover band.

 

Max

[wades_keys]

 

Our bass player will probably be upgrading in the near future too. He's currently playing through some SWR amp and a 4x10 and playing on max at every show. It's such an important part of our sound, I'd like him to find something with more headroom and coverage.

 

Tell him to check out the SansAmp RBI - all analog preamp with tube emulation.

 

A lot of guys are running these into the fx return of SWR's to beef up their tone.

 

I just got one myself and it sounds killer - does a real fine SVT emulation and the presence is just fantastic - the notes jump out with real nice pop and clarity.

[ToneGrail]

Currently my setup is:

 

2 guitars

1 keyboard/stand

1 Crate Powerblock

1 1x12 cabinet

1 full-range cabinet

1 pedalboard

1 shoulder bag of assorted cables and accessories

 

It takes about 4 trips back and forth to the car.

 

I run one side of the stereo powerblock into the guitar cab and the other side into the full-range cab for keys.

 

My future setup will be:

 

2 guitars

1 keyboard/stand

1 POD XTL

1 2-channel keyboard amp

1 shoulder bag of assorted cables and accessories

 

It will basically save me one trip because of one less speaker enclosure.

[wheresgrant3]

I've recently downsided my guitar rig to make setup much easier and to fit in our van on travel shows. I used to use a Peavey XXX, 2x12 cab and an assortment of effect pedals. Now I use a Vox AD60 VTX amp. Very simple setup.

 

 

Still bring a ton of stuff to shows...

 

2 guitars

Vox AD60 Amp

 

1-Korg Triton

1-Roland XP30

1- Alesis Micron

2 keyboard stands

1- 2 space rack unit with Furman power conditioner and 1 Rolls 10 channel Stereo Line mixer.

2 yorkville 50 watt keyboard wedges for stereo monitoring.

 

It takes me about 20 mins to setup.

[tucktronix]

Been using a 2-keyboard setup for a long time, but I plan on using a 3rd keyboard for future gigs with the instrumental jazz group to make the sound fuller, and to add a bit more edginess.

 

Currently(with the instrumental jazz band)...

2 keyboards: Yamaha S80, Korg CX-3

1 On Stage 2-tiered stand

Peavey KB4 amp

Keyboard bench

 

 

With the blues band...

2 keyboards: Yamaha S80, Korg CX-3

1 On Stage 2-tiered stand

Peavey KB4 amp

Leslie 45

Fender Bassman

Keyboard bench

 

For both gigs, I use a Boss stereo volume pedal and a Yamaha sustain pedal

[Zurich17]

 

I've been thinking about downsizing. I've got a Marshall with a 4x12 cab that I don't bring out very much because it's such a pain to haul around. It's also ridiculously loud to use at home (100w + victorian mid-terrace house with families next door = no way). I can't bear to part with it because I love the sound but I only ever use it when I can talk the boyfriend into helping me out. I've been using my 30w Laney 1x12 combo (bought 3yrs ago from a fellow HC-er actually), but that's even a PITA to move - there's now way I can carry it on public transport. I am considering selling it because I recently bought a Fender Deluxe Reverb. I know the snobs will turn their noses up at a solid state, but it sounds pretty damn good and weighs about 1/3 less than the Laney.

 

I've taken a 1x12 combo on public transport before...its not ideal, but its better than walking.

 

Taken it on the bus once (which was fine, because I got a lift to the bus stop and the bus stopped about 20m from the venue), and on the tube once (which was AWFUL, but at least it was late at night so the station was empty...and I had friends helping me carry it).

 

I bought a sack truck from argos for

[JBJ]

i don't even take an amp to gigs anymore:D