Doctor's Orders!

[Thor]

I'm not a happy bunny at the moment as I've been incapacitated in Hospital and am now (thankfully) back at home - so much so that I missed out on the band's New Years Eve Gig (thankfully managed to get a buddy to dep tho'), anyhow to cut to the chase...

The Doctors have told me that I've managed to rupture one of my lower spinal discs and prolapse another - needless to say I'm under the influence of some pretty good painkillers at the moment :wacko: (and the backspace key has become my new best friend as it seems to be getting a lot of use correcrting most of my spelling mistakes), the prognosis is not all bad (but I have been referred to the spine team) but certainly, given all the internet research time (I mean bed rest), I've been considering getting rid of my existing bass rig and replacing it with something more lightweight and manageable.

I currently use (and have done so for the last 4 years) a Trace Elliot GP12SMX 350watt head and 2 Peavey 4X10 TX's - and have been [b]really pleased [/b]with the sound I get from this rig, a lot of my bass player buddies and bandmates (guitarists included!) have always complimented on the sound I achieve too , anyway, I've been doing some research and this has caught my eye/would seem to fit the bill perfectly (in principle anyway):

[url="http://www.genzbenz.com/?fa=detail&mid=2256&sid=610&cid=95"]http://www.genzbenz.com/?fa=detail&mid...=610&cid=95[/url]

Anyone on here had any experience (good and/or bad PLEASE!) with the said unit at all? or indeed I'm open to any other recommendations? Bear in mind my pockets aren't bottomless though won't you!

I'm just tad concerned that obviously I wont be able to achieve the same sort of sound I'm getting now - I had thought that for bigger veues I may buy another GB extension cab to get the amp working as intended?

I suppose I should mention that my main gigging bass is a 1995 USA standard Jazz Bass although I've recently purchased a '75 P Bass with maple neck, Badass II and Hipshot Xtender (which I've been unable to try out at any decent volume yet!

As always, thanks in anticipation of some feedback - good and bad please!! Don't hold back! Happy 2010 to all!
Pete

[RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE]

You may wanna go headless! (Think Status/Steinberger),or short scale (mustang?)
As for amps,Walkabout Scout , Aguilar,Markbass etc.
Or ,if there's anyone in the band who doesn't mind being your roadie.....

[Musicman20]

Personally I used to have a Trace 400 GP12SMX, and a few Peavey cabs, and yep they are heavy. But, I found the amp weight the most annoying thing.

I still have fairly hefty cabs now....and as yet Ive not found a lightweight cab that does it for me. But there are great smaller compact cabs that can do a really good job.

I wasnt into the Genz sound at all...too clean and clinical...but some guys like that type of sound.

Welcome to a massive maze of amps!

Ones to test:

Mark Bass LM2/3
Aguilar 500
Genz 6.0/9.0 just to see if they are your thing
TC Elec RH450

Loads and loads more....

Cabinets....personally if you are using 2 4x10s....I think you should look at 1 4 ohm 4x10 or a 4 ohm 2x12...its upto you if the neo thing is your sound. I STILL think there is a difference in tone....and thats after testing a fair few. Some of them get really close mind....apparently the AE410 by Bergantino is really nice! A popular setup is two 1x12s....the Aguilar DB/GS cabinets are great.

[chris_b]

You're sound [i]will[/i] be different, but in my opinion it'll be better! My suggestions would include:
1) Get a folding aluminium trolley.
2) My favourite light amp (5lbs) is the Markbass LM2. The LM3, F1, F500 etc are probably just as good but I haven't heard them.
3) The lightest (26lbs), loudest cab with the best tone around seems to be the Barefacedbass Compact. The ones I have played sounded great.

[absentmindeduk]

I have a similar problem... I gave myself a hernia on two seperate occasions owing to an Ampeg 410 HE and too many stairs to my flat!
-Needless to say it had to go!

I've replaced the cab with two markbass travelers -a 1x15 and a 2x10 that I run with an Ampeg B2R head.
I find the sound really rounded and punchy. It is definately a different sound to the Ampeg 410, but no worse for it!
The Traveler 102P is the lightest 210 on the go and the 151P not far behind in terms of weight -would def recommed you at have a look at them for the weight!

I'm currently wanting to get rid of my head too as its in a 4u case with rack gear - too heavy!

My Mate has an Aguilar AG500 that I was very impressed with, but find that it lacked something?
-It was a good sound, but I like the low growl that an Ampeg dishes out.

Thus Ive been keen on a tube pre at least...

Ive been considering:

David Eden WT 550
Mark Bass Little Mark Tube
Genz Benz 3.0

I would like to try a TC Elec 450, but Im a bit dubious about the all digital thing...

It would be interesting to see what you end up with as Im in a similar boat!
If anyone has tried any of the above, whats your thoughts?

[JTUK]

Your injury should be quite manageable and you are right to scale the rig down in terms of weight.

40lbs per cab should be ok, as long as they fit in the car well so you can avoid twisting and faffing.
This is where Ag GS/DB 12's are great, very light and small and 2 can fit in a decent boot and give you 600watts or so.

But before you change the gear, get yourself a very good physio who can help you to control these injuries.
If you are careful, I can't see them being too restrictive...

[Musicman20]

[quote name='absentmindeduk' post='698499' date='Jan 2 2010, 12:45 AM']I have a similar problem... I gave myself a hernia on two seperate occasions owing to an Ampeg 410 HE and too many stairs to my flat!
-Needless to say it had to go!

I've replaced the cab with two markbass travelers -a 1x15 and a 2x10 that I run with an Ampeg B2R head.
I find the sound really rounded and punchy. It is definately a different sound to the Ampeg 410, but no worse for it!
The Traveler 102P is the lightest 210 on the go and the 151P not far behind in terms of weight -would def recommed you at have a look at them for the weight!

I'm currently wanting to get rid of my head too as its in a 4u case with rack gear - too heavy!

My Mate has an Aguilar AG500 that I was very impressed with, but find that it lacked something?
-It was a good sound, but I like the low growl that an Ampeg dishes out.

Thus Ive been keen on a tube pre at least...

Ive been considering:

David Eden WT 550
Mark Bass Little Mark Tube
Genz Benz 3.0

I would like to try a TC Elec 450, but Im a bit dubious about the all digital thing...

It would be interesting to see what you end up with as Im in a similar boat!
If anyone has tried any of the above, whats your thoughts?[/quote]

Tube pre amps to me, with the ones I tested, do very little to warm up the sound....I found I didnt really need it as it wasnt helping. Some amps get it spot on though....but they are more than likely the expensive options.

Never tried the Eden (although I must admit I like their design and ill give a heads up to a seller in the for sale forum), but I have tried the MB LM Tube and Genz Shuttle 6/9.

The MB LM Tube has some extra great features, but the tube does nothing. It obviously does, but I couldnt hear any difference with that or the LM3. My advice, if you have MB cabs, it might be nice to do the typical LM3 + a good tube emulator pedal like a Tech 21 VT Bass or Tech 21 Sansamp BDDI. That will give you everything, with the massive low end heft MB can deliver. It'll get close to a nice big Ampeg tubey tone.

The Genz, in my experience, was too thin for playing rock. I tweaked, but I just didnt like it. Each to their own though. I also did not enjoy the tube pre in this amp. Very very quick , clean etc etc.

I didnt believe the TC RH450 could sound as good as the reviewers were saying, but it does. Once I heard one, and I tried it for myself with a few dfferent basses, I loved it. Seriously good and pretty damn tubey for a digital amp....you would never believe it was digital. Plus, Im quite picky with dirt/tube overdrive and the tubetone on that amp is fantastic!

Go out and test

[absentmindeduk]

Thanks for the advice!

Ill defo go out and get my grubby mitts onto a TC RH450 to test.
It's a little harder for the MB, as the nearest dealer to me is about 70 miles away!

Best amp Ive ever used was a Boogie M-Pulse 600.
Too big tho!

Id go for a walkabout if there was a 2nd hand one came around, but Im not holding out hope!

[Musicman20]

[quote name='absentmindeduk' post='698719' date='Jan 2 2010, 01:26 PM']Thanks for the advice!

Ill defo go out and get my grubby mitts onto a TC RH450 to test.
It's a little harder for the MB, as the nearest dealer to me is about 70 miles away!

Best amp Ive ever used was a Boogie M-Pulse 600.
Too big tho!

Id go for a walkabout if there was a 2nd hand one came around, but Im not holding out hope![/quote]

Yep the Walkabout is about as tubey as you will get at that awesome size. Shame they are quite rare.

[phil.i.stein]

hi,
sorry to hear about the back issue. lower back pain is the worst thing next to toothache or a kick in the nethers IMO.
i use the genz 12.0 with barefaced cabs. the genz is very 'transparent' (sorry about the term, there is another thread on describing tone, see general bass discussion, glossery(sic) of terms),
so i have found that i need to use pedals in order to 'beef up' the sound for rock/punk/reggae.
as someone else already mentioned, the sansamp stuff boosts it nicely, although i recently got hold of an aphex bass exciter which i prefer for warmth..
this is no criticism of the amp, though, as i would rather start with a clean sound and have more control over the colouration.
i use both the compact and the t'midget, both exceptionally light and loud.
the compact is lovely for warmth, whereas the t'midget cuts through anything, and provides a good 'growl'
i don't suppose my description is very useful at all, but do try out the cabs, as free trials are available.
as far as the genz is concerned, it depends how much 'personality' you want out of your amp, and how much you like the versatility of pedals...
once again, sorry about the descriptions, i'm sure iconic would take the p~~s out of me for some of my howlers !

[phil.i.stein]

oh yes,
forgot to say..
i have had a lower back issue like this before, and was off work for a couple of months with it, much to my ex-employers consternation ! (can't blame 'em but what could i do ?). i was almost paralyzed for the first week or so, and even getting up to go to the bog was a nightmare.
a tip i got from a professional cyclist - whenever you feel lower back spasm, tense the muscles around your lower belly (imagine trying to stop yourself p##sing). the muscles in your abdomen are all kind of 'connected' and by squeezing these, it seems to alleviate the pain..(works for me, anyway)
hope this might prove useful to you..

[Thor]

Thanks for all the feedback guys- I think I will give the genz a try only as there's 1 in stock not too far away from me and I've got to start somewhere. The TC RH450 sounds very good/appealing too, I wasn;t aware that some of these companies would even consider loaning a cab or two out?? I liked the look of (and the customers feedback section) of the barefacedbass website too.

It seems that lower back problems are more common than I thought with us Bass Players - obviously years of humping all those heavy cabs/amps around.

Anyway, I think my new guitar purchase will now defo be put on the back burner until I've got my head around my amp/cab situation first, as there's no way I can continue to lift those 4x10's anymore.

Thanks again for the really positive and provoking responses - lots to think about (including Physio), I'll keep you posted with testing/progress and likewise if anyone tests something they think may be worth a look at/right for someone in my position I'd appreciate that too!

Cheers Guys!

[JTUK]

Just to add... lifting cabs that are too heavy or lifting them badly will always be a bain to anyone with back problems so you do need to be careful, but the first thing a decent physio will do is educate you in how to develop muscle control in the lower abs...which you should
take on-board and keep doing the exercises.

These types of injuries are often caused by the body losing control of muscles over a period of time..they may also be casued by impact...but with advice from a specialist...should you get that far..will be to keep active, I would suggest.

Ask him what he advises you can do, sport-wise, and he will likely want you to keep active and mobile.
Fat guts are out or not helpful as they don't promote the muscles discipline you will need.

This is all a general overview but a specialist should put you on the right lines
If you haven't gone as far as MRI scans, then you might be on your own and therefore have to find a 'proper' understanding physio who knows what he is talking about, yourself.

Disregard quacks who talk about your problems being because you are tall, one leg shorter than the other ..etc etc

You need to train and/or re-develop your muscles to control the skeletal shape and posture and keep up with the program...to stand a decent chance of managing this problem.

It seems like you have set in motion a team of people who should endorse this type of opinion...
....but I always approach these things as little more than a number in the medical system...and a system that has more urgent priorities and numbers, so you might to drive some of this yourself.
FWIW, I do think the NHS is a lot better and interested these days in quality of life in a patient so you should find a program more easily

I play golf, ski very hard and lug bass gear with 2 prolapsed discs which are mostly a very minor inconvenience...but you have good and bad days
and have to look after yourself abit more..thats about it, IME..

Good luck..

[Sean]

I've had back trouble since I was a kid and have managed to keep on top of it most of the time. Lightweight backline is a help, no doubt but if your bass weighs 10 lb or more and your strap isn't good, you're going to be in trouble playing 2 hour gigs twice a week. Get a light bass (7 lb is good) and get a good wide padded strap. I've always had help and trolleys with gear and, carefully handled, the rigs I've had have been far from an issue. It's the instruments that have done the damage. Check out some of the lighter makes.

[Bigwan]

I injured my neck lifting bass cabs a couple of years ago - nothing serious, physio and rest sorted it. I seriously considered going with a small combo as a monitor for the band and decent in-ear monitors for me. Only problem with that is having a PA up to the task. I've since given up my cover band so it never transpired, but if I was to start again (which I'm considering) an in-ear monitor system would be my first purchase.