Does anyone here use a "B-Rig?"

[ItsaBass]

Re: Does anyone here use a "B-Rig?"

With guitar, ah practices through what ah plays through at gigs...though usually not with the pedals at home – just at band practice.

With bass, I use a Yamaha G50 guitar amp for practice, as it is always at our drummer's house. We practice quietly in his living room, with him playing a snare drum with a towel on it, and an ottoman for his kick pedal. But at gigs, I play through an Ampeg B100R which has been my only bass amp for about 17 years now.

 

[Dr. Vegetable]

Re: Does anyone here use a "B-Rig?"

My A-Rig has too much crap in it to bring to a gig. In a rehearsal or jam context, it's all about having endless tonal possibilities available to me. But I don't actually need most of it when I'm playing a prepared set list, and the extra connections in the signal path (and extra foot switches on the pedal board) would just be asking for trouble.

As for a backup, I don't even go to an open jam at my brother's house without having a plan for what I would do if I broke a tube or a headstock. I don't need a perfect replacement, but I'd rather bring some extra stuff in the trunk of my car than sit out the night because something broke down.

 

[mwalluk]

Re: Does anyone here use a "B-Rig?"

i see how it can make sense for some people, but that's not something I would ever want to do.

I don't care how good the PA and the soundguy are, when it comes to playing live, i want to play the rig that makes me feel like a million bucks on stage. Part of that is hearing the sound of my own amp roaring.

Using a little modeling rig or scaled down mini-rig or whatever is never going to accomplish the same thing for me.

This.

I would also include that an A-Rig helps maintain/establish/adds to stage persona. Presence is everything on stage. Granted if your good, you can command a stage with just a guitar and POD, but it's a hell of a lot easier to look the part with a roaring amp behind you.

Also, I didn't drop all this money making my rig WHAT I EXPECT/WANT/NEED to leave it at home. I need to be able to literally FEEL my tone when playing. I've grown accustom to how my amp responds/reacts and catered my approach to it. If I'm playing live with a B-rig, I'll have to change my approach which in result won't sound as good or portray the emotion of me and my equipment being one.

 

[everdrone]

Re: Does anyone here use a "B-Rig?"

This.

I would also include that an A-Rig helps maintain/establish/adds to stage persona. Presence is everything on stage. Granted if your good, you can command a stage with just a guitar and POD, but it's a hell of a lot easier to look the part with a roaring amp behind you.

Also, I didn't drop all this money making my rig WHAT I EXPECT/WANT/NEED to leave it at home. I need to be able to literally FEEL my tone when playing. I've grown accustom to how my amp responds/reacts and catered my approach to it. If I'm playing live with a B-rig, I'll have to change my approach which in result won't sound as good or portray the emotion of me and my equipment being one.

YES! this is why I just got my 8x10. b rig is my 212 combo for bass, that I use for practices.

for guitar backup, has anyone used the EHX magnum 44 as a backup? I will make a thread on that.

 

[Powdered Toast Man]

Re: Does anyone here use a "B-Rig?"

This.

I would also include that an A-Rig helps maintain/establish/adds to stage persona. Presence is everything on stage. Granted if your good, you can command a stage with just a guitar and POD, but it's a hell of a lot easier to look the part with a roaring amp behind you.

Also, I didn't drop all this money making my rig WHAT I EXPECT/WANT/NEED to leave it at home. I need to be able to literally FEEL my tone when playing. I've grown accustom to how my amp responds/reacts and catered my approach to it. If I'm playing live with a B-rig, I'll have to change my approach which in result won't sound as good or portray the emotion of me and my equipment being one.

You're obviously accustomed to playing specific types of gigs with appropriate sound support to bring the band up to the volume level needed to match your rig. It's just doesn't always work on a technical level to have your amp set so it's making your pantlegs billow in the wind. I've been playing a pub recently where I have to attenuate a friggin 5E3 or else I'm going to be kicked off stage by the sound man!

Several years ago, I went to watch a friend's band play at a pub where it was a SMALL room. There was no sound man (it's that small) and the only PA provided was able to pretty much accommodate vocals only. I'd played this venue before and knew that the unmiked drums were the level that everyone had to set themselves to otherwise the band would sound unbalanced and crappy. This was a multi-band bill and when the second band set up they were having some technical problems with the PA and I jumped in to help out. One of the problems right away with that the guitarists had their amps set WAAAAAY too loud. We told them they absolutely had to turn down - and they fought back, but eventually caved and turned down. Viola! The band actually sounded good and you could hear every instrument balanced nicely. The one guitarist looked sullen and upset. About halfway through their second song, I see him turn around, grab the volume knob on his amp, and then just yank it right to max. All of a sudden then he starts rocking out and jumping around. Also at that point, all anyone in the bar could hear was him - the drums got lost and he was overpowering the vocals.

So when I hear statements like this:

Also, I didn't drop all this money making my rig WHAT I EXPECT/WANT/NEED to leave it at home. I need to be able to literally FEEL my tone when playing.

It makes me think of that guitarist and that pub and how it's entirely an ego thing.

 

[Jay 77]

Re: Does anyone here use a "B-Rig?"

You're obviously accustomed to playing specific types of gigs with appropriate sound support to bring the band up to the volume level needed to match your rig. It's just doesn't always work on a technical level to have your amp set so it's making your pantlegs billow in the wind. I've been playing a pub recently where I have to attenuate a friggin 5E3 or else I'm going to be kicked off stage by the sound man!

Several years ago, I went to watch a friend's band play at a pub where it was a SMALL room. There was no sound man (it's that small) and the only PA provided was able to pretty much accommodate vocals only. I'd played this venue before and knew that the unmiked drums were the level that everyone had to set themselves to otherwise the band would sound unbalanced and crappy. This was a multi-band bill and when the second band set up they were having some technical problems with the PA and I jumped in to help out. One of the problems right away with that the guitarists had their amps set WAAAAAY too loud. We told them they absolutely had to turn down - and they fought back, but eventually caved and turned down. Viola! The band actually sounded good and you could hear every instrument balanced nicely. The one guitarist looked sullen and upset. About halfway through their second song, I see him turn around, grab the volume knob on his amp, and then just yank it right to max. All of a sudden then he starts rocking out and jumping around. Also at that point, all anyone in the bar could hear was him - the drums got lost and he was overpowering the vocals.

So when I hear statements like this:



It makes me think of that guitarist and that pub and how it's entirely an ego thing.

I don't necessarily think he meant he needs a few 4x12's at every gig... feel is subjective. I play pub gigs with a 30w head and 1x12, and it's more than enough whether it's miked or not. That being said, if I had to use someone else's amp, or a POD-like interface that just doesn't have the same "feel", it would take some getting used to. To be comfortable is to play well.

Having a B-rig doesn't make sense to me. Why not use the proper tools for the job from the get-go?

 

[mwalluk]

Re: Does anyone here use a "B-Rig?"

You're obviously accustomed to playing specific types of gigs with appropriate sound support to bring the band up to the volume level needed to match your rig. It's just doesn't always work on a technical level to have your amp set so it's making your pantlegs billow in the wind. I've been playing a pub recently where I have to attenuate a friggin 5E3 or else I'm going to be kicked off stage by the sound man!

You misinterpreted me. Please allow me to clarify.

I use a VHT Deliverance. My amp is very dynamic. The slightest difference in playing/picking would yield different results. A softer pick attack vs really digging in. The VHT is one of the best amps (that I've had a chance to play) that has an amazing responsiveness. Rolling back the volume, vibrato bends of endless sustain, and overall playing technique. If I eff up on this amp, it's clear as present day. There's no hiding behind it. I enjoy that aspect.

From a tonal aspect, I love the overdrive of my amp. Edge of break up to all out in matter of a turn of one knob or flick of the switch.

It's such a raw amp, but it lets the natural characteristics of LP shine through.

I wrote my originals in part to the tone of my amp.

I'M NOT EVEN TALKING ABOUT VOLUME. I use a 212 cab and my volume is always in the mix well with or without a sound man. In my eyes, a 212 cab and amp look better than a floor pod. but that's beside the point. All I'm saying is I'm comfortable with my rig and would rather play that instead of say a B-rig.

I have a Jet CIty (which is cool) but I don't gel with it as much as the VHT.

 

[mwalluk]

Re: Does anyone here use a "B-Rig?"

I don't necessarily think he meant he needs a few 4x12's at every gig... feel is subjective. I play pub gigs with a 30w head and 1x12, and it's more than enough whether it's miked or not. That being said, if I had to use someone else's amp, or a POD-like interface that just doesn't have the same "feel", it would take some getting used to. To be comfortable is to play well.

Having a B-rig doesn't make sense to me. Why not use the proper tools for the job from the get-go?

Beat me to it.

Wasn't referring to volume and vibrations from a full stack behind me, but rather the natural feel from playing an amp.

Comfort is everything.

If you spend all your time with said piece of equipment, why for a show (which besides recording, is the most important part) change it up and go with something else? Doesn't make sense.

From an original stand point, it'll be hard to duplicate the tone of a song without using similar gear.

 

[guitfiddle]

Re: Does anyone here use a "B-Rig?"

I've got the knowledge, tools, and skills to get my sound out of almost any amp, but I definitely play best on my two stage amps. One is a Randall RM50, and that's the true A rig. The other is a Jet City JCA20H sitting on a Peavey vertical 2x12 loaded with Cannabis Rex speakers, and it's good enough to serve as an A rig as well, depending on the room...it's such a dynamic amp that a soundguy once asked me how I got the channels to change without a pedal. It was all touch response.

 

[everdrone]

Re: Does anyone here use a "B-Rig?"

I have for bass, two 410 cabs

for guitar I have a guitar 212 cab, and want to add one more. why? cause it looks kewel. usually I wont need it, so I just wont plug it in when I do not, and then I have more COMMANDING stage presence :banana:

 

[Powdered Toast Man]

Re: Does anyone here use a "B-Rig?"

When I hear the term "B-rig" I think it's more that you have your primary big rig, but a second smaller rig for other purposes - either a different tone, lower power, or whatever. My buddy has a 50w Garnet head and Marshall 4x10 cab that's been his primary rig forever. A few years ago, he picked up a Traynor YCV20 and he uses that as a a B-rig when he doesn't need the volume of the Garnet. So he'll bring the Traynor to practice and even smaller gigs. He still uses his full pedalboard, but it's just a much more portable amp.

 

[ImmortalSix]

Re: Does anyone here use a "B-Rig?"

When I was last gigging, I had a million pedals and 2 tube amps and I gigged with a Valvetronix and a cable and that's it.

 

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: Does anyone here use a "B-Rig?"

Used small amps big amps middle amps.....blah blah just used what suited the job.
Most of the time small amps did the job just fine...
But then again it depends....
No A B C or D rigs...

 

[Vengeance]

Re: Does anyone here use a "B-Rig?"

I haven't gigged in years but no. I didn't get a Marshall stack to stand in front of a pedal.

I think it all depends on the music you play and the kind of gig you have though. Playing some jazz at a coffee shop is a whole lot different then playing some metal at a warehouse.