Putting together a Vintage Stereo system

[BigRedX]

I use a sneaky low-budget version of that myself.

A few years ago I got rid of my massive (in all senses of the word) EBS/Tech Soundsystems bass rig and replaced it with a Helix Floor and an RCF 745 powered speaker (which incidentally cost new about half what I paid for the previous rig which was mostly bought secondhand).

A lot of the gigs my bands do are supporting 80s acts most of whom are still using conventional amplification systems (although Toyah's band were a notable exception). I simply set up in front of the headliner's Ampeg fridge. The RCF goes under the stand which holds the computer and other devices that provide our synth backing, usually firing sideways across the stage so that the rest of the band can hear me better, and the PA gets a feed direct from the Helix. As far as the audience are concerned I'm a typical bass player using a typical bass rig.

The other advantage is that my current bass rig occupies about a quarter of the space in the van that old one did, and we don't have to shift a load of heavy old boxes about at every gig.

[AlecSp]

The other advantage is that my current bass rig occupies about a quarter of the space in the van that old one did, and we don't have to shift a load of heavy old boxes about at every gig.

For me, space and weight are everything - it's amazing what you can fit in a car these days.

[Luke W]

I'm sure I've mentioned here before about the b*******g I once got for picking up 2 cabs at once during a changeover. Gave the game away somewhat

That's cracked me up

[Tim Gillett]

I never realised that went on!

The fake cab arms war for looks has been a thing for decades.

These days, it's much more about using isocabs to keep stage volumes low, and get instantly reproducable guitar sound. Leave guitar cabs on stage for cosmetics if you must.

Here's an example: https://youtu.be/Be0lN-xF62o

Isocabs. Interesting. Is this normal practice at large gigs nowadays? Many studio recordings have DI ed the bass for many years. For many years I've DI ed my bass at live gigs. What is it about the sound that you get from running the bass guitar to a speaker and mic, and then to the FOH or monitor inputs? What do you gain and what do you lose?

[Wonks]

With the top end modellers - Line 6 Helix and Kempers and their ilk - now being such good sounding devices, there's a big shift away from having any guitar amps on stage (even with iso cabs), with everything direct to the PA and relying totally on the monitoring system for stage sound. Very few bands go the loud amps on stage route any more.

There are times when you need volume on stage, especially if feedback is a part of your sound, but if not, then quiet amps or modelling gets you a better FOH sound all the time.

[Tim Gillett]

Thanks Wonks, interesting. I suspect for some guitarists there remains the belief that for an electric guitar to sound 'authentic' it must first pass through a dedicated loudspeaker stage, and that at best even the modellers are only attempting to replicate this sound. Enter the Isocab?

[AlecSp]

Isocabs. Interesting. Is this normal practice at large gigs nowadays?

Extremely, especially in rock circles. Along with, as Wonks points out, modelling systems like Kemper/Helix which are increasingly common all the way down to smaller, even pub, bands.

What is it about the sound that you get from running the bass guitar to a speaker and mic, and then to the FOH or monitor inputs? What do you gain and what do you lose?

With bass, again especially with rock, you gain the amp distortion, along with the cab distortion/compression. It's the same reason that many live acts would usually have a DI and mic feed or bass, to mix to taste. While you gain sound quality/options, you have more kit to hump & occupy more floor space - not a problem for a large act, but much more so for a smaller act.

O course, these days, a well programmed modelling amp can be so good that there's no need for even isocab speakers. Then again, if you're a big rock act, you can add micd cabs even if it's no more than an affectation. I think Muse typically have guitar just through Kemper with no speakers other than when feedback is required, at which point the monitor engineer turns up the send to the appropriate on-stage cab.

Like most of us, I'm sure, I've seen an evolution with the acts I engineer (in a 350 cap venue). 10 years ago, pretty much all of them were a traditional setup, and happy with a 4 way stage monitor setup Increasingly now, there's a move to using in-ears and using modelled/DI'd guitar/bass. Makes me happy as an engineer - far less stage bleed, no "ripping your face off" guitar, musicians much happier with their monitoring, and a far better FOH sound.

[mikehende]

Hey guys. after frantically searching the net for a while now, I have finally tracked down what I think might be the model Series of the speakers I had back in the early 80s, please see the attached pics. This is the 10" version from 1982, I had the 15" and would like to get them back.

Can you guys help me track down the 15" version's model number please?

https://i.postimg.cc/qv14Q5Qd/pioneer-2.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/hjdnDPnS/pioneer-4.jpg

[forumuser931182]

12 inch model 100
https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php ... re.323427/

[forumuser931182]

I think you may be a slim chance finding these. Seiko speakers using Pioneer components. Only things kept from this era would be high quality ( expensive ) stereo components. You will have to try asking on retro hifi forums or dealers.

[Mike Stranks]

You're in the wrong place really on two counts:

1) This forum isn't the best place to ask about specialist hi-fi stuff;

2) Even if you do ask the questions here, then the 'Live Sound' sub-forum isn't the right place for them... you'd probably be better off in 'Musicians' Lounge'. (Some of us only visit the sub-forums of specific interest... so I never visit 'Guitars' or 'Keyboards' f'r instance. If you're not into Live Sound why would you come here? )