Basically doing a couple of bigger all day shows and can't store tons of gear.
Looking for advice on what gear to buy that people think is good.

Right now I'm looking at:

Ampeg 8X10 for the bass cab
Marshall 1960A's for the guitar cabs

Advice on those or something in a similar price range?

I don't play anything so I'm asking musician's preference.
Needs to also sound good in a variety of genres. They won't be just used on hardcore/metal shows.

Those would work fine.

If you're looking for a cheaper guitar cabinet option.

http://www.avatarspeakers.com

If you go to "Guitar Cabs", "Traditional", the G412 CUSTOM starts much cheaper than you'll find a Marshall, fill it with 4 G12T75s and it be almost like a Marshall cab for cheaper.

If I could suggest something if you go that route. Instead of 4 G12T75s. Do 2 G12T75s and 2 Celestion Vintage 30s in an X pattern. More versatility in it.

That should run you under $600 for one.

However, what you have there is a pretty classic setup and would definitely work for any setup.

If you aren't too concerned with saving a little bit of money, the Marshall cabs would probably have a slightly higher quality.

I have bought an avatar cab, they look nice, but, have since sold it... Oddly, Marshall cabs last longer and have a better sound to them. Thats why i have 4 of them. Ampeg cabinet is great, but, you could get a used Fender 2x15 tall cab for a few hundered cheaper. Id say you are off to a good start though for quality gear choices. (Also, Daddys in Portsmouth NH has a nice 600 oversided Mesa Cab for sale....)

Everyone here is suggesting way too much for what you're looking for. Mesa and avatar cabs are awesome if you're looking to drop decent coin, but you don't even play so what's the point.

With only minor searching, you shouldn't have any problem picking up two 1960 cabs on craigslist for 600 bucksish. With a little more searching, you can find those ampeg 8x10s for as low as 500 though you'd be perfectly adequate finding a 4x10 or 6x10 for cheaper.

What you have in mind is pretty much standard for backline. But don't buy new, craiglist will save you tons.

Avatars are a lot cheaper than even used Marshall cabs, and by dropping less you can make them sound better by getting better speaker options. For the same coin as a Marshall loaded with those 75 watt Celestions, you can get some cool Eminence or better Celestion speakers.

I'm not a big fan of those standard 1960A Marshall cabs. I had one, it sounded...just alright, nothing special. Not much low end, nicely defined highs, but a flat midrange. Avatars I've heard where people spent less and got nicer speakers sounded a helluvalot better. A friend of mine has three Avatar cabs, they all sound sweet and he got them all for under $500.

Used avatar cab= 4-500

Used marshall cab = 3-350

I don't see how the avatars are cheaper USED.

From a backline standpoint, more people are going to be OK with using a decent set of Marshalls. Avatar is a pretty no-name company, which in the end will probably result in less people being into the backline idea.

You'd generally a want well known brandname for a backline. Makes the promoter/show look better overall IMO.

Yeah, the used REALLY CRAPPY Marshall cabs that they sell with their solid state shit are 3-350, but those are complete garbage. A Marshall 1960A is going to generally run you around $600. I got one for around that, it wasn't worth it. That's the whole problem with Marshalls - you pay more for the brand name.

If I showed up at a place, and the backline was a Marshall 1960A 4x12, I would be bummed and wouldn't want to use it. The one time we backlined with two of those in NYC, they sounded terrible, all treble and really thin. If a club told me they had a set of Avatar 4x12's stocked with V30 and Eminence Swamp Monsters, I'd be stoked as all hell.

Sorry man, but if you can only find 1960s for 600, you're not looking very hard. Got mine for 250, and I see them practically go weekly on CL for 300.

Gear nerds get psyched by quality boutique cabs, most idiots have no clue what they are.

Just crack a Budweiser. It'll tell you whatcha need.

1960's are about $300-$550 used. CL prices. Avatars are for geeks.

have to agree with Blue here..............

but honestly, who fucking cares. If your doing "a couple of bigger all day shows" just email the bands to share.. buying cabs is not a brilliant solution

Well the main point in wanting it now was because of the all day shows. I'll be using it all the time and not just for a couple shows.

Right now I've got a Marshall 1960A on hold for $400 and they seem to average that price on Ebay.

Still trying to find a cheaper Ampeg 8X10 and Craigslist I've only seen them for $700.

where are you located? pvd?

FACT: there is at least one used ampeg 8x10 cab in every basement in allston

New Bedford, but my dad/brother work in Boston and I'm in Providence all the time so I'm fairly flexible with where I could pick one up. Even some parts of NH might work if it's not too far out from Boston.

I've been searching Craigslist under the southcoast/RI sections pretty frequently and Boston time to time.

1960A - $350, could talk him down a bit
http://boston.craigslist.org/nos/msg/1249416634.html

JCM900 Halfstack - $1000, i bet you could offer $375 for the cab, it's mint
http://providence.craigslist.org/msg/1259642796.html


JCM2000 Halfstack - $1100, he's asking $375 for the cab, its got damage so I thinki you could offer as low as $325
http://providence.craigslist.org/msg/1252003916.html

AVT150H & 1960A - $695, you could offer $350 for the cab
http://boston.craigslist.org/nos/msg/1256633477.html

Ampeg 8x10 - $600
http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/msg/1259783078.html

Ampeg 6x10 - $500 or best offer
http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/msg/1257980291.html

Thanks!

Anyone got advice on drums?
Figuring at this point matter as well get them too.

personally, i think that drums would be a little overkill. using backline cabs is one thing, but that's a whole other can of beans.

Well, I agree with Blue it is super overkill, but if you are going to, buy ddrum because they are the cheapest, yet most quality out right now, and buy a Zildjian cymbal pack (A or A Custom) and you should be good. Most ddrum kits you can get with full hardware.

They are durable enough for movement and constant use.

It's just typically from my experience drums take up the most amount of space and time to set up.
The point in having the backline is to save space and time.
Having a good backline of cabs is going to be great, but if I'm setting up drums over and over and having to re-mic them, then it's not much help.

Think I'm going to stick with the Marshall + Ampeg cabs though. Mostly from the people I've asked the consensus is that's a good place to go.

In that case, a ddrum kit would serve you well.

I'm not sure which would be more cost-effective, but you could look into renting backline gear from Bergsten Music. They rent gear for lots of big shows.

Hadn't checked this thread in a while.
Going to be used a lot more than just two shows.
Probably getting the Marshall 1960s, Ampeg 8X10, and Ddrums. That's the overall consensus I've got from everywhere.
Thanks everyone for the advice.