2x10 or 1x15 cabinet?

[Figaro]

I need a LIGHTWEIGHT cabinet to go with my new Markbass Little Mark III head. I'm going to be jamming with a blues band in a small club, playing my Squire Classic Vibe Jazz bass.

Help me decide between a 2x10 or 1x15 cabinet?

[My name is Mudd]

210s have more punch; 115s are deeper. Which is your preference?

BTW - The Markbass 102P Traveler is a NICE cab...check it out.

[Zoa]

Originally Posted by My name is Mudd

210s have more punch; 115s are deeper. Which is your preference?

BTW - The Markbass 102P Traveler is a NICE cab...check it out.

I really don't want to offend anybody, but the above statement is simply not true. It's a common audio myth, though.

He's got the Markbass part right though.

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by Zoa

I really don't want to offend anybody, but the above statement is simply not true. It's a common audio myth, though.

He's got the Markbass part right though.

ya, i was going to say...that's exactly how i hear those markbass cabs. not true for all cabs, but pretty true for the markbass cabs i've played.

[badboy1984]

Personally I go for the Markbass 2x10 (not traveller version).

I use to own one and is bloody light and full of low end and loud as well.

Regret of trading it ...... but I did trade for a full ampeg SVT stack tho .......

[PhiDeck]

Originally Posted by Figaro

I need a LIGHTWEIGHT cabinet to go with my new Markbass Little Mark III head. I'm going to be jamming with a blues band in a small club, playing my Squire Classic Vibe Jazz bass.

Help me decide between a 2x10 or 1x15 cabinet?

Maximum weight?

[elavate7]

alone....i may go with the 115

[ScottTunes]

My favorite lightweight cab is a mid 60s 2x15 Fender Dual Showman (the smaller one). Played a '72 Fender Bassman 100 through it for nearly a decade in many situations (mostly a Chicago Blues band). Worked perfectly.

But between a 2x10 and a 1x15, I'd recommend the 15.

[4-string]

I think I would look into TC Electronic BC series cabs. I'm sure they are affordable for a reason, but if they sound good they are a bargain. Lightweight, too.

[dbase]

I had a 1x15 and it was too deep and muddy. Now I use a 2x10 cab and for larger venues I add another 2x10 cab with 500 watts behind them.

[Zooberwerx]

Go for the 2 X 10, set it on it's side so the drivers are vertically aligned, and perch your MarkBass amp on top. A MarkBass 2 X 10 (available?) cab would look way too cool with the matching head.

Riis

[smgleitch]

I have owned both and for as much as I wanted the 15 to be better I personally like the 10's. It is just my opinion as to what sounds best to my ears. A lot of people play with 15's and they might be right for you. Grab that head and go to a music shop play through both, you should hear a difference.

[mmbongo]

2x10

20" of cone area vs. 15" of cone area. Work load divided between the 2 speakers. Deeper, punchier, louder. No brainer.

[Arjank]

Originally Posted by mmbongo

2x10

20" of cone area vs. 15" of cone area.

15" cone = approx. 850 cm2
2x10" cone = approx. 700 cm2

[prd004]

A single 15 is one of my favorite sounds, (B-100R, B-15N).

I used an Eden D115XL for a while (including a blues band) and loved it, got TONS of compliments on my tone. This was after trying a D210XLT and not really digging it live.

Also, for what it's worth, the 210 was odd sized, too small for casters yet kinda big and bulky to carry, I hated moving it too.

[Koog]

I've had several rigs over the years with 10's, 15's and 18's. My experience has been that the 10's deliver a more punchy, focused sound. Another way to describe this is to say the sound is more defined and allows the player to be more articulate without muddiness.

Most of my experience has been with the Ampeg SVT Classic with a Ampeg HLF 6X10 cab, David Eden with an Ampeg HLF 4X10 and 1X15 cabs and MarkBass 4X10 as described below. I would rate them:

1. MarkBass
2. Ampeg
3. David Eden

I currently play MarkBass CMD 102 P with an additional cab, the STD 102 HF. This gives me 4X10 and I think it's hard to beat. I use the CMD 102 P by itself in rehearsal and small venue settings and it does well. But my ears tell me the best tone and punch is delivered with the 4X10 set up.

If you can go for the extra cab, I think the set up described above is the way to go. If you can't, I'd choose the 2X10 over the 15 every time.

Plus, as you know, the MarkBass set up is quite light. The two units I use are only about 45 pounds per unit as compared to the Ampeg 6X10 rig at 90 pounds for the head and about 120 pounds for the cab....the Eden set up was about the same total weight as the Ampeg, maybe 25 pound lighter, so the MarkBass delivers a great punch and saves your back.

Our band plays roots rock, blues, a bit of country, honky tonk, rockabilly and swing. The MarkBass is great with this variety.

Hope this helps your decision. Good luck!

Koog.

[Bassdirty]

Originally Posted by mmbongo

2x10

20" of cone area vs. 15" of cone area. Work load divided between the 2 speakers. Deeper, punchier, louder. No brainer.

Originally Posted by Arjank

15" cone = approx. 850 cm2
2x10" cone = approx. 700 cm2

Or...(If inches is how you roll)

15" cone = approx. 176.7 (square inches of cone area)
2x10" cone = approx.157 (square inches of cone area)



.

[96tbird]

Yummmmmmmmmm..PI

[hover]

The hybrid/hydrive 115 Hartke cab is amazing. Super deep yet articulate, and is a 24" square box, so the size factor is friendly too. 50 pounds. tone for days. and it's cheap.

[jeff7bass]

I myself prefer the sound of a 15” cab(w-tweeter) over a 210 cab. Something about the way it sits in with the mix. Think Bill Wyman or JPJ playing back in the beat. I do play rock though, and I can see why guys who play funk/slap/pop/jazz would prefer 2x10’s.

Now that 15”, 3-way cabs are all the rage (for good reason), that’s what I would get. With a good head, it's all the cab most people who ever need IMO.