Bassman TV 15" v. G-K MB 212 v. Orange Bass Terror 1000

evenintheshower · #1 07-20-2010, 03:43 PM

Although I have been looking through the TB forums for a long time, this is my first post on TB and I could use some help.

I know the amps I am considering aren't exactly all that similar, but I'm not sure in what direction I want to go. I currently have an Avatar Neo 4x10 8 ohm cab (1000 watts handling), my old head died, and I thought I would just replace it. The new head was going to be an Orange Bass Terror 1000. I liked what I heard from the Terror 500, but thought a little more clean headroom wouldn't hurt and it might pair up nicely with the Avatar cab. Also, I could add another cab to push more air, if needed. I must confess, however, that I heard the 500 played through a 2x10 cab and the bottom end was not huge. Anyway...

Then along comes a parade of combos that got my attention. I'm 42 and beginning to question whether or not I want to carry around a separate cab and head. I play a variety of gigs, including musicals in a pit orchestra. Yet, I want to make sure I have enough power because I am doing some harder rock stuff (not thrash/death metal, but still louder and punchy) with one of my groups (competing with a 50 watt tube Marshall 4x12 half-stack and a louder, but not insane, drummer).

The Bassman TV sounds really terrific, but will that single 15" combo provide enough stage volume, especially at an outdoor venue with 700-1000 people? Again, I really like the Bassman, but I don't know how it would sit in the mix and I wonder if the 350 watts would get the job done in a rock setting.

Same goes for the G-K. It is very light and has 500 watts going through two 12" drivers, but would it be enough? While more powerful than the Bassman, it has maybe a tiny bit less character.

I have no concern about the Terror 1000 getting the job done because I would get 900 watts through the 4x10 with decent tone, but lugging the cab and head around is a bigger pain.

FWIW, I play almost all passive Fender basses (a P, a J, a fretless J, and a 5-string J), I have one MusicMan S.U.B., and I play with a pick.

Any thoughts are welcome because I don't want to bring a knife to a gun fight by going with the Bassman or G-K.

If I forgot something or if this is a goofy post, please be gentle with me.

Thanks,

evenintheshower

MIJ-VI · #2 07-20-2010, 04:29 PM

Welcome to TalkBass evenintheshower!

IMO the one thing more important than how an amp sounds is...

How hard would it be to get it repaired?

You may wish to check the manufacturer's web sites of those prospect rigs to find out if they have a service center near you.

badboyb · #3 07-20-2010, 04:48 PM

I also absolutely love the Bassman TV combo, but like you, I felt that it wouldnt be enough for my needs.

I ended up posting a thread about what smaller rigs would get that tone and was told to go for a TC RH450 head into one of their cabs.

This would weigh very little (less than the bassman combo), be more transportable and have more power.
Also, it would get that Bassman tone fairly easily.

That is the way I am going.

You can get this in a combo amp setup too

Arch1medes · #4 07-21-2010, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by evenintheshower

Although I have been looking through the TB forums for a long time, this is my first post on TB and I could use some help.

Welcome! this is one of the best forums on the net IMO (regarding any hobby).

I know the amps I am considering aren't exactly all that similar, but I'm not sure in what direction I want to go. I currently have an Avatar Neo 4x10 8 ohm cab (1000 watts handling), my old head died, and I thought I would just replace it. The new head was going to be an Orange Bass Terror 1000. I liked what I heard from the Terror 500, but thought a little more clean headroom wouldn't hurt and it might pair up nicely with the Avatar cab. Also, I could add another cab to push more air, if needed. I must confess, however, that I heard the 500 played through a 2x10 cab and the bottom end was not huge. Anyway...

For me, that big bottom end happens with 4x10's @ 4 ohms or 1x15 @ 4 or 8 ohms.

Then along comes a parade of combos that got my attention. I'm 42 and beginning to question whether or not I want to carry around a separate cab and head. I play a variety of gigs, including musicals in a pit orchestra. Yet, I want to make sure I have enough power because I am doing some harder rock stuff (not thrash/death metal, but still louder and punchy) with one of my groups (competing with a 50 watt tube Marshall 4x12 half-stack and a louder, but not insane, drummer).

That's quite a variance of situations!

The Bassman TV sounds really terrific, but will that single 15" combo provide enough stage volume, especially at an outdoor venue with 700-1000 people? Again, I really like the Bassman, but I don't know how it would sit in the mix and I wonder if the 350 watts would get the job done in a rock setting.

Same goes for the G-K. It is very light and has 500 watts going through two 12" drivers, but would it be enough? While more powerful than the Bassman, it has maybe a tiny bit less character.

I know which g-k your talking about and its probably the best combo in the sub-$1000 price range. It has an xlr-out so you can run through the house if your playing that 1000 person show (which is what the sound tech will want anyway).

I have no concern about the Terror 1000 getting the job done because I would get 900 watts through the 4x10 with decent tone, but lugging the cab and head around is a bigger pain.

I own a Ampeg Svt-cl that weighs 85lbs and the svt 410HLF that weighs about the same. It's an ordeal to move it (and I'm 26 years old). The Terror 1000 weighs 5kg (ref. the orange website) which is 11.02lbs. Incredible.

FWIW, I play almost all passive Fender basses (a P, a J, a fretless J, and a 5-string J), I have one MusicMan S.U.B., and I play with a pick.

Any thoughts are welcome because I don't want to bring a knife to a gun fight by going with the Bassman or G-K.

If I forgot something or if this is a goofy post, please be gentle with me.

Thanks,

evenintheshower

IMHO you should get the orange terrror 1000 because you already have a nice cab and Orange amps rock. More importantly, for your situation I think you should get this:http://="http://www.guitarcenter.com...7-i1125108.gc"

The BBE sonic maximizer line of DI's and pedals works magic for cutting through the mix both on stage or in the house. It would work great for your group with the Marshall 50-watt. You would run it like this:

Guitar >(instr. cable)> Terror 1000 input
Terror 1000 pre-amp out >(patch cable)> BBE DI input
BBE DI "thru" >(patch cable)>Terror 1000 power-amp in

*insert 2 cents here* good luck!

Bassist24601 · #5 07-21-2010, 11:15 AM

All three of those amps are really great amps! As an owner of Orange and GK, I like both of them very much for different reasons. IMO the GK MB212 (which I am a new owner, so bias is in order) shines for active basses or basses that can get gnarly and nasty. Oranges are very smooth, much warmer than the GK. My gripe with the Orange I have is how very limited the EQ is; then again, I have a Crush 35b. I plugged into a Fender Bassman (not the TV) once and have stayed away from them since. I think a speaker was blown or something, I did not like it at all. However, the TV sounded quite nice, especially with a P bass. I haven't fully tested out my GK; I'm still breaking it in. But I can tell you its ridiculously loud.

I'd say go with the Orange since you have mostly passive basses. Your Musicman would sound killer through the GK though. There's my two cents. Best of luck!

evenintheshower · #6 07-21-2010, 02:55 PM

Thank you for replies so far!

The Bass Player magazine review said that passive basses would work well with the Orange amp. I am not too worried about the limited EQ as long as I can find something that works for the venue. I am more of a "plug and play" guy anyway. I would rather not fiddle around with too many sliders and knobs to get a good sound. That was one of the things that attracted me to the Bassman TV. It had a really good sound right off the bat, but I wasn't sure if 350 watts through a 15" driver would get the job done. If it could do the job, I might get it.

rhopper · #7 07-21-2010, 09:11 PM

The Fender Bassman TV is a really good sounding amp. I hear the DI is excellent which would be great if you had PA support.

The Orange Terror Bass 500 is just plain awesome... all the tone and power I will ever need in a little box.

tony_clifton · #8 07-22-2010, 02:59 AM

Both amps will be great I think, I'm running a TB500 in 2 112 cabs myself. Portable, sounds great and plenty loud!

But if you are planning on playing outdoors, don't rely on the amp! It won't be loud enough without fridges and preferably a lot of them!

origami · #9 07-22-2010, 04:09 PM

finally got to play the bassman tv15 (they have a tv15 and a TV10 at rockin robin in houston).

it looks cool, but the tv15 is much much bigger than i thought, even the tv10 is as big as a large 1x12 guitar combo.

didn't have a lot of time, but i thought the TV15 sound was kinda murky like a tube "emulator" sort of sound. i know there is a tube in the tv15 pre-amp, but most tones were almost too low-fi, weird.

richbassboy · #10 12-05-2010, 01:36 PM

Stay away from the GKMB212 i had 3 of them, all problems they all blew and were sent back to GK, and the xlr out has no ground lift, you will wish you had one. That being said go with the Fender TV 15 that amp is amazing sounds huge and at 60lbs its not heavy at all, plus it comes with casters. Oh and the xlr has a ground lift so when you go straight to the PA there will be no noise or hum. No horn so all 350 watts go to the amp, it's awesome, shell out the few extra bucks and be the koolest bassist out there.