Cab to use with Avalon U5 and power amp

[SteveC]

So I'm thinking I might like to try to go the Avalon U5/power amp/cab rig. Anyone doing this? What cab are you using? I love my sound through the PA and would like a rig that is similar.

[alexclaber]

Deja vu...

Steve, you know you'll just sell it after a couple of months because it's all too big and heavy for you!

Alex

[rockstarbassist]

I did that for a bit through an Accu Whappo Jr. Was pretty righteous.

Had either a Crest or QSC PLX amp. And was using a Dingwall ABII5'er.

[SteveC]

Originally Posted by alexclaber

Deja vu...

Steve, you know you'll just sell it after a couple of months because it's all too big and heavy for you!

Alex

I know, but whenever I try my friends all I think is how great it sounds.
But you are right. I'm probably better off getting a new head - like a 9.0 and a bigger cab - like an Uber Quad or 410 - to replace my 6.0-12T combo. Any bass will sound better through a rig like that instead of my combo - which sounds good but is sometimes missing just a little girth at times.

[Son of Bovril]

the U5 poweramp combo is awesome if that is the tone you are looking for. Being that the U5 and poweramp are supposedly very uncolored, the rig will really let the sound of the bass and cab shine through - or not shine, depending on the quality/tone of the respective items...

Ps. there are several new lightweight poweramps worth looking at if this is the route you decide to go.

[SteveC]

I've done a little more playing around with EQ and got some tones that were similar to a couple of the U5 settings. The U5 is way more than I need for my gigs. Still like to hear some suggestions for cabs as you never know what I might end up doing....

[cripula]

How about a Bergantino IP112?

[TimmyP]

Amp: Crown K1 or QSC PL236.

Cab: Acmebass.com, H&K, or Markbass

[Big B.]

I know 3 different players who have recently switched to a U5 and powered Bag End cabs. They all swear by the sound and portability. The powered Bag Ends arent cheap though.

[KJung]

Originally Posted by SteveC

So I'm thinking I might like to try to go the Avalon U5/power amp/cab rig. Anyone doing this? What cab are you using? I love my sound through the PA and would like a rig that is similar.

Dude You are like a guy with a broken down bicycle agonizing if he should move up to a Rolls Royce. ANYTHING will give you a better, full tone than you are using now. You don't need to go megawatt and heavy. Just get a performance oriented bass rig versus the practice amp that you have now DON'T get a 410, DON'T get a 1000 watt amp..

Again, for the 1000th time from hundreds of TBers... just get a 112 that isn't small and compressed, and a micro head that has some real low end

[jmeyers44]

Originally Posted by KJung

Dude You are like a guy with a broken down bicycle agonizing if he should move up to a Rolls Royce. ANYTHING will give you a better, full tone than you are using now. You don't need to go megawatt and heavy. Just get a performance oriented bass rig versus the practice amp that you have now DON'T get a 410, DON'T get a 1000 watt amp..

Again, for the 1000th time from hundreds of TBers... just get a 112 that isn't small and compressed, and a micro head that has some real low end

I'm sad to hear that Ken. I thought you liked good tone . I get serious compliments all the time with my U5

[MikeBass]

Originally Posted by KJung

Dude You are like a guy with a broken down bicycle agonizing if he should move up to a Rolls Royce. ANYTHING will give you a better, full tone than you are using now. You don't need to go megawatt and heavy. Just get a performance oriented bass rig versus the practice amp that you have now DON'T get a 410, DON'T get a 1000 watt amp..

Again, for the 1000th time from hundreds of TBers... just get a 112 that isn't small and compressed, and a micro head that has some real low end

Wow, that's harsh Ken!!! LOL!!
I had the 6.0/112 combo you have now.
It sounded great. But it just didn't have the "bigness" most 112's have, which could be good or bad depending on taste.
With a 4 string, it totally sounded great. Plus you have the matching 112 ext cab. That should be a nice sounding little rig.

Get a 9.0 and run the U5 into the effects return of the amp bypassing the pre.
You'll have up to 900 watts on tap and the U5 will be twice as big and weigh twice as much as the 9.0!

If I ever went to another pre-amp, I'd just use my 9.0 for power.

[SteveC]

Ken's not being harsh, just honest. I don't think he's saying that the Avalon doesn't sound good, either.

The Avalon is twice as big and 3 times as heavy as most micro heads. A 410 for background music jazz gigs is ridiculous, as is a big power amp.

I am just confused and overloaded. I know I need something a little different than what I have. It's a great combo, and working the EQ has helped, but it's still missing a little something at gigs.

I have done so much reading and listening and researching I don't even know what's what any more. Bergantino - do you get the AE, the HS, the HT? One person says neo drivers don't sound good with micro heads. Someone else loves them. I know everyone hears different things, but it's hard to try stuff when you live nowhere and shipping cabs is expensive.

I am just a little fried on trying to decide what to get/try/use.

I think I have talked myself into keeping my bass so maybe that will help.

[greenboy]

Originally Posted by SteveC

I have done so much reading and listening and researching I don't even know what's what any more. Bergantino - do you get the AE, the HS, the HT? One person says neo drivers don't sound good with micro heads. Someone else loves them. I know everyone hears different things, but it's hard to try stuff when you live nowhere and shipping cabs is expensive.

I am just a little fried on trying to decide what to get/try/use.

I think I have talked myself into keeping my bass so maybe that will help.

With a few words changed you could have written this any time in the last 8 or 10 years I've seen you posting, Steve ; }

Nothing's changed except for your bank account. Repeatedly. I'd say your model for "research" is fairly well useless too. Rotating basses and the same gear pieces in and out, and what a waste of time and effort. Think about your family, and give up the life of an ineffective obsessive. It's way too much like the most pathetic gambling sickness. You may need to get HELP.

I am not joking here; I mean it earnestly.

[SteveC]

You are right as well. Maybe this should be my last post here. I was fine until I started reading about stuff, buying online, trying stuff that wasn't available locally. Only local from now on. Basses made in foreign lands that cost $299. 15 Rumble amps. No one who's listening to me knows any different anyway, right?

Although this sounds sarcastic, I am being earnest as well.

[KJung]

Originally Posted by MikeBass

Wow, that's harsh Ken!!! LOL!!
I had the 6.0/112 combo you have now.
It sounded great.

Actually, if I remember right, you had the 6 with the larger NeoX112. That is the type of solution we are suggesting for the OP, and that does sound great. Those little Shuttle 12's are nice for what they are, and of course, many are happy with them. The OP really isn't, and from my experience, even with two of them, they just don't have the internal volume, voicing, and components to get to a low end response that most would be happy with on a gig.

A larger, more full range 112 would help a LOT IMO, versus jumping all the way to a three or four rack space rig with a large cab... kind of swatting a fly with a sledgehammer.

I'm not a fan of using the U5 as a preamp (it was designed as a DI, and it is great for that), but that is a secondary issue!

[KJung]

Originally Posted by SteveC

You are right as well. Maybe this should be my last post here. I was fine until I started reading about stuff, buying online, trying stuff that wasn't available locally. Only local from now on. Basses made in foreign lands that cost $299. 15 Rumble amps. No one who's listening to me knows any different anyway, right?

Although this sounds sarcastic, I am being earnest as well.

We love ya' Steve... just giving you some tough love. We all need that every once in a while

[MikeBass]

Originally Posted by KJung

Actually, if I remember right, you had the 6 with the larger NeoX112. That is the type of solution we are suggesting for the OP, and that does sound great. Those little Shuttle 12's are nice for what they are, and of course, many are happy with them. The OP really isn't, and from my experience, even with two of them, they just don't have the internal volume, voicing, and components to get to a low end response that most would be happy with on a gig.

A larger, more full range 112 would help a LOT IMO, versus jumping all the way to a three or four rack space rig with a large cab... kind of swatting a fly with a sledgehammer.

I'm not a fan of using the U5 as a preamp (it was designed as a DI, and it is great for that), but that is a secondary issue!

Actually, before I had my 6.0 with the NeoX 112, I had that combo.
I used it at church a lot and gigged with it as well for a few months.

I then moved to the NeoX112 as it could take more of a punding and handle the low B a bit better at high volume.
Well, as loud as a 112 can be really.

Here's a "stage" shot of it:


It really is a good sounding combo.
More "tight" than "big" really.

[greenboy]

Originally Posted by SteveC

You are right as well. Maybe this should be my last post here. I was fine until I started reading about stuff, buying online, trying stuff that wasn't available locally. Only local from now on. Basses made in foreign lands that cost $299. 15 Rumble amps. No one who's listening to me knows any different anyway, right?

Although this sounds sarcastic, I am being earnest as well.

I really do care, Steve. I know you are a good guy. I've been seeing how this has been for a long time and I worry about your future. I have a sense you have a talent that's getting sidetracked... and you have spoken about your fairly new family. Hate to see that go bad.

I hardly ever get new gear, hardly ever sell anything, and coming from a very gear-heavy past it's not bothered me much at all. It's actually been energizing and liberating in a way.

[SteveC]

I know you all mean well, really. Don't worry about my family. We are fantastic!

I am kind of serious about the whole logging off for a while and just using what's available, though. And really, how bad can any GB gear be.