Cabs - Promethean P110C vs. Epifani UL2 110

Basically Bob · #1 01-13-2011, 02:47 PM

I am currently playing through a Markbass F1 w/ 2 Bergantino AE112s love that rig.

I am looking to lighten the load (for practices) and am considering purchasing either a Promethean P110C or an Epifani UL2 110, still using the F1 head.

Any thoughts on this? I am kinda leaning towards the Epifani 110 now.

My primary instrument is a Godin A4 fretless & just want a clean fat sound.

Input would be appreciated.

(my apologies ... just realized that I shoulda put a "?" at the end of the topic)

belgiangiant · #2 02-09-2011, 12:34 PM

I, too, had the dilemma of having to choose between these two cabs. I recently ordered the Promethean because: A) It is lighter than the Epifany, B) It costs about $50 less than the Epifany, C) it costs about $100 less than the Genz Benz Shuttle 1x10 extension cab (although, if weight is the primary issue, the GB cab weighs even 5lbs less than the Promethean).

I can't give you any details on sound quality yet, the cab is due to arrive at the end of the week. I think the Promethean looks the sharpest of the 3 choices. I thought the GB didn't look all that well constructed (I own two other GB cabs, they sound nice and are portable, but construction quality and tone doesn't match that of Epifany). The recessed top handle is a nice touch, easier to put a micro head on top, unlike GB.

I also recently purchased a Gallien-Krueger MB500. Teaming this 3 1/2 lb head with the 20 lb Promethean puts my small gig rig at just under 24 lbs, which is substantial compared to my SWR Baby Blue which sounds amazing, but weighs in at 40 lbs. Lugging an upright bass and a 40lb amp around isn't much fun, so I'm eagerly awaiting the new cab. I will keep you posted on sound quality as soon as I have a chance.

Basically Bob · #3 02-09-2011, 01:59 PM

Thanks for the input. I decided to move forward with the Promethean cab but had a difficult time getting my mitts on one to demo. (one of the downsides of small town living)

I ended up purchasing a GB Shuttle 3 10T at a retailer in Hamilton and have used it at a couple of rehearsals, and small gigs. I am pretty happy with it. I will still be using my MB F1 / AE112 rig for larger venues but I can see the GB being used more than originally expected.

I would love to do a side X side comparison with the Shuttle 3 10T and the Promethean cab / MB F1 combo.

Looking forward to your "sound" report

Bob

belgiangiant · #4 02-17-2011, 06:26 PM

The Promethean passes the "will it shake the house?" test with flying colors. I'm still trying to dial in "my" tone, I'm working with a brand new head too. Saturday will be the first gig with the new rig and I'm giddy!

I also tried the rig with my mid 90's 1x12" Genz Benz cab. I replaced the original 12" (rated at 150 watts) with a 300 watt Eminence that Jeff Genzler shipped out to me. This cab, the Promethean, and the GK MB500 put out a FIERCE amount of volume, almost rivaling my "big gig rig" which is a SWR Black Beauty (15" 450watt combo) & Acme Low B 2x10 cab. That rig weighs in at about 160 lbs total, compared to my new little rig that weighs in at about 60 lbs total.

If the new rig performs valiantly at a "big gig", I think I'll be retiring my SWR/Acme rig to the practice space! I will post more as the test trials begin.

belgiangiant · #5 02-20-2011, 04:15 PM

Played a jazz gig last night on upright with the MB500 + Promethean. Dialed in a tone as good, if not better, than my favorite settings on my Baby Blue.

Church gig this morning with P-bass, MB500+Promethean: Sounds good, but the jury is still out on the verdict for the Promethean with electric bass. I still need to spend more time dialing in a good tone with the new head I think.

Next "big rig" gigs will be this Friday in LA and Saturday night in Oakland. I think I will haul my old rig with me (for security blanket reasons) and give the MB500+Promethean+1x12 a try when I have a loud gig locally (San Diego). Updates to follow.

belgiangiant · #6 03-13-2011, 06:03 PM

Played a seriously "LOUD" gig the other night with the MB500, Promethean and Genz Benz 1x12. Worked so well, I was told to turn down. I officially have retired the SWR/Acme LTD rig to the rehearsal space.

The new rig sounded great for both upright bass and electric, with many people commenting that the upright sounded more "acoustic" than with the SWR.

Unfortunately, after a handful of church gigs, I decided I don't really like the Promethean when just playing the P-bass. As a stand alone cab, its my favorite for upright bass, but it just doesn't cut it in the "tone" department. I've started taking the GB 1x12" to small gigs that I only play electric bass on, which is pretty much church. I can justify the extra LBs because I'm not hauling an upright bass around. My P-bass and head go in a backpack style gig bag. Still a super portable rig in my opinion.

But most of my gigs are with upright, and the Promethean sounds great for that. However, in your original thread, you mention you're playing an acoustic/electric bass. I think the Promethean is a little cold and sterile sounding for solid body instruments (unless you added a second cab). I can only assume that if it sounds good for upright, it would probably sound good for acoustic bass guitar.

If your GB 1x10 sounds anything like my GB 1x12, then I'm sure you're happy with your purchase. I think you probably made the right choice.

Basically Bob · #7 03-13-2011, 06:15 PM

I have been playing through the GB Shuttle 3.0 10T quite a bit, normally 2 - 4 times per week. Mostly in church settings. I'm very happy with it and am thinking about getting another 10 to go with it. Frankly, for most of my playing, the F1 and Bergs are overkill. I am amazed at the tone and volume that comes out of that little rig and am thinking of getting the extension cab to bump it up when I need it.

Thanks for your input.

SJan3 · #8 03-13-2011, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Basically Bob

I have been playing through the GB Shuttle 3.0 10T quite a bit, normally 2 - 4 times per week. Mostly in church settings. I'm very happy with it and am thinking about getting another 10 to go with it. Frankly, for most of my playing, the F1 and Bergs are overkill. I am amazed at the tone and volume that comes out of that little rig and am thinking of getting the extension cab to bump it up when I need it.

Thanks for your input.

The GB 110 shuttle ext cab will SERIOUSLY bump up your output.
You'll probably forget all about the Bergs!

Basically Bob · #9 03-14-2011, 05:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SJan3

The GB 110 shuttle ext cab will SERIOUSLY bump up your output.
You'll probably forget all about the Bergs!

... and that's what I'm thinking too.

SJan3 · #10 03-18-2011, 12:18 AM

I have an SWR Workingman's 10 combo amp. By itself, it's decent but struggles with a drummer at a rehearsal. Well, when I added the Workingman's 110T ext cab, this thing really came to life to the point where I could seriously use it on medium volume gigs. More watts @ 4 ohms, twice the speaker coverage PLUS the coupling effect of 2 like cabs. VERY BIG difference!
Could never have done that with the combo alone.

belgiangiant · #11 03-22-2011, 12:51 AM

I used to also have a SWR Workingman's 10 (the first round of them that were made in the USA and a serial # around 1000.) It was the first piece of SWR gear that I could afford, and to this day, it played more gigs than any other amp I've owned.

For 80 watts, if was fierce. I used it alone at Big Band rehearsals and added the GB 1x12" for shows. I replaced it with a much more expensive Baby Baby Blue, which sounded better, but actually shut itself down when pushed at 4ohms for an extended period of time. The Workingman's 10 never did that!

I sold it as part of a packaged deal (Carvin LB75 and the amp) for $600 when I was hard up for cash a couple of years ago. I don't miss the bass, but I wish I still had that amp...

The next generation of Workingman's 10's were made in Mexico, although, I've heard very few complaints about them. With all the big company's putting out small, high powered combos with class D amplification circuitry, I'm wondering when SWR will put out a lightweight, 400+ watt combo themselves. They have the 400 watt Headlight head; I think its time they started pairing it with a 2x10 or 1x12 cab that weighs in at about 30 lbs. The new Spellbinder Blue just doesn't seem like much of a deal compared to what the competition is putting out there...