Which Combo for My Needs: Roland or GK?

[bassplayer7770]

My gig rig is spending most of the time in my band's trailer, so I don't get to use it at home for regular practice and learning songs. I also have a little Orange Crush 20B combo, but the tone is pretty terrible, and it was really only meant to be a living room amp anyway.

I want a combo I can keep at home in my practice room for regular practice and learning songs. First and foremost, it has to have truly good tone, and it has to be able to handle a low B. I'd also prefer not to spend a lot since it will literally stay in my practice room 99.9% of the time.

The two combos I've been thinking about are:

Roland Cube 100 - Great features, and the YT videos I've seen have been pretty impressive. Seems the coax design really provides a nice full-range tone. Extras like amp models and effects could be fun, although I admit they're not necessary.

GK MB115 - Does this combo have good full-range tone, or is it largely low end (15) with some bright sizzle (tweeter)? Does it have nice mid definition? Also, how reliable are these light GK amps nowadays?

[bassplayerbob]

I know these weren't on your list but if youhavent tried these out, checkout the Hartke Hydrive combos or the new Peavey TNT tour combo. I have both of these and they both sound great. The Hartke stays home for working out tunes and the Peavey I've used live quite a few times and sounds great.

[bassplayer7770]

Originally Posted by bassplayerbob

I know these weren't on your list but if youhavent tried these out, checkout the Hartke Hydrive combos or the new Peavey TNT tour combo. I have both of these and they both sound great. The Hartke stays home for working out tunes and the Peavey I've used live quite a few times and sounds great.

Thanks for the suggestions, but the HyDrives are more than I really want to spend. As for the Peavey, do you know any dealers who actually have them in stock? I'd consider the TKO if I saw any in stock anywhere...

[bassplayerbob]

I got my at daddys junky music here in Rhode Island but I know Guitar center also had them.

[bassist4dalord]

Also check out the Fender Bassman 100 combo. 1x10" speaker, 100-watts, RCA input for iPod/CD, tilt-back cabinet, etc. Looks like a really great little combo. Kinda wish I'd bought one of them, and a stack.

That said, I currently own the GK MB115. It really does sound pretty great. I have sort of a limited experience with amps (none with the Roland), but I can attest to the good sounds comin' out of the GK.

In the end, I'd suggest the Fender Bassman 100. $250 on Musician's Friend, so it can't be beat.

Hope this helps.

[bassplayer7770]

Originally Posted by bassist4dalord

Also check out the Fender Bassman 100 combo. 1x10" speaker, 100-watts, RCA input for iPod/CD, tilt-back cabinet, etc. Looks like a really great little combo. Kinda wish I'd bought one of them, and a stack.

That said, I currently own the GK MB115. It really does sound pretty great. I have sort of a limited experience with amps (none with the Roland), but I can attest to the good sounds comin' out of the GK.

In the end, I'd suggest the Fender Bassman 100. $250 on Musician's Friend, so it can't be beat.

Hope this helps.

Looks like the Fender was normally just under $400. A couple reviews on MF mention failures which concerns me a bit.

Thanks for your input about your GK as well.

[bassman30]

i really like the roland cube amps.
thats what most of the other bass teachers at the place i work at use
also hartke would be something to look at. i know the hydrives are pricey but maybe a lower grade model would work out for you.

[Kbone_ATL]

I've always viewed Roland amps/combo's for keyboards/vocals for some reason.. probably just the branding.

I **Thought there was a GK combo with the 700 RB and 2 10's but I haven't seen that in a long time (maybe my imagination)

I have the GK 700RB and the Neo 4x10 and if I could spend someone else's money to get whatever I wanted, I'd keep this and add another 2x12 or another 4x10

[liltommyg]

Had a roland and a GK at the same time, to me the roland had the more transparent sound of the two, the GK -as expected had the little edge/bite to it.
The roland was in for repair more often than it was gigging and got a feed of BS from the shop about dry joints each time i got it back.
from my experience I would go with the GK (still going great after 5 years)

[bassplayer7770]

Originally Posted by bassman30

i really like the roland cube amps.
thats what most of the other bass teachers at the place i work at use
also hartke would be something to look at. i know the hydrives are pricey but maybe a lower grade model would work out for you.

Thanks for your input.

Originally Posted by Kbone_ATL

I've always viewed Roland amps/combo's for keyboards/vocals for some reason.. probably just the branding.

I **Thought there was a GK combo with the 700 RB and 2 10's but I haven't seen that in a long time (maybe my imagination)

I have the GK 700RB and the Neo 4x10 and if I could spend someone else's money to get whatever I wanted, I'd keep this and add another 2x12 or another 4x10

I'm guessing a GK combo w/ the 700RB would be more than I would want to spend unless I could find one used at an amazing price.

[bassplayer7770]

Originally Posted by liltommyg

Had a roland and a GK at the same time, to me the roland had the more transparent sound of the two, the GK -as expected had the little edge/bite to it.
The roland was in for repair more often than it was gigging and got a feed of BS from the shop about dry joints each time i got it back.
from my experience I would go with the GK (still going great after 5 years)

You mention you've had your GK for 5 years. Is that an older model combo?

[liltommyg]

Yep. its the backline 300

[SlingBass4]

Having owned one - *I* believe you'd be hard pressed to do better than the Roland Bass Cube 100. Built like a tank (and has the weight to accompany it) and as reliable as the sun coming up in the East. The effects and modeling are above average...but the overall tone of the combo is it's strong point. I found when slightly elevated it will cover many a small to medium sized room. Not bad for a 100 watt rms solid state box you can easily throw in the front (or rear) seat of any car with ease. Great bang for the buck, new - and one can find them on eBay or other source for a more than fair price. Just my $.02

[bassplayer7770]

Originally Posted by liltommyg

Yep. its the backline 300

My guitarist has a Backline combo in his basement studio. It sounds decent, but I don't think it has a horn or tweeter for the high end.

Originally Posted by SlingBass4

Having owned one - *I* believe you'd be hard pressed to do better than the Roland Bass Cube 100. Built like a tank (and has the weight to accompany it) and as reliable as the sun coming up in the East.

I was surprised to see the other post about Roland's lack of reliability. It would certainly appear that your experience is the opposite.

[bmc]

Originally Posted by SlingBass4

Having owned one - *I* believe you'd be hard pressed to do better than the Roland Bass Cube 100. Built like a tank (and has the weight to accompany it) and as reliable as the sun coming up in the East. The effects and modeling are above average...but the overall tone of the combo is it's strong point. I found when slightly elevated it will cover many a small to medium sized room. Not bad for a 100 watt rms solid state box you can easily throw in the front (or rear) seat of any car with ease. Great bang for the buck, new - and one can find them on eBay or other source for a more than fair price. Just my $.02

I bought a used one four years ago for practicing and ended up using it for gigging. I agree with everything said above. I've used it as a PA, running a small mixer through it. I've lent it to a guitarist who set the amp modeling on Fender Bassman, cranked the gain, added a touch of reverb, and had a decent sounding guitar amp. Not many bass amps have that kind of flexibility.

For bass, I run it flat. I find keeping it on the floor produces the best bass sound. It's a well engineered compromise of size, weight, sound, volume, features and price.

[rpsands]

The backline combos are alllll mids.

The Roland will almost surely sound better. I just love how those cubes sound. That said, the MB115 is crazy loud and has a lot of tone all over - not much up super high though. Sounds good too.

The MB115 is kind of medium quality though. Roland's definitely a step up imho.

You need to go try'em out

[bassplayer7770]

Originally Posted by rpsands

You need to go try'em out

Not sure I've ever seen a Cube in stock at a store, but I have tried the MB115 at GC. The basses generally had bad setups, so I don't want to judge the GK too much based on those experiences.

[bassplayer7770]

Okay, here are some prices I can get. Any additional thoughts?

Roland Cube 100 - $387.50
GK MB115 - $359
Fender Bassman 100 (tiltback) - $215.49

I'm mostly considering the Fender because of the low price. Tonally, I'm still thinking the Roland might have the edge over the others.

[jnewmark]

Here's a thread on the Roland. :Opinions on the Roland CB-100 1x12 combo (bass cube, 100 watts)

[bassplayer7770]

UPDATE: Found what I thought was a good deal on a used Roland D-Bass 115 combo, so it will be on the way sometime today.