I would definetly recommend the EB range for beginner bass players. I was using the EB15-180 for practices and gigs for a couple of years. It has plenty of volume on tap and sounds amazing (I'm sure the 12 inch version will sound just as good). If you pair it with an extension cabinet, it will get plenty of mileage. I used it with a MAG 410 cabinet. I have only just upgraded my rig to an ABM 900 and an ABM 810 simply becasue I wanted the extra functions of the ABM and the cab was cheap
I tried one of the bass cubes (not sure if it was the 100 though) and thought it sounded quite thin and sterile. Having the built in effects was sort of useful, but they were nowhere near as good as the stuff I ahve on my pedalboard.
Hope that helps
