Extension Cab for both a Super Redhead AND a Minimark

[ijump206]

Hi,

I currently own a 2004 SWR Super Redhead and a newer MB Minimark for use in different applications.

I would like to get one single extension cabinet to use with both of them, and am most likely considering an 8 ohm 2x10 with around 400w.

As you all know well, these amps sound quite different from one another, which makes the choice of a single cabinet difficult.

If you were going to add one cabinet to use with both of these, what would you consider?

Markbass Traveler 102P
Markbass Standard 102HF
SWR Golight Junior 2x10
Other??

I would appreciate any thoughts and advice.

Thanks!

Steve

[Jeff Scott]

That's a tough one to come up with, really. I used to have a SRD and currently have a MM. Tonally, the MM (to me) is so much better, and far more accurate sounding with a much deeper low end than the SRD, which I ultimately found a bit anemic sounding.

To get the most out of the SRD you'd need a cabinet with a greater low end extension than what the internal speakers provide, which is basically, that of a Goliath Jr.; I don't know how similar in tone that is to the Golight Jr. I tried out a Markbass 206 cab a couple months ago and was amazed at it's tone and bottom end, this cab is essentially double that of what is in the MM, and was designed as an extension cab for it. It's shape wouldn't be ideal for the SRD but sitting on top of the amp or next to it could work.

Which of the two combo amps do you tend to use more often?

[ijump206]

Hi Jeff,

Sorry for the delayed response. I have played the SWR for a long time, and only recently started playing the Minimark more often. I have absolutely fallen in love with the tone of this little beast, as the SWR is almost too hi-fi for most of my basses.

I am strongly considering the Traveler 102P at this point.

I am thinking of selling the SWR (it's been a long, good road) and getting a stand-alone head and maybe a 4 by 10". Then I could go with 6 by 10", 4 by 10", 2 by 10", and the Minimark.

So many choices...

[Jeff Scott]

Do you find the Minimark (MM) loud enough for the gigs you do? I did a small bar this past Saturday with just the MM and it filled the room quite well.

I also have a Markbass F1 that I run into one of two custom made LDS cabinets, a 2-8 or a 2-12, both of which have a 6½" mid driver; each cabinet is 4Ω and work fantastic with the F1 (I only use one at a time as the F1's minimum load capability is 4Ω).

[ijump206]

I find the MM to be surprisingly loud. I have no problems playing small rooms, though I prefer to have the amp up off of the ground. If it is running with no PA support or extension cab then being directly on the ground seems to swallow the lower frequencies. I also cannot really get much out of the B string, but for smaller gigs this is not a problem. I need to remind myself to dial the Bass eq knob back to about neutral (active pickups on a Marleaux) and I get plenty of mid range sound with great tone. I can't shake the room with it, but I can be very present.


As an update, I picked up a lightly used Traveler 102 P today. I have a gig tomorrow in a medium sized bar/grill/cafe. I'll run the MM with the 102P in a vertical stack with some A support and see how it goes.

I confess that I'm also looking forward to pairing the Redhead with the MB 102P, if only for the contrast of red against yellow...

[Jeff Scott]

Cool! Looking forward to your report on it.

I usually raise my MM off the floor to get rid of boominess and to hear it better, sometimes I will angle it up towards me as a monitor, if needed.

[ijump206]

The gig went quite well. It was a smallish show, with about 60-70 people in the audience.

I ran the 2x10 vertically and had the MM stacked on top of it, but turned at a 90 degree angle to function as a stage monitor for myself and the drummer. (I'll add a pic if I get one.) I had the volume at about 11:45, and I hardly had to add any PA support. The Traveler kept up with the rest of the band without any issue, and the mids cut through just fine.

I found that having the MM pointed right at my head really helped out on solos, which were much more deliberate and melodic than I often play. (When I can't hear myself, I occasionally fall into the bad bad bad habit of showing how quickly I can run scales. That's not a solo, it's an exercise.)

I was told by two different people from the audience that my bass tone was very clear, and that they could really hear the sound of my bass. One of these guys came to check out the rig and flipped out when he was able to pick up the MM and the Traveler with one finger each.

I think this will be a great mini rig, and knowing that I still have oodles of volume left in the amp before I even need PA support - yeah, that'll do for now.

[sbassface]

210 traveler huh, I'm wondering what ext cab to eventually add to my minimark...