Finally bought a cab for my Fender Bassman 300 Pro head

Thumpking · #1 01-16-2011, 05:31 PM

After posting questions about speaker configuration with this head, and reading experiences on this forum, I decided to go with 2x15 over 6x10\4x12\4x10. I had been using my Ampeg 810e, but then bought this Genz Benz 215 cab.

It slays!

It is thick, round, and punchy. Clear even at loud volume playing fast notes, like The Trooper from Iron Maiden. Low end for days, but not flubbery at all, (that was one of my fears). This thing has no horn in it, but it does not need one at all. It kicks that Ampeg 810e straight to the curb. It is also 25" inches wide, unlike many of the Mesa, Aguilar, Avatar, and Begatino cabs, which this 25 1\2" hear fits nicely on. (It does not look like a capital "T"). I found out it has Eminence drivers in it. It has wheel and a pull bar on it.

I am glad I did not ny the Fender 215. You cannot find them used very often, and my "buddy" discount at the local music store was still $750.00 + tax.

I had sold my MTI era Ampeg SVT 300 watter a while back that I was using with the 810e, and I did not think anything would match that. Glad I was wrong. What a great bass sound!

Thumpking · #2 01-16-2011, 08:12 PM

Here is the new cab:

Thumpking · #3 01-17-2011, 05:48 AM

No comments?

Zitch · #4 01-17-2011, 05:53 AM

Looks like a sweet rig! Have any sound clips?

Thumpking · #5 01-17-2011, 05:57 AM

You know, that is a good idea Zitch. There is almost nothing on this head (1 clip), and definetly nothing on the cab, on YouTube for hearing it before you buy. I could only go by reviews before I bought it because no stores here had that head. I may whip out the video camera, or at least a mic and my Tone Port UX2. Thanks man.

kosmicwizard · #6 01-17-2011, 06:29 AM

Sound clips sound good to me! Can't wait! Cheers.

Mastermold · #7 01-17-2011, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thumpking

Here is the new cab:

Nice!

steamthief · #8 01-17-2011, 12:46 PM

How did the sound and power handling compare to the Fender 215?

Thumpking · #9 01-17-2011, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steamthief

How did the sound and power handling compare to the Fender 215?

The power handling is rated about the same on paper, but I never got to hear the Fender 215 because none of the music stores here would order one because "the high end bass stuff doesn't sell", as I stood there with cash in hand.

I was going to buy the Fender 215 this month, (and may still so I can have one at home and 1 at the jam room), but this Genz Benz popped up on Craigslist. No music store in Nashville at the time had any 2x15 cabs for me to plug into, and this was my chance to at least test the Bassman with 2x15's, even if I did not buy.

As soon as the tubes warmed up and I hit those first few notes, I was in heaven. I suddenly flashed back to my Ampeg 1981 SVT days, but with this 2x15 instead of the 8x10s, there was so much more low end and thick, round, punchy, gooeyness.

I had my Ampeg 810e right next to the Genz Benz 215 all of last week and was doing a side by side comparison. For the Fender Bassman 300 Pro, the GB 215 was winner, winner, chicken dinner. I am a total tone pig, and this rig defines what bass is supposed to sound like, just in my opinion.

I will maybe break out the video camera or record some audio into my TonePort because there is not a lot out there on this head. I will play many different styles of music to show the versatility of this head. Maybe even play into the Ampeg 810e so people can hear the differences.

SactoBass · #10 02-06-2011, 07:23 PM

Hey Thumpking. Nice to hear. I keep reading good things about the tone of the Fender Bassman 300 Pro. TB'ers often comment that it sounds very much like a vintage SVT (but with more tonal options). Do you agree with that assessment?

Regarding cabs, I love the sound of a pair of 15 inch speakers.

s_mcsleazy · #11 02-06-2011, 07:31 PM

no need to go on a porn site tonight thanks to you

Marko5657 · #12 02-06-2011, 07:38 PM

Man, that looks like a killer cab. Congrats.

bklee · #13 02-06-2011, 09:27 PM

I have one of these heads, and I agree it kicks ass. And its size was kind of a problem, not only because of the width was slightly wider than the Ampeg 810E, but the depth made it difficult to place on top of the cab without an awkward plywood plank spanning over to the handle on the back of the cab. I have used it with my Carvin BRX 410 Neo, and it sounds pretty good, but there is still that width issue. I see that this cab you have looks like it was made for it. Now if they could only make it lighter...

kosmicwizard · #14 02-06-2011, 09:36 PM

Are we still waiting on sound clips? Ummmm ... Yep, we are! Hope you get the chance to post some soon, I like my SVT II (non-pro) better through my 8x10E, but I like my Mesa 400 (non-plus) better through my 2x15E ... I am not sure what that says ... Cheers.

eyeballkid · #15 02-06-2011, 09:42 PM

welcome to the 300 pro, 2x15 club..
and with the Fender 215 its just as awesome, if you can get one for $750 thats a sweet deal and a sweet rig!!!.. congrats on the Genz!!!

Chuckf · #16 02-06-2011, 10:56 PM

Man, I love your new set up!!! Congrats on the new cab! That must sound good.

Lowbrow · #17 02-06-2011, 11:04 PM

That is one beautiful piece of bass rig you've got, and I'm glad to hear it sounds great.

I luv the 2x15! Can't carry it, but *heart* it anyway.

Thumpking · #18 02-07-2011, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SactoBass

Hey Thumpking. Nice to hear. I keep reading good things about the tone of the Fender Bassman 300 Pro. TB'ers often comment that it sounds very much like a vintage SVT (but with more tonal options). Do you agree with that assessment?

Regarding cabs, I love the sound of a pair of 15 inch speakers.

It can do SVT and more. I may still get the Fender 215. I can get ut for 750.00.
As far as the video, I am still going to make it. I am travelling on business. May get a chance to make it this weekend. You will just need to get past my playing in the video.

Thumpking · #19 02-20-2011, 09:28 PM

So I tried to make the video showing the Bassman 300 played through the Genz Benz 215 and the Ampeg 810e. The video camera has no aux audio input, so you cannot tell a discernable difference in the video with the cheesy built in mic. Besides that, the bass is so prevelent, that the mic distorted on lower notes, not to mention everything that wasn't nailed down was vibrating like crazy in that room.

I need a better camera. I did plug in BOTH cabs at the same time and man alive, it was monsterous!

SactoBass · #20 02-21-2011, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thumpking

It can do SVT and more. I may still get the Fender 215. I can get it for 750.00.

Hey TK, is that $750 price for a brand new one? If so, can anyone get it for that price?