GB Neox 212T Vs. two B.E. Sb15D

Standalone · #1 05-15-2011, 08:04 AM

Cubanbass and I are working on a trade of my Genz cab for his Bag Ends.

He's planning on making a drive this week so we can demo the stuff, but I wanted to get some TB feedback before he schleps out here -- I don't want him to waste the drive.

I like a clean tone with good low mids, not a lot of the super deep stuff, and a rounded high end that has enough high end to sound clear and expressive on my novice attempts at soloing over the changes. (I currently double electric and upright in a little jazz outfit). I also want a rig that can do straight ahead rock if I get into a group down the line that does that.

I want the option of running my DB through a cab too. I'm not terribly picky about tone

Amps are: GK 800 and 400 RB.

Cubanbass' thread is here:
FT 2 Bag End S15-D for a 2x12 cab or 2 12s

I told him that I'd post here to get all the feedback I could before getting him to drive up here. What do you think?

Standalone · #2 05-15-2011, 07:02 PM

ok, nobody thinks I'm crazy for looking into going more old school. Guess we'll get together and do some A/B'ing.

jasper383 · #3 05-15-2011, 08:13 PM

I know very little about the Genz Benz cab, but I do own the Bag End S15 stack, and based on what you say you want, they will be fine for you.

GK heads through the Bag End S15 cabs are a thing of beauty.

Standalone · #4 05-16-2011, 02:01 PM

Cool. That is what I've read.

The trader has a more modern amp, which I think will pair well with my GB.

The Diaper Geni · #5 05-16-2011, 03:48 PM

After owning a BE S15 stack, I'd say they are what you're looking for.

And yeah: They sound good with GK heads. But the S15's soud good with other heads, too!!

Good luck!

Standalone · #6 05-21-2011, 11:54 AM

I went for the trade-- I still can't get over how great even one of those Bag Ends sounds on its own. The sound is more "tameable" for my noodly jazz-ish style and venue size than the GB was. On the other hand, I thought that cubanbass' Markbass amp and playing style sounded just perfect with my (now his) 212.

I'm happy with the sound and portability that even if these older cabs need a driver replacement in upcoming years (my main concern with older well gigged cabs), I made the right choice.

Next thing to try is my 8-ohm ampeg fliptop through one of these. I have not had any modern 8 ohm cabs around since getting the thing.

cubanbass · #7 05-23-2011, 09:14 AM

What a great trade and experience! Being able to personally A/B the cabs with our own gear was worth the drive.

The Bag Ends were perfect for your upright and the electric too (I wish I would have been able to hear the Ibanez).

I knew the minute I started to play the Genz that it was for me. What a huge sound! Its funny but once I got it home and played with it a bit I adjusted the tweeter (it was off) to full on. It has such a complete sound now, the tweeter is not harsh at all. I kept trying it off, on, and halfway. I noticed how muffled it seemed without the tweeter (to my taste and style of course). Its the first cab with a tweeter that I have not wanted to have the thing off! I have yet to play it in a full venue but will report back next when I do.

JGR · #8 05-23-2011, 12:47 PM

I think you will dig them. Check my YouTube page for a ton of videos with those cabs. One of them is with an 800.

JGR · #9 05-23-2011, 12:49 PM

Oops missed the last posts. Glad they worked out for you!

Standalone · #10 05-23-2011, 03:29 PM

No prob, JGR! I think I might have seen your vids. I posted one on youtube, too. YouTube - ‪Bag End S15-D Bass Cabinet‬&rlm; I was afraid to turn them up with the digital camera mic, but I probably could have. Just noodling, don't expect too much-- somehow I turn up the "suck" knob whenever the camera goes on! I like your sig-- check this out if you like WZ: YouTube - ‪Jimmy plays "Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner" - Warren Zevon‬&rlm; (My six year old sounding out a Warren Zevon tune by ear)

I am as happy with the my new cabs as [i]cubanbass[/I} is with his. Mario-- it's very cool that even the tweeter's tone is working for you. That is indeed a rare thing! The Genz Benz was just too big a sound for the style, stages and venues I've been playing.

The Bag End S15's are amazingly sensitive and seem to get a nice full tone even at the lower volumes that I sometimes need. The GB seemed to have a "tipping point" that it had to be pushed to to get into its tone happy place. Not necessarily a loud volume, but a touch louder than I usually need. At some point I want to be in an outfit that's rocking out like that, but when I do, I'm pretty sure that the S15's will cover what I need in that department.

I do love exactly how the Bag Ends behave in the high end-- nothing harsh, but nothing under a blanket, either. I play with a medium action and dig into my strings a bit, and I like a cab and amp that have a kind of response that gives a little just like my strings do. That is, I don't want something super quick-- the bass tone I have in my head is a little more vintage--

I'm rambling, but the cabs just feel and sound musical to me. I just go by what gear seems to ask me to play it more and encourages me to be more creative with what I play. These were it. Thanks again, Mario!