GK MB212 Combo vs Ibanez Promethean 1x10 Combo and others

[Musicman20]

I am currently looking at a very easy to cart and move combo for an acoustic act I have just joined. Mainly going to be fairly low volume, but again this might change as the vocalist/guitarist wants to incorporate his electric guitar and amp for some songs, (again it wont be too high volume).

Im looking for a combo that suits my needs. Has to be/have the following:

Light Headphone/Aux in features
DI out
1x10 upwards (although a 1x12 would be better)
Reliable
Not silly money (I already have some quite high end gear so this does not have to be the most expensive!)
Quality clear/clean tone for passive/active 4 and 5 string basses

Like many others, I could opt for the high end 1x12 route, and use one of my amps. This is something im considering but most of the 1x12s I like are approaching the price of the combos Ive listed!

Yes, the MB212 combo is overkill, but I could use if for other applications. A sub 40lbs 2x12 with an amp is basically heaven! Most of the 1x12s im looking at weigh more than that, (Aguilar DB112 or Berg HT112ER).

How are the GK MB combos working out for people? Are they reliable?! Ive heard the 210 is boomy, but not so much about the 2x12.

How are the Promethean Combos working out for people? Are they reliable? Im worried that a 1x10 might get lost on some of the gigs. Then again, if it is a larger gig, I could haul an RS210 there instead. So in that respect Ive got good option...and ive got many larger cabs that cover the ground of large gigs.

I cant think of any other combos that fit the bill and are that price range. Even in the UK the GK and Promethean combos are a bargain. I would LOVE a Shuttle 6.0 12T, but they are quite pricey over here (£1000 plus). I would jump on a Walkabout in a second, but again, they are £1300+. I think PJ combos would get lost in the mix and are expensive for the ones that would cut the volumes I need.

Part of me is tempted by GK as Id quite like that very modern deep bass open highs tone. But the Promethean is tiny!

Any ideas? I don't want to go with custom built cabs, sorry. I want something I can sell on easily should the project become quiet for gigs.

Lastly, another option is a Tech 21 VT Bass Deluxe into the PA. Thanks

[Musicman20]

Lil bump!

[philter25]

You should love me.......

Ive owned both the MB212 and MB210. My 212 started farting, so I returned it but they were backordered so I got the 210. Ive had the 210 for awhile and have been pleased with it.

GK Combo Shootout...MB210 vs. MB212

Read through that thread for numerous comparisons. Some people say its boomy, but I just turn down the bass EQ and it gets rid of it. I guess its all personal preference.

I also have the Shuttle 6.0-12t. Its a fantastic amp and I picked it up with the extension cabinet because it fits in the back seat of my coupe and allows me to get the full 600 watts out of the amp. The MBE extension cabinet and the MB210 wouldnt fit in the back of my car, so thats why Im selling it.

And I did a comparison of the MB210 vs the shuttle 6.0-12t combo:
Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0-12t vs GK MB210

AND I play through the VT bass and have used it direct into the PA for a few gigs. Works like a charm as long as you have good monitors which can play bass clearly back at you. I wouldnt recommend it for crappy venues with cheapo monitors.

What I did for almost a year with gigs is run the PBDDI or VT bass deluxe in front of the MB210. I had the MB210 set to tonally flat and I used the VT bass to shape my tone. I play in a cover band so having 6 footswitchable GOOD tones is perfect for my needs.

Ive done about 20ish gigs with this setup playing with a 5 piece cover band and its been a great setup, easy schlep, and enough stage volume.

My advice, play them all and pick which one hits your tone goals.

[Musicman20]

Cheers!

I think the MB combos might not be my thing....we shall see.

[tombowlus]

Those are both excellent options, and offer exceptional bang for the buck. I don't own any of the MB combos, but I've heard all of them. I miss not having a tweeter on the MB112, but I definitely liked all of them. I'd probably opt for the MB212, if I were to go the GK combo route, though. As I have several of the MB series heads and some of the GK Neo series cabs (112, 212, 410), though, I'm just going to stick with those options. Of course, the MB series combos are a more affordable package...

The Promethean head/combos really don't get the love they deserve, IME/IMHO. I have the 2x10 combo, and I've used the head with several other cabs. The head itself is very neutral sounding, fairly solid, but not as "exciting" sounding as the GK heads. The EQ offers a very wide range of usable tones, though. It looks/feels a little bit more like a "toy" rather than the "tool-like" look/feel of the GK, but it seems sturdy enough. The 2x10 combo is very big and deep sounding, and seems to move a lot of air. It is a 4-ohm enclosure, and you get plenty of volume out of it. I do tend to goose the upper-mids and highs on it a little bit, but not a tremendous amount. I like the 210 combo a lot, but have never A/B'd it to the 110 combo and 110 extension.

Oh, and I also have a Shuttle 6.0/12 comb (with the matching 1x12). This is another good option, though with the 6.0/12, the (minor) challenge is dialing in the right lows to low-mids.

Hope this helps, Tom.

[Musicman20]

Thanks Tom that's a great run down..,bloomin hard to decide.

[nasr20de]

Have you considered the carvin micro bass line? I don't know how there over seas shipping works but it would seem to have your basses covered. It also gives you the option of a external cab as well since you already have extra gear.

Edit: And if I read the GK line right the DI is pre eq.

[Musicman20]

I'll check into the Carvin shipping, cheers!