Help me choose an ext cab for my combo.

oldcatfish · #1 07-06-2011, 07:18 PM

Hello TB'rs. My wonderful wife wants to get me a bass gear anniversary present-- an extension cab for my Roland CB100 combo. Our budget is small, but I've narrowed down the choice to two.
Choice # 1 is the Eden EX112.
Choice # 2 is the GK MBE 115.

Here's the issue I have. The Roland is wired in a weird way that really does better with a 4 ohm cab. Both of my choices are available in a 4 ohm model, but none of the local shops have one in stock. Looking at the specs, I think that the Eden would be a great match for my Roland (it also has a 12 inch full range speaker), and I've heard about "rattling issues" with the GK. But a 15 would be nice (I tend to like 15's), and I could get it at GC and return it if I don't like it. The Eden I'd have to order online.

I realize that the cab won't add a lot of volume...I don't really need that, I just would like a more "full" sound than the single 12 on the Roland. Also, I play guitar too, and the Roland gets double duty use as a guitar amp (it's a very good one too). The Eden's 12 would probably work better for that also.

My gut is telling me to get the Eden, but I know that there is a lot of love for GK gear here at TB.

What do you all think, Eden or GK?

1n3 · #2 07-06-2011, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldcatfish

The Roland is wired in a weird way that really does better with a 4 ohm cab.

... that being, the external speaker will be in series with the internal speaker. So there is a maximum impedance (8 ohms) rather than the usual minimum impedance.

Can't help you with Eden vs GK, since I'm not familiar with either speaker. Just thought I'd clarify why a 4 ohm cabinet is more desirable.

Exploiter8 · #3 07-06-2011, 09:00 PM

Would you and your wife consider selling the Roland or trading it in and upgrading to something else?

I know what it's like to fall in love with gear but sometimes it's a losing battle trying to upgrade.

Just wondering,

X8

oldcatfish · #4 07-07-2011, 05:12 PM

"Would you and your wife consider selling the Roland or trading it in and upgrading to something else?"

No. My wife is actually willing, but I'm not. I really like the Roland and I don't really need the extra cab...it would just be nice for a little more fullness. The Roland sounds great and has a lot of connection options; I run a powered speaker from the line out when I need more power. Most of the time, the Roland is fine on it's own as long as I have PA support--which is 98% of the time. Besides, the Roland makes a great guitar amp too, for both electric and acoustic guitars.

If I did decide to upgrade, it would be to an Ampeg PF500 (or similar lightweight head) and a couple of lightweight cabs. But there is a big cost difference, and I would rather spend the money on my wife/kids.

Gearhead17 · #5 07-08-2011, 01:06 AM

It's wonderful to see someone who is dedicated to their family like you are. But I will say this; it sounds like you have your mind made up already on upgrading to Ampeg gear. I think you should go the route of getting what you want rather than spending less on what "could" work for you. Although the other gear you have chosen could work out great, what if it does not? What are you going to do at that point? Selling it off is going to result in a loss and when do ALL bass players play their best? When their gear sounds good!

I think you need to move to a light weight head and two cab solution - one cab for small shows and when you want more fullness, two cabs.

I am also concerned that adding another cab to the Roland is not going to be worth it. You will be mixing two non-similar cabs and the extension cab is most likely going to be louder than the Roland speaker. It's hard to predict the final sound.

You could also go the route of looking at the used market and finding another CB100. That would give you what you want easily. You can also check the used market for some decent bass gear and just use the CB100 for guitar duties.

Good luck.

oldcatfish · #6 07-08-2011, 06:41 PM

Quote: "You could also go the route of looking at the used market and finding another CB100. That would give you what you want easily. You can also check the used market for some decent bass gear and just use the CB100 for guitar duties."

--This I have considered. I bought the Roland used, and if I found one as inexpensively as I did the first one, then I'd go that route.

Quote: "I think you need to move to a light weight head and two cab solution - one cab for small shows and when you want more fullness, two cabs."

--Actually, that would be the advantage of going with the extension cab instead of an additional combo. It could be the "small gig/practice cab" when I bought a head/amp and I could get a larger cab or two later. But I really don't need the more powerful rig now (or in the near future)...I play mostly in churches or jamming with friends. Often, I don't even need the Roland, the churches have their own amps. I just thought that an extension cab would "fill out" the sound a little, when I do use it. I could even buy another powered speaker to do that, but I like the idea of the cab.

You brought up some great points though. I'll have to think about it some more. If I do decide to buy an ext cab, I think I'll go with the Eden. It looks like a lot better match for the Roland. It's the same size and is a "full range" speaker.

Thanks to everyone for the input.