Home Practice Combo - GK MB, Genz-Benz, Ampeg, Carvin?

chinjazz · #1 07-17-2011, 08:07 AM

Hey Everyone,

I'm looking for a decent all around practice (in home) combo. Gig's not essential as far as requirements go. Neo is good. I came up with a short list, and wondered what feedback you all had, or alternates:

Smallest woofer should be 12"

GK MB line
Genz-Benz Shuttle 3 or 6- (highest price contenders)
Carvin MB 10, 12, or 15
Ampeg BA or B50R

I may go used or new depending...
I play mostly 5 string and a wide variety of styles.

Thanks for all your thoughts!
Adam

skwee · #2 07-17-2011, 09:29 AM

gk mb112.

chinjazz · #3 07-17-2011, 10:02 AM

Cool, thanks.

Turock · #4 07-17-2011, 10:47 AM

PurpleDrank · #5 07-17-2011, 10:56 AM

Depends on what kind of stuff you will be playing mostly, but I'd spring the extra for the Genz-Benz 6.0-12T. Exceptionally loud for it's size, goes from pristine clean to grindy, and has a really powerful eq section. Very useful for a bunch of different styles. Great practice features (aux in, headphone out, effects loop) and it's perfectly gig capable (great di with pre/post eq switch and ground lift, loud enough to generally hang with drums) should the need ever arise.

**JxBass** · #6 07-17-2011, 11:00 AM

GB 6.0-12T a good choice. The Ampeg BA112 is also a very nice combo for at-home use.

**mikeddd** · #7 07-17-2011, 11:34 AM

What's your budget? I second the GG 6.0-12T; it's an awesome combo and that head can power a lot bigger cab if need be...but the good stuff is never cheap.

chinjazz · #8 07-17-2011, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeddd

What's your budget? I second the GG 6.0-12T; it's an awesome combo and that head can power a lot bigger cab if need be...but the good stuff is never cheap.

At this point my budget is 300ish.
For this purpose I dont want to drop a
lot of coin.

LennyPenny · #9 07-17-2011, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skwee

gk mb112.

Second it, very good combo for the money. It lacks some features in comparison to the 210, 115 and 212 (and maybe 410, don't know much about that one) like horn, limiter, boost and volume/gain, but IMHO it has all the basic needs. Don't have any experience with the seperate volume/gain thing, but gain alone works fine.
It gets plenty loud, is relatively small and manageable at half the price of the 210.

There are a lot of bad comments spread out across TB about the MB combos: loose/missing screws, electrical malfunctions, the way the direct out was installed etc. My only complaints are a hiss when you turn the treble up and the lack of two handles on the side. Because it's pretty deep, it's not that comfortable to carry around.

From what I've read, the MB115 might be worth checking out as well, only €100 more and does have a limiter, boost, master volume/gain and horn.

Now that I'm at it, I've got a question myself: because the MB112 doesn't have the option to hook up an extention cab, could I use a 212 power enclosure instead, so I'd have a 312 rig? Sounds like a sweet deal to me.

papoon · #10 07-17-2011, 04:10 PM

Well, I'll put in a good word for the Carvin MB series (although the MB10 doesn't meet your requirement for a minimum of 12"). I just received an MB12 a couple of weeks ago and couldn't be happier with it. Its tone-shaping capabilities are hugely flexible and, although as a beginner I won't be playing out anytime soon, if the situation ever came up, you can add another 8 ohm cabinet and get another 50 watts from the head in the process.

vin*tone · #11 07-18-2011, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skwee

gk mb112.

Surprisingly good tone. I preferred it when A/Bed with the MarkBass CMD121. Granted - I didn't spend a great deal of time tweaking the Markbass due to the price diff.

jeff7bass · #12 07-18-2011, 08:18 AM

The Carvin MB15 is about the size of most 1x12 combos yet can be stacked for a full 250 watt rig. $369.00.
IMO, the Carvins provide the best bang for buck. The Carvin MB12 cost a little more because it’s a 3-way cabinet.
To me, the design of the MB12 screams “Jazz”.

**mikeddd** · #13 07-18-2011, 09:46 AM

At $300 your choice is a bit limited unless you want to consider used, which I strongly endrorse, espeically if you buy here at TB.

Brian_L · #14 07-18-2011, 09:50 AM

I am a huge fan of GB, and own a 6-12t, but even used, you are looking at more than double your budget. A 3-8t or 3-10t would be closer, but maybe still outside your price range.

Brian

Nedmundo · #15 07-18-2011, 10:30 AM

For home practice, I love the Roland Cubes, for bass and guitar. They are a bit pricey for their power ratings, but they sound great and have cool features lacking in other amps. I tried the new Cube 20XL yesterday, and even that little sucker sounded decent, but for my purposes I'd want the 60XL or 120XL. (I have the previous generation 100.)

Bassflute · #16 07-18-2011, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chinjazz

Hey Everyone,

I'm looking for a decent all around practice (in home) combo. Gig's not essential as far as requirements go. Neo is good. I came up with a short list, and wondered what feedback you all had, or alternates:

Smallest woofer should be 12"

GK MB line
Genz-Benz Shuttle 3 or 6- (highest price contenders)
Carvin MB 10, 12, or 15
Ampeg BA or B50R

I may go used or new depending...
I play mostly 5 string and a wide variety of styles.

Thanks for all your thoughts!
Adam

great little amp.

Cheers,
Cameron

Abaroa · #17 07-18-2011, 10:45 AM

Not on your list, but the Orange Crush Pix BTX 100 can be found around $300...maybe $400... 100watts, D.I. Out, 15 inch, loud, gigable, a little heavy but well built. Only thing is that it really is orange.

Rafael · #18 07-18-2011, 11:03 AM

A quick search of Guitar Center shows they have a GK MB210 combo for $399....if I didn't already own a BX500 I'd definitely buy the GK. I think you can buy online and have them ship it to your local GC.

chinjazz · #19 07-18-2011, 11:15 AM

Wow, such a great showing of feedback!

A bunch more to consider

Thanks so much! GK or Carvin are contenders, and the story may change if I decide on used - which for a combo shouldnt be bad on shipping.

chinjazz · #20 07-19-2011, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by papoon

Well, I'll put in a good word for the Carvin MB series (although the MB10 doesn't meet your requirement for a minimum of 12"). I just received an MB12 a couple of weeks ago and couldn't be happier with it. Its tone-shaping capabilities are hugely flexible and, although as a beginner I won't be playing out anytime soon, if the situation ever came up, you can add another 8 ohm cabinet and get another 50 watts from the head in the process.

Did you have a chance to check out an MB15? Not many videos having the 12 & 15 side by side. Seems like the MB15 has at least the capabilities of filling the room w/thump.
I used to live down in San Diego, and Carvin being a 10 minute drive, it was a no brainer