Ibanez Promethean vs Benz Shuttle 10" vs MB MINI CMD 121P

Bassflute · #1 06-11-2010, 10:41 AM

I know the MB is a 12", but just wondering if anybody's had a chance to try all of these? Opinions wanted...I'm really kind of hoping the Ibanez will be what I need...

Cheers,
Cameron

tallboybass · #2 06-11-2010, 01:05 PM

The MB is going to be in another class IMO. More speaker.

Eublet · #3 06-11-2010, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tallboybass

The MB is going to be in another class IMO. More speaker.

+1

The Genz will sound great, but will be ultra lightweight and easy to one-hand.

The Promethean 110 combo is nice, and still pretty light.

The MB is light for a 112 combo, but it's bigger and bulkier than the other two. I was just looking at one yesterday, and decided it's definitely not something I'd want. Definitely has a bit more bottom and output than the other two though.

I actually wound up buying a Fender Bassman 100 combo instead, as it'll just be used for small rehearsal and solo practice. Musicians Friend has a clearance sale on them right now, and they're less than half of those other 3 you listed. Not sure how much power you need though.

christw · #4 06-11-2010, 01:23 PM

I'm super interested in a promethean myself. I can't find much on them. I really want to try a 110 combo.

4StringsEnough · #5 06-11-2010, 02:37 PM

I've A/B'd the Ibanez Promethean against the Genz Benz Shuttle and the Ibanez was in a different league. It was WAY better! Not really fair to compare with the Markbass as it has a much bigger speaker. Promethean plus extension speaker or the 2x10 Promethean would be a fairer comparison.

tombowlus · #6 06-11-2010, 03:02 PM

I have played the Promethean 1x10 combo at NAMM, and I own the 2x10 combo. These are really great units, and totally worth checking out. That being said, the Shuttle's are quite nice, too, but they do sound quite different. To my ears, the Prometheans are voiced deeper, and sound very hefty and full, while the Shuttles are more clear and cutting. I haven't spent much time with the 121P, but I think it's going to be somewhat in between the two, tone-wise. I'm not sure about total volume, though. I will say that the Promethean P5210 (2x10 combo) is extremely loud for its relatively compact (but not super lightweight) size.

Tom.

kimstevens · #7 06-12-2010, 10:28 AM

Tom, would you say that the Ibanez has relatively low hiss? I tried a GK micro amp that was really noisy, and have not seen the Promethean locally to be able to try it. Also, AFAIK the Shuttles have only Speakon outs, and I'd like to have a 1/4" out option, which the Ibanez does.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tombowlus

I have played the Promethean 1x10 combo at NAMM, and I own the 2x10 combo. These are really great units, and totally worth checking out. That being said, the Shuttle's are quite nice, too, but they do sound quite different. To my ears, the Prometheans are voiced deeper, and sound very hefty and full, while the Shuttles are more clear and cutting. I haven't spent much time with the 121P, but I think it's going to be somewhat in between the two, tone-wise. I'm not sure about total volume, though. I will say that the Promethean P5210 (2x10 combo) is extremely loud for its relatively compact (but not super lightweight) size.

Tom.

Bassflute · #8 06-12-2010, 04:21 PM

when it comes to everything except floorcoverings...

Two further questions, if I may:

1) Is the 1x10" loud enough to play with a sane, tasteful drummer and still get a good sound?

2) Does it have good midrange response? I've tried the Benz quite a bit (one at the store that I teach at), and it's pretty harsh and punchy, but NOT a lot of bottom. And several students have the MB, which is good but with that fluffy bottom end that I don't like - the surround on their speakers is TOO flexible. Is the Promethean punchier, is there some good upper mid bite as well as good bottom end?

I think I'm going to get one for little rehearsals and stuff where I don't want to haul the IP and the 4 space rack. And for when that's just too much sound. Musician's Friend has them for $699.00, which seems like a great deal.

BTW, just tried the IP with a Demeter preamp...nice, uber clean, but the midrange control is about = or - 4 dB...I'll be keeping the Summit stuff.

Hope you're well...remember to get some downtime for just yourself, everyday man!

Cheers,
Cameron

Quote:

Originally Posted by tombowlus

I have played the Promethean 1x10 combo at NAMM, and I own the 2x10 combo. These are really great units, and totally worth checking out. That being said, the Shuttle's are quite nice, too, but they do sound quite different. To my ears, the Prometheans are voiced deeper, and sound very hefty and full, while the Shuttles are more clear and cutting. I haven't spent much time with the 121P, but I think it's going to be somewhat in between the two, tone-wise. I'm not sure about total volume, though. I will say that the Promethean P5210 (2x10 combo) is extremely loud for its relatively compact (but not super lightweight) size.

Tom.

chiplexic · #9 06-12-2010, 08:49 PM

Wow...I was just looking at the Promethean stuff at the Ibanez site and checked on the warranty. 5 years transferable!!
http://www.ibanez.com/support/warrantyterms

tombowlus · #10 06-13-2010, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kimstevens

Tom, would you say that the Ibanez has relatively low hiss?

Yes. My P5210 is super quiet (from a hiss perspective).

tombowlus · #11 06-13-2010, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassflute

1) Is the 1x10" loud enough to play with a sane, tasteful drummer and still get a good sound?

I would think so, but again, I do not have gig experience with the 1x10. Our reviewer in issue #3 had good luck with it on gigs, though, and remember, you can always add an extension cab, if need be.

Quote:

2) Does it have good midrange response? I've tried the Benz quite a bit (one at the store that I teach at), and it's pretty harsh and punchy, but NOT a lot of bottom. And several students have the MB, which is good but with that fluffy bottom end that I don't like - the surround on their speakers is TOO flexible. Is the Promethean punchier, is there some good upper mid bite as well as good bottom end?

The 1x10 combo seemed a bit more balanced through the mids than my 2x10 combo, to be honest. I think that is because the 2x10 has just a huge low end (for such a small 2x10 combo). In order to compensate, I find myself rolling off the lows a bit and dialing in some upper mids, but the head has more than enough EQ to handle this. That being said, at least with regard to the 2x10, aggressive upper mids are not really its forte, but strong, supportive lower mids certainly is.

Tom.

Bassflute · #12 06-13-2010, 01:00 PM

How is the tweeter in this thing? Does it have a piezo or ?

Cheers,
Cameron

Quote:

Originally Posted by tombowlus

I would think so, but again, I do not have gig experience with the 1x10. Our reviewer in issue #3 had good luck with it on gigs, though, and remember, you can always add an extension cab, if need be.

The 1x10 combo seemed a bit more balanced through the mids than my 2x10 combo, to be honest. I think that is because the 2x10 has just a huge low end (for such a small 2x10 combo). In order to compensate, I find myself rolling off the lows a bit and dialing in some upper mids, but the head has more than enough EQ to handle this. That being said, at least with regard to the 2x10, aggressive upper mids are not really its forte, but strong, supportive lower mids certainly is.

Tom.

tombowlus · #13 06-13-2010, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassflute

How is the tweeter in this thing? Does it have a piezo or ?

Cheers,
Cameron

The Prometheans use a dome tweeter (two in the P5210). It sounds pretty good. Not the absolute best I have heard, but pretty nice.

Bassflute · #14 06-13-2010, 10:32 PM

41 years of bass playing, and I'm still searching for the proverbial and elusive 'bass in one hand, amp in the other' setup. So far, the only one-handed bass rig I've liked weighs 60+ pounds, like the AER or the Bergs. The iPad gonna help in the portability department - all 17 RealBooks on pdf, searchable, backlit, and someone's making a bluetooth wireless footswitch to turn pages...very cool...another company's making a stand for it (music stand).

So maybe, just MAYBE, the Promethean's gonna do it for me. I like to escape bad rehearsals quickly.

Get some sun, man, you're all pastey and WHITE!

BTW, I just got a 27" iMac, quad core i7 processor, 2 terabyte hard drive...the thing is MAGNIFICENT!

Cheers,
Cameron

Quote:

Originally Posted by tombowlus

The Prometheans use a dome tweeter (two in the P5210). It sounds pretty good. Not the absolute best I have heard, but pretty nice.

TimB 619 · #15 07-25-2010, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassflute

41 years of bass playing, and I'm still searching for the proverbial and elusive 'bass in one hand, amp in the other' setup. So far, the only one-handed bass rig I've liked weighs 60+ pounds, like the AER or the Bergs. The iPad gonna help in the portability department - all 17 RealBooks on pdf, searchable, backlit, and someone's making a bluetooth wireless footswitch to turn pages...very cool...another company's making a stand for it (music stand).

So maybe, just MAYBE, the Promethean's gonna do it for me. I like to escape bad rehearsals quickly.

Get some sun, man, you're all pastey and WHITE!

BTW, I just got a 27" iMac, quad core i7 processor, 2 terabyte hard drive...the thing is MAGNIFICENT!

Cheers,
Cameron

But if I go into the sun, I get RED!!

Even with good sunscreen, there's just no tanning for this kid

Hope things are going well for you, my friend.