lightweight combo (MB210, 5110, aer)

**nutdog** · #1 11-19-2010, 12:56 PM

Ready to acquire a lightweight combo. Yes, I have used the search function, to the point that a glassy growl in the upper mids is conflating the subtle boost at 63hz, sitting nicely in the mix but still cutting through with presence and grit, for the size. But I have a few specific questions:

1. GK MB210 vs Ibanez Promethean 5110. On paper, for just 5 pounds more, the GK gives and extra 10 and same power for $100 less. The detachable aspect of the 5110 amp doesn't really matter to me. I'm either going to bring the combo, the combo + ext cab, or if that's not enough I'll break out the NV215/Thunderfunk. Does anyone have experience with both that could compare?

2. When I think GK I think hard rock. Perhaps I'm mistaken. Can the MB210 do a clean, jazzy, hi-fi thing?

3. I played an AER ONE and it sounded awesome. I have read on this forum that the 5110 sounded just as good and was capable of more tonal options. If this is true, at half the price this seems like a no brainer. Plus, the AER won't push an ext cab. So, I'm curious if anyone has used all three and could offer up a comparison.

Thanks in advance.

Edit: I typically don't play very loud. My last gig backed a quartet of singers with drummer, keys and sax. The thunderfunk and a 112 did great and I could have gotten a lot more volume than I was using. I'm just looking for 1 piece of equipment to do that type of job and rehearsals.

Gig clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnai8QO0YOc

strost · #2 11-20-2010, 10:30 PM

I can only speak to point #2 above.

I got an MB210 recently and am very happy. I play a Jazz fretless quite a bit and it took a while to dial in the sound but I'm happy with it now (hint - turn off the "contour"). So while it defintely is awesome for rock and funk, I can get a nice jazzier tone with it too. Not as warm and fuzzy as something with a tube preamp but it sounds nice and "woody" to me.

IntrepidCellist · #3 11-20-2010, 10:34 PM

I found the MB210 to be very boomy and muddy, but many have the opposite experience. Play before you buy.

The Promethean I heard sounded great, but it was at a GTG and I only had a few minutes with it; not enough to really form an opinion.

rodl2005 · #4 11-20-2010, 10:37 PM

MESA WALKABOUT 12" COMBO SO SWEET!!!

Ibby Promethean sounded good instore to me, & I've heard good reports, but I dunno re the gig situation really & the GK - I KNOW NUSSINGK

PunkRockDunn · #5 11-20-2010, 10:43 PM

mb115 has made me more than satisfied, i would've gotten the mb210 if i had the dough, but man...these amps can hold their own.

**nutdog** · #6 11-21-2010, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rodl2005

MESA WALKABOUT 12" COMBO SO SWEET!!!

I hear everyone saying this but IMO 51lbs is not lightweight. I'm leaning hard to the 5110 but still toy with the idea of an AI ten2. At one point I owned the coda R but sent it back because the ten2 was announced the day after it was delivered (I wish they had told me that when I ordered). When the ten2 finally hit the stores I wasn't in a position to buy.

They're clearing out the series III coda's for $999. This is tempting. They sound great on hardwood floors and raised foundations, but loose depth on concrete, carpeted slab floors. But at 21 lbs, 400watts, 2ohm capability, 2 channels with reverb, they're extremely versatile. They could even serve as a mini PA with a mic and acoustic guitar. I may have just talked myself into one.

I've ruled out the AER because it won't drive an ext cab. But it sounded like I want to sound. I also played a Phil Jones small unit that was heavier, but it wasn't for me. When the compressor was engaged it had a noticeable click on each note.

I played the GK in a guitar center briefly, but was hectic in the store. Honestly, it didn't blow me away.

Thanks for your comments. Anybody else?

Aaron_D · #7 11-21-2010, 12:09 PM

When I tried several micro combos....the shuttles won every time. Small rigs dont get much louder than the shuttle 9.0 and a Neox 212 or two.

**nutdog** · #8 11-21-2010, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aaron_D

When I tried several micro combos....the shuttles won every time. Small rigs dont get much louder than the shuttle 9.0 and a Neox 212 or two.

That rig sounds nice but a 62 lbs 212 isn't what I'm looking for. Volume isn't really the issue. If I did shuttle it'd be the 110 combo version. I've only heard one once and it sounded thin. It may be the way he had it eq'd. And for a combo, it looks an awful lot like somebody made a bracket for an amp and screwed it to a cab. I could probably just get a shuttle amp and do that to the 112 cab I have. Considered that. Comparing the 110 shuttle to the 5110, just based on what I heard from the shuttle and what I see written about the Ibanez, the Ibby seems to have the edge.

Am I mistaken? Anyone? Bueller?

**TXLawDawg** · #9 11-21-2010, 05:52 PM

Recently went through the same process with a different selection group but the GK's were in the lineup and I almost pulled the trigger on the 210 combo. However, last weekend I found myself meandering through a kid-laden GC. After playing through a few different combos, including a couple GK's, I went over to the Markbass stuff. I've never, NEVER, liked Markbass, mind you. I don't even know why I plugged into it but, I did...and I'm glad I did. I was prepared to walk out with a GK but after playing through a Markbass CMD 102P combo I was amazed. What a great sounding combo! I looked at the price tag though, $1149, and thought no way! But, knowing how much I liked the Markbass I decided to hold off on a GK purchase (I had even considered an Ampeg BA115 because I really like the tilt-back style). Did some looking around on my internet box and found a Used Markbass 102P combo and pulled the trigger. Glad I hadn't bought the GK although it would've been a great choice. I really like the Markbass because it seemed really transparent, was super light (44 lbs.) and had a tilt-back design. 300w or 500w with an extension cab so it's got plenty of power. I know the Markbass wasn't listed as one of your choices but I thought I'd throw it out there since I was also strongly considering the GK.

**nutdog** · #10 11-21-2010, 07:36 PM

Thought about that too. It would be a good choice and I've seen used ones in the $700 range. I had an LMII and liked the amp.

I just can't help but lean toward that sub 30 lb category because a lot of my playing situations just don't require big volume and I'm getting older and, if possible, even more lazy, and I just love the thought of a having a 20 or 30 lb box for these applications, since my 40 - 60 lb stuff is only getting used at 1/3 capacity. I think I would play with other people more if going to their house didn't involve heavy stuff and stairs.

For instance, I played for a friend's wife's birthday party yesterday. 6 songs with an acoustic, bass and 4 singers, no PA. Took an ampeg 115 combo that weighed ??? too much and turned it up 1/4. Was wishing I had a little combo.

I'll still have equipment that can handle a higher volume situation if needed.

I'd really like to hear from someone that has played the GK and the 5110.

**TXLawDawg** · #11 11-21-2010, 07:42 PM

Werd.

Weight was a big motivator for me as well. I felt I could live with the 44 lbs. especially compared to what I had been lugging around. I still think the GK stuff is top notch and I love the sound of it. The Markbass was just the complete package of what I really wanted. Good luck in your search!

**David Morris** · #12 11-21-2010, 08:45 PM

A brief discussion of the Promethean 5110 on the DB side:

Ibanez Promethean Bass Combo with an upright for jazz gigs?

**nutdog** · #13 11-21-2010, 08:58 PM

I've seen that. I really have researched (obsessed?) Just looking for comparisons of the two. I've got a line on a used 5110. If that doesn't work I may just go with the coda.

I've gotten some good used deals lately so it kills me to buy something new. I'm kind of waiting for something to pop up I can't pass up.

jazzyb · #14 11-22-2010, 04:43 AM

My new Prometean P5110 combo did it's first gig at the w/end. Five piece covers band, playing at our usual vol, only vocals through PA. When I walked in with this small box, the expression on the guys faces was priceless, just complete and utter doubt as to what they'd hear ! I play a Fender american V string Jazz deluxe, straight through, no effects. The rest of the band loved the tone and clarity and I had some really generous compliments from the crowd. My own thoughts: did eveything I asked from it, delivered loads of bass with clarity, punch and volume.

philter25 · #15 11-22-2010, 06:26 AM

I went with the GK MB210 and I have the Sansamp programmable preamp I bring along with me. If you run a preamp before the MB210 you get a much wider range of tones. When I was crossshopping, the GK won in price and won in portability, but head to head with some other amps, I liked the tone of the others. Lightweight and ease of setup was #1 priority, so I was able to accomplish that with a preamp.

I liked the tone of the Markbass stuff, but pricewise, I could get 2 MB210's for the price of the Markbass.

I loved the tone of my Ampeg BA115HPT, but it was like 80 lbs.

Another option would be to get one of the LowDownSound cabs. You could get a 2x10 with a 2U rack and put your own head unit in....... but I dont know how much they weigh.

**nutdog** · #16 11-22-2010, 07:15 AM

Thanks jazzy and phil.

If I need to get a pre then I don't want it. I could get a micro amp for my 112 but I don't want separate stuff, just plug in the bass and play.

I think now it's between 5110 and coda.

philter25 · #17 11-22-2010, 11:07 AM

Im not saying you NEED a pre, but it does expand your range.

Id suggest playing through everything before you nix it. Everyones opinion of sound and tone is different, so You might love the sound of the 210.

Never know until you play through it.

**nutdog** · #18 11-22-2010, 11:49 AM

Playing them all would be best but so far haven't seen a 5110 in store. I did play the GK, briefly, but wasn't very excited except when I lifted it. However, it was GC on a Saturday and I can only stand that for about 30 seconds before postal feelings begin to develop

. When I went back all their GK stuff was gone, just MB, Ampeg and Acoustic.

pbasswil · #19 11-22-2010, 12:50 PM

If you do end up going GK MBseries, (and since you say you don't need endless volume), you might consider the MB115 instead of the MB210, because word is the MB115 has a more balanced sound -- better high mids, less boom. It'll still go plenty loud, by the way.

**nutdog** · #20 12-03-2010, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pbasswil

If you do end up going GK MBseries, (and since you say you don't need endless volume), you might consider the MB115 instead of the MB210, because word is the MB115 has a more balanced sound -- better high mids, less boom. It'll still go plenty loud, by the way.

I considered that, but wanted to be able to drive an extension cab and the 115 won't do it.

For those interested, I was about to go with the MB210. Got a good quote from rmcaudio.com. Then I saw an EA micro amp with a whizzy 10 in a bag on the classifieds and jumped on it. It doesn't meet all my criteria. It's not a combo, so I still have to hook it up when I unpack it, but it's 19 lbs total and they have a good support reputation. The other thing is it's a 4ohm cab so I can't run the 10 and my 12 together, but I could run either and possibly look for another 8ohm 12. That would give many options.

Just arrived today. My initial impression is favorable. Very clean, good EQ, gets sort of loud but holds the low notes with out breaking up even at high volume. May not handle the type of gig I linked to earlier, but should be great for practices, acoustic gigs and living room/basement jams. Can't get over the sound to weight ratio. Packed up in the bag 19 lbs seems feather light. If anyone's interested I'll update as I get more experience with it.

I'm not playing out much lately so I shouldn't complain about carrying a little weight when I do, but this will really be nice when somebody says "come on over and play a little" and I won't start thinking about lugging heavy stuff in and out. But the good bass sound will still be there.

Thanks for all the input.