Lots of Combo's

jp58 · #1 10-03-2010, 10:07 AM

So after a long trip to GC, I think I've narrowed the list down from every amp in the world down to a small hand full, and I'd like to here some TB'er's experiences with what I have on my list.

Markbass CMD121- This was my favorite sounding of the amps I played yesterday with a P bass. I didn't "love" the way my bass sounded through it, but the P sounded fantastic through it. It was also plenty loud and can take a spare 8 ohm cab if need be.

The downfall for it was the cost. I didn't love my bass through it, and at around $1K tax and all, I can't afford to upgrade my bass too.

GK MB212- I liked the way both my bass, and the others I tried sounded through this combo. It was pretty loud too. It also is right on the money cost wise (see what I did there?)

Its downfalls were that the one at GC rattled at higher volume, and there were times it popped and the like. Kinda makes me wonder if it'll hold up to the test of time.

SWR WorkingPro- I didn't get a chance to play the SWR as the only one that was there got bought by the guy that was trying it out. He brought his P with a Jazz neck from home and it sounded good through it, but he only played for around 5 minutes and then left with it (probably another good sign). One would fit my budget well too.

I haven't got to play it though, and I have no idea if it'll have enough headroom.

That is pretty much the entirety of the "likes" list. I played some Acoustic combo's and they sounded solid for the money, but I really wondered if I would be back again in a few months looking for something more expensive.

I also tried some heads and cabs, but most of those had price stickers that were out of my budget. I might buy used, but I'm still not 100% sure how all the technical parts of matching heads and cabs and the like works.

Thanks ahead of time and as always

Adam Bomb · #2 10-03-2010, 12:03 PM

Hey: You might get a lot of caveats from ppl about how subjective this all is. You might also hear something about buying used. I personally buy new, but I have probably thrown a lot of money away.

I love the idea of Markbass but have been unable to get a sound I could stand out of one (in all of 30 minutes of trying). Love the SWR sound but IME SWR amps are not known for their headroom. I haven't really messed with Acoustic.

I will say that if you are concerned with cost and headroom, of those three, the GK seems to be the closest fit. IMO. If you liked how it sounded too, that's good. I don't know what was wrong with that floor model but maybe you could read some of the threads on that amp to see if that is a huge problem. Also try turning off the horn.

Enjoy! Having amp $$$ burning a hole in your pocket is some of the best part!

--Bomb

poorbassist15 · #3 10-03-2010, 12:23 PM

Once me and some friends went to the GC in Dayton. Most of my friends go off to the guitar and/or drum sections. I wandered into the bass section, looking for something to plug into. I decided that I would save the Ampeg SVT Vr 8x10 stack that was there for last. I picked up a American P Bass and plugged into the Acoustic 450 combo. I put it at about 10 o'clock, and started playing. It was DEAFENING, it was so loud. I unplugged the P Bass, and grabbed a 5 string Peavey. It was so loud then they had to ask me to turn down because the pedals were rattling off of the shelves. Tone was comparable to the Ampeg, maybe even better. Try this combo. Oh, and some of the Peavey stuff is good too.

Adam Bomb · #4 10-03-2010, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poorbassist15

Once me and some friends went to the GC in Dayton. Most of my friends go off to the guitar and/or drum sections. I wandered into the bass section, looking for something to plug into. I decided that I would save the Ampeg SVT Vr 8x10 stack that was there for last. I picked up a American P Bass and plugged into the Acoustic 450 combo. I put it at about 10 o'clock, and started playing. It was DEAFENING, it was so loud. I unplugged the P Bass, and grabbed a 5 string Peavey. It was so loud then they had to ask me to turn down because the pedals were rattling off of the shelves. Tone was comparable to the Ampeg, maybe even better. Try this combo. Oh, and some of the Peavey stuff is good too.

That's a good story. Yeah, that thing looks *too* loud.

--Bomb

poorbassist15 · #5 10-03-2010, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam Bomb

That's a good story. Yeah, that thing looks *too* loud.

--Bomb

I tried to leave the store with it, until I realized that it wouldn't fit on the band bus, and I had no money.

impactwrench · #6 10-03-2010, 01:05 PM

I used to play a 100lb Fender BXR300C combo about 10 years ago. For the last several of years I've been a head/cab guy, both for portability and flexibility (I have 2 gk heads and Avatar 210 and 112 cabs). But the fact that the new GK combos have such high wattage and low weight have made me pay attention. Id actually consider a combo again. I like the MBE210, but I wish the 212 was running at 8 ohms so a second cab could be added. Talk about a 4x12 stack at 500 watts that weighs about 70 lbs total! I played a Little Mark one time and Im not sure its going to woo me away from GK.

brotherbassj · #7 10-03-2010, 01:11 PM

I personally own the mark bass with 2 2x10 markbass cabs and play warwicks.........which work well on medium sized gigs.

Having said that, if you look around this site and others the GK combos are getting alot of good reviews and HYPE. So if it fits your needs and you like the way your bass and others sound through it.........sounds like you made your choice already!

Its your amp.......your ears have got to like it!

cashpoor51 · #8 10-03-2010, 01:20 PM

I owned the markbass 1x12 combo and its a really nice
compact easy to move around combo
But I eventually sold it and got a shuttle 9.0 and berg
ht112 cab and couldn't be happier

the markbass was to clean for me but for some that would be very attractive but just not quite loud enough for heavy drummers

Depends if you like clean or tube sound

I would have to say after owning the markbass combo I will never buy another combo amp again
With the weight and size of all these micro heads its really wiser to buy the micro head you want then find that cab that works the best for you

dogofgod · #9 10-03-2010, 01:20 PM

i am in love with the gk212, it came from GuitarCenter.com and it was in perfect condition when it arrived. no rattle, just pure tone and i like the aesthetics. i get compliments all the time after gigs on the sound, and it is really light. anyways, i tried the three you spoke about and i chose the gk based on sound alone, and not $$$. bring a friend and have them a-b the amps with you, i found that to be the best way to choose.

jnewmark · #10 10-03-2010, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poorbassist15

Once me and some friends went to the GC in Dayton. Most of my friends go off to the guitar and/or drum sections. I wandered into the bass section, looking for something to plug into. I decided that I would save the Ampeg SVT Vr 8x10 stack that was there for last. I picked up a American P Bass and plugged into the Acoustic 450 combo. I put it at about 10 o'clock, and started playing. It was DEAFENING, it was so loud. I unplugged the P Bass, and grabbed a 5 string Peavey. It was so loud then they had to ask me to turn down because the pedals were rattling off of the shelves. Tone was comparable to the Ampeg, maybe even better. Try this combo. Oh, and some of the Peavey stuff is good too.

This was my experience also with the 450, and I was using a Jazz bass off the wall. I did'nt turn it up past noon, but it was way loud and chunky sounding. I don't know when it runs out of headroom, and it's really a heavy combo, but , when I was playing through it, another guy playing through the GK version, stopped playing, and came over to listen to me. I let him take over and he walked out with it 20 minutes later. The weight would be a factor for me, but this was the most solid sounding new combo I have tried yet.

poorbassist15 · #11 10-03-2010, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jnewmark

This was my experience also with the 450, and I was using a Jazz bass off the wall. I did'nt turn it up past noon, but it was way loud and chunky sounding. I don't know when it runs out of headroom, and it's really a heavy combo, but , when I was playing through it, another guy playing through the GK version, stopped playing, and came over to listen to me. I let him take over and he walked out with it 20 minutes later. The weight would be a factor for me, but this was the most solid sounding new combo I have tried yet.

I don't think people are giving the new Acoustic stuff as much credit as they deserve. If 450 watts and 2x10s can do that, I'm scared of the B600H and the 8x10.

jp58 · #12 10-03-2010, 04:11 PM

Ehh, I was more asking about things like durability and long term satisfaction. I'm probably going to go back to GC with a friend and A/B/C test him without briefing him and let him judge by ear alone.

Dogofgod: So your GK isn't falling apart on you? The reviews online, and the floor model, didn't bode well for long term durability.