small ultra-portable cab for MB F500 ?

tedsalt · #1 11-13-2010, 08:48 PM

For rehearsals, small clubs, upright, I'm thinking about getting a small light cab to use with my Markbass F500. Typically I play EBG using a Warwick Streamer Stage I 5 string, but once in a while I'll use a 4 or 5 string fretless. I like the modern tone of my Warwick. Once in a great while I may run a Kay upright through it.

Currently I use the Markbass F500 with an Epifani UL310, but for smaller needs I'm considering an Epifani UL 112 (8 ohm) or an Acme Low B-1 (4 ohm). If possible I really only want to use a (1)10 or (1)12, not (2)10s or (2)12s. Bergs and AudioKinesis look nice, but are out of my range at the moment.

Will I be happy with a single Epi 112 at 8 ohm? Will this reproduce the low B well?

What kind of power do people use to run an Acme Low B-1 4 ohm correctly? The F500 is rated at 300W RMS @ 8 ohm, 500W RMS @ 4 ohm.

Comments welcome especially from other users with similar rigs.

newbold · #2 11-13-2010, 09:11 PM

You want smaller?
Expect less volume than your 310 cab.

You already have those cabs?

What do you think they'll be able to do?

tedsalt · #3 11-13-2010, 10:31 PM

All I have right now is the F500 and the UL310. Just looking for a smaller cab that I can use with the F500 to take to a lower volume rehearsal, or for practice at home, or intimate gig. Possibly with an upright. Definitely with a 5 string EBG.

For those with an Acme Low B-1, what is the optimum amp size for this cab? Will the F500 be sized right, or too much or not enough power?

hensonbass · #4 11-14-2010, 12:30 AM

Lookup the Thunderchild 112 cab. Perfect

Crabby · #5 11-14-2010, 12:34 AM

Your 310 must be a pretty portable cab. I had a UL-2 410 and was amazed at how light it was and easy to carry.

tedsalt · #6 11-14-2010, 05:44 AM

Yeah, the s1 UL310 is only 53 lbs, but I'm still looking for something smaller. AudioKinesis ThunderChild is more than I want to spend right now. I'll be buying used, and they won't be found used ...

RS · #7 11-14-2010, 08:39 AM

Schro 15+L

IntrepidCellist · #8 11-14-2010, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hensonbass

Lookup the Thunderchild 112 cab. Perfect

Great cab (I own one) but he said that it was a bit out of his price range.

fretster · #9 11-14-2010, 09:46 AM

You like the Epi310? You will like the epi112!

tedsalt · #10 11-14-2010, 01:34 PM

After all of that, I'm going with an Epi UL112. 22 Lbs lighter than the UL310. I expect tone will be somewhat similar to the UL310.

Thanks for the feedback!

One of these days I'll try the ThunderChild, or some Bergs, etc, etc.

BassmanPaul · #11 11-14-2010, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tedsalt

After all of that, I'm going with an Epi UL112. 22 Lbs lighter than the UL310. I expect tone will be somewhat similar to the UL310.

Thanks for the feedback!

One of these days I'll try the ThunderChild, or some Bergs, etc, etc.

I really have to question just how far a single twelve will take you. However I've not played through a modern twelve so what do I know?

Let us know how it works out for you.

newbold · #12 11-14-2010, 06:50 PM

Why not just get a folding hand cart for your cab?

porteous · #13 11-14-2010, 09:20 PM

Check out the Flite bass cabs. Super lightweight, and sound great. I have the 10" model, but they also make a 12 and 15. http://www.flitecabs.com/

fretster · #14 11-15-2010, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassmanPaul

I really have to question just how far a single twelve will take you. However I've not played through a modern twelve so what do I know?

Let us know how it works out for you.

The single twelve doesn't have to take him far! He has the 3x10 already, and he's looking to downsize from that. Not replace the 3x10, but add it to the collection. The 112 fills the gap nicely.

MingusBass · #15 11-15-2010, 11:30 AM

Get yourself an Ampeg SVT210AV. It will go great with the F500. I use one with my LMII and it's incredibly portable and sounds killer. 28 lbs with a handle on top, I can carry everything in one trip. I use it for rehearsals, and small/church gigs.

Roadkill · #16 11-15-2010, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by porteous

Check out the Flite bass cabs. Super lightweight, and sound great. I have the 10" model, but they also make a 12 and 15. http://www.flitecabs.com/

Those guys are about 10 minutes from me - I should really check them out

. I've heard a band using one of the bass and guitar combos they made - I think the drummer was the original owner of the company and I see the present one is also a drummer...

fretster · #17 11-15-2010, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by porteous

Check out the Flite bass cabs. Super lightweight, and sound great. I have the 10" model, but they also make a 12 and 15. http://www.flitecabs.com/

Whoah, those are light weight! 15 pounds for a 112? Wow! I thought the Epi UL2-112 was light at 30 pounds! And the 110 at 11.5 pounds makes the 17 pound EA Whizzy 10 seem like a heavyweight.

tedsalt · #18 11-16-2010, 01:50 AM

Yeah, just for times when I don't need the 310. I'm sticking with the Epi UL 112. I've read posts here on tb that it has good bass response on the low end. The flitecab looks interesting, but time will tell on those little guys. I have a feeling they won't do my B string justice, but as always, I could be wrong.

KJung · #19 11-16-2010, 05:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tedsalt

Yeah, just for times when I don't need the 310. I'm sticking with the Epi UL 112. I've read posts here on tb that it has good bass response on the low end. The flitecab looks interesting, but time will tell on those little guys. I have a feeling they won't do my B string justice, but as always, I could be wrong.

Flite cabs have been around for many, many years. Back in the day before neo drivers, they were among the first to execute a true lightweight cab by using very lightweight type composite material for the cabs. I never liked them much... too much vibration and lack of stiffness of the box for me.

Seems like they disappeared for a while and are now trying to make a return. Those very lightweight boxes, now combined (I assume) with neo drivers will make them super lightweight. IMO, there is a price to pay.

The 112UL is a nice box and should work fine for you... similar to your 310UL, polite in the low mids and upper mids, airy top end and a nice bass extension. If you want a bit more 'punch and brightness', the Bergantino AE112 is kind of the 'yin' to the UL's 'yang' regarding voicing.

For my small gig needs, I'm using the new Thunder Child 112, which puts out an amazing amount of low end and volume, and would, with enough power, rival the volume and low end of your 310UL. Amazing box... quite organic sounding (not the sizzle up top of the Epi UL cabs), and much smoother, less grindy than the AE112.

All good stuff, and with the EQ power of the F500, you can muscle some punch out of the 112UL but boosting a touch in the low mid area (i.e., with the frequency knob set to around 8 o'clock and boosted just a smidge with your F500 low mid control). Also, that low 'shelving' point on the F500 bass control should be great at controlling the bloom of your DB with the rather widely voiced 112UL.

tombowlus · #20 11-16-2010, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fretster

You like the Epi310? You will like the epi112!

+1 My guess is that you would like the UL2-112 fairly well. I like the Berg AE112 a little more, but it is $150 more than the Epi ($650 vs $500). An even more economical solution - and still one of the best options out there, IME/IMHO - is the GK Neo112-II. This baby clocks in at $350, which is nice.

Of course, there is the question of whether or not a single 8-ohm 1x12 will be enough for you or not. And the AK Thunderchild is a good answer in this regard (being 4-ohm and capable of being driven very hard), though as previously mentioned, it's the most expensive of the bunch (and right about the same price as two Neo112-II's - though very different, tone-wise).