Suggestions on a dual 1x12 rig?

[crazyfish]

I'm finally getting back into the bass game after being able to figure out how to manage my cubital tunnel syndrome, and I guess I'm jumping back in both feet first because I just joined two bands and now I need a rig.

Even though I haven't played through it yet, I'm pretty much dead set on the Aguilar TH500 for a head, but the cab is a bit more of a mystery to me. The TH500/SL112 combination is really tempting, but at $750 a piece, the SL112 is...to put it lightly, cost prohibitive.

Here are my priorities:

1) Versatility. I'm playing with a band that can be pretty much all over the map so I'm looking for something I can use in a lot of situations.
2) Portability. Lighter weight is better. Huge bonus if I can take a half-stack and a bass on public transit.
3) Cost. Always a factor, but I'd like to get away under $1k for the pair of cabs.

My tone preferences tend to gravitate towards a little bit more of a warm vintage sound but with a modern twist, if that makes any sense, hence the Aguilar TH500 choice.

Here are some cabs I've been considering (bear in mind I've played through *none* of these yet):

Avatar SB112 (neo)
Aguilar GS112/DB112

I used to play a Dr. Bass 2x12 + 1x6 back in the day and it was amazing and I wouldn't be asking you about a rig today if I still had that cab (my friend blew it out one day ). Any suggestions other than what I've listed above are quite welcomed.

[Quackhead]

The Aguilar DB112 is more in line with your tone goals. But they are more expensive than the GS series. I haven't heard the Genz Benz Focus series, but they are supposed to be really nice for the price. You could buy a stack of Genz 12's for about $700.

[dbase]

Twin Hartke Hydrives 1x12 30 lbs, $400 each

[Baird6869]

I really like all of the different Bergantino 112 cabs and they can be found pretty inexpensively used. Generally in the TB classifieds in the $350 range each.

A used pair of AE112's might be a good fit as they are super portable and light.

[crazyfish]

Originally Posted by Baird6869

I really like all of the different Bergantino 112 cabs and they can be found pretty inexpensively used. Generally in the TB classifieds in the $350 range each.

A used pair of AE112's might be a good fit as they are super portable and light.

Unfortunately I just did some searches, and those cabs actually come out around $550 each based on a few recent sales.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. Anyone with experience with the Avatar 1x12s, preferably the neo versions?

[JohnL]

I have 2 GS112's and love the sound, very portable, and versatile.

[basscooker]

[dmrogers]

I am gigging with a couple of GS112's and a TFB750A. I love my rig. Solid sound, not muddy, plenty of punch!

Many people suggest that the GS112 cab is mid shy, and that is probably true, but they seem to be a perfect fit for my Thunderfunk heads. They have such a solid sound.

My other choice would be a couple of Berg 112's. They are a little lighter and have a little more mid presence. However, you will pay more. When I was putting my rig together, (I have a total of 3 GS112's) the Berg cabs were ~ $100-200 more than the Aguilar cabs I purchased.

In my opinion, you can't go wrong with the Aguilar, but you got plenty of good choices available.

Good luck!

[Quackhead]

I think his tone goal is better suited to the Aguilar DB112's though.

[wvbass]

Warm vintage with a modern twist. Sounds like what I was after. Lightweight. Not too expensive.

I ended up with Epifani Performance PS112 cabs. Not currently a popular brand on talkbass, but they may be a good candidate for you.

[Quackhead]

Originally Posted by wvbass

Warm vintage with a modern twist. Sounds like what I was after. Lightweight. Not too expensive.

I ended up with Epifani Performance PS112 cabs. Not currently a popular brand on talkbass, but they may be a good candidate for you.

Because we should always buy what's popular on TB.

[BillyB_from_LZ]

Originally Posted by dbase

Twin Hartke Hydrives 1x12 30 lbs, $400 each

Agreed. Even less on the used market.

One seemingly under-mentioned feature of these cabinet is that they have a 4 ohm/8 ohm impedance switch!

[bobcruz]

Originally Posted by crazyfish

...Anyone with experience with the Avatar 1x12s, preferably the neo versions?

I have a pair. They are decent cabs for the money, not perfect but decent. Reasonably light but a bit larger than some of the smallest 112s you can get these days (they're the same size as Avatar's 210). They're fairly uncolored--when I play a CD of jazz with vocals through them, they could almost pass for PA cabs--which works for my styles (praise music and jazz, from trio or quartets to big band). Here are a few corners that Avatar cuts to keep them affordable: (1) no internal bracing. They're constructed of 3/4-inch plywood, and they vibrate slightly due to the lack of bracing, so I put a thin piece of foam on top to put my amp on. Otherwise I can hear my amp vibrating; not good. It's possible but a lot of trouble to retrofit some internal bracing. (2) The jack plate has only one Speakon jack, so you have to use the 1/4 inch jacks to daisy chain from cab one to cab two. (3) The tweed vinyl on mine looks good but there's a lapped joint; other manufacturers might have used a butted joint. (4) The rubber spacers used to mount the metal grill seem a little basic compared to grills that fold at the edges to provide a standoff from the baffle. Those are minor points and the tone and price make up for them.

Here's a pic of the replacement grills I made for my Avatars--simple 3/4-inch square dowels for the frames, and Mellotone grill fabric from PartsExpress. Bonus--the cabs weigh one pound less without the metal grills! Avatar offers custom grills but I didn't want the white piping and logo, plus I like to make things so that's the way I went.



If you look closely you'll see that I also plugged one port, for the reasons described in this thread: Avatar SB112 - port tuning too high?. That was purely a matter of taste.

The bottom line is, I can recommend these cabs. Good luck, Bob

[Jim Carr]

The GS112 is a very nice sounding 112 IMHO. Two would be formidable and light.

[newbold]

Walkabout Scout with extension cab?

[1954bassman]

Going by your desire for more of a vintage / hifi tone, I think Eden D112XLTs would be your answer. Not the flavor of the month here on TB anymore, but still one of the best sounding 112s out there, and they should come in well under a grand.

I also humbly suggest the Eden WT330 / 400 series head.

[blindrabbit]

Traynor TC112. 25lbs. They are about $400 new, but can be had under $300 used, so you'll easily get 2 for well under $1000...heck, you can get 2 Traynors and the TH500 for $1000!

Anyway, I think my TC112 sounds great with my Shuttle head, and gives my bad shoulder no grief whatsoever. I don't think you can beat it for weight, and it'll still take 300W.

[crazyfish]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I'm going to go check out the TH500 and play through as many of the suggested cabs as possible this Saturday. Do feel free to make further suggestions in the meantime!

[jeff7bass]

Carvin BX1500 head with ACME 112 Flat (sub) + ACME 112, 3-way.

You will destroy with this compact rig!!

[DuShauh]

Originally Posted by BillyB_from_LZ

Agreed. Even less on the used market.

One seemingly under-mentioned feature of these cabinet is that they have a 4 ohm/8 ohm impedance switch!

+1 Again, and Again. The Hartke Hydrive 112's are really decent cabs. I like the two that I own so much: I'm considering a third one to run with my Peavey T-Max. 3 X 112