Thinking of replacing my amp.

[Evil Undead]

I currently use a Hartke HA2500 through a GK 210 cab. Which pumps out 180W. Never have I needed to turn it up to more than 2/3 volume on the master and both preamps.

I play classic rock and punk covers - small bar gigs, nothing bigger in the pipeline yet.

I've been suffering with back problems for a long time, and although the GK cab isn't really heavy for a man, for a girl it's a bit much! Especially as I live on the 3rd floor with no elevator.

So I'm wanting opinions on the markbass minimark. The reviews I've read seem to think that it would cope well in the settings I play in, but I'm sceptical. 2x6" speakers doesn't seem like much. But it's 150W which seems sufficient. Also the Markbass MINI CMD 121P looks like a good shout.

I'd like to hear others views, and if you have any better lightweight suggestions for under £700, I'm willing to consider

Thanks

[shtik]

I've been in this situation it the last month, found out that there has to be a compromise somehow. The lightest rigs just choke easily, especially the Minimark. Also tried the Eden WTX260 with EX112. Just couldn't handle it. Went out with Eden E115C that is not that light, but also not as heavy as a regular 115 cab. This was the lightest rig I could find that would have sufficient output and headroom for small to medium stages. The compromise has been made anyway but this was the best middle of the road i could find..

[Evil Undead]

Hi Shtik thanks for the reply.

I've just been looking at Barefaced cabs online, any good?

[Russell L]

What's your limit on weight?

[Longhair]

First and foremost - take care of the back!!

I did a quick google search and found this: ROCK N’ ROLLER® I have no experience with the product but I do have 2 inoperable hernias

[docalex]

You can get a used Markbass CMD 102P - 2X10" combo, 350 watts as is --> 500w with (the right) addition cab, clean sound with enough EQ/filters adjustments if you basically like the sound of your bass guitar as is; *and* it is only 44 lbs - awkward but lug-able with one hand. These are selling at GC in the States for approx $649 (spring/summer 2011) - roughly one half cost of new. I bought mine a few months ago - price seems stable.

[The CMD 102P combo is a Markbass Little Mark II head built into a 2X10" cab. If you don't like yellow on black, you won't like the looks of the thing. -smile-]

Walked into GC in NYC last week, and the Bass Room is littered with used Markbass combo's and cabs.

Good luck, ..alex...

[Evil Undead]

Originally Posted by Russell L

What's your limit on weight?

My current cab is only 46lbs, but it's too much. I'm hoping to halve that ideally, but that's just wishful thinking! Max 30lbs really.

Originally Posted by Longhair

First and foremost - take care of the back!!

I did a quick google search and found this: ROCK N’ ROLLER® I have no experience with the product but I do have 2 inoperable hernias

I saw those too. They look great, but my storage space is hugely limited (i.e. I live in a one bed top floor apartment and the wife has filled it all up except one corner haha! That corner is mine )

Originally Posted by docalex

You can get a used Markbass CMD 102P - 2X10" combo, 350 watts as is --> 500w with (the right) addition cab, clean sound with enough EQ/filters adjustments if you basically like the sound of your bass guitar as is; *and* it is only 44 lbs - awkward but lug-able with one hand. These are selling at GC in the States for approx $649 (spring/summer 2011) - roughly one half cost of new. I bought mine a few months ago - price seems stable.

[The CMD 102P combo is a Markbass Little Mark II head built into a 2X10" cab. If you don't like yellow on black, you won't like the looks of the thing. -smile-]

Walked into GC in NYC last week, and the Bass Room is littered with used Markbass combo's and cabs.

Good luck, ..alex...

I'd love to go to a GC, but I'm in the UK. I don't think we have anything like GC here

I looked at the 102P and it looks great, but not enough of a reduction on the current weight that I'm lugging about.

Thanks for the replies all, keep them coming

[rhopper]

The Line 6 Studio 110 sounds like something you might want to try... I like mine using the DI into the PA.

[Epidrake]

The Genz Benz shuttles are a great option for you. Lot's of power and very low weight. You can always add an extra lightweight cab if you need it and the DI's on them are fantastic.

Take care of your back. I had back surgery 17 years ago and I have been fine, till now. I need to be really careful again. Don't put yourself in my position. Good luck.

http://www.genzbenz.com/?fa=detail&m...sid=610&cid=95
The cab comes in at 32 pounds and the head at 3.75 pounds

[JMac4strngr]

I believe I've read that the newer GK Neo 212 cab weighs somewhere in the 30 some-odd pound range,(if I'm wrong by all means someone set Me strait as I'm not a GK expert). You could pair that with Your choice of the many lightweight heads that are about these days.

[Rickett Customs]

Actually the "MBE" cabs, that GK has are slightly lighter than the neo's are. I use a 212MBE, that is 34lbs (I believe the "NEO's are about 10lbs or more heavier than the MBE's)...... the 210 MBE is 4lbs lighter than the 212 mBE.

210 MBE= 30lbs
212 MBE= 34lbs
115 MBE= 32lbs
410 MBE= 41lbs

NEO 212= 50.5lbs
NEO 115= 40lbs
NEO 410= 68lbs
NEO 210= 40lbs

[Slackerprince]

Originally Posted by JMac4strngr

I believe I've read that the newer GK Neo 212 cab weighs somewhere in the 30 some-odd pound range,(if I'm wrong by all means someone set Me strait as I'm not a GK expert). You could pair that with Your choice of the many lightweight heads that are about these days.

+1 and that cab is on sale:

Gallien-Krueger Neo 210 2x10 Bass Speaker Cabinet: Shop Bass & Other Musical Instruments | Musician's Friend

Neo is the way to go, and get it before prices get crazier.
Maybe the new Genz Streamliner to go with it.
Good luck.

Edit-Oops I posted a link for the 210.
Here is the 212, but you get the idea:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/...w-bass-cabinet

[Slackerprince]

^^
Yeah, here's the MBE 210 at 30 pounds and way cheaper:

Gallien-Krueger 210MBE 400W 2x10 Ultra Light Bass Speaker Cabinet with Horn: Shop Bass & Other Musical Instruments | Musician's Friend

Might be some difference in the specs, I didn't look at them.

[Rickett Customs]

....and still put out some serious sound, I might add........feels like a toy, when you're carrying them though....

The NEO's use that "paragon" cast frame drivers, which adds to the weight of the cab as well as more bracing, the MBE's don't, just a more straight forward construction.

Originally Posted by Slackerprince

^^
Yeah, here's the MBE 210 at 30 pounds and way cheaper:

Gallien-Krueger 210MBE 400W 2x10 Ultra Light Bass Speaker Cabinet with Horn: Shop Bass & Other Musical Instruments | Musician's Friend

Might be some difference in the specs, I didn't look at them.

[robb.]

Originally Posted by Evil Undead

Hi Shtik thanks for the reply.

I've just been looking at Barefaced cabs online, any good?

very. they're designed and built by a very nice and knowledgeable guy in brighton. they're very expensive to get in the US, but quite reasonable in the UK and EU. i'd start there.

robb.

[JMac4strngr]

That's just the cab I had in mind.....

Originally Posted by Rickett Customs

Actually the "MBE" cabs, that GK has are slightly lighter than the neo's are. I use a 212MBE, that is 34lbs (I believe the "NEO's are about 10lbs or more heavier than the MBE's)...... the 210 MBE is 4lbs lighter than the 212 mBE.

210 MBE= 30lbs
212 MBE= 34lbs
115 MBE= 32lbs
410 MBE= 41lbs

NEO 212= 50.5lbs
NEO 115= 40lbs
NEO 410= 68lbs
NEO 210= 40lbs

[Evil Undead]

I just put a deposit down on a GK MB210 combo. Very slightly over my weight limit at 33 lbs but I had to compromise to get an amp that's loud enough.

Excited

[Evil Undead]

Update!

I changed my mind and went for the Ibanez Promethean P5110. Nice little 250W combo with a 10" speaker.

If I try it at band practice and it's loud enough (we practice at gig volume), do you guys think it will be loud enough for a gig?

I could D.I. it into the mixer, there is that option.

I can't really afford to buy an extension cab at the moment so just looking to cheapskate for now.

[Evil Undead]

Any thoughts?