What would you do?

Ash Jazz · #1 02-04-2013, 10:30 AM

Hi,

So I have a decision to make. I have a 500 watt Hartke head and the Hartke 4x10 cab with the 22oz magnets. The XL if I remeber correctly. I really like the way it sounds. It is a spectacular performing set up and capable of serious volume when needed.

The problem is it is too big to move. The speaker cabinet is so deep it barely makes it through the door and it is rediculously heavy. It is such a pain in the back side to move I would rather pass on a gig than try to get that thing into my car.

Just recently somebody offered to buy it from me. It is an opportunity to get something more manageable. The downside is anything I get to replace it will almost certainly be a serious step down because I don't have a lot of extra money to put into it.

I was thinking of getting the Fender Rumble 350 2x10. It sounds killer in the store but I have been around the block enough times to know that everything changes when the drummer starts playing. I'm looking around for other options but so far other options always mean more money. I probably can't spend more than $750 for anything new I get.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions, thoughts, and ideas.

WillieB · #2 02-04-2013, 10:37 AM

you're selling the head and the cabinet ?

You can find used mark bass little mark II heads for the $300 ball park.
pair it up with a used swr golite jr 2x10 or something like that ... it will be enough.
me thinks.

hell of a lot easier to haul.

Oh ... and hello Ohio .... bullfrogs and city diner.

Marginal Tom · #3 02-04-2013, 10:38 AM

If you're passing up gigs because it's such a pita to move, it's hard to see the downside of selling it and buying something smaller and more portable.

ModulusQ5-122 · #4 02-04-2013, 10:40 AM

You could try to find a used Eden metro. 2x10 combo 600 watts. Sounds awesome and gets loud.

NYCbassist · #5 02-04-2013, 10:42 AM

I recommend 2 Avatar B210 2x10's (Neo Magnets) stacked vertically and keep the same head. I guess you'd need 2 8 Ohm cab's.

Ash Jazz · #6 02-04-2013, 10:42 AM

Hello fellow Ohioan!

I am selling both. If I remember correctly that head is 500 watts? Definitely more balsy than the Rumble at 350 watts.

Ash Jazz · #7 02-04-2013, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marginal Tom

If you're passing up gigs because it's such a pita to move, it's hard to see the downside of selling it and buying something smaller and more portable.

Well it sounds killer in the rehearsal room and other than moving it I really like it. Bu as a matter of practicallity it really needs to go.

B-string · #8 02-04-2013, 10:44 AM

http://www.rmcaudiodirect.com/Gallie...p/mb212-ii.htm Under $700 if you call/request a quote. Two 12" speakers, 500 watts and now has a "chain out" to drive powered cabs if you need more. Just one powered 212 would give you four 12" and 1000 watts. If you want to keep your amp head Just get a light weight cab G-K NEO series or MBE series, Avatar, a lot of choices out there these days.

bassjigins · #9 02-04-2013, 10:45 AM

The fender rumble sounds great , even in the band contxt, but is not a feather to move eather.

WillieB · #10 02-04-2013, 10:45 AM

now I haven't heard 'em but carvin b210's look like they go for 2 bills and they are 43lbs.
if you like it you could buy two. If not ... unload it.

HeavyJazz77 · #11 02-04-2013, 10:46 AM

I wouldn't by a Fender bass amplification product in any price range. If you like the Harkte sound, you're (probably) going to be disappointed by the Fender. Have you checked out Hartke alternatives? They've expanded their line quite a bit in recent years.

Ash Jazz · #12 02-04-2013, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ModulusQ5-122

You could try to find a used Eden metro. 2x10 combo 600 watts. Sounds awesome and gets loud.

Like this one maybe?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Eden-DC210-M...item20cf0b46b6

RitchS · #13 02-04-2013, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ModulusQ5-122

You could try to find a used Eden metro. 2x10 combo 600 watts. Sounds awesome and gets loud.

I have the Eden Metro 2x10 combo and I only gig with it in an amp emergency. It sounds awesome but, it's huge, heavy and a pita to move. I'm thinking of selling it for the exact same reason as the op. I've gone lightweight in the past year.

WillieB · #14 02-04-2013, 10:47 AM

and someone on craigslist here is selling a GK212 combo here for $350

what the hell ... . I should go get that

http://columbus.craigslist.org/msg/3568429595.html

Ash Jazz · #15 02-04-2013, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B-string

http://www.rmcaudiodirect.com/Gallie...p/mb212-ii.htm Under $700 if you call/request a quote. Two 12" speakers, 500 watts and now has a "chain out" to drive powered cabs if you need more. Just one powered 212 would give you four 12" and 1000 watts. If you want to keep your amp head Just get a light weight cab G-K NEO series or MBE series, Avatar, a lot of choices out there these days.

The Neodium speakers would be a lot lighter and that thing looks very manageable size wise. I haven't tried a bass amp with 12" speakers yet. I don't see why they wouldn't work just fine.

B-string · #16 02-04-2013, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillieB

and someone on craigslist here is selling a GK212 combo here for $350

what the hell ... . I should go get that

http://columbus.craigslist.org/msg/3568429595.html

Nice deal, it is the series one though so no chain out for the new powered cabs. Not that you would likely need it

baltsen · #17 02-04-2013, 10:55 AM

Hi,

I recently tried out the Rumble 150 head during our last rehearsal and it sounded awesome and was also pretty loud!! Okay, I played it with a 410 and 115 cabinet so I can't tell you if the 2x10 is loud enough for you, but if you like the Rumble sound why shouldn't you give it a try?

Anyway, I'm not 100% sure if the Markbass or Eden sound is the right thing, when you like the Rumble, although they are both very high quality and great sounding amps!!...

WillieB · #18 02-04-2013, 10:57 AM

b-string ...
good point. Its a good deal I reckon if you like the sound ( haven't played 'em) and it will cover the gig volume wise. 37lbs is awesome.

Then you could go with the ampeg svt210av 2x10 26lbs ... but you'll need at least two.
they are not loud.

Ash Jazz · #19 02-04-2013, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeavyJazz77

I wouldn't by a Fender bass amplification product in any price range. If you like the Harkte sound, you're (probably) going to be disappointed by the Fender. Have you checked out Hartke alternatives? They've expanded their line quite a bit in recent years.

They have a couple combos in the price range, 250 watts 2x10 or 1x15.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/HyDrive115C/
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/HyDrive210C/

When I first got the Hartke I was kind of kicking myself because I really love that John Paul Jones dark bass tone but this amp has a lot of highs to it and is really more of a slap bass kind of thing. But I have come to appreciate how well it cuts through the mix without being too loud. Some amps the notes just seem to disappear as you move up the neck but this thing remains very well defined all the way through the spectrum.

ErebusBass · #20 02-04-2013, 11:05 AM

If you really liked the sound of the Hartke 410XL, and the weight and bulk was really the only problem you had with it, why don't you just get two Hartke 210XLs.

They each have half the weight and bulk of your 410 and you can leave one at home if you don't need to be really loud.