Doubler rig - dual 1x12's

[ninepoundjammer]

Hi all,

Thinking about acquiring a lightweight dual 1x12 rig for doubling. Currently playing an EA Doubler through Bergantino HT310/HT210. Most of my UB work is unamplified, so I'm not sure how the current rig would cut it, but it doesn't matter because it's too heavy. HT210 alone is like 60 pounds.

So I'm thinking a couple lightweight 1x12's might be the way to go (no?). Use amps more for EB and have always used 10s, so curious to try some 12s. 30lbs or so for a neo 12 seems so attractive when it comes to load in/out. So...

Bergantino AE112 or HT/EX 112ER

Love my Berg stuff for electric. Seems like people all-around like the Berg 12's -- AE or HT/EX??? Was hoping to try out something different (and cheaper?).

Epifani UL2 112

Definitely hurts the wallet a little less. Couldn't come up with much in the UB forums on Epifani stuff -- how is it for UB?

EA Whizzy 12M

Certainly interesting, but looks to be no cheaper than the Bergantino stuff I'm looking at, so I'd probably go with Bergantino.

No mention of TC electronic stuff on the UB side either. No good?

Anything I'm missing or should I rethink the dual 1x12 altogether?

Cheers

[geoffbassist]

For double bass I love the EA 12 mline. It's really an amazing cab for DB.

[tornadobass]

My setup includes a Micro 300, two Wizzy 12 cabs and a Wizzy 10. Which cab or cabs I use depends on the gig. The pair of 12 cabs covers quite a lot, and either one 12 or the 10 covers small stuff.

I tried a pair of 10s as well and that sounded very focused.

[AMJBASS]

I really like the Epifani cabinets with both Double Bass and Electric. They are really smooth sounding. Light weight as well. The Wizzy 12 M-line is supposed to be a great sounding cabinet for both(I have yet to try one), but I get the impression it doesn't have the treble of a cabinet with a tweeter. Fine if you don't slap or want that attack. I would guess its a pretty nice sounding DB cab...

[ninepoundjammer]

Hmm, had myself convinced last night that I should just go with Bergantino.

Originally Posted by tornadobass

My setup includes a Micro 300, two Wizzy 12 cabs and a Wizzy 10. Which cab or cabs I use depends on the gig. The pair of 12 cabs covers quite a lot, and either one 12 or the 10 covers small stuff.

Your wizzy 12's are 4 ohm? I know the Doubler supposedly handles 2 ohms, but it makes me a bit nervous that it's not officially listed as such. EA website says the wizzy 12 m-line is 4 or 8 ohm but I'm only coming across 4 ohm versions. Do you have to special order 8 ohm? I would probably use 2 cabs almost all of the time.

I've certainly been kicking around the idea of a couple of wizzy 12's, but wonder how much I'd like 'em on slab, and I wouldn't be able to try them out anywhere. Kind of thinking Bergantino is a safer move. The AE112's are plenty light for me and I more or less know what to expect tone-wise.

[ninepoundjammer]

My wallet shudders at the thought, but Accugroove Tri112L?

[Ric Vice]

Originally Posted by ninepoundjammer

Hi all,

Thinking about acquiring a lightweight dual 1x12 rig for doubling. Currently playing an EA Doubler through Bergantino HT310/HT210. Most of my UB work is unamplified, so I'm not sure how the current rig would cut it, but it doesn't matter because it's too heavy. HT210 alone is like 60 pounds.

So I'm thinking a couple lightweight 1x12's might be the way to go (no?). Use amps more for EB and have always used 10s, so curious to try some 12s. 30lbs or so for a neo 12 seems so attractive when it comes to load in/out. So...

Bergantino AE112 or HT/EX 112ER

Love my Berg stuff for electric. Seems like people all-around like the Berg 12's -- AE or HT/EX??? Was hoping to try out something different (and cheaper?).

Epifani UL2 112

Definitely hurts the wallet a little less. Couldn't come up with much in the UB forums on Epifani stuff -- how is it for UB?

EA Whizzy 12M

Certainly interesting, but looks to be no cheaper than the Bergantino stuff I'm looking at, so I'd probably go with Bergantino.

No mention of TC electronic stuff on the UB side either. No good?

Anything I'm missing or should I rethink the dual 1x12 altogether?

Cheers

Well I love the EA cabinets and based on what others have said the Wizzy 12 mline is incredible. The Bergantino AE 112 also gets lots of praise. Personally, I liked side or front ported cabinets because of space configurations in a lot of places I end up playing. Since the Bergs are rear ported you need a little room behind the cabinets to "breathe". I forget how the Epifani is ported, but isn't it also a rear port? I've never had the same luck with "dual cabinets', that I've had with a small cabinet for small gigs, and a medium cabinet for larger venues. But that's just my experience. As an example, I tried using two EA VL 108's and they didn't sound near as good as a single VL 208. They also were hard to control feed back on..


Ric

[tornadobass]

Originally Posted by ninepoundjammer

Your wizzy 12's are 4 ohm? I know the Doubler supposedly handles 2 ohms, but it makes me a bit nervous that it's not officially listed as such. EA website says the wizzy 12 m-line is 4 or 8 ohm but I'm only coming across 4 ohm versions. Do you have to special order 8 ohm? I would probably use 2 cabs almost all of the time.

I've certainly been kicking around the idea of a couple of wizzy 12's, but wonder how much I'd like 'em on slab, and I wouldn't be able to try them out anywhere. Kind of thinking Bergantino is a safer move. The AE112's are plenty light for me and I more or less know what to expect tone-wise.

Yes, EA confirmed that the two 4 ohm cabs are fine with the Micro 300, and I think the same holds true for the others. Power rating doesn't go up however from 4 to 2 ohms. I've used the pair with either the Micro 300 or the Clarus and in neither case did the amp overheat and shut down.

[B String]

Originally Posted by ninepoundjammer

Hmm, had myself convinced last night that I should just go with Bergantino.

I've certainly been kicking around the idea of a couple of wizzy 12's, but wonder how much I'd like 'em on slab, and I wouldn't be able to try them out anywhere. Kind of thinking Bergantino is a safer move. The AE112's are plenty light for me and I more or less know what to expect tone-wise.

For doubling, I agree with the AE112 idea. One box for smaller
gigs, (upright or electric) and two for larger gigs.
I've always been a fan of 10's too, but my HT112 sounds very
good with my upright bass. Very good! Not enough for electric
bass if you need some supportive lows. The amp used is a
very improtant component here too. (and pickup, and etc,etc)

[Ric Vice]

Originally Posted by tornadobass

Yes, EA confirmed that the two 4 ohm cabs are fine with the Micro 300, and I think the same holds true for the others. Power rating doesn't go up however from 4 to 2 ohms. I've used the pair with either the Micro 300 or the Clarus and in neither case did the amp overheat and shut down.

Tornadobass,
This is something that's new to me. When you moved the older amps like my Walter Woods from a 8 ohm load to a 4 ohm load the amp was definitely louder and I believe that the amps power output increased by @ 50%? I wonder why that isn't true for the Micro?

Ric

[tornadobass]

The power on the Micro does increase when going from 8 ohms to 4 ohms, but going to 2 ohms adds no more power. I'm not an EE, so I can't explain why.

[ninepoundjammer]

Was just about to write that I'm still nervous about running the Doubler at 2 ohms but checked my manual and it says in the specs "550 watts RMS@2 ohms". So, I guess no worries there. Good to hear all the good things about the wizzys, since I'm really digging my EA amp. However, having never actually heard an EA cab, I felt safer going with the Bergantinos. I know I really like them for slab, which is what I'm doing more often these days anyways.

Stopped by the nearest Bergantino dealer today and tried the AE112 vs the HT112ER. Really wanted to like the AE because its only 31 pounds, but it didn't have that buttery smoothness that the HT had. I could eq a reasonable sound out of it, but the mids were still a tad more agressive than I prefer. So, done, bought the HT112ER and put in an order for the EX112ER. Only 42 pounds for the HT112ER; my back is much happier. Sounds good and is pretty loud for its size.

BTW also played a Aguilar GS112 today, and definitely didn't hate it.

Thanks for all the comments!

[Vic Koler]

Originally Posted by tornadobass

The power on the Micro does increase when going from 8 ohms to 4 ohms, but going to 2 ohms adds no more power. I'm not an EE, so I can't explain why.

It's a matter of matching the impedance for efficiency. If the impedance of the cab matches the impedance of the amps output it is the best transference of energy. If the impedance does not match, the transference is less efficient.

Think of it like water flowing through a valve. If the valve is wide open the water flows unimpeded. If the valve is not completely open, there is less water flow. With the cab and amp matched for impedance, the valve is wide open.

[AMJBASS]

Originally Posted by ninepoundjammer

Was just about to write that I'm still nervous about running the Doubler at 2 ohms but checked my manual and it says in the specs "550 watts RMS@2 ohms". So, I guess no worries there. Good to hear all the good things about the wizzys, since I'm really digging my EA amp. However, having never actually heard an EA cab, I felt safer going with the Bergantinos. I know I really like them for slab, which is what I'm doing more often these days anyways.

Stopped by the nearest Bergantino dealer today and tried the AE112 vs the HT112ER. Really wanted to like the AE because its only 31 pounds, but it didn't have that buttery smoothness that the HT had. I could eq a reasonable sound out of it, but the mids were still a tad more agressive than I prefer. So, done, bought the HT112ER and put in an order for the EX112ER. Only 42 pounds for the HT112ER; my back is much happier. Sounds good and is pretty loud for its size.

BTW also played a Aguilar GS112 today, and definitely didn't hate it.

Thanks for all the comments!

I have a love hate relationship with the GS112's. I have 2 of them, and sometimes they sound great. Other times they sound so scooped that I find it difficult to dial in the right sound. They also throw the sound really far but sound less loud when you stand right over top of them. I would probably lean towards the Bergantinos.

[Bass Junkie]

Originally Posted by ninepoundjammer

Was just about to write that I'm still nervous about running the Doubler at 2 ohms but checked my manual and it says in the specs "550 watts RMS@2 ohms". So, I guess no worries there. Good to hear all the good things about the wizzys, since I'm really digging my EA amp. However, having never actually heard an EA cab, I felt safer going with the Bergantinos. I know I really like them for slab, which is what I'm doing more often these days anyways.

Stopped by the nearest Bergantino dealer today and tried the AE112 vs the HT112ER. Really wanted to like the AE because its only 31 pounds, but it didn't have that buttery smoothness that the HT had. I could eq a reasonable sound out of it, but the mids were still a tad more agressive than I prefer. So, done, bought the HT112ER and put in an order for the EX112ER. Only 42 pounds for the HT112ER; my back is much happier. Sounds good and is pretty loud for its size.

BTW also played a Aguilar GS112 today, and definitely didn't hate it.

Thanks for all the comments!

You made a wise choice with the HT112ER. I've been playing that cab for a couple of years now and it is the best 12 cab made today IMO. I'm very interested about getting a Doubler or Micro myself, so please follow up with reports on how it's working out for you.

[kerrycares]

GK neo 1x12"
great cab
open uncolored sound
inexpensive $349 new ... $249 used

I A/B the GK against my Aguilar 112 and even a Markbass combo with my Acoustic Image Focus 2R.
the GK sounds way more open than both cabs which works especially well.
I have found that a good electric cab usually is way too boomy and over colored for upright bass and conversely a good upright cab is usually way too flat.
surprisingly, this cheap little cab does both
i'm considering flipping my SWR Marcus Miller 4x10" Golight to go with 2 GK 1x12" for a really portable,flexible setup.

[ninepoundjammer]

Originally Posted by Adrian Juras

I have a love hate relationship with the GS112's. I have 2 of them, and sometimes they sound great. Other times they sound so scooped that I find it difficult to dial in the right sound. They also throw the sound really far but sound less loud when you stand right over top of them. I would probably lean towards the Bergantinos.

Yep, the GS112 is definitely missing some mids compared to the Bergantinos, but it seemed like a bit of eq could handle that. I could see having trouble in certain rooms though, good to know that's an issue.

[ninepoundjammer]

Originally Posted by Bass Junkie

You made a wise choice with the HT112ER. I've been playing that cab for a couple of years now and it is the best 12 cab made today IMO. I'm very interested about getting a Doubler or Micro myself, so please follow up with reports on how it's working out for you.

Loving the Doubler so far. Only thing I kind of miss is flexibility in the eq, but I've played a half dozen gigs on it so far and never had trouble dialing in a good sound. I have several eq options on my pedal board which have allowed me to work around any issues and for its size, you'll hear no complaints for me.

I'm not gigging much on UB these days, so I really can't comment there. It is very flat and transparent, as advertised, for the electric. I typically use a VT Bass to warm it up a bit and am loving the sound I'm getting. Had some really positive comments on the whole rig last night from people that have seen me gig many times in the past.

If you're looking for a transparent amp, I think you'll be happy with it. I'm really liking running a transparent amp to which I can add whatever "color" I want using external effects, eq, etc.