question about cabs, heads and such

richardcoughlan · #1 04-22-2007, 03:42 PM

HI there,
would appreciate any help on the following matter,

I currently use a Mark Bass Mini 121P combo, however im planning on getting a Gallien Krueger ME150S head,
just wondering could I use the speaker in the mark bass combo as the cab, with the head sitting on top?

not very wise about all this impeadance business etc.

many thanks,
peace, love and swing

Rich Coughlan

Ric Vice · #2 04-22-2007, 05:10 PM

Richard,
I've owned all three incarnations of the GK microbass series and they are very economical and well built amplifiers. Since they changed the design of the head and and offered two different models the MBS and the MBE I actually prefer the sound of the MBS preamp for uprignt. So, unless you are intending to use this amplifier for doubling I would give the MBS an audition alongside the MBE with your bass.

Ric

**Francois Blais** · #3 04-22-2007, 06:47 PM

Hi Rich, and welcome on Talkbass!

Your profile (http://www.talkbass.com/forum/profil...do=editprofile) doesn't say if you're playing upright or BG. (I know we're on the DB side here but sometimes a member asks his question on the wrong side).

Care to fill in some info please?

Thanks!

Best regards,
François

robgrow · #4 04-22-2007, 07:02 PM

Rich,

While it probably is possible to do this, I'm not sure why you would want to. For one thing, the GK MB150 amps have far less power and headroom than the amp in your MarkBass combo does. Also I don't find the GK MB amps to be particularly good sounding, especially the MB150E.

richardcoughlan · #5 04-23-2007, 01:07 PM

hi guys thanks for your help,
the reason i would like to do this is because, although the markbass is awesome for my fretless electric bass, when playing double through it its got to much bottom and i get tonnes of feedback, so instead of buying another amp (gk combo), i ws planning on jus using the head which is much cheaper throught the markbass which will save a lot of much needed space.

only concern is about matching the two electrically

ctxbass · #6 04-23-2007, 04:17 PM

You might have better results if you use a different preamp plugged into the effect return on the Mark Bass, bypassing the internal preamp and utilizing only the power amp section and speaker. A pre amp with phase reversal and a sweepable high pass (low cut) filter will really help you dial in the sound you want.

robgrow · #7 04-23-2007, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctxbass

You might have better results if you use a different preamp plugged into the effect return on the Mark Bass, bypassing the internal preamp and utilizing only the power amp section and speaker. A pre amp with phase reversal and a sweepable high pass (low cut) filter will really help you dial in the sound you want.

Even though the effects return is pre EQ and voicing filters on the MarkBass amp, I think this idea has more merit than trying to connect another amp to the combo's internal speaker. Also, if you're not already doing so, try elevating the combo off the floor (at least a foot or two) for use with the double bass. This alone can do wonders.

Ric Vice · #8 04-23-2007, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richardcoughlan

HI there,
would appreciate any help on the following matter,

I currently use a Mark Bass Mini 121P combo, however im planning on getting a Gallien Krueger ME150S head,

Rich,
Have you considered the new EA Micro? They are just about ready
to come on the market and cost $529.00 from Gollihur Music. I'd certianly wait to try one of these heads out before I bought the GK, since the price for a New MB series is @ $499.0. The rated power of these little mights is 300 watts into 4 ohms. So I think they would be around 200 watts into 8 ohms. However, it really depends on the SPL rating of your Mark Bass Mini 121.

Ric

robgrow · #9 04-23-2007, 10:33 PM

Just in case someone reading this thread doesn't already know this, NEVER connect two amps together. It is very possible to damage both amps by doing this. Using one speaker with two amps requires unplugging one amp before plugging in the other one or some type of safe switching scheme.

bribass · #10 04-23-2007, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robgrow

Even though the effects return is pre EQ and voicing filters on the MarkBass amp, I think this idea has more merit than trying to connect another amp to the combo's internal speaker. Also, if you're not already doing so, try elevating the combo off the floor (at least a foot or two) for use with the double bass. This alone can do wonders.

I think everyone is giving some really good advice here. I can add that I had a bad experience w/ the GK MB150E.

It never sounded great, especially for DB and when it was just passed it's waranty it mysteriously died. My local repair guy couldn't fix it and GK wanted almost the cost of a new one to fix it. INMHO their small combos are cold sounding metal boxes as well.

A nice pre amp w/ a good eq section thru the effects return of your Markbass would be alot more cost effective. I use a LR Baggs Paracoustic DI w/ all my combo amps. It has nice eq options. Often I plug it right into my Polytone's main input. Somehow w/ that amp it sounds fatter that way than thru the effects return. The phase reversal button on the Baggs is a great feedback killer and the thing is also a whisper quiet DI for giving the sound man (or recording engineer) a nice, warm DB sound. There are many other good preamps as well. Most in the $100-$200 range. Also don't stand in front of or too close to your amp w/ the DB.
Good luck, BG

richardcoughlan · #11 04-24-2007, 10:00 AM

hi guys many thanks for your advice,

from what you guys say i think a preamp unit of somedescription is inorder instead of a head.

all i want it for is to cut the feedback and masses of bottom, when i need volume on my double, at the mo my markbass is just too 'booming'.

just wondering if any one can recomend a specific preamp to do this job, the FIshman Pro-Eq is one ive looked at, if this is any good?
or perhaps the radial bassbone

hope you can recomend.
rich coughlan.

ctxbass · #12 04-24-2007, 11:07 AM

I've had good results with the Fishman Pro Platinum Bass preamp.
Fishman has quite a few models out there, but this one is tailored for bass, with phase reversal, depth control (sweepable high pass filter), five band eq, and compression. It really helps smooth out the sound and control feedback. If you use the xlr out to a board with phantom power, the preamp will run off that instead of the battery.
The depth control should let you dial out the boom, and the eq and phase reverse will be a big help in controlling feedback.

richardcoughlan · #13 04-24-2007, 11:34 AM

thanks guys for your help - i think im gunna give the fishman a go, see how that works out.

this is the first time ive used talkbass.com and im veery impressed with the speed and kindness of all you guys, and all those involved in this community

as Jaco said - musicians are the nicest people in the world

this site really shows how true it is

take care,
peace, love and swing