$500 lightweight cab?

[pisces_bass]

I'm researching "modern" lightweight cabinets and have a $500 budget. This will be to pair with an existing Bag End S15D 8ohm cab and powered by a Quilter BB800. I am slowly updating my setup from 20+ years ago and it's a whole new world of bass gear! I have no complaints about the Bag End; it still delivers what I'm looking for in a 15. This second cab will be a modular addition for playing outdoors or when I want to leave a cab somewhere and have a second at home.

I'm a hobby player with regular low-stakes gigs playing Americana with a band. We don't have a drummer so I'm in charge of tempo, feel, thump, etc. I play a 4 string passive j-style bass.

From reading threads here and looking over sites like Reverb, it looks like my budget limits me to something like a Trace Elliot Elf 2x8 or shopping the used market for a 2x10, 1x12 or 1x15 from the likes of Aguilar, Berg, Epifani, Genz Benz/Genzler. Seems like the Mesa subway stuff will be out of my budget.

My buddy has an Audiokinesis 1x12 that I got to play on for a larger gig doing rock covers with a drummer and full band and it blew me away for such a small cab. But that realm . . .super cabs. . . will likely be overkill for my needs as well as out of my budget.

All you modern gear folks . . .am I on the right track? What other options should I consider?

 

[mbell75]

GK and Fender Rumble are going to give you the most bang for the buck and they are also the lightest.

 

[Warpeg]

Sell the Bag End cab and buy a used GK Neo 212. Just my $.02.

 

[Jaco who?]

I'm researching "modern" lightweight cabinets and have a $500 budget...............................

My buddy has an Audiokinesis 1x12 that I got to play on for a larger gig doing rock covers with a drummer and full band and it blew me away for such a small cab. But that realm . . .super cabs. . . will likely be overkill for my needs as well as out of my budget.

All you modern gear folks . . .am I on the right track? What other options should I consider?

I don't know what the shipping cost would be these days, but I REALLY don't think you'll find a better sounding cab that's a better value than a Hathor 112. You budgeted $500, spend another $200 and get something you'll be happy with.

 

[wave rider]

Find a pair of used S15s for your $500, then you will have three! Quilter should handle it, should sound great!

Or, save a little more for a Hathor112. Sometimes they come up in the marketplace here too.

Sounds like fun for you either way!

 

[jlepre]

Why not just add another Bag end so you know you get twice of what you love.

 

[pisces_bass]

Why not just add another Bag end so you know you get twice of what you love.

That was my default plan. Another Bag End would add the thickness for sure! And reasonable weight, around 40 lbs.

But there’s so much hype around the new cabinets...maybe they will change my life ?

 

[MarkA]

Possibilities:

Add another Bag End 15 -- if you like yours, you know they'll combine well.

Pick up an Audiokinesis Hathor 1203 (If the AK cab you played had a 3" mid/high driver instead of a big Horn, it was most likely a 1203) for a modest upcharge to your current budget (I've found mine to be a significant improvement, for my taste, over similarly sized cabs - Markbass, GK, etc. 12s - and, IMO, a better value than most).

You can try stacking the BE and Hathor (try yours with your friend's if you can). They might or might not combine well (for all of the Hathor's positive qualities, among other considerations, I suspect that the Bag End 15 will be more efficient than the Hathor 12). If they do, great. If they don't, you can get two of the cab you like more (or use each separately).

You might also look into a MAS (Mike Arnopol Soundworks) 28 (it's nothing like the Trace 28 aside from speaker size - different league) or MAS 110 in the "relatively affordable, compact supercab category" - a little more than your current budget, but still within striking distance and arguably worth saving up for.

 

[And I]

Mixing different cabs is a crap shoot. Might work, might not. So many different factors that manufacturers plan for when designing a series of cabs to make them play nicely together are unknowns with two random cabs paired together. I had great results mixing a Markbass 15 with a GK Neo 12. But my GK Neo 12 paired with a fEARful 12/6 is just bad. It sounds like a worse version of the GK, and none of the clarity of the fEARful comes through.

 

[venturawest]

I have a (previously barely) used Berg 112 lightweight that I bought here on TB for $525. There are usually a couple for sale here. Weighs like 20 pounds, and I could use it with my Shuttle 600 and hold my own without even going through the mains.

 

[mikewalker]

You could stack this vertically on your 1-15...

 

[BOOG]

That's in the same line of thinking I was having. I would unload the BagEnd and get two of them, though.

I have a couple of the HD210's vertical with an Ashdown RM500 that works/sounds great. The cabs are durable and take what the head gives them. 37 pounds under a nicely placed carry handle makes loading in/out pretty convenient, too.

 

[GmanJeff]

For lightweight cabs, consider RevSound. Bass Cabinets | RevSound They seem to be well regarded here, are made domestically, and are remarkably lightweight. The builder is happy to speak with potential customers by telephone, and may be able to suggest products which will meet your specific needs.

 

[japhy4529]

GK and Fender Rumble are going to give you the most bang for the buck and they are also the lightest.

I guess you missed the memo that using mixed cabs in your rig is verboten according to TB regulations.

Aguilar cabs are great. Might be a bit above your budget though. If you can find a used GS cab, I'd go with that. I have two GS112s and they're awesome and light.

 

[BOOG]

Oh yeah, you just reminded me about the Hartke HD112's. That's another option that gives you the choice of switching each cab to either 4 or 8 ohm to give easier access to 300 watts. Also, smaller and lighter and less cost. You can get two of them for eight bills.
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...hydrive-hd112-300-watt-1x12-inch-bass-cabinet

 

[Kipp Harrington]

Nothing wrong with a Rumble 115 (or 210). I think these cabs get slighted by many because of their affordability... and for your purpose(s), I would at least give them a look.

 

[Cave Puppy]

Bag End S-15D and BB800 - Killer rig. I have the exact same rig, except had to replace the speaker. I had two S-15s but one has the red carpet and the other had black carpet. The one with the black carpet had to go.

I found an AccuGroove tri112 used for about $500 on GC's website ages ago and jumped on it. Light as feather. So much so I have to remember to place it correctly as it's top heavy so I always want to put the heavy side down.

 

[Bruiser Stone]

Sell the Bag End and use the extra $ to buy a used 30 lb Barefaced Two10. They pop up here from time to time, and are worth the patience and extra expense.

Or another Bag End....

 

[arbiterusa]

This will be to pair with an existing Bag End S15D

Just get another of the Bag End cabs. I've been running a single 15 (SWR neo) for small stuff and 2 of 'em for the bigger gigs, I picked up a 4x10 last year for intermediate size venues, and am probably going to get rid of it as the single or double 15 seems to cover all situations adequately.

But there’s so much hype around the new cabinets...maybe they will change my life ?

Nope. They really won't.

 

[pisces_bass]

This thread has been a good education and exactly what I was hoping for. Thanks to the community for your input.

After reading up on the options and sleeping on it . . . I'm leaning towards finding another Bag End 15 and using the extra $$ for a decent preamp/DI pedal. I'm GASing for a Tone Hammer or TE Transit B to fill out my sound and tweak to the room.