A pair of smallish cabs?

[Aledal]

I'd suggest looking at what Genzler offers. My rig consists of a Genzler Bass Array 115 and a 210, driven by a Magellan 800 head. For rehearsals and most bar/pub gigs, I use just one cabinet, usually the 115. With both cabinets, PA is optional wherever we play. They can go very loud and still sound crystal clear.

I'm running the same cabs as Mr OnTheBass with a couple of different heads depending on how strong I'm feeling on a particular day but I cannot say enough good things about them. The sound quality and projection, versatility, and portability of these Genzler Bass Array cabs is insanely good. The 115 is particularly impressive and the angled/not angled aspect of their modularity makes them really useful for hearing yourself on smaller gigs without monitor help.

 

[Gervais Cote]

You’ll find me singing the same praises elsewhere on TB, but I’ll repeat them here:
Gallien-Krueger NeoIV 1x12 cabs.
I wanted to do exactly what you are doing. I’m a Mesa guy, and play a Mesa Subway head. But I took a chance on these new GK NeoIV cabs, and man I am SO glad I did. I believe they are a little less voiced and more transparent than the Subway cabs.
That being said, they are loud, they are light, and they are articulate. I have no problem getting 5 string low-B ranged wicked and booming lows, or tight chest-thumping lows out of them. Nor do I have any trouble sculpting different mid-frequency voicings appropriate to different styles/particular songs.
I use a pair of the 1x12 cabs, and a single cab handles loud rehearsals and up to a decent size club stage. The pair covers me just fine.
There are a ton of excellent choices in light pro cabs these days, we are in a great era for it. I took a flier on the GK cabs (partly because they are as made in the US as can be, including the speakers), and I am extremely, extremely pleased. I use a pedalboard and a robust on-board preamp (Delano Sonar 3) to sculpt my tones, and these cabs transmit them with authority and clarity.

Do not count out the GK NeoIV series as you consider all the great options on offer!

I also now use two GK Neo IV 112 cabs with my Mesa Subway D350 and it really handles the low B without any problems, is punchy as hell and always very articulate and detailed.

A single cab used alone is most of the time not enough and too lean but using both is fantastic.

I had single 15", 2x10 and 4x10 in the past but I will never go back now.

(In fact, I bought the two 12" cabs because my lower back dictated it at first !)

 

[Gervais Cote]

If you think one cab will do it, but are wondering if a second might be a lil better.... the short answer is YES!!!

The second cab makes the whole thing sounds way better and you need something to lean your bass onto anyway !

 

[EastCoastThump]

my Walkabout gigs are almost always either one Walkabout 12, a stack of two WA 12s, or a Walkabout atop a Bergantino AE212.

Even when I don't need more stage volume, the taller options are nice on crowded stages, where I'm likelier to be near my stage cab.

 

[J Wilson]

Bigger budget: Bag End S15's.

Smarter money/travel light: Subway single 12's.

To me, modern 12's are the old 15's, and the Subways are fabulous and would easily do the one for anything, add #2 for bigger gigs,

The Bag Ends are classic, built like serious road PA bins, and for me are benchmark single 15's if the budget allows.

 

[bherman]

I'm another guy in the RevSound cabinet. I see that you're in Connecticut, they are in NH. I'm in the same boat as you are thinking, I have a modular rig. A Mesa Subway D800+ that I use with a pair of RevSound 112s. Fantastic speakers, super-lightweight (21 lbs each) and a little more affordable. Not sure what you might use to power 2 cabs, but I'd be thinking about a pair of 4 ohm cabs with an amp that can go down to 2 ohms. Mesa is clearly in that category, any of their Subway series at 800 watts would serve you well. If you are interested in RevSound, I would suggest calling and talking to David, the owner/designer/builder. He's a very nice guy, very knowledgeable and is really good at listening to what you are looking for and making some recommendations. He also makes a 115 that is a great cab, I had one at one time that I paired with a 12 but slightly preferred the voicing of the 12 so got a second one. I also had a 210, outstanding cab but at the time I was playing alot of upright bass and really needed to go modular. The thing about the RevSound cabs is that they are so efficient that I rarely need more than the single cab - although 2 always sounds aigger, especially if outdoors, maybe due to dispersion?? Mine are both 8 ohm 112s, and with an 800 watt amp, I regularly get asked to turn down if using both cabs .

The only other pair of speakers that I had and really loved was a pair of Baer ML112s - outstanding cabs, but a little bigger than I wanted to haul around.

 

[Evanforbass]

I too am making the move to lightweight/modular, as my band plays a nice diversity of gigs and venues. I picked up a Mesa Subway 115, and I hope to acquire a Mesa Subway 112. The TB Subway faithful sing high praises of the pairing, and they’d give me nice variation individually for different needs. Someday I’d love to give the 12 and 15 a go with my SVT VR.

 

[Timmah]

Wow, this thread really exploded today. Thanks everyone for the input and questions, and apologies in advance for the messy multi-quote to follow.

Maybe I missed it, but, do you already have a head for the modular set up? Or will you be using the Walkabout with an extension?

Usually I gig with either the Walkabout (in the combo or on top of the Genz cab, but never at the same time) or an old 800RB. At some point I'll likely sell the WA in its combo and move to a different amp. I love the WA and have for a long time, but the music I'm playing lately wants something with a little more attack and immediacy. To be honest, I figure I'll deal with the head situation later, because currently I get a good portion of my sound from pedal preamps.

So, the OP has a Mesa Walkabout 12 combo (I think) and wants more volume and modularity by using 2 separate cabs, or maybe just another cab to use with the WA 12 combo. He also already has a Genz 2x12 cab as his "big" cab, so he's familiar with that arrangement.

As a Walkabout guy for many years who struggled with clean volume using that amp, no matter what you do about cabs, one of the first things I would do is get the Walkabout amp out of the combo 12" cab. Those passive radiator cabs are nice enough, but very inefficient. They just don't do justice to the Walkabout and its somewhat limited available clean power. I did that years ago and went with Berg CN cabs and never missed the Walkabout cabs at all (and I had a bunch of them over time).

You're right, the Scout cab isn't really great, especially for what I want it to do. It's fantastic on low volume blues gigs, but I'm shifting towards a scenario where I want more beef and aggression, not just warmth. As for the reason I'm swapping out the 212 as well- the goal here is to have one relatively consistent tone whether I'm at a low volume with one cab or a high volume with two- hence getting two matching, smallish cabs.

Just pick your favorite company and buy two 112s. They’ll work for anything. Most every company now makes great lightweight options. Either get a combo amp with an extension cab, or add the amp that suits you and you’re good to go. Everyone will suggest their favorite company, but what’s yours? Pretty much anything you get will be great. I can’t suggest what I use because unfortunately the company isn’t around any longer.

My plan is definitely to get two of a kind from somewhere, but I want to know what people hold in high regard so I can start my search somewhere. Finding out everyone's favorite company is half the fun!

Bergantino. I’ve been using a 112 & 210 combo , they were designed to be used together. For many gigs I just use the 112. Small , lightweight , modular. Great cabs.

I’ve been rocking a pair of Bergantino 1-12 cabs for over two decades. I seldom need both, only for outdoor gigs with no PA support. I turn off the tweeters for more of an old school sound, but if you need bright and cutting, the tweeters are smoother than the piezos found in many less expensive cabs.

Bergantino, man! Best in the business. They’re expensive but you get what you pay for.

Bergantino, noted. I've seen a lot of guys say great things but I don't know that I've ever heard one in person. Is there a specific line I should be paying attention to?

You should look at Revsound cabs.

Another vote for RevSound. I've had a 2x12 for about 6-7 months now, and it does everything I need a cab to do. Pretty light, very loud (with a 500W head, I am rarely even at noon on the Master for bar and club gigs, with no PA support), very little 'baked in' tone. I can hear the differences in basses and EQ settings much more clearly through this cab than my prior 2x10 from another brand.
...
He also makes a 15 and a 210 that get rave reviews.

I'm another guy in the RevSound cabinet. I see that you're in Connecticut, they are in NH. I'm in the same boat as you are thinking, I have a modular rig. A Mesa Subway D800+ that I use with a pair of RevSound 112s. Fantastic speakers, super-lightweight (21 lbs each) and a little more affordable. Not sure what you might use to power 2 cabs, but I'd be thinking about a pair of 4 ohm cabs with an amp that can go down to 2 ohms. Mesa is clearly in that category, any of their Subway series at 800 watts would serve you well. If you are interested in RevSound, I would suggest calling and talking to David, the owner/designer/builder. He's a very nice guy, very knowledgeable and is really good at listening to what you are looking for and making some recommendations. He also makes a 115 that is a great cab, I had one at one time that I paired with a 12 but slightly preferred the voicing of the 12 so got a second one. I also had a 210, outstanding cab but at the time I was playing alot of upright bass and really needed to go modular. The thing about the RevSound cabs is that they are so efficient that I rarely need more than the single cab - although 2 always sounds aigger, especially if outdoors, maybe due to dispersion?? Mine are both 8 ohm 112s, and with an 800 watt amp, I regularly get asked to turn down if using both cabs .

The only other pair of speakers that I had and really loved was a pair of Baer ML112s - outstanding cabs, but a little bigger than I wanted to haul around.

I hadn't heard of these guys before and they're definitely intriguing- the "super cab" claims are always dubious to me but I'm eager to find out more especially if they're local(ish) to my neck of the woods.

Get a pair of barefaced 112 cabinets.
Or better: Plan on getting a pair of barefaced 112 cabinets, but buy one first, because you will not need a second one.

Another voice for the Barefaced modular rig. Check out sound samples before committing though...the 12s don't sound like normal 12s though the 10s are more traditional

... but I think Barefaced is key. A lot of their cabs for the size and power are a small footprint. Also if this is just for bars, yeah I think they will be just fine IMO. If you consider them, they are easy to work with in emails.

Barefaced seems super interesting to me but I'm a little hesitant being that they're on the wrong side of the pond and p*litics is what it is right now. I do love their cosmetics and the form factor is cool- maybe it's worth keeping an eye out in the classifieds or something.

I was in the same situation with my WA12 (which I still use for rehearsal and small rooms). I added two BagEnd 15 to my options. They are about as compact as you can make a 15, are relatively light (mine are birch) and they sound great individually and stacked. I love them and was happy when they came my way. If I couldn’t have the BE, I likely would’ve ended up with a 212.

A classic pair of Bag End S15's is heaven for me. I can't recommend that enough. They each weigh about 42 pounds, which is very manageable -- I've never been happy with the way that neo loaded cabs respond to my playing, and these compact fifteens are just Goldilocks-perfect.

Bigger budget: Bag End S15's.
The Bag Ends are classic, built like serious road PA bins, and for me are benchmark single 15's if the budget allows.

Bag End has always seemed so classy to me- I remember being a kid and seeing those deep red cabinets and loving the sound they produced. But I've also heard that they're pretty mid-present and might not do super well with low tunings or fivers. They'd probably be on my short list if I were still doing more Americana type stuff primarily.

You’ll find me singing the same praises elsewhere on TB, but I’ll repeat them here:
Gallien-Krueger NeoIV 1x12 cabs.
...
I use a pair of the 1x12 cabs, and a single cab handles loud rehearsals and up to a decent size club stage. The pair covers me just fine.
There are a ton of excellent choices in light pro cabs these days, we are in a great era for it. I took a flier on the GK cabs (partly because they are as made in the US as can be, including the speakers), and I am extremely, extremely pleased. I use a pedalboard and a robust on-board preamp (Delano Sonar 3) to sculpt my tones, and these cabs transmit them with authority and clarity.

Do not count out the GK NeoIV series as you consider all the great options on offer!

I also now use two GK Neo IV 112 cabs with my Mesa Subway D350 and it really handles the low B without any problems, is punchy as hell and always very articulate and detailed.

A single cab used alone is most of the time not enough and too lean but using both is fantastic.

The GK Neo stuff was already VERY high on my list, but it's interesting that both of you are using a pair of 12s and don't quite agree on whether a single cab would be enough for some gigs. I'd probably be looking for something a little more robust than 2x 112s for the sake of volume- I had a pair of the Series II Neo 112s about 10 years back and they didn't quite cut it in that department. The voicing was nice but there was a slight lack of true low end as well. Are the Series IV that much of an upgrade from the IIs?

How about the Fender Rumble 800. It weighs 28lbs and has 400 watts RMS out of two tens, and you can add a matching 210 cab for a full 800 watts if needed. Worth a look.

I tried to love the Rumble stuff. I really did. They're light and loud and reliable and they look sharp and they're basically everywhere, but unfortunately the sound never really clicked for me.

I'd suggest looking at what Genzler offers. My rig consists of a Genzler Bass Array 115 and a 210, driven by a Magellan 800 head. For rehearsals and most bar/pub gigs, I use just one cabinet, usually the 115. With both cabinets, PA is optional wherever we play. They can go very loud and still sound crystal clear.

You should seriously consider the Genzler Bass Arrays, especially the BA12 and BA10. These things are designed to be modular...assuming you have the power, you can go all the way up to four vertically stacked cabs - essentially your own personal line array. Scale up or down based on your need.

Great suggestion. The Bass Array stuff is pretty wild. I'll have to do some digging.

I use a Markbass Mini CMD 121 combo for most small gigs and add a matching extension cabinet (NY121) when needed. At 500 watts, both cabinets put out an impressive volume level and they each weigh less than 30 lbs. I currently play in an Americana-type 4-piece band and a roots reggae band, along with the occasional jazz trio. I'm really happy with the volume, tone, and portability.

If you think one cab will do it, but are wondering if a second might be a lil better.... the short answer is YES!!!

I like Markbass stuff for the size-to-volume ratio, but I've had limited experience with them outside of backline type stuff (and one cheap BL combo I had for about 6 months). I always associate it with sort of warm, nasal, funky tones. But you put that beautiful Lakie in front of it... I'll buy WHATEVER you're selling.

I used to use a pair of 4 ohm Eden EX112 cabs with a 500 watt 2-ohm head running the pair, or switched to 4 ohm for smaller venues. Now I use one GR 112 Aerotech with an Eden head. If I needed to get louder, I'd use two. The GR is carbon fiber and weighs 15 pounds; it handles 450 watts. It's a very pricey option, but I'm very glad I splurged on it. It sounds amazing -- sound techs seek me out about it.

GR cabs have intrigued me for a while, but I'm a little wary of paying a premium for lightness, no matter how cool the tech is. Feels like I can get a little more bang for my buck while I'm 30 and my back is still healthy.

I used to have the same philosophy: have different cabs for different gigs. At one point I had three 210 cabs for different reasons.

By the end of my gigging days, I realized I should have just always brought the cab that made me play and sound the best. Looking back, I would have used a modest sealed 410 for every gig.

So, as bass players, do we yearn for separate setups for different needs because we are mostly modest and considerate by nature, or do we just like to buy more things for niche purposes?

I feel like you might have my aim backwards here- right now I feel like I have several separate rigs for different (volume) uses, and my hope in going modular is to have one sound I really love come to all my gigs with me. Plus, we're bass players. GAS is in our DNA.

 

[pfschim]

As far as Bergantino cabs, Jim's current offerings are the Reference series 1x12 or 1x15, the NXT series 1x12, 2x10, 2x12 and the NXV 2x10.

You can find older Berg stuff on the used market too.

I use the older CN cab (neo) as well as a ceramic sealed NV212t, which sounds outstanding with the Walkabout. Of course, the 212 will not get you to your modular rig goal.

I think you said that the Subway cabs might be too expensive, but if your considering Barefaced, GR, Genzler and even Bag End cabs, their all in the same basic price universe anyway, so it may be worth while keeping your Mesa Walkabout "in the family". Lots of folks here love the Subway cabs.

good luck

 

[ebozzz]

I like my pair of Phil Jones Bass C4s but after reading more of what you’re seeking, the C8s (Compact 8) might be best for your needs….

 

[edwinhurwitz]

I have a pair of Genzler BA-12s and at one point added a BA-15. I've discovered that the 15 is unnecessary. I was playing an outdoor venue with a very stout Meyer system and had to rush to set up and with my IEMs, didn't set the volume of the cabinets very carefully. I asked the sound guy at the end of the night how bass sounded through the PA and it turned out he didn't even have me through the PA. A friend, who tours in decent venues said my bass sounded great, really full and deep. So, I guess these two 12s can really deliver. And they are small and light.

All that said, these days, I'm enjoying going cabinet-less with IEMs and a BackBeat. Can't beat the load in and it keeps the stage quiet.

 

[el murdoque]

Barefaced seems super interesting to me but I'm a little hesitant being that they're on the wrong side of the pond and p*litics is what it is right now. I do love their cosmetics and the form factor is cool- maybe it's worth keeping an eye out in the classifieds or something.

Just one more word on the barefaced stuff:
These hideous claims on their website are true. I compared the Super Compact 112 cabinet with my Aguilar GS212. The Aggie weighed 36kg while the SC is 10kg. The barefaced is much smaller, too. But in terms of output, I got them to roughly the same volume when I ran out of watts. You could just notice that the GS212 started breathing heavily, the lower frequencies not entirely able to keep up with the rest, while the barefaced played happily, asking for more.
So when looking at prices, judge them for what they do, not for what they are.
A barefaced 112 cabinet can do as much as a very good 212 cabinet. Only the truly exceptional ones will outperform it.
When you compare barefaced 112 cabinets with other 112 cabinets, they are very good in terms of weight, but quite expensive.
When you compare barefaced 112 cabinets to a 212 setup, they are unbelievable in terms of weight and not as expensive any more.

 

[EliasA]

Just one more word on the barefaced stuff:
These hideous claims on their website are true. I compared the Super Compact 112 cabinet with my Aguilar GS212. The Aggie weighed 36kg while the SC is 10kg. The barefaced is much smaller, too. But in terms of output, I got them to roughly the same volume when I ran out of watts. You could just notice that the GS212 started breathing heavily, the lower frequencies not entirely able to keep up with the rest, while the barefaced played happily, asking for more.
So when looking at prices, judge them for what they do, not for what they are.
A barefaced 112 cabinet can do as much as a very good 212 cabinet. Only the truly exceptional ones will outperform it.
When you compare barefaced 112 cabinets with other 112 cabinets, they are very good in terms of weight, but quite expensive.
When you compare barefaced 112 cabinets to a 212 setup, they are unbelievable in terms of weight and not as expensive any more.

Preach!

 

[brianrost]

As far as Bergantino cabs, Jim's current offerings are the Reference series 1x12 or 1x15, the NXT series 1x12, 2x10, 2x12 and the NXV 2x10.

The Reference series is the successor to the HT112 cabs I own.

The NXT series uses ND drivers and is a few pounds lighter.

The NXV series has no tweeter and is voiced to be more like vintage cabs (i have never heard one of these).

 

[burgerdj]

Wow, this thread really exploded today. Thanks everyone for the input and questions, and apologies in advance for the messy multi-quote to follow.



Usually I gig with either the Walkabout (in the combo or on top of the Genz cab, but never at the same time) or an old 800RB. At some point I'll likely sell the WA in its combo and move to a different amp. I love the WA and have for a long time, but the music I'm playing lately wants something with a little more attack and immediacy. To be honest, I figure I'll deal with the head situation later, because currently I get a good portion of my sound from pedal preamps.



You're right, the Scout cab isn't really great, especially for what I want it to do. It's fantastic on low volume blues gigs, but I'm shifting towards a scenario where I want more beef and aggression, not just warmth. As for the reason I'm swapping out the 212 as well- the goal here is to have one relatively consistent tone whether I'm at a low volume with one cab or a high volume with two- hence getting two matching, smallish cabs.



My plan is definitely to get two of a kind from somewhere, but I want to know what people hold in high regard so I can start my search somewhere. Finding out everyone's favorite company is half the fun!





Bergantino, noted. I've seen a lot of guys say great things but I don't know that I've ever heard one in person. Is there a specific line I should be paying attention to?





I hadn't heard of these guys before and they're definitely intriguing- the "super cab" claims are always dubious to me but I'm eager to find out more especially if they're local(ish) to my neck of the woods.





Barefaced seems super interesting to me but I'm a little hesitant being that they're on the wrong side of the pond and p*litics is what it is right now. I do love their cosmetics and the form factor is cool- maybe it's worth keeping an eye out in the classifieds or something.





Bag End has always seemed so classy to me- I remember being a kid and seeing those deep red cabinets and loving the sound they produced. But I've also heard that they're pretty mid-present and might not do super well with low tunings or fivers. They'd probably be on my short list if I were still doing more Americana type stuff primarily.




The GK Neo stuff was already VERY high on my list, but it's interesting that both of you are using a pair of 12s and don't quite agree on whether a single cab would be enough for some gigs. I'd probably be looking for something a little more robust than 2x 112s for the sake of volume- I had a pair of the Series II Neo 112s about 10 years back and they didn't quite cut it in that department. The voicing was nice but there was a slight lack of true low end as well. Are the Series IV that much of an upgrade from the IIs?



I tried to love the Rumble stuff. I really did. They're light and loud and reliable and they look sharp and they're basically everywhere, but unfortunately the sound never really clicked for me.



Great suggestion. The Bass Array stuff is pretty wild. I'll have to do some digging.




I like Markbass stuff for the size-to-volume ratio, but I've had limited experience with them outside of backline type stuff (and one cheap BL combo I had for about 6 months). I always associate it with sort of warm, nasal, funky tones. But you put that beautiful Lakie in front of it... I'll buy WHATEVER you're selling.



GR cabs have intrigued me for a while, but I'm a little wary of paying a premium for lightness, no matter how cool the tech is. Feels like I can get a little more bang for my buck while I'm 30 and my back is still healthy.



I feel like you might have my aim backwards here- right now I feel like I have several separate rigs for different (volume) uses, and my hope in going modular is to have one sound I really love come to all my gigs with me. Plus, we're bass players. GAS is in ou

Wow, this thread really exploded today. Thanks everyone for the input and questions, and apologies in advance for the messy multi-quote to follow.



Usually I gig with either the Walkabout (in the combo or on top of the Genz cab, but never at the same time) or an old 800RB. At some point I'll likely sell the WA in its combo and move to a different amp. I love the WA and have for a long time, but the music I'm playing lately wants something with a little more attack and immediacy. To be honest, I figure I'll deal with the head situation later, because currently I get a good portion of my sound from pedal preamps.



You're right, the Scout cab isn't really great, especially for what I want it to do. It's fantastic on low volume blues gigs, but I'm shifting towards a scenario where I want more beef and aggression, not just warmth. As for the reason I'm swapping out the 212 as well- the goal here is to have one relatively consistent tone whether I'm at a low volume with one cab or a high volume with two- hence getting two matching, smallish cabs.



My plan is definitely to get two of a kind from somewhere, but I want to know what people hold in high regard so I can start my search somewhere. Finding out everyone's favorite company is half the fun!





Bergantino, noted. I've seen a lot of guys say great things but I don't know that I've ever heard one in person. Is there a specific line I should be paying attention to?





I hadn't heard of these guys before and they're definitely intriguing- the "super cab" claims are always dubious to me but I'm eager to find out more especially if they're local(ish) to my neck of the woods.





Barefaced seems super interesting to me but I'm a little hesitant being that they're on the wrong side of the pond and p*litics is what it is right now. I do love their cosmetics and the form factor is cool- maybe it's worth keeping an eye out in the classifieds or something.





Bag End has always seemed so classy to me- I remember being a kid and seeing those deep red cabinets and loving the sound they produced. But I've also heard that they're pretty mid-present and might not do super well with low tunings or fivers. They'd probably be on my short list if I were still doing more Americana type stuff primarily.




The GK Neo stuff was already VERY high on my list, but it's interesting that both of you are using a pair of 12s and don't quite agree on whether a single cab would be enough for some gigs. I'd probably be looking for something a little more robust than 2x 112s for the sake of volume- I had a pair of the Series II Neo 112s about 10 years back and they didn't quite cut it in that department. The voicing was nice but there was a slight lack of true low end as well. Are the Series IV that much of an upgrade from the IIs?



I tried to love the Rumble stuff. I really did. They're light and loud and reliable and they look sharp and they're basically everywhere, but unfortunately the sound never really clicked for me.



Great suggestion. The Bass Array stuff is pretty wild. I'll have to do some digging.




I like Markbass stuff for the size-to-volume ratio, but I've had limited experience with them outside of backline type stuff (and one cheap BL combo I had for about 6 months). I always associate it with sort of warm, nasal, funky tones. But you put that beautiful Lakie in front of it... I'll buy WHATEVER you're selling.



GR cabs have intrigued me for a while, but I'm a little wary of paying a premium for lightness, no matter how cool the tech is. Feels like I can get a little more bang for my buck while I'm 30 and my back is still healthy.



I feel like you might have my aim backwards here- right now I feel like I have several separate rigs for different (volume) uses, and my hope in going modular is to have one sound I really love come to all my gigs with me. Plus, we're bass players. GAS is in our DNA.

Wow - a lot of thoughtful exchanges here! Yes, the Bag Ends are very focused - and very efficient cabinets. Few cabs produce the fundamental of a low B, and the Bags do just fine with a 5 string. Note how many amps and players have integrated HPF in their signal chains to clean up the low end. Their mid-focus is really beneficial in live situations. At a compact 42 lbs, they’re a pretty easy schlep.

 

[Gervais Cote]

Wow, this thread really exploded today. Thanks everyone for the input and questions, and apologies in advance for the messy multi-quote to follow.



Usually I gig with either the Walkabout (in the combo or on top of the Genz cab, but never at the same time) or an old 800RB. At some point I'll likely sell the WA in its combo and move to a different amp. I love the WA and have for a long time, but the music I'm playing lately wants something with a little more attack and immediacy. To be honest, I figure I'll deal with the head situation later, because currently I get a good portion of my sound from pedal preamps.



You're right, the Scout cab isn't really great, especially for what I want it to do. It's fantastic on low volume blues gigs, but I'm shifting towards a scenario where I want more beef and aggression, not just warmth. As for the reason I'm swapping out the 212 as well- the goal here is to have one relatively consistent tone whether I'm at a low volume with one cab or a high volume with two- hence getting two matching, smallish cabs.



My plan is definitely to get two of a kind from somewhere, but I want to know what people hold in high regard so I can start my search somewhere. Finding out everyone's favorite company is half the fun!





Bergantino, noted. I've seen a lot of guys say great things but I don't know that I've ever heard one in person. Is there a specific line I should be paying attention to?





I hadn't heard of these guys before and they're definitely intriguing- the "super cab" claims are always dubious to me but I'm eager to find out more especially if they're local(ish) to my neck of the woods.





Barefaced seems super interesting to me but I'm a little hesitant being that they're on the wrong side of the pond and p*litics is what it is right now. I do love their cosmetics and the form factor is cool- maybe it's worth keeping an eye out in the classifieds or something.





Bag End has always seemed so classy to me- I remember being a kid and seeing those deep red cabinets and loving the sound they produced. But I've also heard that they're pretty mid-present and might not do super well with low tunings or fivers. They'd probably be on my short list if I were still doing more Americana type stuff primarily.




The GK Neo stuff was already VERY high on my list, but it's interesting that both of you are using a pair of 12s and don't quite agree on whether a single cab would be enough for some gigs. I'd probably be looking for something a little more robust than 2x 112s for the sake of volume- I had a pair of the Series II Neo 112s about 10 years back and they didn't quite cut it in that department. The voicing was nice but there was a slight lack of true low end as well. Are the Series IV that much of an upgrade from the IIs?



I tried to love the Rumble stuff. I really did. They're light and loud and reliable and they look sharp and they're basically everywhere, but unfortunately the sound never really clicked for me.



Great suggestion. The Bass Array stuff is pretty wild. I'll have to do some digging.




I like Markbass stuff for the size-to-volume ratio, but I've had limited experience with them outside of backline type stuff (and one cheap BL combo I had for about 6 months). I always associate it with sort of warm, nasal, funky tones. But you put that beautiful Lakie in front of it... I'll buy WHATEVER you're selling.



GR cabs have intrigued me for a while, but I'm a little wary of paying a premium for lightness, no matter how cool the tech is. Feels like I can get a little more bang for my buck while I'm 30 and my back is still healthy.



I feel like you might have my aim backwards here- right now I feel like I have several separate rigs for different (volume) uses, and my hope in going modular is to have one sound I really love come to all my gigs with me. Plus, we're bass players. GAS is in our DNA.

I mostly play rock songs so only one GK Neo IV 112 is usually not enough for me to get that bass pressure in my chest. That’s why I use both pretty much all the time.

I’ve never been a fan of the previous GK cabs as they used to be mid focused in the past but this Neo IV series are more balanced with just the right amount of bass although they sound cleaner than a 4x10 or a 8x10 Ampeg vintage fridge cab.

 

[Luther]

I use a Markbass Mini CMD 121 combo for most small gigs and add a matching extension cabinet (NY121) when needed. At 500 watts, both cabinets put out an impressive volume level and they each weigh less than 30 lbs. I currently play in an Americana-type 4-piece band and a roots reggae band, along with the occasional jazz trio. I'm really happy with the volume, tone, and portability.

I have the same setup with the Markbass CMD151/NY151.

 

[bherman]

Wow, this thread really exploded today. Thanks everyone for the input and questions, and apologies in advance for the messy multi-quote to follow.



Usually I gig with either the Walkabout (in the combo or on top of the Genz cab, but never at the same time) or an old 800RB. At some point I'll likely sell the WA in its combo and move to a different amp. I love the WA and have for a long time, but the music I'm playing lately wants something with a little more attack and immediacy. To be honest, I figure I'll deal with the head situation later, because currently I get a good portion of my sound from pedal preamps.



You're right, the Scout cab isn't really great, especially for what I want it to do. It's fantastic on low volume blues gigs, but I'm shifting towards a scenario where I want more beef and aggression, not just warmth. As for the reason I'm swapping out the 212 as well- the goal here is to have one relatively consistent tone whether I'm at a low volume with one cab or a high volume with two- hence getting two matching, smallish cabs.



My plan is definitely to get two of a kind from somewhere, but I want to know what people hold in high regard so I can start my search somewhere. Finding out everyone's favorite company is half the fun!





Bergantino, noted. I've seen a lot of guys say great things but I don't know that I've ever heard one in person. Is there a specific line I should be paying attention to?





I hadn't heard of these guys before and they're definitely intriguing- the "super cab" claims are always dubious to me but I'm eager to find out more especially if they're local(ish) to my neck of the woods.





Barefaced seems super interesting to me but I'm a little hesitant being that they're on the wrong side of the pond and p*litics is what it is right now. I do love their cosmetics and the form factor is cool- maybe it's worth keeping an eye out in the classifieds or something.





Bag End has always seemed so classy to me- I remember being a kid and seeing those deep red cabinets and loving the sound they produced. But I've also heard that they're pretty mid-present and might not do super well with low tunings or fivers. They'd probably be on my short list if I were still doing more Americana type stuff primarily.




The GK Neo stuff was already VERY high on my list, but it's interesting that both of you are using a pair of 12s and don't quite agree on whether a single cab would be enough for some gigs. I'd probably be looking for something a little more robust than 2x 112s for the sake of volume- I had a pair of the Series II Neo 112s about 10 years back and they didn't quite cut it in that department. The voicing was nice but there was a slight lack of true low end as well. Are the Series IV that much of an upgrade from the IIs?



I tried to love the Rumble stuff. I really did. They're light and loud and reliable and they look sharp and they're basically everywhere, but unfortunately the sound never really clicked for me.



Great suggestion. The Bass Array stuff is pretty wild. I'll have to do some digging.




I like Markbass stuff for the size-to-volume ratio, but I've had limited experience with them outside of backline type stuff (and one cheap BL combo I had for about 6 months). I always associate it with sort of warm, nasal, funky tones. But you put that beautiful Lakie in front of it... I'll buy WHATEVER you're selling.



GR cabs have intrigued me for a while, but I'm a little wary of paying a premium for lightness, no matter how cool the tech is. Feels like I can get a little more bang for my buck while I'm 30 and my back is still healthy.



I feel like you might have my aim backwards here- right now I feel like I have several separate rigs for different (volume) uses, and my hope in going modular is to have one sound I really love come to all my gigs with me. Plus, we're bass players. GAS is in our DNA.

@tinmah you can believe the super cab hype. The new technologies are pretty incredible. The RevSound cabs, both the 112 and 125, are amazing. I had a pair of Genzler BA110s and they were too, but in a scaled-down way.

 

[Jeff Scott]

 

[emjazz]

I have a Revsound 115 here with me that I’m borrowing. Outstanding cab. I’ve tried a few of his cabs…I personally didn’t like the 10” cabs. I wasn’t able to try his 12. The 115 and the 2x8 are outstanding.

If cost is a concern then look for a couple of older Epifani cabs. The UL cabs were great. If weight is not a concern then try to find the original older Epifani cabs. Heavier, but some of the best cabs ever made.

Bergantino cabs are wonderful. The pricing on the new cabs, as with other companies now, are quite high. If you know you’ll play them for life then not a concern, but if you’re just trying something out and not sure then I would say look elsewhere. Lots of great used options.

The Hartke cabs are surprisingly great for less money

I adore the lightweight Aguilar SL112s. Amazing sound. They are super inefficient, but if you have two then you’ll be set.

A good friend has gone through MANY bass cabs…a few months ago he bought two lightweight Darkglass 212s and one of their amps. He hasn’t used anything else since. He loves that setup