Advice on amp and cab for doubler

[GrunionBass]

I'm looking for advice on an amp and cab. I'm looking for lightweight, good for 5-string electric and occasionally upright. My budget is around 1500, and my current considerations are:

Amp: EA Micro/Doubler OR GK MB800

Cab: Two Berg CN112s OR a single Berg CN212

Most of my gigs are folk, blues, rock or musical theater. Often with keys, guitar, and a percussionist on a cajon or a jazz kit.

Is the EA Doubler with 550 Watts into a CN212 or two CN112s going to be sufficient to work with a full kit in a medium hall? I'm starting to get some smaller outdoor gigs without good PA support and am hoping that this will do the job there as well.

Should I give up the two channels (and built-in HPF for the upright channel) in favor of the 800 Watts in the MB800?

Is there any trade-off (beside high cost) with getting two CN112s rather than the CN212? Some gigs are quiet enough for just a single 12", so I like the modular nature.

Thanks!

 

[vin*tone]

I'd totally go with the modular solution. Musical theatre can get squishy and you'll want a small cab.

I've never played with an EA Doubler but sounds like a good idea. The upright and the 5er have totally different needs.... though I'd recommend a good pre for the upright anyway for HPF, phase and EQing.

 

[adi77]

i use a warwick profet 5.2 and a tc electronic rs210c.. it does the job unless its a stadium gig.. i even tried our keyboardist's NS upright through the rig.. a little contour tweaking and it sounded quite good..

 

[bherman]

I had an EA for a while and for me, it was too clean - almost clinical. Now about to try a GK Fusion - 2 channels, tube pre for overdrive/warmth when needed. I have 2 - 112 cabs (Baer ML112s) and love the modular approach, but 2 of them and a good head will cost you north of $1,500.

 

[oerk]

Get a cab with a flat, even response, like the Greenboy line of cabs. It will only do you favors with upright. Consider using pedals or amp/cab sims if you need more flavor for the electric.

 

[Jim Carr]

I play upright a lot in a small combo and a big band. My electrics (4, 5, and 5 fretless) get used for Reggae, Country, Jazz, Folk, Blues, R&B/Urban, Latin, New Grass, etc. Don't play much rock lately, LOL.

My two favorite amplifiers are the GK MB800 (800 watts @ 4 ohms) and a Mesa M9 Carbine (900 watts @ 4 ohms). The GK MB800 is so light, small and powerful, that it is definitely preferable to lugging the M9 for all but the Reggae and Country performances.

For upright, I use a tech21 paradriver DI as a pre-amp, as it works perfectly with 1 mega-ohm piezo pickups like the Gage Realist. It gets along well with the MB800, though it also is great with a GB Shuttle 6.0 or the M9.

The cabs I use are all fEARfuls. I take either 1 or two 15/6/1 cabs—usually one unless it's reggae.

So, of the gear you are considering, either head is nice and I get the two channel deal. If you need to switch a lot during a set, I'd get the EA. Otherwise, the preamp is your friend. Dial in as much of each instrument as possible from onboard or external pre-amps. It you are in the PA, you MUST have two DIs and obviously two channels on the sound board.

Two 112 cabs beats a 212 everyday in every way and twice on Sunday.

 

[GrunionBass]

Thanks for the excellent points! I'll be trying both heads soon, and let folks know which way I go.