Aguilar GS vs SL

[Chuck M]

I own a pair of GS 112's and a pair of SL 112's. They are completely different.

The GS's are front ported and are wonderful sounding punchy cabs and sound terrific when a pair is powered by TH 500/700, AG 700 or a Genz Benz Shuttle 9.2. I use that with electric bass and play mostly 6's and the cabs handle the B string with authority.

The SL 112's are more mellow sounding to my ears and being rear ported can be hard to hear on outside gigs where there is no reflecting wall behind them. I use them with my Tone Hammer 500 with upright bass. I rarely use more than one cab but have used the pair in big rooms or outdoors.

I love both cabs and think they are some of the best on the market. I am slight in build, 5' 7" and weigh 155 pounds. I could probably carry a GS 112 in each hand but would be visiting my chiropractor the next day. I am also 76 so factor that in to my opinion.

 

[SJan3]

I have been using a TH500 and 2- GS112 cabs as my rig for several years, and I have no real complaints. I have been getting GAS for SL 112s from Aguilar. I was wondering if anyone has experience with both cabs and could give an informed comparison of those cabs.

I play passive P and/or J basses. As far as music, it'll be used for oldies rock, classic country, bluegrass, and gospel.

Again, I am liking the GS cabs. I know the lighter weight of the SL would be nice. The difference in tone is what I am wondering about. I haven't had an opportunity to try an SL cab. But, I know many of you have!

I have the same rig. I feel the mid adjustment in the Tonehammer allows you to regain some of that mid presence. That said, I prefer a Jazz Bass with the GS112s. Great for gospel.
I use a different rig if I'm playing Precision Bass and looking for a more traditional tone.

 

[rufus.K]

1x12 airhead GS with AG500 making it a combo
Plus SL112

 

[Chipmonstr]

Negative. A GS112 actually weighs ~42 lbs. Mine was 43 lbs.

My GS112 was 39.5
I think and the NT version was 35. Tempted to put a Basslite in the NT and see if I can break 30 lbs...

YMMV

 

[pepj]

Loved the GS112 in a pair mostly, gigged, didnt like SL112 demo'd.
The GS is quite deep but I felt the mid cut ability dropped off quite dramatically. To try and compensate on the amp, it got too clanky for me.
With very new strings..it was very pleasing to me.

I ended up with DB112 which were inbetween soundwise, imv

 

[maddogsauce]

I love my Tonehammer/SL112 combo. They're super light, and I love the 80's color scheme I've got going (hoping to find a purple to go with them, or hoping they make a neon yellow someday to round out the theme)

Or, for around the same weight as one of these, you could just grab a GR Aerotech 212 slim. Mine is the + version with 900W at around 25 lbs, but you could go with the standard at 700W and just under 20 lbs. Would cost less than 2 new 12s, weigh the same as a 112, and the sound is incredible. Just another option to consider.

 

[BassParrott]

I am sure the Demeter doesn’t hurt the tone either!

Great rig!

 

[maddogsauce]

I am sure the Demeter doesn’t hurt the tone either!

Great rig!

Thanks, and yeah, the Demeter never hurts . Honestly though, lately I've been mostly using my PJB BG400 and C4 combo at practice and gigs just because I leave it where we practice, so it's the sound we've grown accustomed to.

 

[Selim]

Well how about a GS112 x SL112 combination? I’d be interested to hear what that bring to the table.

I recently bought a SL112 to be used solely as part of a home practice rig with a TH500. I find the single 12 lacking in the bottom end, but for my use, it’s actually better - with less bottom end, my wife is less annoyed so I can practice longer without hearing about it from “upstairs.” And the SL112 sure gets the midrange right.

 

[BottomFeed]

I had 2 Bergantino AE112s.. which I found very precise but a little too clinical for my taste..
Bought 2 Aguilar GS 112s which I instantly fell in love with!.. suddenly the thump & warmth was back in my sound.. I then got seduced by the idea of Super Light cabs, so sold my GS ones to get SLs... Way to smooth & hi fi sounding for me... I've recently re-bought a pair of AG112s second hand & I'm selling the SLs.. I'd rather the extra weight, which isn't massively more to be honest, to have a warm rich punchy sound that is familiar and comfortable... But having said that it's very personal & subjective....

 

[BottomFeed]

Actually.. can I ask, does anyone know what GS stands for?
DB = Dave Boonshoft
SL = Super Light
...is it Goran Stankovic?

 

[Al Kraft]

The GS and SL cabs are voiced so differently I find very little similarity. In terms of a solid mid presence/focus, I think the DB and SL cabs are a closer match. IMO neither the DB nor the SL series (12" version) cabs have the inherent fullness in the low end that he GS has.

 

[bigguy]

Actually.. can I ask, does anyone know what GS stands for?
DB = Dave Boonshoft
SL = Super Light
...is it Goran Stankovic?

Hi BottomFeed, I named them for my two daughters, Georgia and Stella.

Best, Dave Boonshoft

 

[BottomFeed]

Thanks for clearing that up...That's a really lovely answer!
..love those GS cabs, Mr Boonshoft!.. they really work for me... Thank you!..

 

[SJan3]

''

I can't tell if you're trolling or not

The whole point of this thread is to consider the SL112 as a lighter option to the GS112. The GS112 weighs 42 lbs. and the SL112 weighs 25. That's a substantial difference. A 5 lb. differential would be nominal.

Aguilar GS 112 Bass Cabinet , High End Bass Guitars, Amps & Bass Strings

The GS cabinets are a bit lighter than advertised. I shipped two recently and they were under 40 lbs.

 

[pepj]

The GS and SL cabs are voiced so differently I find very little similarity. In terms of a solid mid presence/focus, I think the DB and SL cabs are a closer match. IMO neither the DB nor the SL series (12" version) cabs have the inherent fullness in the low end that he GS has.

IIRC, the same chassis are in GS and DB cabs so there is just a different tune in the cab would be my take.
The GS is indeed big, but for me, I only really like the top end with new strings on and then I loved those cabs.
The DB is a nice compromise with less of a hole between horn and woofer. IME.
Wasn't a fan of the SL when I tried it.
I wanted to like it, but not what I'm looking for in a cab.

 

[el murdoque]

I did play the GS cabs for a while and had a look at the SL when they came out, but the prices were a bit steep for my liking. In Germany, a SL112 retails for more than a Barefaced 112 cab costs.
The Barefaceds are a lot more efficient and even lighter, so I went in that direction.

To my ears, the SL series sound more like the light version of the DB cabs. The tone is a bit more oldshool, mid forward and not as capable in the lowest lows in direct comparison to the GS. I bought the GS based on how good they sound down low, after I found out that the mid scoop is something you can easily remedy by turning up the mids a bit.

 

[rok51]

Hi BottomFeed, I named them for my two daughters, Georgia and Stella.

Best, Dave Boonshoft

Thanks Dave for some really wonderful cabs!
Kim

 

[Father Gino]

I have 2 GS and 2 SL 1x12s. I do like the GS cabs more for their really solid lows. The SLs just don’t speak with as much authority down there. But I bought the SLs because of their weight and I still get a thrill every time I pick them up. I miss the locking plastic corners that were on the GS. I was playing outside on a slight incline a couple of weeks ago and my SL stack fell right over. Luckily, no major damage done. It actually sounded fine in a pile on the ground with one cab facing down. The rest of the band didn’t even notice that they had fallen over.

I never used the tweeters in either cabs, so the high end sparkle is not an issue for me. I use a Streamliner on all of these cabs and though I might have a preference for the GS, the SLs get the job done more than adequately. The SLs might actually sound better in a live mix and I usually play with a touch of FOH support anyway.