Double Bass AI Coda Vs. GK150 Vs. Markbass

[The Spanier]

HI all;

I am planning to buy a new amp and I need your advise. I won’t play electric bass so I am focusing on a combo specially suited for upright. I am lately playing with a Dixie band in noisy indoor gigs for ca. 150-250 pax (yes, weddings for example). I have a Full Circle installed.


I don’t need something very powerful, as we always count on an decent PA system; I am just looking for something I could use as a decent stage monitor with a good “line out” sound for the mixer.


Which one of the following would be a good choice for me??

· Invalid Link Removed (Price 1.200 Eur)

· Gallien Krueger MB150-S-112 III (Price 670 Eur)

· Markbass Mini CMD 121P (Price 866 Eur)

· Acoustic Image Contra S4 1 ch 300watt (Price 1.075 Eur)

· Invalid Link Removed(Price 1.024 Eur)

Does the sound quality between Acoustic Image and GK justify such a price difference?

Thank you very much!

 

[Fat bob]

I have only played the gk150 which I own. I believe the 150s (not e) direct out happens before the eq on the gk. I have found that often the sound sent to house is really bassy and different that the sound from the amp. Also, when playing with drums and or a larger group with louder stage volume, the gk doesn't cut it for stage volume. I have never tried it with the ext cab, which I hear helps. But at that point I'll just bring the bigger rig. Don't get me wrong, I love the gk, Swiss Army knife of amps, but it has it's limitations.

 

[TroyK]

I've had both the GK MB150 and an AI Combo. They're different instruments. True the GK can get lost in really loud situations, but I think it's actually better in this regard than the AI. In a quiet, piano trio setting, the AI is great at magically disappearing under the piano or into a corner and radiating very authentic bass tone from no-place in particular. Then again, the GK can sound very nice in that same setting. They are both very good choices. I would say that unless you were using the AI for just the right purpose (which is not what I think you described), it's not worth the extra money.

I've not owned Mark Bass, but I think it's a good product too. Probably more like the GK than the AI, but with some modern circuitry.

 

[Phil Smith]

For your purposes, the cheaper GK may be your best bet.