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Amp Purchase Paralysis

So which one then?

  • GK MB-500 & Epifani T-212

    Votes: 35 24.5%

  • Fender Rumble 800 Combo

    Votes: 21 14.7%

  • GK MB212 Combo

    Votes: 46 32.2%

  • Fender Rumble 500

    Votes: 17 11.9%

  • Markbass CMD 121

    Votes: 24 16.8%
  • Total voters
    143
kmon

kmon

Supporting Member
May 11, 2009
3,012
5,205
Chocolate Disneyland
#1
Last rigs were Mesa/Bergantino and were mind blowing both in tone and price. I've started playing out a bit again and I'm going down market. I'm looking for opinions.

The band plays rock covers from all eras, gigs every other month or so. Prices represent my used market today. Weight is much less important than tone and the ability to hold its own in a band setting. Which rig do you pick?

1. GK MB-500 & Epifani T-212 -- $400 -- ~70 lbs

2. Fender Rumble 800 210 Combo -- ~ $700 - ~29lbs

3. GK MB212 Combo -- ~$650 -- ~41lbs

4. Fender Rumble 500 210 Combo-- $400 -- ~31lbs

5. Markbass CMD 121 Combo -- $400 -- ~30lbs
 
#4
kmon said:
Last rigs were Mesa/Bergantino and were mind blowing both in tone and price. I've started playing out a bit again and I'm going down market. I'm looking for opinions.

The band plays rock covers from all eras, gigs every other month or so. Prices represent my used market today. Weight is much less important than tone and the ability to hold its own in a band setting. Which rig do you pick?

1. GK MB-500 & Epifani T-212 -- $400 -- ~70 lbs

2. Fender Rumble 800 210 Combo -- ~ $700 - ~29lbs

3. GK MB212 Combo -- ~$650 -- ~41lbs

4. Fender Rumble 500 210 Combo-- $400 -- ~31lbs

5. Markbass CMD 121 Combo -- $400 -- ~30lbs
Click to expand...
As I’ve posted elsewhere, I have several GK heads, including two GK MB 500’s that I bought used on-line. One of the two of these has scratchy pots. Though functional, it’s an annoying problem with a non trivial solution. I do like the power and tone versatility.
 
#7
kmon said:
Last rigs were Mesa/Bergantino and were mind blowing both in tone and price. I've started playing out a bit again and I'm going down market. I'm looking for opinions.

The band plays rock covers from all eras, gigs every other month or so. Prices represent my used market today. Weight is much less important than tone and the ability to hold its own in a band setting. Which rig do you pick?

1. GK MB-500 & Epifani T-212 -- $400 -- ~70 lbs

2. Fender Rumble 800 210 Combo -- ~ $700 - ~29lbs

3. GK MB212 Combo -- ~$650 -- ~41lbs

4. Fender Rumble 500 210 Combo-- $400 -- ~31lbs

5. Markbass CMD 121 Combo -- $400 -- ~30lbs
Click to expand...
#1.. GK-500 EPI T-212 8 ohm depending on that cabs efficiency,

In general I much prefer modular components as opposed to combos. This allow for two things. The first being if the speaker(s) or the amp fails, you are dead in the water. If it’s one or the other it would or if it’s one or the other you just don’t like, you don’t have to start over from scratch.

#3, if you got to have a combo. But it better have side handles as opposed to one strap on the top.
 
#12
I like the convenience of combos for gigging, so I'd go with either the GK 212 or the Markbass 112.

I guess which you choose depends on how much stage volume you think you want, and what sound signature you prefer. The Markbass is a more neutral tone, the GK more rock focused. Personally, I strongly prefer where the EQ frequencies are set on the GK over the Markbass as well. But it's all a mater of personal taste.

If you have FOH support and don't need massive stage volume, I might look at the Markbass, or even the GK MB112ii if you want that GK tone.

IMO in terms of quality, the Fenders listed are behind the pack. Last I heard the XLR out was post-eq and post-volume, which is a dealbreaker for a gigging amp, to me. But maybe they've upgraded it in the meantime.
 
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#13
I'm not sure of Rumble's endurance. And although I like the sound coming out of mine, it's not very, well, flexible. It doesn't seem to have a lot of depth, for lack of a better word. It's a Rumble sound. I can get a trebly Rumble sound or a bassy Rumble sound. I had a GK 400 about fifteen years ago, and that thing had a lot more depth, if that's the right word. Rumble's a good (maybe) budget amp, but if I were playing live gigs, I'd carry a replacement head, just in case. I have a Rumble, but I can't recommend it, even tho I have no regrets about getting it. Kinda weird, I know.
 
#19
Dunno how the used market is for them but I'd go with the GK head and a GK Neo IV 2x12 if you can find one. 40-ish lbs, so easy to schlepp I use it more than my 1x12 even when that would easily suffice. Sounds killer--loud, punchy, articulate as the day is long.
I'm done with combos after my last one crapped out (at least with head/cab you still have one piece that still works!) but if I were gonna go that route the MB212 would be the ticket.
So, long story short, GK 2x12 in some configuration is hard to beat for power and portability.
 
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