Anyone Using Only Micros Now?

[Djadja]

I've never played anything else

I moved to bass about 5 years ago and my first bass head was a Genz Benz shuttle 3.0. I'd been playing acoustic guitar for a couple decades but remembered back to the electric guitar days, schlepping a marshall 1/2 stack. At this point in my life, an SVT was never even a question.

So, my first rig was the shuttle 3.0 and an Acme B2. I wanted a bit more headroom and picked up a shuttle 9.0 and then changed the cab for a Genzler BA12-3. No GAS... if the 9.0 ever craps out on me I'll pick up a Magellan and I do fantasize about a second BA12-3 but don't need one for what I do. My head, all of my cables, and my chart book all go in a bag looped over my shoulder. The bass on my back and my cab in one had and a small pedal board in the other. So I can carry it all in in one schlep.

 

[jmattbassplaya]

I found the D-800 to be softer voiced, and faster to arrive at a tone that suits my current band mix. I can get there with the GK but I needed to keep re-tweaking during the set to achieve it.

Also, I found the D-800 voice knob to be a great shortcut to dialing things in.

Lastly, I struggled having to be cautious with the GK master volume. It seemed quite unruly to me. The D-800 worked in a much more predictable and linear fashion.

I think anyone would be satisfied with either of these outstanding offerings, but in the end the Mesa just suits me better.

I also found the D-800 to be "softer voiced." The GK just had more sheen and aggressiveness, maybe that's just more high end? I think the GK is inherently more scooped than the Mesa, but not to a fault. I still get all the mids I could need. Also, I'm coming from an SWR SM-400S and SWR 4X10, which is pretty hi-fi sounding. So maybe I'm more used to that, and the GK delivers it? I could get the GK EQ tamed to sound like the Mesa, but I had a more difficult time getting the Mesa to sound like the GK. Maybe I just needed more time to figure out the Mesa and it's voicing knob?

The biggest factor was that the GK had WAY more headroom, felt way more powerful. I also liked the tube overdrive of the GK more than what I got out of the Mesa, and I only use it around the point of breakup.

I know I'm in the minority with the GK/Mesa thoughts. After reading all the reviews here I wanted to like the Mesa more. But the Mesa just sounded too flat to me, and the GK does what I want it too with more power and highs/lows.

Edit: I also have tried moving to use one rig for both electric and upright bass. The GK worked with my Shen upright/full circle pickup better than the Mesa. I think both amps are amazing, but the GK met my needs/preferences. And I think I'm in the minority, not for lack of trying to conform.

Nice comparison, guys!

I really like my MBF800, but I also find the volume and high-end a bit unruly. The low end isn't as warm, full, and pillowy as my DB751, either, which I'm hoping the Mesa might be able to copy better than the GK.

 

[SLO Surfer]

I really like my MBF800, but I also find the volume and high-end a bit unruly

I find the same thing with channel A, but not so much with the high end. I mostly use channel B all the time to set the gain higher (or wherever I want it) and have plenty of control over the master with the added Channel B level knob.

 

[SteveBassJr]

I have two micro heads. Markbass and Aguilar. Super simple and light my cabs are of the same make. Love how technology has made it easier to carry our stuff!

 

[Earwaxsculptor]

I've switched to a VT Bass 500 for my head but still cart around my NV610 Cab.

The cab isn't nearly as difficult to move around as my other head in a road case.

The VT Bass 500 into the NV610 is absolutely fine, i'll take the ease of transport over the subtle tone difference any day for the rehearsals or live gigs.

The big gear can come out in the studio from now on.

 

[phall2112]

I will only carry by GK MB2x10. Im to old for that other stuff. I honestly think the bag with my Gt-6b, and cables weighs more.

 

[jobbermania]

Same here. I still have my Aguilar GS410 for gigs, but I use a GB NeoX 212t for rehearsals. The 410 has casters, so it's not too bad to move around. Still, I'm curious to take a look at some of the new Genzler cabs to see what newer options they have that might weigh less.

Hey there, jmatt,

It's cool to hear that you have a GS410. I just bought the 4ohm GS410. You had PMed recently to ask me my opinion of the MB800.
The GS410 is not exactly what you would call portable, I bought it solely to go in our jam room.
What a fantastic sounding cab! Endless deep smooth bass and I don't need the forward mids of the DB410.
The kids will end up taking the cab out of there after I'm gone.

I have been on the micro head route for about three years. I went a step beyond most and bolted it to a pedal board for even greater portability.
The threaded inserts into which the feet attach can be used to bolt the head to the board.
The PT board pictured here and a smaller version are for sale on here.
This was a great setup! I could easily schlep bass gig bag, pedalboard bag with long heavy 12 ga. Speakon cables and a Berg CN112 in one trip.
For most gigs, I brought along 2 CN112s.
Interesting thing happened though, I think the Shure wireless and the SMPS module of the GK were not playing well together.
I think the wireless being in such close proximity to the GK was causing the GK to go into shutdown/protection mode.
Since the GK (or the Shure) had to come off the board, I moved away from this setup.

I now use a Genzler 800. I find that I don't need the Valve Drive. The Genzler 800 sounds fantastic on its own. A perfect sound for me.
I played an outdoor gig yesterday. The Genzler sounded incredible though my 2 Berg NV115s. Perfect for our classic and country rock set list.
I feel the Berg NV115s can be considered portable. I carried one in each hand from the car to the site, 200 feet or so over really lumpy grass.

I love the big iron tube heads. Really, though, the Genzler goes louder and cleaner every time. It's a whole new higher level of micro power.
No 800 pics just yet...

 

[totallywink]

Aguilar fan here! Got a TH500 and two 112 Aggie cabs (DB 112 NT) in Monster Green - love the light weight, the fact that everything fits in the back of the Subaru Crosstrek along with my two Jazz basses and more importantly, I really dig the tone! Big fan.

 

[FronTowardEnemy]

I had been micro for the past 5 years, up until January 2016 I had been using GB 6.0 or GB SM 9.2 with an Avatar neo 212 or GB Uber 410.

Then I bought a Little Bastard head and found that with all my years of emulating the tone in my head with SS or hybrid amps that tube power was what I really wanted.

Needless to say I went looking for a powerful all tube head and purchased a Fender Super Bassman. I take the SB with my Uber cab along with my GB SM 9.2 as back up to every gig.

The head weighs 65lbs and cab around the same.

I find it worth it to move heavy iron to get the tone I just absolutely love. I am 46 now and although I am no noodled arm quoir boy, I need help every now and again.

 

[seanm]

When I bought my iAMP in 2004, 13 pounds was super light weight. And, to be honest, it isn't heavy enough to make getting a new micro amp worth it.

 

[jobbermania]

View attachment 943148 I've been a tube head guy for close to 21 years.. When I moved to Austin 8 months ago (from Philly where I wasn't playing music) I needed a new rig so I went with the Ampeg Micro VR with two 210AV.

Now that setup sounds good, but after comparing it to the Guild ThunderBass 60watt all tube head (weighs 30lbs) and Peavey Model 115.. There isn't going back to SS small rigs for gigs.

Bass Greaser,

I noticed your Peavey 115 cab and the non-stock positioning of the Scorpion driver.
I have a Peavey 115 and I have owned two 215Ds. Fantastic cabs!
That 115 box volume is a bit over 3 cubic feet.

Is your Scorpion rotated for any specific reason? Really cool rig there! bass, amp and cab.
I bought my 115 locally on craigs with a blown Scorpion. I put an old Black Widow I had collecting dust in there.
It is in the practice home of a band I have since left. I know them well and they appreciate having the use of the cab.
I actually did install the BW upside down from its original location cause the cone appeared that it had sagged a tiny bit over the years.

 

[bikeplate]

Yes. Mesa

 

[BassGreaser]

Bass Greaser,

I noticed your Peavey 115 cab and the non-stock positioning of the Scorpion driver.
I have a Peavey 115 and I have owned two 215Ds. Fantastic cabs!
That 115 box volume is a bit over 3 cubic feet.

Is your Scorpion rotated for any specific reason? Really cool rig there! bass, amp and cab.
I bought my 115 locally on craigs with a blown Scorpion. I put an old Black Widow I had collecting dust in there.
It is in the practice home of a band I have since left. I know them well and they appreciate having the use of the cab.
I actually did install the BW upside down from its original location cause the cone appeared that it had sagged a tiny bit over the years.

I also bought mine locally off Craig's list and this is how the Scorpion speaker was installed..

It's a great cab and will be looking for another one in the next year or so to run a 2x15 setup for big stages

 

[bass_lord_mutha]

I went from using an SWR 750X head, Goliath III cab and Son Of Bertha cab to using a Markbass Tube 800 head, 104HR cab for bigger gigs and New York 121 cab for smaller gigs and practice. All I'll ever need.

 

[Hevy T]

I love my Traynor SB500h. I have it paired with an Epafini ps112 and it sounds amazing.

I tried a Hartkee 3500 for a couple of practices, I was planning on using it with my 4 10 cab if we do anything big like an outdoor festival gig. But I find the 5lbs that fit into my gig bag so much easier to handle, I returned the Hartkee. If I could find another ps112 I think I would turf the 4 10

 

[jasper383]

Yes.

GK MB500
Aguilar TH500

I had a Hartke LH500, and loved it dearly, but recently sold it because of the weight.

 

[AztecViking]

Once I got one of these I've used nothing else. Can and does effectively drown out 3 obnoxiously loud guitar players on a regular basis. And with superior tone quality.
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[Bassheart365]

I've recently moved from all SS to only micro heads and neo cabs in the past year. Can't imagine going back! My GK MBF800 and a 35pound Schroeder cab has my ears and back in heaven. If I need more volume, then it's too big of a venue with too little PA reinforcement, which just doesn't happen to me. I've honestly never got the master close to noon, and can't imagine needing too. That includes playing in a 10-piece Afrobeat band with crazy loud drums all over the stage. I guess my rig doesn't look nearly as impressive as it sounds...but I'd probably dress better, practice dance moves instead of scales and buy a Rickenbacker if I cared about looks.

My GK beat out the Mesa D-800 in a months-long shoot out, and now I'm GASing to try the Magellan.

My Megellan beat out my GK MB800.

 

[seamonkey]

There is really no compromise of tone with lightweight.
"Heft" has not tone to speak of.

 

[Munjibunga]

I sold all my lead sleds and now gig all Class D heads except for the occasional gig with my Prodigy. But it's only 29 pounds compared to the 50+ pounds of my former racked Eden, Glockenklang and Aguilar heads. All my 100-pound cabs are gone, too.