I recently picked up a new Mesa WD-800 head and have been searching for a cab to go with it. I know the correct answer is to get whatever sounds best… But for now I’m just curious how many of you have mismatched brands for your amp and cabinet combo? I don’t know why but it bothers me a bit to think of getting a different brand cab (prob ocd lol), but then I also know I’m limiting myself by not exploring all tonal options. So I’m just sort of curious how prevalent it is for mismatches. Thanks!
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Are your cab and amp the same brand?
- Thread starter Titanium
- Start date
Ah, the dreaded “cab->can” auto correct. Quick, edit it before it’s too late!
Im generally a combo man, and appreciate matching brands in general. Markbass for me these days.
I think if you’re not sure just match them. Especially, Mesa- can’t go wrong!
But my first “real” rig was a Peavey Mark head (300w IIRC) into a Ampeg 410 (complete with towel bar). Man what a sweet rig!
Im generally a combo man, and appreciate matching brands in general. Markbass for me these days.
I think if you’re not sure just match them. Especially, Mesa- can’t go wrong!
But my first “real” rig was a Peavey Mark head (300w IIRC) into a Ampeg 410 (complete with towel bar). Man what a sweet rig!
Ahhh! Didn’t even see that, thanks! I fixed it to cab. OCD again lol
My answer is yes and no. I have Markbass and Genzler heads with Markbass and Aguilar cabinets.
Nope: Genz-Benz Shuttle 6.2 amp and Acme B2 series 2 cabinet.
Of course, under the correct circumstances, I would go full Mesa Subway.
Of course, under the correct circumstances, I would go full Mesa Subway.
After 25 years of playing Frankenstein rigs, I finally got a matching set.
It started with a Bergantino HDN 210 cab which was already working great with various amps I had. Their B|Amp uses digital profiles to achieve a really flat response with their cabs. I finally got one and tried it and the profiled pairing did indeed do something special - especially for the upright bass.
That's the most compelling scenario I can think of for matching brands. But it doesn't always pertain.
I assume most makers design their cabs & amps around each other to a certain extent. But I've had great results over the years with all kinds of mongrel amp stacks. (And, not surprisingly, the B|Amp sounds fine with my other cabs.)
It started with a Bergantino HDN 210 cab which was already working great with various amps I had. Their B|Amp uses digital profiles to achieve a really flat response with their cabs. I finally got one and tried it and the profiled pairing did indeed do something special - especially for the upright bass.
That's the most compelling scenario I can think of for matching brands. But it doesn't always pertain.
I assume most makers design their cabs & amps around each other to a certain extent. But I've had great results over the years with all kinds of mongrel amp stacks. (And, not surprisingly, the B|Amp sounds fine with my other cabs.)
Bass cabs include Genz Benz 1288Ts, Greenboy Dually, and EV TL405.
Bass Amps include Orange, Hiwatt, Reeves, Trace Elliot, Mesa, Ashdown, Ampeg, Genz Benz, Epifani, GK, Aguilar, Matchless, Sadowsky.
Guess I am okay with mixing and matching.
IMHO the most important thing is try before you buy and select what sounds good to you. The Mesa Subway cabs have a great reputation. Maybe you will like a matching cab, and maybe you will prefer something else.
Why worry about it. It's your money, so spend it however you see fit.
Bass Amps include Orange, Hiwatt, Reeves, Trace Elliot, Mesa, Ashdown, Ampeg, Genz Benz, Epifani, GK, Aguilar, Matchless, Sadowsky.
Guess I am okay with mixing and matching.
IMHO the most important thing is try before you buy and select what sounds good to you. The Mesa Subway cabs have a great reputation. Maybe you will like a matching cab, and maybe you will prefer something else.
Why worry about it. It's your money, so spend it however you see fit.
I don't particularly need them to match by brand. I'll use GK cabs with my Eden head for example.
If I was buying a new rig now I could go for the MESA and a 2x15" cab but I rarely use an amp these days and when I do it's generally a combo. I've got a GK MB 110 for that purpose, it's light and portable, sounds good and is really used for rehearsals, small gigs and as a stage monitor.
It looks like we might be going out on tour again next year so for that it will be the Eden 550 with Eden and Alembic preamps and a 4,5 and fretless basses all through two GK 1x12"+horn cabs.This allows me to set the gain and EQ for each bass and use one DI into FOH.
If I was buying a new rig now I could go for the MESA and a 2x15" cab but I rarely use an amp these days and when I do it's generally a combo. I've got a GK MB 110 for that purpose, it's light and portable, sounds good and is really used for rehearsals, small gigs and as a stage monitor.
It looks like we might be going out on tour again next year so for that it will be the Eden 550 with Eden and Alembic preamps and a 4,5 and fretless basses all through two GK 1x12"+horn cabs.This allows me to set the gain and EQ for each bass and use one DI into FOH.
CosmicRay
Supporting Member
I have a GK MB200 head paired with a GK 115, and my new beast is a DG M900v2 paired with a DG 212. I like proper pairings. I tried out adding the 115 to my new setup, and it sounds great, but isn’t necessary.
Bonus points for more than two different brands in a stack:
I would be a liar if I said I haven't thought about acquiring another Berg cab for a nice matching stack. (A second Bag End S-15D would also be sweet.) But the need is not urgent. Money is a little tight this winter, space is even tighter, and that stack sounds pretty darn good as is.
I would be a liar if I said I haven't thought about acquiring another Berg cab for a nice matching stack. (A second Bag End S-15D would also be sweet.) But the need is not urgent. Money is a little tight this winter, space is even tighter, and that stack sounds pretty darn good as is.
Mesa for amps. Either Audiokenisis or Bergantino for speakers.
Mesa TT-800 with 2 Subway 1x15 matched stack and a Quilter BB-800 with GR Bass Aerotech 212 Slim. Will be getting a combo version of the 212 Slim hopefully soon.
I have both, but mix most of the time. How would it fit in if you had cabs custom built to go with certain amps ?
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