I love the GK MBF 500 into a TC 115AF. I've only had it long enough for a handful of gigs to date, but honestly I can't think of a criticism. Once you know the GK EQ, it's very easy to get your sound quickly.
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Recommendations and opinions are a good way to narrow the search. Trying every amp with your own equipment at a variety of gigs would be ideal but feasible for only a rare few (cough, cough, Bowlus, cough).You get all the recommendations and opinions you want but the only way to evaluate a product is to try it with your bass and cab.
It can be a lot of work but the right combination is worth it.
While I don't find it painful, the GK MB800 does have a high-mid bump that can't be fully dialed out if you have a passive bass or boost only onboard pre. It only matters if your cab is full range and you don't want those particular mids. When I use a VT Bass pedal with that head, the treble control dials that bump out when I need a reggae-type tone. N.B., this is not with one of Duke's great cabs, it is with my 15/6/1.
The KXB500 is reportedly very powerful for it's rating.I'm curious about the Kustom too, but I need to get a smaller cab first.
My first-gen 4 ohm Thunderchild 112 AF is uber-smooth. It was designed before Duke started to understand the value of upper mid bumpage, and as nutdog pointed out with his 115, my Streamliner 900 tended to make it sound like a subwoofer.While I don't find it painful, the GK MB800 does have a high-mid bump that can't be fully dialed out if you have a passive bass or boost only onboard pre.
One of the nice things about those 1203's, is that it's going to be a real easy one-hand carry into every music store within a hundred-mile radius, as you search for the perfect match.Just had a pair of special H1203's arrive on the door. I have not even had a chance yet to open the boxes.. will do that after I get the camera ready! I still don't know what I am going to use to power the cabs with yet.. my mind is really scrambled right now from all of the reading I have done!
One of the nice things about those 1203's, is that it's going to be a real easy one-hand carry into every music store within a hundred-mile radius, as you search for the perfect match.
One of the nice things about the extra attention that Duke pays to dispersion, power handling and frequency response, is that his cabs never sound really bad with anything. Still, there's a perfect complement to your 1203 stack out there. What that turns out to be will be totally subjective, and unique to your touch, your gigging environment, and your basses.
The best news, is that the amp-matching journey can be quite enjoyable. I've gone through five amps since I bought my TC112, and auditioned dozens more at music stores. Through careful trading and deciding to keep the MB200 as a backup, I've lost a relatively small amount of money in the process, and learned a lot about power specs, bandwidth, limiting, EQ, etc.
One of the nice things about those 1203's, is that it's going to be a real easy one-hand carry into every music store within a hundred-mile radius, as you search for the perfect match.
One of the nice things about the extra attention that Duke pays to dispersion, power handling and frequency response, is that his cabs never sound really bad with anything. Still, there's a perfect complement to your 1203 stack out there. What that turns out to be will be totally subjective, and unique to your touch, your gigging environment, and your basses.
The best news, is that the amp-matching journey can be quite enjoyable. I've gone through five amps since I bought my TC112, and auditioned dozens more at music stores. Through careful trading and deciding to keep the MB200 as a backup, I've lost a relatively small amount of money in the process, and learned a lot about power specs, bandwidth, limiting, EQ, etc.
Is that a Recessed handle? Good Idea !!
I only wish the Low Freq Driver was behind a grill like the HiFreq Driver is. To eliminate that added circular grill and its sticking out from the cab... It would fit better in a road case and tight van pack without a case....
Yes it is a recessed handle and I love it! I can tell you that these cabs are so easy to move around, it is awesome.. I understand what your saying about the speaker grill.. Now there is something different about these cabs over the others that Duke has made.. anyone notice what it is?
The metal corners?