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Double Bass Best 1x12 for the $$$$$

Greg O

Greg O

Aug 11, 2006
100
6
Brooklyn, NY
#1
Hey Guys.
I recently got my K&K Bass Max. I currently have a giant 15" speaker, which is terrible. I tried out a bunch of different sizes with the head that I have (Hartke 3500A) and I learned that the best fit was a 1x12. I am currently considering an Aguilar GS112 NT cab for around $350. If anyone has any experience with this cabinet or have a suggestion for something better, drop me a line.
-Peace,
Greg O

P.S. I'm broke, so anything under $500 would be great!
 
#4
Greg,

My personal choice for best 1x12 for the money is the Euphonic Audio Wizzy. The more I use mine, the more I like it and appreciate it. The sound is very good for my purposes plus it is particularly efficient and relatively compact and easy to transport. (It weighs under 30 lbs and is not as bulky as some other 1x12 cabs.) Wizzys sell for under $500 USD.
 
#5
I'm anxiously awaiting the arrival of my EA Wizzy M-Transmission line :hyper:.

Ive been using the the Aguilar GS 112 for about five years now and I still really like it alot. If it goes for $350 now that's a great deal and totally worth it. I think I paid like $420 back then. It's held up great, but sometimes I need something a bit lighter (my best bass weighs 40lbs w/ the bow, case and a wheel). The GS 112 is about 44 lbs. The Wizzy will be about 30-32 lbs. I hear the new regular Wizzys weigh less than that.

When i've gigged w/the Wizzy M a bit I'll post a comparison of it to the GS-112.
 
#8
Jaromir said:
How about Flite 1x12? 22lb, 400$.
It may not be the most efficient speaker around, but it is the lightest one. The sound is very deep and warm, not very loud though. But to carry it is just unbelievable!
Just my tip...

Jaromir
Click to expand...
If you want light weight, the Gallien Krueger 112MBX weighs a mere 12 lbs. and costs under $300 US.
 
#9
robgrow said:
If you want light weight, the Gallien Krueger 112MBX weighs a mere 12 lbs. and costs under $300 US.
Click to expand...

Yeah, but then you have to hear your bass coming thru a GK :spit: :ninja:

Those Avatars sound like a great deal if they sound good. I've never heard one.
 
#11
bribass said:
Yeah, but then you have to hear your bass coming thru a GK :spit: :ninja:
Click to expand...
For very low volume gigs, I like the GK 112MBX very much. Of course there are better sounding cabs, but, for sheer portability, the 112MBX is hard to beat. Actually it sounds pretty good with my Walter Woods amp -- much better than an MB150 to my ear. When I don't want to schlep my Wizzy or VL208, the 112MBX is a nice option to have.
 
#12
robgrow said:
For very low volume gigs, I like the GK 112MBX very much. Of course there are better sounding cabs, but, for sheer portability, the 112MBX is hard to beat. Actually it sounds pretty good with my Walter Woods amp -- much better than an MB150 to my ear. When I don't want to schlep my Wizzy or VL208, the 112MBX is a nice option to have.
Click to expand...

Yes, I'm sure that combo of the WW and the 112MBX is alot better that the MB150 and 12lbs. is hard to beat.

When I dis GK I'm really thinking of that MB150.
 
#13
I'm a Wizzy fan now that I've had mine out on a few gigs. Yes, it's very portable and extremely well made, and sounds good, very efficient. But the thing that stands out for me is the presence of the cab. It's not the volume, it's the bigness of the sound, the presence of my rig on a gig. Even at low volumes I get a large presence with the Wizzy. It's like playing through a 2x10 or 2x12 cab.


robgrow said:
Greg,

My personal choice for best 1x12 for the money is the Euphonic Audio Wizzy. The more I use mine, the more I like it and appreciate it. The sound is very good for my purposes plus it is particularly efficient and relatively compact and easy to transport. (It weighs under 30 lbs and is not as bulky as some other 1x12 cabs.) Wizzys sell for under $500 USD.
Click to expand...
 
#14
Ken Lloyd said:
I'm a Wizzy fan now that I've had mine out on a few gigs. Yes, it's very portable and extremely well made, and sounds good, very efficient. But the thing that stands out for me is the presence of the cab. It's not the volume, it's the bigness of the sound, the presence of my rig on a gig. Even at low volumes I get a large presence with the Wizzy. It's like playing through a 2x10 or 2x12 cab.
Click to expand...

You guys are planting the seeds of some gas. I've been using my Schro Mini 12 for the DB stuff. I played a Wizzie at BassNW but only with slabs and thinking of my Rock band sitch. Now I might be skeeming to sneak up to Seattle with my DB in tow and try the Wizzie with that. Hmmmmm... Cover story for the wife..:hiding:
 
#16
I'm very pleased with my front firing Schroeder Mini12L+. Very light, sounds incredibly neutral and works extremely well with an upright. I drive mine with either a Series III Focus--if I need a ton of volume I bring along my angled firing Schroeder Mini12+as an extension speaker--or I use the front firing speaker as an extension speaker for my Series III Coda.

Just tonight I played with a mini big band (6 horns/4rhythm) and female vocal trio doing 40's and 50s swing music for about three hundred people in a tent with one side open and facing onto the the taxiways and runways of LAX--don't ask! We had only enough PA to handle the vocals and for solo horn mic's so none of the rhythm section went into the PA. Needless to say the acoustics were a challenge and power was needed. I used my workhorse Eastman Hybrid with Full Circle directly into the SIII Coda with the Schroeder Mini12+L as an extension speaker. I got tons of very clean volume--particularly punchy with the use of the HiPass filter on the Coda--and only had the master volume set at Noon and the preamp volume set at about 9:30. The rig wasn't even breathing hard. I also got a bunch of compliments from the guys in the band as to the bass sound I was getting. I am very pleased with this combination.

Erik Hansen
Los Angeles
 
#17
I recently bought a wizzy to use with the AI focus 2R series III head. What a great combination. The weight was a big factor in my choice as well good reviews, and I don't care for a tweeter. I also liked the ampeg b-15 comparison, as I would love to use mine on gigs, but it's just to fragile and bulky. I also bought the cover which is gorgeous in itself, with that red velvet interior. I've used the wizzy mainly in a small swing band and a couple of slab gigs as a personal monitor.

Two weeks ago at a wedding gig the wizzy just stopped working. Completely dead, and very frustrating. At the time I didn't know if it was the head or the cab, so I just plugged direct into the p.a. and finished the gig. Took it home, tested, the speaker was making zero sound. I got a free replacement in a few days from EA, very fast turnaround. Now my wizzy is working again and used it last weekend, no problems. But now I'm a bit apprehensive if the speaker will blow again. I'm wondering if the AI Focus at 4 ohms, 800 watts, is too much for wizzy rated at 200 watts. I don't crank the head, but I do feel like sometimes I really push my system when I really dig in on those low notes. Any thoughts, similar experiences?
 
#19
DB66 said:
I recently bought a wizzy to use with the AI focus 2R series III head. What a great combination. The weight was a big factor in my choice as well good reviews, and I don't care for a tweeter. I also liked the ampeg b-15 comparison, as I would love to use mine on gigs, but it's just to fragile and bulky. I also bought the cover which is gorgeous in itself, with that red velvet interior. I've used the wizzy mainly in a small swing band and a couple of slab gigs as a personal monitor.

Two weeks ago at a wedding gig the wizzy just stopped working. Completely dead, and very frustrating. At the time I didn't know if it was the head or the cab, so I just plugged direct into the p.a. and finished the gig. Took it home, tested, the speaker was making zero sound. I got a free replacement in a few days from EA, very fast turnaround. Now my wizzy is working again and used it last weekend, no problems. But now I'm a bit apprehensive if the speaker will blow again. I'm wondering if the AI Focus at 4 ohms, 800 watts, is too much for wizzy rated at 200 watts. I don't crank the head, but I do feel like sometimes I really push my system when I really dig in on those low notes. Any thoughts, similar experiences?
Click to expand...

I was using my Wizzy-M w/ a Focus 2R III last night in a smallish room, w/ 6 piece dance band, doubling on slab and DB. When i was playing slab we started getting fairly loud and i was really surprised at the big sound this little cab was pushing out. At our loudest I was mindful when playing the low register that I may push this little wonder too hard so I backed down on intensity. The cab performed incredibly, completely cutting it w/ a loud drummer and sounding great. I do think it IS possible to blow the thing out w/ the Focus so you are wise to be cautious. I also own a Aguilar GS 112 which can take more juice. It sounds really good and I've never heard it bark or breakup after owning it about 5 years. It's a great sounding cab as well. Different than the Wizzy. Crispier highs w/ the tweeter and nice tight lows. It is a little scooped in the mids which I think is why it doesn't have as much presence in the mix as a Wizzy, but can be EQed to sound really good and is one tough little piece of gear. It has stood up to constant professional use w/o a cover and still looks practically new. I hear they're gong for less $ than they used to cost. Maybe like $350 now. BTW- I have another WizzyM and when I stack the two of them w/ the Focus look out! An incredible mini stack. The sound is huge, but then ofcourse you're running 2 0hms which is no prob for the Focus, but I think you still may have to be careful 'cause all the 1000 watts of the little marvel is at your disposal! This stack was great Sat. night on a loud wedding in a big room, full band and no help from the PA. So you may want to consider another Wizzy to stack. I also want to try the one Wizzy-M on top of the Aguilar and hear what that's like. I'll let you know.

BG
 
#20
bribass said:
I do think it IS possible to blow the thing out w/ the Focus so you are wise to be cautious.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your response. I would consider getting a second wizzy if I did more slab gigs. That would be a nice setup though. Two wizzy and a 1K watt AI head. The height of the top cab and the head would also be great for monitoring and turning around to turn a knob. Wouldn't need to put the single wizzy on a chair anymore! For jazz/swing band and most rock gigs through p.a., the haulage factor is not worth it right now.

bribass said:
I also own a Aguilar GS 112 which can take more juice.
Click to expand...

Well, if I blow it again, there'll be no choice than to replace the speaker with something that can handle more power and similar weight. So the GS 112 is a good backup plan, but hoping that won't be necessary.
 

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