Cabinet recommendations for jazz quartet?

[face_east]

Hi TBers,
I am a passionate & dedicated bass hobbyist who got accepted in an experienced jazz quartet (guitar, drums, bass keys). I need to get a rig !!!

I'm playing a jazz bass, a precision, and an Ibanez Portamento fretless.

Targeting a clean sound, I just ordered a used markbass little mark 3 head (500w 4ohms).

I now need to get cabinet(s)....I'm hesitant about configuration. This COVID crisis makes it impossible to try gear in music stores but I need to be ready when the band will resume practices.

So I'm looking for advices from jazz bassists. What is our favorite config and brands.

Thanks!

 

[face_east]

Or maybe you have a jazz oriented forum to suggest?

 

[westrock]

Two 1X12 cabs. 300w each @ 8omhs.

 

[face_east]

Sounds like a very portable option. Thanks.

 

[dougjwray]

Maybe Aguilar 1x12 cabs? They are warm sounding. GK Neo 1x12 cabs are more of a "workingman's" choice, but they would sound very nice, too, if you put something nice into them.

 

[abarson]

Try having this thread moved to the Amps section.

 

[face_east]

Thanks folks

 

[eastcoasteddie]

Two 1X12 cabs. 300w each @ 8omhs.

^this^
100%

 

[WillyW]

Ampeg portaflex.

350, 500, or 800w solid state. (Tube 20 or 50w)

2x10 or 1x12 or 1x15 or 4x10 speaker option or 2 of the aforementioned.

 

[face_east]

Ampeg portaflex.

350, 500, or 800w solid state. (Tube 20 or 50w)

2x10 or 1x12 or 1x15 or 4x10 speaker option or 2 of the aforementioned.

As I indicated, I bought the head already. I ordered a Markbass Little Mark III.

 

[CallMeAl]

I have the Markbass 121p (which is basically the 12” cab loaded with your head.) Great for rock, but most of the jazz cats in town use this amp, or the 210 version. Fantastic amps!

I’d start with the matching 12” NY cab, I’d be surprised if you need more than that. But you can always add the second if needed!

 

[Downunderwonder]

There's a Thunderchlid 112 in the classifieds that would be right up your alley. It doesn't 'look loud' but your amp will be on 2 for acoustic jazz.

 

[face_east]

Tonight, I finally decided to pull the trigger on a hartke hd112. Will try and return if not in my palette. I was also keeping an eye on a Eden ex112. We'll see how that sounds.

 

[face_east]

Am based in Canada and shipping from us cost a fortune...

 

[fdeck]

The loudest band that I play with is a 19 piece big band, of strong players. On upright bass, I bring a GK MB200 and 8-Ohm 12" cab. I don't use 100% of its capability. For jazz combo work, same amp, but an 8" speaker.

Now, "jazz" can mean many things, and if you're playing more jazz-rock, funk, etc., then you might need more sound. If you run out of juice with that 12"er, it might be time to have the awkward conversation with the band.

 

[Downunderwonder]

The loudest band that I play with is a 19 piece big band, of strong players. On upright bass, I bring a GK MB200 and 8-Ohm 12" cab. I don't use 100% of its capability. For jazz combo work, same amp, but an 8" speaker.

Now, "jazz" can mean many things, and if you're playing more jazz-rock, funk, etc., then you might need more sound. If you run out of juice with that 12"er, it might be time to have the awkward conversation with the band.

Horses for courses. I would be adding another cab if the one 12 wasn't enough. Ime 115 plus 210 and 200w is just enough with the big band.

 

[srayb]

Am based in Canada and shipping from us cost a fortune...

It depends how big you want to go with this - for jazz with that head you’d probably be fine with a 210 - why don’t you rent a Traynor TC210 from Long & McQuade for a month and see if does the trick. You can also buy used Traynor gear from L&M for pretty good prices. I’ve played through the TC210 in the past & really liked it.

 

[face_east]

It depends how big you want to go with this - for jazz with that head you’d probably be fine with a 210 - why don’t you rent a Traynor TC210 from Long & McQuade for a month and see if does the trick. You can also buy used Traynor gear from L&M for pretty good prices. I’ve played through the TC210 in the past & really liked it.

Good idea. And I've just seen a Traynor tc112 for cheap on Facebook marketplace.

 

[srayb]

Good idea. And I've just seen a Traynor tc112 for cheap on Facebook marketplace.

The TC112 is great - very light too (neodymium speaker).

 

[Snarf]

Hi TBers,
I am a passionate & dedicated bass hobbyist who got accepted in an experienced jazz quartet (guitar, drums, bass keys). I need to get a rig !!!

I'm playing a jazz bass, a precision, and an Ibanez Portamento fretless.

Targeting a clean sound, I just ordered a used markbass little mark 3 head (500w 4ohms).

I now need to get cabinet(s)....I'm hesitant about configuration. This COVID crisis makes it impossible to try gear in music stores but I need to be ready when the band will resume practices.

So I'm looking for advices from jazz bassists. What is our favorite config and brands.

Thanks!

Hi! It's not a crisis because . . . . numbers and facts! Just fyi.

Don't go any smaller than a 12 inch speaker. Anything smaller than that is a toy with no practical uses, unless you like your bass to sound like a scratchy tuba coming through a gramophone. 210's are quite neat as well. They seem to get a little louder. A Mark head would sit nicely on top of one. Get something that isn't too shallow front to back. The dimensions of the cabinet have a ton to do with how it sounds in a room. Spend more for better materials and quality control, less for . . . well, less of that stuff. Get heavy stuff if u strong, light if u like me.