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Caught between a single 12” or a 2 X 10”

Toothyfish

Toothyfish

Jul 3, 2018
10
8
#1
Looking for a small cabinet, for a variety of styles, ranging from rock to blues to jazz to worship. Small venues, lower volumes...
I like the fullness of sound that say a 4 X 10 gives but it's not practical for what I need.
I'm not really concerned with weight (I mean...it's small), so if heavier helps with warmth and lows, it could work.

My head of choice is a GK MB fusion, if that helps and I typically play Jazz Basses.
Would probably refer an 8 Ohm, just in case I would want a second cabinet for larger rooms and outdoors.
I see a lot out there but typically only get to test Markbass, Fender, and Ampeg.
GK, Aguilar, Eden, Mesa...and such all are tempting.

Any thoughts?
 
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#2
Toothyfish said:
Looking for a small cabinet, for a variety of styles, ranging from rock to blues to jazz to worship. Small venues, lower volumes...
I like the fullness of sound that say a 4 X 10 gives but it's not practical for what I need.
I'm not really concerned with weight (I mean...it's small), so if heavier helps with warmth and lows, it could work.

My head of choice is a GK MB fusion, if that helps and I typically play Jazz Basses.
Would probably refer an 8 Ohm, just in case I would want a second cabinet for larger rooms and outdoors.
I see a lot out there but typically only get to test Markbass, Fender, and Ampeg.
GK, Aguilar, Eden, Mesa...and such all are tempting.

Any thoughts?
Click to expand...

IMHO try a bunch of 210 and 112 cabs and pick the one you like. I ran an Eden D210XLT for years and had good results in a variety of acoustic and musical situations. There are much lighter options available today.

I suggest adding 115 as an option. I haven't tried the new (well reviewed) Mesa Subway 115 but the old PH115 was awesome!
 
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#3
Be careful using an external speaker on a combo. I used to do it with my SWR combo. It was designed for it. Cabinet was 8 ohms (recommended). After playing for a set, the amp would be so hot i could not touch the heat sink.
Plus, watch the weight, we are not getting any younger.
 
#4
a 112 vs a 210 with equivalent quality woofers... the 210 will cost more, weigh more, move a little more air, and handle a bit more power - you've got two woofers. The form factor will be a bit different too.

It also seems that there are a lot more quality options in a 112 than in a 210.

When I searched for a new primary cab a few years ago, I seriously considered the Genzler BA12-3, an Audiokinesis Hathor, a Barefaced Big Baby, and a Greenboy. I thought a bit about a Bergantino or a Mesa in a more traditional design as well but quickly decided I wanted something a bit more cutting edge. I ended up going with the Genzler and have been very happy. The lows are big, warm, round and authoritative. The mids are vocal. The highs very present but never hard. The transitions between the registers are great. The dispersion characteristic of the cab allow it to fill a room without getting quite as loud... but it does get loud. I haven't run ito a situation where one was not enough for me. I did purchase without testing it but read everything I could and listened as best I could to online reviews. The Audiokinesis was my second choice and I think I would have been equally happy with it.

All that said, you may find that the even smaller Genzler, the BA10-2, would meet all of your described needs. I have one and it is very impressive. It would work alone for about 98% of my uses. There are fewer reviews of it online but they are out there. There are a number of folk on both the Genzler thread and on the Worship bassists thread who are finding that two of the BA10-2's is enough for all of their needs.

Here's a written review of the combo but you can suss out the bits that relate to the cab specifically.
 
#10
You will get more low end out of the 2 ten's. Its interesting because I purchased the Aguilar Tonehammer 500 and I wanted their DB 4 ten cab. However it was just about 100 pounds and even with wheels I don't want to lift that cabinet up the stairs into my car for every gig. I found they also had a two 12 cab that was about 30 pounds less. Needless to say I am quite happy with it.
 
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#16
I prefer tone from multiple drivers. There's a 'fulness' of the tone from that coupling, which tips the scales toward at least two drivers. I've found that so even with Barefaced, fEarful, etc. These days I have low volume needs, so a small Phil Jones BG-150 combo (four 4" drivers) and a PB300 powered extension cab (six 4" drivers) are enough. The multi-driver idea is a personal taste thing, but it's worth experimenting as you triangulate on a solution.
 
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#20
Toothyfish said:
Looking for a small cabinet, for a variety of styles, ranging from rock to blues to jazz to worship. Small venues, lower volumes...
I like the fullness of sound that say a 4 X 10 gives but it's not practical for what I need.
I'm not really concerned with weight (I mean...it's small), so if heavier helps with warmth and lows, it could work.

My head of choice is a GK MB fusion, if that helps and I typically play Jazz Basses.
Would probably refer an 8 Ohm, just in case I would want a second cabinet for larger rooms and outdoors.
I see a lot out there but typically only get to test Markbass, Fender, and Ampeg.
GK, Aguilar, Eden, Mesa...and such all are tempting.

Any thoughts?
Click to expand...
I am using a Carvin 2*10 right now and I love the tight punch and it delivers a surprisingly nice low end
 
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