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Combo: Light, Deep & Loud

T

Thunderbroom

May 7, 2002
196
34
Illinois
#1
I'm in the market for a small combo.

My main rig is a GenzBenz Shuttle 9.0 with the GB Neo 212 cab. I have the Shuttle racked with my wireless unit and a powerstrip.

While this rig is light as rigs go and has been plenty for any gigs I've played (bars, outside parties, and festivals), I'm looking for something to supplement this. I'd like a small combo that can be easily carried in one hand with my bass on my shoulder and a free hand to open the door.

I'm leaning towards the Shuttle 6.0 112 combo as I'm a lover of GB stuff. I've not tried this combo though, so I guess I would be taking a risk. I've heard good things about the Mesa Walkabout combo as well. I want something that will go deep, provide adequate stage volume for smaller gigs/rehearsal, and weigh ~40lbs or less.

Suggestions? I'd rather buy once, so price is less of a factor since I've got gig money to pay for it.
 
#2
Thunderbroom said:
I'm in the market for a small combo.

My main rig is a GenzBenz Shuttle 9.0 with the GB Neo 212 cab. I have the Shuttle racked with my wireless unit and a powerstrip.

While this rig is light as rigs go and has been plenty for any gigs I've played (bars, outside parties, and festivals), I'm looking for something to supplement this. I'd like a small combo that can be easily carried in one hand with my bass on my shoulder and a free hand to open the door.

I'm leaning towards the Shuttle 6.0 112 combo as I'm a lover of GB stuff. I've not tried this combo though, so I guess I would be taking a risk. I've heard good things about the Mesa Walkabout combo as well. I want something that will go deep, provide adequate stage volume for smaller gigs/rehearsal, and weigh ~40lbs or less.

Suggestions?
Click to expand...

Look at the GK MB212 39lbs, 500W very deep. There are some threads on TB on this, search for them, they'll give you a wealth of info. I own the MB210 and love it.
 
#3
The Mesa 12 combo is superb but weighs 50 lbs and is not nearly as easy to carry 1 handed as the Shuttle 12 (although completely doable). IMO the Mesa has far mor satisfying tone and is definitely tuned lower/deeper than the Shuttle 12 cab. What's your budget? An Audiokinesis Thunderchild 12 cab with your 9.0 head will kill and be as louder than any standard 12 (ie anything other than a fEarful or similar). The TC12 is pricey (I think around 750) but weighs a hair over 30 lbs and is a box of truly amazing quality. The mesa combo would run just under 1500, but it would also give you another head to pair with your GB 212. I have played this pair and it sounds excellent IMO. Finally, many (including I) run their Walkabouts at 2 Ohms, and with the Walkabout combo, you could also pair it with your GB 212 for a larger 312 stack. Regardless, if you go with a walkabout 12 cab or combo, I highly advise ordering the 8 Ohm version, as no standard production 12 can truly handle and transduce 300 watts, so the 4 Ohm cab can be farted, adds nothing over an 8 Ohm box, but makes the head work harder than it has to if you want to pair it with another cab. Lastly, I believe the GB 6 head has less low end than either the 9.0 or the Walkabout.
 
#6
If you like your GB look at the Shuttle 6 with the 12"cab. It's very light. My buddy has one in his studio. It's gets loud enough to handle drums and 2 guitarist at reasonable levels. Everyone has a different idea of low. Do you play a 4 or 5 string? I thought it sounded really good for the size. But my regular set-up is a GK 700RB-II and a fEARful 12/6 so the lows don't really compare.
 
#7
butchblack said:
Look at the GK MB212 39lbs, 500W very deep. There are some threads on TB on this, search for them, they'll give you a wealth of info. I own the MB210 and love it.
Click to expand...

The MB210 is on my list. I actually played one at the local GC this past week. I liked it; however, there was some rattling in the unit (possibly loose screws?!?). I've read that this is an issue (which can be fixed but shouldn't have to be IMO). I've also read that the XLR is installed backwards making it difficult to disconnect the cable at gigs. Again, this can be rotated if I bought one but seems like a design flaw. Having listed the problems, I think it sounded great when I played it.

lomo said:
The Mesa 12 combo is superb but weighs 50 lbs and is not nearly as easy to carry 1 handed as the Shuttle 12 (although completely doable). IMO the Mesa has far mor satisfying tone and is definitely tuned lower/deeper than the Shuttle 12 cab. What's your budget? An Audiokinesis Thunderchild 12 cab with your 9.0 head will kill and be as louder than any standard 12 (ie anything other than a fEarful or similar). The TC12 is pricey (I think around 750) but weighs a hair over 30 lbs and is a box of truly amazing quality. The mesa combo would run just under 1500, but it would also give you another head to pair with your GB 212. I have played this pair and it sounds excellent IMO. Finally, many (including I) run their Walkabouts at 2 Ohms, and with the Walkabout combo, you could also pair it with your GB 212 for a larger 312 stack. Regardless, if you go with a walkabout 12 cab or combo, I highly advise ordering the 8 Ohm version, as no standard production 12 can truly handle and transduce 300 watts, so the 4 Ohm cab can be farted, adds nothing over an 8 Ohm box, but makes the head work harder than it has to if you want to pair it with another cab. Lastly, I believe the GB 6 head has less low end than either the 9.0 or the Walkabout.
Click to expand...

I don't really have a budget. I'll spend $600 for the GK MB210 or $1500 for the Boogie. I want to buy once. I'm not interested in creating some form of head/cab with this. I want a combo. I've never needed more than the Shuttle 9/212 can deliver and have played some pretty big stages. I want something easy to transport to rehearsals and those small bar gigs. At 50lbs, the Boogie combo is likely out for me.

mentalpatient said:
My Tecamp Puma 112C combo goes very deep, can take another 112 cabinet to get the full 350w from the amp. They make a 500W 212 combo as well. Tecamp stuff is very light.
Click to expand...

Not familiar with this brand at all but will do some research.

Bongofour said:
The Markbass 2x10 combo has served me quite well for the past 6 years without fail.
Click to expand...

I played the Markbass 112 combo at GC this past week. I loved it until I started in bumping the lows. It started farting immediately. At $809, I would have grabbed it if that hadn't happened.

Is the 210 easily carried in one hand (I'm a small dude...155 lbs.)? How well does it handle an open B with the bass boosted?
 
#8
cableguy said:
If you like your GB look at the Shuttle 6 with the 12"cab. It's very light. My buddy has one in his studio. It's gets loud enough to handle drums and 2 guitarist at reasonable levels. Everyone has a different idea of low. Do you play a 4 or 5 string? I thought it sounded really good for the size. But my regular set-up is a GK 700RB-II and a fEARful 12/6 so the lows don't really compare.
Click to expand...

I play in a country/rock band. Deep, fat bottom end is needed. I play 5's. At gigs, I'll always have PA support with whatever combo I end up with. I just need some phatness at rehearsal and on those smaller stages we play. I've got my other gear for the rest.
 
#11
Adam Bomb said:
Glad you are considering the GK MB210. I rock a pair of them in my country rock band, and the tone still delights me. And you know how light they are. No mechanical problems or defects.

--Bomb :bassist:
Click to expand...

Nice to know! The price is right that's for sure. I guess I'm just so wed to GB. I've been playing their stuff exclusively for about 5 years now. It's bullet-proof and is backed by some of the best customer service around. I'm willing to pay more if necessary.

I've got a 10% off coupon for GC. That wipes out the sales tax and then a little bit more. Hmmm...
 
#12
Just talked with a friend on FB who plays in a band similar to mine. He's using the GK MB212 and LOVES it. I hadn't really considered a 212 but may. I've got to be able to carry it in one hand easily up/down stairs for it to fit my criteria on portability.
 
#13
Having owned the MB212, MB210, Shuttle 3.0-10T, 6.0-12T, as well as the NeoX-212T, and seeing as how you're a hard-core GB man, I'd recommend the 6.0-12T for you. It is capable of decent volume in a portable package.

MY solution is to use an MB212 for anything loud and use a 3.0-10T for quiet stuff, but my definition of 'easily portable' is different than most. The MB212 is on casters...
 
#14
tallboybass said:
Having owned the MB212, MB210, Shuttle 3.0-10T, 6.0-12T, as well as the NeoX-212T, and seeing as how you're a hard-core GB man, I'd recommend the 6.0-12T for you. It is capable of decent volume in a portable package.

MY solution is to use an MB212 for anything loud and use a 3.0-10T for quiet stuff, but my definition of 'easily portable' is different than most. The MB212 is on casters...
Click to expand...

I have to admit that last line of yours confuses me a bit. I'm guessing you have some back problems perhaps?!? The combo weighs less than 40 lbs. The thought of putting casters on it (for my use) makes me cringe.

Since you've owned the GB 12T combo and both of the GK MB combos, are the volumes somewhat comparable? My big concern, after reading through the threads here is the seeming quality control issues with the MB combos: hissing tweeters, blown tweeters, noisy DI signal (almost a deal breaker for me...I've got a Radial JDI but think that amp makers ought to put in a solid DI on a bass amp), main speaker issues, and rattling.
 
#15
Depending on your bass, you might consider the Markbass Mini CMD 121P. If you have a 'classic' sounding bass the mini will be overwhelmed by the low notes. But a 'modern' sounding bass will have clear and strong B string. I did really like the MB210 when looking for a combo. The quality issues and the sound of the mini made me decide to get it.
 
#20
RickenBoogie said:
Yeah, anything that's "deep", cannot be small and portable. Big, deep bass means big deep cab's, period. The small stuff is amazing for the size and weight, but there ARE compromises.
Click to expand...

I guess I should be a bit clearer as my earlier posts may not be.

When I gig, I play through the PA 99.9% of the time. I use a DI. The cab doesn't factor into the FOH sound for me. I'm talking more about stage volume. I need to hear myself and like a deeper tone. My bandmates like to hear a bit of the bass from my amp but have the option to put me in their monitors if they want more. I do own a GB 112 cab but though it is only 36lbs, it is bulky. With the LF Boost on the Shuttle 9.0 engaged, the little cab does deliver some bottom end. Is it comparable to a huge wall of speakers? No. As you said, there's compromise. To use it requires me to bring my rack which defeats the purpose of having a very portable rig.
 

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