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Does Size Matter?

#21
If you're considering that Markbass combo new, but like your GK tone... You might consider a Barefaced 212 cabs like the Super Twin (40lbs) or Big Twin (50lbs). They are around that price. Your RB + either of those 212's should be plenty loud for any gig (assuming FOH support when applicable). I use a Super Twin with a GK MB 800 and it absolutely rules. I used to use a pair of Avatar 210 neos (one for practice, two for gigs). I really liked the way they sounded and it was awesome stacking them vertically - so easy to hear yourself, but even with neo drivers they are about 45lbs each and I needed to use both for gigs. Wound up using a hand truck all the time so that's when I decided to go the super 212 route.
 
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#22
Get a good head and two good 210's. That covers lots of gigs for me easily. Those avatar b210 neo's are great for the price and two goes a long way stacked vertically.
Good luck

Saw the comment above on the weight of the Avatar neo's. True, they are not feathers, but they are easy to carry I think with those nice handles.
 
#23
eriky4003 said:
Givati,
I'd say (assuming you like the sound of the MB CMD102p) that this combo and an extension cab is all you'll need for most gigs. TB common wisdom is to match the cab, in this case, with another 2x10. There is a lot of love on this forum for the CMD102p so I'm surprised none of those owners have chimed in yet.
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Ya, before I really got into this thread that's what I was leaning toward. I'll have to keep researching and testing. Lots of stuff to consider. ✌️️
 
#24
Givati said:
Does Size Matter?
Click to expand...

You really should ask your significant other for a truthful answer. :roflmao:

Seriously though, the answer depends on how much you enjoy what you have now. If you're looking for something different, GK is out of the question. If you like what you have, the cab is what you need to focus on. The MB series heads have the GK sound, but the GK cabs don't have the SWR sound, for instance.
 
#27
Givati said:
Any of y'all have anything to say about Markbass? I certainly don't have anything negative to say about GK. Used em for years. Just thinkin if I'm gonna get a different amp now the time to look.
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Just recently was looking for a new head, and I tried one of the Markbass heads. For reference I used to play a Genz Benz Shuttle. I did eventually get some tones I liked but I felt like I had to tweak the knobs for a while to find something (and I had to dial in a lot to get it there). Take that with a grain of salt, as I was playing unfamiliar bass (but set flat) and amp set flat. I was not a big fan, and the model i tried had noisy volume knob. It was played through a 4x10 (also Markbass) so it's not all that much of a downsize.

I have played through a GK 1001, and liked the sound but it does have it's own baked in settings. It's a great sound but I wanted something smaller, and oddly I could not find one of the class D heads locally.

What I wound up getting was a Genzler Magellan 800. To be fair I was pretty much set on it before I went out to look at other heads. Set flat it was a beast and there was a lot of different tones you could pull out. I also demo'd the BBC cab forget the model number but that thing was insane. I would recommend looking at that cab if you really want to downsize, it's small but crazy (if you can just demo one and i think you will see what i mean). Also the Genzler 12-3 array cab is crazy good so you might want to look there. The Genzler cab projected really well, was on the smaller size but just crazy good.

Anyway if I had to look again (and I could demo more heads) i'd look at GK Fusion, Mesa D-800+, and the Genzler. I think there are many fans of those respective amps here. I did not demo the Mesa, but have heard good things about that.

Also if you want a new cab . . . check out a Fearful . . . light and very loud.
 
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#30
Markbass - my opinion, way overpriced for what you get, especially in today's market (my first head when I got back into bass a while back was a MarkBass II and it was ok but nothing special).

GK - lots of people love them, good company but the newer stuff is not my sound. Your mileage may vary.

I totally support the modular approach - I'd go with 2-112s or 2 - 2x10s and that way you can use one cab or two depending on room/venue size. I recently seitched from 2 - 12/6 cabs and now have 1 - 2x10 cab, can get a second one if one is not enough by itself.

Check out Revsound - that's what I went with for the 2x10 cab and love it. 32 lbs and can handle most gigs by itself. http://revsound.net/
 
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#32
I really liked the Henry cabs back in the day. They're a pain in the backside to move around. My solution was a pair of Henry Jr. 4X8 cabs. They're only about 35 lbs. and much smaller. When you don't need all eight drivers, leave half at home. They're a bit tough to find, but they are still out there.
 
#33
Manticore said:
I really liked the Henry cabs back in the day. They're a pain in the backside to move around. My solution was a pair of Henry Jr. 4X8 cabs. They're only about 35 lbs. and much smaller. When you don't need all eight drivers, leave half at home. They're a bit tough to find, but they are still out there.
Click to expand...
Honestly I didn't know they made the 4x8. Damn! I'd do 2 of those all day long.
 
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#35
Givati said:
Hi all, I really need help.
First I'll describe my setup.
GK700rb, SWR Henry 8x8, Lakeland Skyline 55-01. I rarely use the passive setting. I play lots of genres from Gypsy Jazz to funk/blues/rock.
My Problem: I'm tired of lugging this big rig!
I'm lookin at going combo with extension when needed. I'm looking at the MB CMD102p 300@8 - 500@4 I'm sure there are lots of brand options as well and I'm open.
My main question is this. Occasionally I'll play large outdoor shows. Will sumpthin like that combo work as long as I use a extention cab?
Click to expand...

Two names: Low Down Sound & Avatar.

If you're a knowledgeable enough player to know exactly what you want in a custom cab(s), contact Don Oatman @ LDS. $1,000 to $1,500 will buy you a lot of cab, and it could be nearly as good as a boutique.

Low Down Sound - Custom Speaker Cabinets for Bass Guitar

If you're content with off the shelf, and can appreciate good, meat & potatoes sound for a surprisingly low price, check out Avatar Speakers.

Avatar Speakers – Factory Direct Speakers For Musicians Since 1992

MM
 
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#37
Definitely start by finding two modular cabinets that work for you. Lots of options out there, powered by 8" 10" or 12" - and there also are a few designs in compact 15" cabinets that might be of interest to you. Design of speakers and cabinets has really advanced over the last 10-15 years so that you have reductions in weight and a whole lot of new flavors - from studio flat to various voicings, ceramic or neo magnets, in a range of sizes, and with a range of dispersion characteristics.

On the amp front, the Class D innovations lead to reduced weight and more watts, but they may not necessarily be "better" watts - a lot of those Class D amps still are chasing the kind of tone, presence and definition you can pull from a good old Class A/B amp. If you currently dig the sound of your GK, then I'd strongly echo all who suggest you first start in by exploring cabinet options, and leave the amp alone for now. Solely on sound, I'd take a GK 700RB over a Mark Bass amp any day of the week.
 
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#38
A single 15" and a 2X10" with a decent amp will cover a lot of territory and be easier to roll in (and lift over steps, onto stage, etc) than a single heavy combo. (Guess how I know?) A bi-amp head will go a long way to letting you tailor sound for different rooms. Buy a cheap folding two wheeler and some ratcheting tie downs to move them with. Bigger venues? Keep your 8x8 and you can supplement it with the other two, if need be.
 

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