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Downsizing/Portability Recommendations?

S

sal4bass

Feb 3, 2008
274
6
U.S.A.
#1
I have been playing for many years but no longer play live gigs outside of my role as the worship band bassist at church. The church has a nice combo amp that I use so no need to transport my amp.

My home rig consists of a Hartke HA5000 amp, 410, and 118 cabinets. My wrists have become problematic over the years and hauling that rig in and out of my basement is no longer my idea of fun. :rollno: (Just my 410 weighs over 85 pounds).

Recently I have been invited to play some smaller venue gigs that I declined because I do not want to haul my heavy cabs around anymore.

So a good combo amp seemed to be the logical solution. At first I thought I would pick up a combo amp that allowed me to play smaller venues and had a good DI fro FOH options. (I want something lightweight for my wrists). The Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0/12T intrigues me. Also amps like the Ashdown Mag 300, Ashdown Mag C210, SWR WorkingPro 12, etc for lightweight and portability. I've seen some other nice combos but they are heavy (100 pounds and up).

Then I started thinking perhaps I should just get a good 210 cabinet and use my current Hartke amp (which I really like), and sell my 118 cab (it is a monster and very heavy).

Last option is to sell my current rig and get a powerful combo that can expand to additional cabinets as needed, but most of those combos seem to be heavy and defeat the purpose.

Thoughts? Any specific model/cabinet recommendations you could make would be appreciated. I am used to a full biamped rig, so I would like to get a quality product to maintain a good tone at lighter weight and greater probability. I seriously doubt I will ever again need the rig I have now (haven't played large venues since the mid 1990s).
 
#3
The above is a good idea. Another solution is one of the Markbass combo amps. Depending on how loud you plan to get the Minimark is a great, extremely lightweight combo amp that does get surprisingly loud with amazing bottom end for it's size. I have had mine for a couple years and use it with my cover band with no problem.
 
#4
Thanks for the suggestions. I am intrigued by the popularity of Markbass and how their combos are so highly rated by those who have auditioned them.

What are your feelings about Markbass verses Genz Benz (or any other manufacturers) for the Neo cab designs/digital combo amp setups? The light weight is a "no brainer" but I would still like ability to handle a small to medium room occasionally.

Perhaps a Markbass Mini CMD 151P, CMD-151P Jeff Berlin, or CMD 102P combo plus an extension for when needed? The Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0/12T also intrigues me especially after Ed Friedland's nice review of it on YouTube. I have been reading a lot of online reviews that indicate players like me who have traditionally used larger rigs in the past are pretty happy with these smaller, lighter setups. Back in my earlier days combo amps were often of poor sound quality, but it sounds like combo quality has really improved.

Any other models or combinations that you suggest I consider?
 
#7
Genz Benz!!! I have the Shuttle 3.0 10T that I use far more often that my Aguilar AG500 or DB750 because of its portability and great sound for its size. I do however have the extension cabinet for the GB that takes it up to 300W and the single combo wouldn't be enough for me. With the extension, it is more than enough for most small to mid rooms with PA support.

Bradley
 
#9
If you like the sound of your Hartke rig (I know I liked mine) you might prefer Genz-Benz over the MarkBass. I now have a couple of GB amps and I love them. I had a Gallien-Krueger that was nice and powerful, but I didn't like the darker (compared to Hartke or Genz-Benz) sound that I got from it. I've read that MarkBass has a warmer, or darker, sound to it as compared to Genz-Benz, but I don't have first hand experience with MarkBass.

I have used my GB Shuttle 6.0 with my Accugroove Tri-112L for a few small/medium gigs and it has been plenty loud enough. I also love my Phil Jones 8B speaker but it is slightly larger than my Accugroove, though it does come with a built-in handle and wheels.
 
#10
It's going to be hard to go from a large 18" cab to some 40lb cab without making a serious compromise. It's easier to find a lighter amp that can power a large cab, than the other way around. The chart guys will show you how it's possible. You might even get the volume, you're not going to get the rumble.

All the manufacturers are trying to get something to satisfy the small/lightweight market and I think they have made some great advances, but I still think they have a way to go, especially in the cabinet area. As always, I could be wrong.
 
#12
I found additional info on the Markbass, Genz Benz, and GK amps. I also received a PM recommendation to consider Mesa Boogie. I think about every brand mentioned may have something worth considering. I need to do some auditioning to compare brands and models.

Any additional thoughts are appreciated.
 
#14
Shane Carter said:
It's going to be hard to go from a large 18" cab to some 40lb cab without making a serious compromise. It's easier to find a lighter amp that can power a large cab, than the other way around. The chart guys will show you how it's possible. You might even get the volume, you're not going to get the rumble.

All the manufacturers are trying to get something to satisfy the small/lightweight market and I think they have made some great advances, but I still think they have a way to go, especially in the cabinet area. As always, I could be wrong.
Click to expand...

Your point is well-taken. But due to my limited requirements to play large rooms, I am interested in lightweight options that could be expanded to extension cabs if needed. Most of my playing now will be at church, home studio, or jamming with friends. I doubt I will play many club dates anymore though I might sub once in a while for fun.

My current rig is overkill now, though it served me well in the 1990s. I just want to be sure I pick the right rig going forward.

Everyone's suggestions are helping me get a better idea of the options available to me. Decisions, decisions... :help:
 
#16
I'm resurrecting this thread because I am still looking at the same options!

Today I played the Markbass CMD 102P and CMD 151P Berlin combos. I found the 102P a bit lacking in the lows, but liked the mid definition. I could dial in low-end response with the EQ but fear that may be asking too much of the 2x10 drivers at performance volume.

What MB extension cabs do you recommend pairing with the CMD 102P?

Can't find anyone in my area that stocks the Genz Benz 6.2 Shuttle combos. Would love to hear one of these in comparison.
 

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