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Double Bass Extension cab question

G

greitzer

Jul 25, 2002
437
1
72
Near Berkeley, CA
#1
I've posted a few questions before about getting more volume from my relatively small combo amps (and I appreciate everyone's responses). I'll ask one more question and that'll be it . . . I think.

My combo amp is GK MB150S 112, rated at 100 watts for the internal speaker, 150 watts with an extension cabinet. The internal speaker is 12". I don't have an extension cabinet for it.

If I want to add an extension cabinet for loudness in a big band, brassy situation, here's what I'm looking at: GK's own MB 112 extension cab, an 8-ohm, 150-watt-rated 12" cab made specifically for my combo amp; or a Hartke 2x10 cab, also rated at 150 watts, 8 ohms. Any thoughts on which would give me more of a volume boost? Based on the "moving more air" theory, I'd think the 2x10 cab would give me more boost in volume, but on the other hand, if it's the same amount of wattage, just divided among more speakers, maybe it wouldn't. Any advice? Thanks in advance, as always.
 
#3
John,

Are the GK extension speaker and the Hartke 2X10 your only choices? Although it has been a very long time since I owned a Hartke cab, as I recall they are not too terribly efficient. I'd think about possibly trying to go with a more efficient speaker(s), which will make more use of the power that you have available from your combo amp. Although it's tempting to say go with more cones, a very efficient 1X12 cab will likely sound louder than a relatively inefficient 2x10 cab.

-bob
 
#5
For what it's worth, I've been using the little GK amp with the GK extension cabinet (in a big-band situation) for about three years now. It sounds great, has plenty of volume, and is quite portable.

But I can understand your hesitation - there are lots of alternatives out there. I'm currently seeking a cabinet (for another amp/purpose) and there's plenty of choices....
 
#6
Just my opinion based on my own experiences, but I am a fan of keeping your speakers consistent. Mixing different brands and/or sizes of drivers (designed for the same frequency range, anyway), like adding a Hartke 2-10" to your GK 12" invites unwanted issues like phase problems due to the different responses, performance and sound of different drivers/cabinets. I think you will get a cleaner, more accurate and less muddy sound sticking with the G&K.

Neither would be my first choice for cabinets, but many, many folks use the G&K and dig it. Few people I know use Hartke for DB.
 
#7
I have had good luck with an Acme B-1 used as an extension speaker with the GK MB150. It is relatively light and certainly affordable. You can also pick them used pretty regularly. Although the GK is no longer my main amp, it was for a long time and adding the Acme made it sound much fuller and richer, and in general better for double bass. When it was my main amp, I ran a Fishman BP100/Crown Condenser mic combo thru a PMB I and into the aux in on the back of the amp. This got me a lot of compliments as compared to trying to make the built-in GK preamp, designed for BG, work with a string bass. OTOH, I have the GK in Scotland at the moment, and when I'm there I'm using my Eminence with the modified Realist pickup. The Realist sounds wonderful through the GK.

Erik Hansen
Los Angeles
 
#9
hello.
i have used a small alum bass 110 cab as an ext. with the gk112. in big band / wedding band situations and always had plenty of bottom/volume.
so i think a small cab would work for you. an added bonus if you are in to traveling lite. good luck.
 
#12
If you want a significant boost in level when you add a speaker, make sure it's efficient. A spec of 100 dB (1 watt@1 metre) or more is good. The Nemesis 210 has a smooth uncoloured sound, goes deep and has 103dB efficiency. Eden's CX110 also performs well.
Acme's sound good but need lots of watts.
I find Hartke & GK colour the sound a lot - that's OK if you like their sort of colours!
 
#14
LowNote said:
I have had good luck with an Acme B-1 used as an extension speaker with the GK MB150. ... When it was my main amp, I ran a Fishman BP100/Crown Condenser mic combo thru a PMB I and into the aux in on the back of the amp. ...
Erik Hansen
Los Angeles
Click to expand...

Readers should realize that Mr. Hansen is referring to the GK MB150E which has a stereo aux in, the MB150S does not [at least the last time I looked at mine].
 

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