Genzler Cab - BA10-2 vs. Magellan 12TV

[MRDouaire]

Hi all, long time lurker, first time poster. I'm new to bass, especially double bass, but picked it up last year as my "covid" project to go alongside my jazz guitar playing. Fast forward a year later and I'm picking up more jazz gigs than I was on guitar (go figure). So now I'm in the market for an amp. I've been lurking around and I keep seeing the Genzler line (the 350 combo in particular) come up. From my rock guitar days I found the Genz Benz line to be excellent (Black Pearl 30 was killer) and I suspect the bass amps are even better. I'd say 75% of my gigs are upright jazz gigs in a loud quintet (horn players and an excitable drummer), but on occasion I pick up my electric for some rock/funk stuff. The current backline I use has a Hartke KB12 which gets loud but I'm not very fond of the sound.

There seem to be two Genzler 350 combo options - the Magellan 350 with the BA10-2 and the Magellan 350 with the MG12TV. I'm planning to purchase a bass amp over the holidays in the US and then fly back to my current country with the amp as my 2nd piece of luggage. I'm assuming 1 cab and 1 head is all I can take and I'm not sure which option to choose. I'm also open to other suggestions but these seem to be within my budget of $1000 all-in. Thanks in advance!

 

[RColie]

I play only electric bass but I do have experience with both cabinets so I can give you my general impressions.

The MG12T-V is a bit louder and goes lower than the BA10-2. It is also mid-forward compared to the BA10-2. It will cover more venues due to its ability to go louder.

The BA10-2 has excellent dispersion, and the mid-high array is very clear and articulate. I've read a number of reviews written by double bassists and they all talk about how well the BA10-2 reproduces the nuances of the double bass. The cab also works great for electric bass.

It's always difficult to say if a rig will be loud enough due to so many variables. Purely from a tonal point of view, I think the BA10-2 is the way to go.

Bob

 

[bherman]

I own both cabs (two 10-2s) and use them both with a Genzler Magellan 350, with primarily upright bass and a bit of electric bass. The MG12 does seem to be able to put out a bit more volume, and is a bit bigger on the bottom end tone-wise. A big advantage for the 10-2 as a combo is the carrying bag, which as far as I can tell is not an option for the MG12tv combo. Increasingly I find myself using one of each cab (112 on the bottom, 10-2 combo on the top) and it puts out a great sound. If I had to make do with just one cab, I'd probably lean towards the 112, but I love the 10-2 combo. Tough call!

 

[WayneP]

I don’t have a MG12 but I used to have a speaker with a similar drive compliment, an Aguilar GS112, along with a Genz BA12-3. I found that my electric fretless really “popped” with the Genzler, compared to the Aggie. Based on that, I’d expect an upright bass would also do good with the Genz. Anyone who plays both upright and electric fretless, feel free to disabuse my assumptions.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

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