Double Bass GK MB 110

[TroyK]

For me, the rear port on the Traynor kind of disqualifies it in that shootout. In situations where I need a small amp, I'll likely to also want to cram it against a wall.

The Traynor 106 is tempting. I wish I could try before I buy.

 

[basss]

You should look at the Markbass 108 as well. I picked one up recently and have been really enjoying it. It requires a preamp to really sound good. I've done quartet gigs in small clubs with it no problem.

 

[bassfiddlesteve]

I used to have a GK MB-110 combo and it worked well for upright bass. I sold it to a friend when I got my Markbass 801 (which requires a preamp to make it gig-able) and lately I've been wishing that I had held onto it. I liked it better than the GK MB150S that I had previously which as @TroyK mentioned does not scale up very well in terms of volume. It sounded good but never seemed to project its sound into the room.

- Steve

 

[Earl]

You should look at the Markbass 108 as well. I picked one up recently and have been really enjoying it. It requires a preamp to really sound good. I've done quartet gigs in small clubs with it no problem.

The 108 has 8 ten inch speakers! That's a bit of overkill for upright I think.

 

[TroyK]

There is a 60w 1x8 combo. That's what he was referring to.

 

[Jason Hollar]

I was really impressed by the MarkBass 801 - I heard it only once at a rehearsal with this other electric bassist. It sounded fantastic and weighed next to nothing.

 

[Jason Hollar]

I follow a couple of the GK threads on the BG side and there was some speculation that maybe GK would be releasing an updated line of mb amps and maybe combos?

I’d really like to try one of the current models.

 

[Jason Hollar]

And while on the topic of smaller, lighter, less expensive amps…

I just took a teaching gig at a new music school and they’ve got a decent lineup of the fender rumble amps in house. I’ll be bringing in the fender and fdeck and doing some extensive recon.

 

[bassfiddlesteve]

I had a Fender Rumble 40 and it was pretty bottom-heavy. It’s a great value for electric bass but I didn’t have a lot of luck using it for upright bass in a live setting.

- Steve

 

[basss]

The 108 has 8 ten inch speakers! That's a bit of overkill for upright I think.

Yeah meant 801 not 108 although the 810 would get you through a quartet gig too

 

[Michael Milner]

The thing is, if you are playing with a drummer, the MB 110 may not be enough (and yes, some of that has to do with drummers who are too loud). I had an MB 112 (the older model with the metal grill) and it was fine, although I preferred my Traynor SB 115 (the 115 has a Gain and a Master Volume knob, the Traynor 112 and 110 only have the Gain, if that matters). The 112 blew up on a gig, and while it was being repaired I got the Traynor, and it became my main combo after that. BTW, I have the SB 106 which is my practice amp. I have used once or twice at a coffee house when performing in a duo with a guitarist. It was fine, but the volume level was really low. I've never tried it with an extension speaker. I like Traynor; just my two cents.

 

[bassically_eli]

I had the MB115 years ago. it was fantastic for bass guitar but just okay for DB--required a lot of EQ for DB (although everything did with the setup I had at the time). I thought it was lacking in the mids for DB (to be expected with a 15" speaker I think), and the piezo teeter wasn't great. I always wondered how swapping the tweeter for a 3" Faital with a crossover would've sounded.

I'm sure the 110 is great and would probably work much better with DB. That said, I checked the price at Sweetwater, and I definitely wouldn't pay $650 for it.

 

[TroyK]

What would buy for less than was roughly that size and power output?

 

[bassically_eli]

That's a little tough for me to answer since I've been a little spoiled by my MAS and Audiokinesis cabs and haven't used combos in quite a while. I do find the idea of powered PA cabs very appealing since I love my Headway preamp, and I would probably go with the QSC CP8 for use with upright.

If we're limiting ourselves to combos, the Peavey Max 208 has some good reviews on TB. It's significantly cheaper but perhaps a bit larger (their website only lists packed weight). The Fender Rumble 40 and Rumble 100 are also good options. I guess the Traynor SB110 would be my other choice, although at $600, it's almost the same price as the GK.

 

[TroyK]

... the Peavey Max 208 has some good reviews on TB. It's significantly cheaper but perhaps a bit larger (their website only lists packed weight).

32.2lbs according to the manual. Heavier than I'm looking for.

I guess the Traynor SB110 would be my other choice, although at $600, it's almost the same price as the GK.

The Traynor is virtually the same price as the GK, but it's rear ported. The Traynor 106 is compelling, but frightening because it's so small.

The Rumble 100 is an option, but I don't love it for this purpose.

 

[Earl]

SB106 has covered every jazz and restaurant gig for me with no problem.

 

[Ric Vice]

Troy,
Ideally, I’d encourage you to, try and locate one of the early powered MAS 1/8’s. Unfortunately, that would have you looking for a cabinet that realistically you might never find. When we get into the DB combo space, Acoustic Image built the smallest, lightest, full featured combos with a real EQ section. I auditioned that little Markbass 108 and the 208. The bare bones EQ sections without a Headway EDB-2 preamp or something it aren't enough EQ so they aren’t combos in the truest sense. They were designed to be used with electric basses that have active 9 volt preamps. Just my take however.

 

[Ric Vice]

SB106 has covered every jazz and restaurant gig for me with no problem.

I have had the same experiences. It’s the ideal amp for me on small gigs.

 

[TroyK]

If my EA head sells, I may talk with our friend in NJ about getting one on trial. It really would be perfect if it could cover me with some quality for the situations I'm trying to cover.

 

[bherman]

One that’s back on the radar for me is the Ampeg rocket bass 110, when they first came out I tried one at my local music store with electric bass and was pretty impressed. I may see if I can get one home to give it a try with an upright