Double Bass GK or MarkBass, but more specifically...

[HotRoded]

Here is the deal: I have a big amp (Fender 2x10 combo, 350W + 1x15 extention if necessary), that I use for everything double bass or electric, and intend to keep.

Sometimes, in those quiet gigs with my upright, this is an overkill, not that it does not sound nice, but it is 80+ lbs to haul around, and much too big.

I have tried the GK 1x12 mb150s, and some Markbass, a 2x10 (too big, but it was there), and the minimark 2x6 that I also liked a lot. Never the Markbass cmd 121p. I have done quite some reading here, and I think eventhough some people prefer how Markbass sounds, I would also be happy with the Gallien Krueger, which is also good.

Now my question:

Is the markbass cmd121p louder than the Gallien krueger mb150s ? Unfortunately, I never had a chance to A/B them.

 

[Lester4string]

I personally didnt like how much color my GK amp gave to the Upright sound, thats why I went with a LMIII and NY804 (i think it sounds great)

In the combo dept - Jeff Berlin combo has recieved awesome reviews.

To me GK sound is the Flea sound

 

[Marc Piane]

I use the GK for 95% of my gigs. It is hands down my go to amp... for small clubs and restaurants. I don't have a direct comparison but the GK can be pretty wimpy volume-wise in certain settings. I would never use it outside. Even in a big room it can be weak. It does better on a hollow stage or if you can set up in a corner. Hope that helps.

 

[Brian K]

I've tried both, the Markbass can go much louder than the GK. It also has a heavier bottom to it, or a deeper sound, if either of those adjectives mean the same to you as they do to me.

 

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

I bought a LMII in the summer of '09 that I used until recently switching to the venerable GK 150S. The GK combo sounds very good to me both on DB and slab. In a large room or outdoors I will supplement it with a 12" extension cabinet.

It's interesting that I sold a GK combo a few years ago due to it's volume limitations and 'electric' sound with my 'then' DB. With my old german bass and Realist pickup it sounds very, very natural. I do cut the mid bass to 9:00 and sometimes bump the bass slightly but that's it.

Fdeck's HPF pre is always used as it significantly warms up the tone.

I may sell the Markbass or trade it for an older GK head.

 

[Ric Vice]

I bought a LMII in the summer of '09 that I used until recently switching to the venerable GK 150S. The GK combo sounds very good to me both on DB and slab. In a large room or outdoors I will supplement it with a 12" extension cabinet.

Clink,
The MBS is as close to the older 200MB as you can get. Nice EQ, easy to cart around.

It's interesting that I sold a GK combo a few years ago due to it's volume limitations and 'electric' sound with my 'then' DB. With my old german bass and Realist pickup it sounds very, very natural. I do cut the mid bass to 9:00 and sometimes bump the bass slightly but that's it.

I used a Underwood into the 200MB without a pre amp and it sounded thinner than the Realist does. I almost pulled the trigger on Bob's 200MB that he sold in the classifieds last summer.

Fdeck's HPF pre is always used as it significantly warms up the tone.

I just got the new one with the volume control and the battery indicator. Very nice especially the volume control.

I may sell the Markbass or trade it for an older GK head.

You know, I was very psyched on getting a 200 RCB head until I found one at Guitar Center in the used bin. It's much larger than I remembered. They aren't nearly as compact as the newer GK heads, you're better off getting a 400 RCB if you can find one, cause there the same size.

Ric

 

[HotRoded]

Thx for the info. I may bite the bullet and go for a MB cmd121p soon...