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I am Very Stupid
- Thread starter mellowinman
- Start date
I'd like to chime in with my $.02. I have used a Sunn Beta 2-12 guitar cab forever and I absolutely love the tone. With multiple different guitar amps and bass amps, this thing is beyond wonderful. I'd sell my wife and children before considering selling this cab. Not heavy either. They are hard to find though(i've been looking for a second one for awhile). So keep the Hartke amp and look for a good sounding cab that's more manageable for you. Or, like another poster suggested, get a Sansamp DI and save your back altogether. (Also, like so many, I'd be thrilled to take your 2-15 off your hands. Wouldn't even charge you to haul it away. lol)
I was a die hard 2-15 guy. I even had a huge Sunn 2-15 scoop. But I got tired of lugging the beasts. And nobody wanted to help either. But before I gave up my 2-15's I had to have something better. And I don't mind DIY, in fact, building stuff is my idea of fun, so YMMV. (viewer's advisory: fEarful content ahead, some opinions might cause endless arguments)
I built a pair of TL 606's single 15 cabs with Eminence 3015 full range drivers. Better sounding, lighter and more flexible rig. Take one, or take two. But I knew, in my heart of hearts, that 15's were the only way to go. This is the cheap and easy first step. Use the JBL's you have, ditch the huge, heavy Sunn cab.
At a GTG with other bass geeks, we had a semi blind shoot out of 15" cabs. Picked a victim to play, same bass, same amp, just moved the speaker cable from cab to cab. The clear winner? The 12/6 fEarful that got slipped in just to keep us honest. The little cab in the back we couldn't see.
I was pretty proud of my TL 606's, but I sold both, and spent the cash building a fEarful. Now I'm fine with a single small cab that weighs under 50 lb and fits in the trunk of my Corolla. 12/6 cube with the less expensive alpha 6 mid driver.
Maybe you can find someone near you with a fEarful. Since I've been turning guys and gals on to mine, big cabs are dropping like flies. I practically gave away my last 2-15. Compared to the fEarful it lacked low end grunt. Drivers have come a long way.
I but I had to hear it, and feel it, before my eyes would believe it. I'll also admit that I built 15/6/1 fEarfuls first, just because I do have a thing for 15's. Check out Greenboy's site, the plans are free, the forum is full of helpful guys.
Good luck!
I built a pair of TL 606's single 15 cabs with Eminence 3015 full range drivers. Better sounding, lighter and more flexible rig. Take one, or take two. But I knew, in my heart of hearts, that 15's were the only way to go. This is the cheap and easy first step. Use the JBL's you have, ditch the huge, heavy Sunn cab.
At a GTG with other bass geeks, we had a semi blind shoot out of 15" cabs. Picked a victim to play, same bass, same amp, just moved the speaker cable from cab to cab. The clear winner? The 12/6 fEarful that got slipped in just to keep us honest. The little cab in the back we couldn't see.
I was pretty proud of my TL 606's, but I sold both, and spent the cash building a fEarful. Now I'm fine with a single small cab that weighs under 50 lb and fits in the trunk of my Corolla. 12/6 cube with the less expensive alpha 6 mid driver.
Maybe you can find someone near you with a fEarful. Since I've been turning guys and gals on to mine, big cabs are dropping like flies. I practically gave away my last 2-15. Compared to the fEarful it lacked low end grunt. Drivers have come a long way.
I but I had to hear it, and feel it, before my eyes would believe it. I'll also admit that I built 15/6/1 fEarfuls first, just because I do have a thing for 15's. Check out Greenboy's site, the plans are free, the forum is full of helpful guys.
Good luck!
So we went to Sweetwater, and tried a few out. I played a Fender American Standard Jazz, and she played an Ibanez with the Bartolinis, much like the one she plays.
We tried the TC Electronics BG250-115
The Gallien-Krueger Neo 212-II 2x12 600 Watt with horn
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
The Ampeg BA-115 HP
And a few others.
She was OK with the TC Electronics BG250-115. She was also OK with the Ampeg, but slightly less OK than the TC Electronics.
She really liked the Gallien Krueger, but it's slightly out of my price range. It is still a possibility.
She really likes the Hartke 4.5 XL 4x10 with 5" driver. They didn't have one there, but she has played through one before.
My question is, that cabinet goes for $549.99 and weights 97 pounds, while the Hartke 4.5 XL 4x10 that doesn't have a 5" driver sells for $399.99 and weighs 87 pounds.
How much of a downgrade is the Hartke without the driver?
Due to the price and weight factor, I am leaning towards the TC Electronics BG250-115, just due to the fact that she seems willing to play through it; it weighs about 35 pounds; and it is enough amp for the type of stage volume we use, and the size of venues we play.
A lot will depend on what I have to spend.
We tried the TC Electronics BG250-115
The Gallien-Krueger Neo 212-II 2x12 600 Watt with horn
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
The Ampeg BA-115 HP
And a few others.
She was OK with the TC Electronics BG250-115. She was also OK with the Ampeg, but slightly less OK than the TC Electronics.
She really liked the Gallien Krueger, but it's slightly out of my price range. It is still a possibility.
She really likes the Hartke 4.5 XL 4x10 with 5" driver. They didn't have one there, but she has played through one before.
My question is, that cabinet goes for $549.99 and weights 97 pounds, while the Hartke 4.5 XL 4x10 that doesn't have a 5" driver sells for $399.99 and weighs 87 pounds.
How much of a downgrade is the Hartke without the driver?
Due to the price and weight factor, I am leaning towards the TC Electronics BG250-115, just due to the fact that she seems willing to play through it; it weighs about 35 pounds; and it is enough amp for the type of stage volume we use, and the size of venues we play.
A lot will depend on what I have to spend.
Based on her preferences, she may like the Ampeg PF-115LF (pretty different from the BA-115). Plenty of bass and power handling for your needs: 56 pounds, street price $350.
Also worth a try is the SVT-210AV. Given your moderate spls, one may be all it takes, although many people run a pair. Its got the tone and weighs 26 lbs.
Also worth a try is the SVT-210AV. Given your moderate spls, one may be all it takes, although many people run a pair. Its got the tone and weighs 26 lbs.
"At some smaller venues, I have talked her into leaving the fridge at home, and sharing the Fender. She HATES the tone of the Fender."
Two questions:
1) Can/do you cook?
2) Do you like sleeping alone?
If the answer to either of these questions is no, I'm thinking you'd best leave mama's amp alone.
+1 there. lol I played those SUNN cabs for years and you are going to have a hard time getting a tone like that from a small combo. If your stage volumes are low enough, you might be alright though. You might want to look into picking up a used Bergatino NV115, or NV610 cabinet and letting Mamma keep her amp. That way she keeps a "similar" tone in an easier to move rig.
I was going to suggest the GK MB 115-II (38 pounds), or MB 212-II (41 pounds). Yes, higher than your budget, but "buy once, cry once." You might as well get something that will serve you well for a while so you don't have to run out and buy something else next year.
So load your light gear...Get her a handtruck.. if she loves the tone she can carry it..... what if you wernt there to roadie. .. and she was in a different band...
You're not married, are you?
There are plenty of valid issues within most relationships to stand your ground on, this isn't one of them.
Sometimes compromise is the best choice.
