I know I said no GK but I got a trade offer for a GK MB500 and a matchng neo 112 cab, just for my mesa cab. So I can keep my Hartke and A/B it against the GK to see which I like better, loser gets sold. Good deal?
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I need me some o' that combo amp advice.
- Thread starter autodidact
- Start date
I vote for the Ibanez Promethean. I bought 1 about a month ago and it's pretty sweet. I bought the 5110, they do make a 210 as well. Rated at 500 watts at 4 ohms. 28 lbs! I'll let you read the specs and features elsewhere.
I had a chance to A/B against a Markbass combo, (don't recall the model) that also had a 110 speaker I believe.
I liked the tone of the Ibanez, found it more punchy and NO QUESTION, better B string response. The Guitard Center I was at did not have any of the other comparable combos.
So far, I have used it for practice both with a speaker and headphones, both work well and phones do silence the speaker.
I also took the head off and A/B ed it at home to my previous 'small rig' a Little Mark lll 800 tube into a Bergantino HT 112. No surprise there, the mark/berg was better, but what surprised me was the volume and punch of the Ibanez was decent in comparison.
I ran it with the 10" cab and the HT 112 as the second cab and it kicked! Still found more tonal versatility in the Markbass and the Markbass is warmer. Still for a 28# total package, it's damn good.
No gigs on it yet but I did rehearse with the band (guitar, drums, keys and vocals) I planned on running it into the PA but found I didn't need to as the combo alone was plenty.
Decent variety of tones with good clean and punchy, decent grind. That said, I like the grind I get from running a Swell B-TOD pedal in front better.
That leads to the only real knock I'd give the Promethean, no effects loop.
I love Genz benz ( I have a GBE 600 that is awesome) and would definitely compared a shuttle if available.
So hard to find a store where you can A/B all the awesome gear your read about here in 1 spot.
Best thing about the Promethean, and for that matter , Guitard center, I had 30 days to take it back for a full refund. I still have it, 30d came and went.
It's a killer little rig.
Good luck with your decision, I don't think you could go wrong with the Ibanez, a Genz or the Markbass.
So much gear, so little time......
I had a chance to A/B against a Markbass combo, (don't recall the model) that also had a 110 speaker I believe.
I liked the tone of the Ibanez, found it more punchy and NO QUESTION, better B string response. The Guitard Center I was at did not have any of the other comparable combos.
So far, I have used it for practice both with a speaker and headphones, both work well and phones do silence the speaker.
I also took the head off and A/B ed it at home to my previous 'small rig' a Little Mark lll 800 tube into a Bergantino HT 112. No surprise there, the mark/berg was better, but what surprised me was the volume and punch of the Ibanez was decent in comparison.
I ran it with the 10" cab and the HT 112 as the second cab and it kicked! Still found more tonal versatility in the Markbass and the Markbass is warmer. Still for a 28# total package, it's damn good.
No gigs on it yet but I did rehearse with the band (guitar, drums, keys and vocals) I planned on running it into the PA but found I didn't need to as the combo alone was plenty.
Decent variety of tones with good clean and punchy, decent grind. That said, I like the grind I get from running a Swell B-TOD pedal in front better.
That leads to the only real knock I'd give the Promethean, no effects loop.
I love Genz benz ( I have a GBE 600 that is awesome) and would definitely compared a shuttle if available.
So hard to find a store where you can A/B all the awesome gear your read about here in 1 spot.
Best thing about the Promethean, and for that matter , Guitard center, I had 30 days to take it back for a full refund. I still have it, 30d came and went.
It's a killer little rig.
Good luck with your decision, I don't think you could go wrong with the Ibanez, a Genz or the Markbass.
So much gear, so little time......
I love the Acoustic B200 combo my wife bought for me a few years ago; plenty [LOUD]of power in a "small" package and handles a B-String effortlessly.
6 bands of semi parmetric with a mid sweep and DI -out, all for around $350..EASY ON THE WALLET..even less used!
As for apartment living, I recommend either a Line6 '"butter-bean" pod or Korg Pandoras Box; size of a 1950's transistor radio and packed with sounds, looping and drum patterns. With either; requires decent headphones.
I like the stealth of "headphone amps". My neighbors don't know I play bass and drive-by theives don't know that I have equipment, either.
6 bands of semi parmetric with a mid sweep and DI -out, all for around $350..EASY ON THE WALLET..even less used!
As for apartment living, I recommend either a Line6 '"butter-bean" pod or Korg Pandoras Box; size of a 1950's transistor radio and packed with sounds, looping and drum patterns. With either; requires decent headphones.
I like the stealth of "headphone amps". My neighbors don't know I play bass and drive-by theives don't know that I have equipment, either.
zon6c-f said:
The B200 was mentioned earlier in the thread, I don't want a 15" and I specifically don't want an Acoustic, I don't like the tone. I may look into headphone style stuff soon but right now I need something that makes noise.
I've been using the Promethean 5110 for about 8 months and the thing works and sounds great. I play in a 5 piece cover band doing classic country, 50s and 60s, classic rock and with the VIBE knob I can very quickly cover many styles. To me it is more compact than many of the other micro rigs since the head is recessed into the cab. I really like that I can remove the head and pair it with larger cabs for bigger shows. It is hard to find a store that actually carries them to try, but I am very happy with mine.
