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Laney rb 3 or GK backline 112

C

cloudcar

Jun 9, 2009
10
0
#1
Hi guys!

I'm looking for a smallish amp that I can use for recording as well as for playing small gigs. So far I have narrowed my choices down to the Laney RB3 (65 watts, 12", around $200 ) and the GK backline 112 (100 watts , 12", around $300). which amp should I get? your thoughts please . :o
 
#5
cloudcar said:
i see. i plan to mic the amp if i should need more volume.

which of the two would you choose anyway? which is the "better" deal? thanks!
Click to expand...

Hi cloudcar.

Neither. For the same list price as the [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] (300 watts @ 4 ohms) and pick up a cabinet later on.

This would give you a MUCH better/more powerful amp (with a reasonably good cabinet, loud enough to keep up with loud drums and guitars).

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] and compare the features for yourself.

TalkBass member fdeck wrote Recording Gear and Equipment [BG].

For recording tips: 'Recording Gear and Equipment [BG]'
 
#6
hi mij-vi !

i will check out the amp specs! 300 w seems like a lot of power!
my choices are limited to small combos right now due budget concerns ($300-$350), but i will check out the bl600! how are laneys? please excuse my "noobishness." hehe
 
#7
BassmanPaul said:
In my experience a single 12 will not take you too far. Neither will 65 0r 100W. For recording yes for anything but the smallest gigs not so much.
Click to expand...

And what about single 12" neodynium speaker combos, about 250watts? They certainly don't fit into this budget, but I wonder if anyone has experience with those in serious gig situations?
 
#8
Well, I've got a Mesa Walkabout Scout 12, which is a 300 watt amp with a single 12" neo spkr, and all the rules apply to this fantastic combo, as well. It's a great combo amp, maybe the best ever, but with a single 12" spkr, it will not hold up in a loud rock band. I use a GB Uber 2x12 with my Walkabout anytime there's more than just me playing. It's simple physics, one speaker cannot possibly put out enough volume to keep up with drums, and guitars. Not even a really great, modern amp like my Mesa.
 
#9
Of the two, I'd take the Laney. But, as others have said, neither will be up to gigging at any sort of volume. The Laney RB5 is 120W through a 12" and the RB4 is 165W through a 15". The latter would get you through a modest-sized gig. Then there's the RB7 and RB8 which are both 300W through a 15" and 2x10" respectively. They also do the RB9 which is a 300W head. For my money, they'd be better than the GK stuff. I don't like the Backline range. To me, GK only sounds good higher up the range. Each to their own, though.
 
#10
Not much of experience, but once I played trough Laney RB7 (2x10”,300watt) and it was quite a disappointment. Week and noisy, no low end, just shallow grind. Unable to find decent sound even with hard EQing.
 
#11
I currently have the RB9 (300 W) and the 4x10. To me, a very good and solid amp and cabinet. Yes, it can get loud as heck, It really delivers clean bass all the way and responds great to effects. What can I say: I love the thing. Its as big as Laney takes you tho so (FWIW) am eyeing a Mesa Boogie M9 Carbine with (probably) 4x12.
 
#13
BassmanPaul said:
In my experience a single 12 will not take you too far. Neither will 65 0r 100W. For recording yes for anything but the smallest gigs not so much.

Paul
Click to expand...

Why do people forget about the option to mic amps up or send them through the PA. I've used the 65 Watt Laney and it was actually loud enough to fill quite a large hall on it's own. It was loud enough to be clearly heard whilst playing with a very loud drummer and a guitarist with a 100 watt Marshall. In the modern world of gigging, surely all you need is to be able to hear yourself? Thesedays you just use your amps as a monitor and let the PA do all the work, and a 65 watt amp is more than loud enough to do that (for me anyway, but then again I am somehow able to play with a loud band with just a 15 watt amp)
 
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#14
It's all about the tone/sound you want and NOT the size of the amp. The RB3 is more than loud enough for rehearsals and small pub gigs. Anywhere bigger than a small pub venue and it will be DI or mic assisted anyway. I work as a tech at a large venue on the south coast (2000 capacity hall) and we have pro touring bands of all genres week in week out. Some only bring a bass pod or pre-amp. Others a wall of dummy cabs for looks and just one real one to use. The audience will never hear the speaker cabinet as the PA subs do all the work.
My RB3 is used for rehearsing with my pub blues band, but when we gig, I just take a Behringer V-amp modeller for the engineer to plug into.
If you want a back ache, then buy a massive cabinet and head and lump it in and out of your van at gigs. If you want a good sound, a healthy back and a nice pint after the show, stick with a combo. The RB3 sounds great.
 
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