Mesa Subway D-350!

[agedhorse]

Someone mentioned the ability to drive older less power hungry cabs. They know the larger Amps have volume knobs correct? That remark may seem a little snide (and I truly don't mean it to be rude) , but it's true. We always have the ability to regulate an amps output. A volume knob is the one thing all our amps share.
The 350 is an appealing little amp. It's still on my list. 350w is quite a bit of power for even 2 15s in a lot of situations.

While you may think you know more about amplification than the average player, you appear to know less about human nature based on this statement. And yes, your comment comes off as snide and dismissive of the bass players commenting in this thread.

Many speakers get damaged by large amps, primarily because the player doesn't recognize when the speaker is being overdriven, and also from accidents (something becoming partially unplugged, incorrectly set control or switch that got moved accidentally), and from lapses in restraint and good judgement. A more appropriately sized amp for the speakers being used greatly reduces this risk of damage.

 

[MarshallAC50Stack]

Because sometimes I want to put stuff on top of the amp - sweat rag, sometimes a pedal or two (practice situations where I'm not bringing a full pedal board and space is super limited) and ... to be honest... sometimes I'll sit on the thing in practice, haha!



But what if you already have all the flexibility you need with separates for any size gig, with options from running direct with IEM to carrying the bass alone in a big outdoor gig (I do) but the thing you REALLY want is one high-quality box that will cover 90% of your weekend gigs and all of your practice sessions?

I've got a TH500 which I love. I also have a Legacy 800 and TT800, and 1 and 2 driver neo cabs of almost every configuration from GK, Trace Elliott, and Mesa. I have the flexibility (and have) taken the TH500 and 1x GK or Mesa Neo cab to a number of gigs and practices and it works fine. But I enjoy the simplicity of the RB110 in both the schlep and setup. It's not a huge difference, I know. But it's a difference. I'm at the stage of life where I'm annoyed with little extra steps and carrying more stuff, and can afford to pay for gear that will get me around some of that. I know the market and what's out there now, and there isn't a single one that has just quite the right mix of features and performance I'm looking for just yet.

I really hear that issue of extra steps and carrying more stuff. My fantastic but aging GK MB150s has knobs on front and are hard to see, so knobs on top makes sense from that angle. Schools around here have Markbass combos that seem to function really well with comprehensive ins and outs although the aesthetics rub me the wrong way. The community college has GK combos that are good, but now, having more experience with both brands, I'm determining that the Markbass have more to offer and perhaps greater durability.
One thing I have to say about the MB150s is that the form factor is perfect. It's narrow depth makes for an ease of transport that contrasts with the blockish dimensions of most of the combos out there.
The reason I am in this thread is because I have a couple of fine 112 cabs currently powered by an excellent class d head from a now defunct company. D-350 is looking like the prime contender for my need of having two professional reliable rigs, which would negate the need for a combo at all. It's just that extra step that keeps me looking.

 

[ImTheOnlyOne]

You kind of took the words right out of my mind. I love the fact that I can use my D-350 with various cabs and do just that. I find it about perfect for upright bass when plugged into my PJ C4 and perfect for electric bass when plugged into SW115.

Still, each of us has different needs and preferences so perhaps a combo would sell well.

People see effort saved in different places. I liken it to a person who likes to top off a moving box with the flaps open for a one trip carry to someone who neatly packs two boxes, but makes two trips.

If all your cables are just the perfect length, and if you have space to spread out while setting up without causing tripping hazards, and if and if... modular is the most flexible. If you want a single carry bag, jack in the front, plug out the back, then the *right combo* can be a welcome companion.

 

[vates]

Although I'm using heads+cabs all the time (in fact, never used anything else professionally). An idea of a single neat box with everything tucked inside seems somehow appealing.

 

[MarshallAC50Stack]

Although I'm using heads+cabs all the time (in fact, never used anything else professionally). An idea of a single neat box with everything tucked inside seems somehow appealing.

I'm with you.

 

[Michael Vee]

The two Genzler combos (110, 112) do it right, IMO. The heads can be easily removed from the "cradles" and used with other cabs. Also, the cradles allow the heads to face forward and not up. It looks a little awkward at first, but the design makes a lot of sense. Same design as the old Genz-Benz Shuttle combos.


It'd be interesting if someone would invent/design a "universal" cradle that could be mounted on any cab and adapted to heads of different dimensions. In practice, this might not be feasible, but the concept is good.

 

[Al Kraft]

Many speakers get damaged by large amps, primarily because the player doesn't recognize when the speaker is being overdriven, and also from accidents (something becoming partially unplugged, incorrectly set control or switch that got moved accidentally), and from lapses in restraint and good judgement. A more appropriately sized amp for the speakers being used greatly reduces this risk of damage.

+1...IME in live band situations (as opposed to practicing alone at home), the first player-noticed indication that a speaker is in distress is when it's making its final sounds until a visit to the repair shop. I have never damaged a speaker myself, but have witnessed this happen to others on more than one occasion.

IME as well, the most commonly heard comment after the failure is that the volume knob wasn't even turned up past half way and that should be well under the maximum allowable power. While in controlled conditions I believe a careful person can use an amp with higher rated output than the cab/speaker, it still isn't the smartest thing to do.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

+1...IME in live band situations (as opposed to practicing alone at home), the first player-noticed indication that a speaker is in distress is when it's making its final sounds until a visit to the repair shop. I have never damaged a speaker myself, but have witnessed this happen to others on more than one occasion.

IME as well, the most commonly heard comment after the failure is that the volume knob wasn't even turned up past half way and that should be well under the maximum allowable power. While in controlled conditions I believe a careful person can use an amp with higher rated output than the cab/speaker, but it still isn't the smartest thing to do.

I ran my Titan into an EA whizzy 10 (4 ohm 200 watt) and gigged that while I was waiting for the shipment on my D800 / 112/115 to be delivered. The Titan was 900 at 4ohm iirc . So, yeah.

 

[Al Kraft]

I ran my Titan into an EA whizzy 10 (200 @4 watt) and gigged that while I was waiting for the shipment on my D800 / 112/115 to be delivered. The Titan was 900 at 4ohm iirc . So, yeah.

You are a much braver bass player than I am! That little EA cab (which is a fine piece of gear IMO) just rose few more notches in my book.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

You are a much braver bass player than I am! That little EA cab (which is a fine piece of gear IMO) just rose few more notches in my book.

Note: Broughton HPF / LPF employed.
Judicious use of EQ and volume requirements were pretty low. Titan had previously been feeding an EA CX 310.
I sold it, and my other heads to fund the incoming D800 rig.

The Wizzy survived and gave me what I needed for 3 night 4 hour gigs!

but , yeah VERY careful!!!

 

[Al Kraft]

Note: Broughton HPF / LPF employed.
Judicious use of EQ and volume requirements were pretty low. Titan had previously been feeding an EA CX 310.
I sold it, and my other heads to fund the incoming D800 rig.

The Wizzy survived and gave me what I needed for 3 night 4 hour gigs!

but , yeah VERY careful!!!

You took all the right precautions (especially with EQ and HPF). However, I'm still going to credit EA with building some great sounding and very robust cabs...which you clearly demonstrated!

 

[/\/\3phist0]

You took all the right precautions (especially with EQ and HPF). However, I'm still going to credit EA with building some great sounding a very robust cabs...which you clearly demonstrated!

Would not have attempted it with a less capable cab!

 

[musicman556]

Note: Broughton HPF / LPF employed.
Judicious use of EQ and volume requirements were pretty low. Titan had previously been feeding an EA CX 310.
I sold it, and my other heads to fund the incoming D800 rig.

The Wizzy survived and gave me what I needed for 3 night 4 hour gigs!

but , yeah VERY careful!!!

YES! That little magic box and learning how to better use compression has completely changed the game for me in ways I never imagined!

 

[dabis]

... An 8 ohm speaker connected to a solid state power amp will receive 1/2 the power that the 4 ohm speaker will receive yet have the same volume...

This is the thing I didn't know. Thanks for the lesson one more day sir.

 

[ardgedee]

This is the thing I didn't know. Thanks for the lesson one more day sir.

It's good to remember that trying to get "all the watts I paid for" from an amplifier can end up being counterproductive.

 

[MarshallAC50Stack]

It's good to remember that trying to get "all the watts I paid for" from an amplifier can end up being counterproductive.

I don't like to hear/feel the extremes of a rig. Even purposefully playing tubes with grind can take place within a semi reasonable parameter. Equipment deserves respect.

 

[squish]

If the 8 ohm speaker is 3dB more sensitive than the 4 ohm speaker, it takes 1/2 the power to achieve the same volume. An 8 ohm speaker connected to a solid state power amp will receive 1/2 the power that the 4 ohm speaker will receive yet have the same volume. This is why often (not always, but usually) a 4 ohm speaker has no practical advantage and several disadvantages.

My current use of a single 4 ohm speaker is a 15" EV loaded into an old SWR cab. I wanted 4 ohms because I am running my SVT into it. Not too loud, but loud. Sounds great every time.

 

[Mark Sacchetti]

I played with a “ fast folk” band years ago. Our venues were coffee houses, restaurants, bars, and libraries . Space allotment was always at a premium. A combo was what was needed. I used an old swr 10 combo. It did everything I needed it to do. There is a place for a combo in our arsenal .

 

[SJan3]

I played with a “ fast folk” band years ago. Our venues were coffee houses, restaurants, bars, and libraries . Space allotment was always at a premium. A combo was what was needed. I used an old swr 10 combo. It did everything I needed it to do. There is a place for a combo in our arsenal .

Agreed.

 

[sundog964]

It's good to remember that trying to get "all the watts I paid for" from an amplifier can end up being counterproductive.

I tried that ONCE with, my Reeves (Hiwatt clone). Not smart!