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Micro Head Suggestions
- Thread starter PolkaHero
- Start date
350 watts isn’t going to bring a significant increase in volume, but a Gnome Pro is basically the same size and 300 watts, so that might be a sweet spot.
The cabinet is probably the more important factor in this equation, though.
What do you think works the best ,,for varied types of music..I’ve gotten many different thoughts ..size of speakers seem to most controversial
Utterly dependant on what speakers its going through. Shove it through a pair of 4x10s and you'll be constantly asked to turn down, try it with a 1x10 and you'll be lucky to hear yourself
Noon sounds pretty flat to me, but people who get into this specific topic in detail tend to say flat is more like 11ish for bass and treble and maybe 1ish for both mids, since they say - and I think have graphs and stuff for evidence - that the baked in GK tone is mid- scooped. I hear that in RBs and not as much in MBs. But smiley face midscoop is what the contour feature on all gk amps does, dynamically as mentioned above, so there's that.
I don't really have useful personal experience, but according to the poll I ran (see sig) folks with 2x12s are typically running bigger amps.
That's interesting, because to me the RBs sound less scooped-- more punchy mids. In fact, my theory about the MBs was that GK had created them with a more scooped baked in sound to subtly counter any expectation that little lightweight amps would have less gravitas.
Anyway, I'll play around with that setting (11, 1, 1, 11) on mine.
12-1-1-3 here for the MBs I have, sometimes more bass, sometimes less bass, depending, but I love the avalaible highs.
I have been through a lot of combinations, and I want to stress that this decision is going to be very dependent on a lot of variables, but I currently have 2 1x12s and it’s pretty perfect for me. 90% of my needs are covered by 1 cab. Any situation that needs more than 2 12s better have PA support, for so many reasons.
Easier to carry and the option to use only one on smaller gigs.
My algebra has worked out to this: there is no situation where I should need more than 2 12 inch speakers (and 500 watts pushing them), but plenty where I don’t need nearly that much.
Obviously there is a cohort who feels that anything less than 800 watts through a fridge is underpowered, but I have no idea what sorts of gigs they’re playing. No gigs I have require that sort of stage volume or even anywhere near the headroom such a rig would provide. Nor would the venue appreciate me bringing a rig like that.
...except that Ampeg "Fridges" came powered with SVT heads which are *only* 300 watts. That amount of current power for an amp head was insane for a musical instrument amplifier at the time. I'm like you... I have 2 12 inch speakers, I usually only use one. When I use two, I use less than 500 watts to "push" them and have never been left wanting.
I just did a rehearsal using my ELF with two ELF 1x10 cabs. It was crazy loud even with a very hard hitting drummer and a guitar player using a Fender Twin.
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I do it all the time... Throw it into an SVT cabinet, or any major 4x10 and it slaps with the rest.
My main gigging amp is the Mesa D-350, and even though I'm one of those old geezers with health problems who needs to pack as light and compact as possible, I really don't know of any amps significantly smaller than the D-350 that would be loud enough and with enough features to make it worth such compromises for a smaller footprint.
Having said that, I did have a Traynor Small Block 200H for awhile that I used a few times for the occasional quieter, more intimate gigs.
It sounded fantastic in those settings, but realistically, it wouldn't be able to keep up in a typical bar gig at normal stage volume. The drummer would bury it. As far as your performance situation goes, the only way to tell is to procure an amp and try it out.
If carrying minimal stage gear is truly your top priority, then I'd suggest going completely ampless. Ditch both the head and the speaker cabinet and plug into a bass pre/DI box, send that signal to the PA, and use IEMs.
Having said that, I did have a Traynor Small Block 200H for awhile that I used a few times for the occasional quieter, more intimate gigs.
It sounded fantastic in those settings, but realistically, it wouldn't be able to keep up in a typical bar gig at normal stage volume. The drummer would bury it. As far as your performance situation goes, the only way to tell is to procure an amp and try it out.
If carrying minimal stage gear is truly your top priority, then I'd suggest going completely ampless. Ditch both the head and the speaker cabinet and plug into a bass pre/DI box, send that signal to the PA, and use IEMs.
