Double Bass Most Schlepp-able Combo ...

[Fat bob]

I have been seeing these on the bandstand now for a while with several guitarists. They are made here in denver so probably a few more here than elsewhere. Ive heard so many good things from guitarist; that and their size I thought no way for bass. Actually one of the owners of Henriksen is a bassist and I remember seeing a photo where was using the bud with upright. I am going to see if I can an borrow this amp from a friend and try it with both the realist and the new to me underwood.

 

[Don Hergert]

Just got back from a local gig in a retirement home cafeteria... Probably about 100 people attending, the cafeteria capacity about 120. I'm guessing the cafeteria is roughly 150' by 150' with a 20' high acoustic tile ceiling.

The performing group consisted of 1-piano, 1 fiddle, 1-6string guitar and 1-12string guitar (both DI into the PA), 2-mandos (with one amp), 1-banjo (5-string long-neck), 1 tenor uke, 1 recorder, three mic'ed voices, and me on bass.

I was using my Roland Micro Cube BASS amp running on 6 AA batteries, using the MIC voicing (clear), with 25% gain, 75% volume with compression on for the first half of the 90 minute program, then changed to 100% volume with compression off for the 2nd half of the program (I think I like the tone of this better). I got a number of reliable reports from the back of the room that the bass was coming through loud and clear for the whole program, and I was playing lightly (very easy pizz/slap playing pressure). I even had one guy from the back of the building looking at my bass itself, wondering how it got so loud because he didn't see the amp in the day pack.

And the amp setup was quick and easy, just stand the day pack up on a table, open it up, plug in the bass and turn the amp on...

This is actually exactly the type of venue I was picturing this amp and pack for. I know the Micro Cube BASS is not getting much love because it's a beginner's combo-amp and it isn't a high powered component-based combination that would probably drive a medium sized festival stage, but it's more than enough power and EQ tone flexibility for the most common gigs that I'm involved with and it's light, back-packable, battery operated (with AC adapter if desired) and easy to setup. And I spent less than $400 including tax and shipping for the whole amp and day pack setup brand new. Maybe it's not the most powerful "schepp-able combo" available, but I have a feeling it is at least worth consideration for some folks...

So I just wanted to ring this bell one more time. Although I personally have a much more powerful component based sound system (500 watt x2 / 16 channel mixer, high end mics, etc.), my experience with a variety of Roland Micro Cube amps has been excellent through the years -- maybe it's because of my age and lower back, but the Roland Micro Cube series of amps is actually my preference because of their performance, lightness, ease of setup, battery operation and accessibility... And this Micro Cube BASS amp totally matches that experience.

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

@dhergert - looks cool. Obviously as a PJB fan I like the 4" speakers and the Roland stuff has always been workhorse quality. I have one of their guitar amps that I keep for jam sessions and the effects part of this amp looks familiar from he controls of that. One question, though - I looked at the amp on Sweetwater and it says it is powered by a "true stereo power amp". How can an amp with only one input and one speaker array be stereo?

 

[matthewbrown]

Not really a combo per se, but I really like the combination of a G-K MB 200 head (2 lbs!) and a G-K 112 MBX cab (16 lbs!) Definitely schlepp-able!

Dan

A little velcro, you've got yourself a combo, IMHO.

 

[Don Hergert]

... One question, though - I looked at the amp on Sweetwater and it says it is powered by a "true stereo power amp". How can an amp with only one input and one speaker array be stereo?

That's a really good question. I've not seen that particular marketing quote before, and honestly I'm not audiofiliac enough to know how a person would verify that, but I can tell you for sure that this is a single channel device. How Roland would make stereo out of that, I'm not sure.

What I can also say is that the AUX Out socket does feed stereo at least according to specifications, so maybe that has something to do with the statement that you found. That said, if I ever use the AUX Out socket I'll probably only use a mono cable from it to whatever I DI into from there, as at least on my 16 channel mixer, there are primarly mono inputs.

Incidently, plugging something into AUX Out turns off this unit's speaker output, basically turning the device into a pre-amp. In contrast, AUX In is provided with two sockets, one standard 1/4" for mono devices, and one 1/8" for stereo devices, both which get thrown into the mix for the Cube BASS's speaker output; however the volume and EQ for those devices needs to be controlled by those devices.

Like you, I've been using other Roland Cubes for a long time; I use their Cube Street models for a quick and easy PA for street fairs and other small venues and they are just great. I really like your "workhorse" description, that is really how I look at them too.

 

[Povl Carstensen]

Perhaps the poweramp is two way, each channel powering two speakers. I can not see the reason for it in this model, other than that might be what they use in other models in the range, and it was convenient/easier.

 

[Vince Waldon]

Perhaps the poweramp is two way, each channel powering two speakers. I can not see the reason for it in this model, other than that might be what they use in other models in the range, and it was convenient/easier.

That would be my understanding as well.

And man oh man... a mere 2.5 watts per channel. Sound is an amazing thing!

 

[madbanjoman]

Here is a video of me using the Roland at a picnic jam with my Stagg EUB. The Roland was close to max volume I think but held it's own with banjos and horns. Excuse the low level feedback. The Stagg is not a kind EUB, but I don't like taking my gigging instruments to the picnic.

 

[Don Hergert]

Nice recording!!! Wow, 4 banjos and at least two horns... Bass was loud and clear.

My observation from my Friday night gig is that in a large room with a lot of seated people, the trick is to get the Micro Cube BASS either pointing upward or place it off the floor on a table if you want it to be heard... I had mine on a table for this gig and as mentioned the folks in the back of the cafeteria could hear it clearly. I also carry a single-legged stand to prop it up at an angle if needed.

Actually my first intention for my Micro Cube BASS was to put it on its back and play it up into my face so I could hear myself play when next to a piano and other loud instruments. When the band leader of one of the bands I play in heard it at work, he insisted we point it out into the audience, so I found a table to put it on just slightly behind me so I could hear it too.

So how do they produce that kind of volume with only 6 AA batteries and a total 5W output???

 

[madbanjoman]

Just got back from a local gig in a retirement home cafeteria... Probably about 100 people attending, the cafeteria capacity about 120. I'm guessing the cafeteria is roughly 150' by 150' with a 20' high acoustic tile ceiling.

The performing group consisted of 1-piano, 1 fiddle, 1-6string guitar and 1-12string guitar (both DI into the PA), 2-mandos (with one amp), 1-banjo (5-string long-neck), 1 tenor uke, 1 recorder, three mic'ed voices, and me on bass.

I was using my Roland Micro Cube BASS amp running on 6 AA batteries, using the MIC voicing (clear), with 25% gain, 75% volume with compression on for the first half of the 90 minute program, then changed to 100% volume with compression off for the 2nd half of the program (I think I like the tone of this better). I got a number of reliable reports from the back of the room that the bass was coming through loud and clear for the whole program, and I was playing lightly (very easy pizz/slap playing pressure). I even had one guy from the back of the building looking at my bass itself, wondering how it got so loud because he didn't see the amp in the day pack.

And the amp setup was quick and easy, just stand the day pack up on a table, open it up, plug in the bass and turn the amp on...

This is actually exactly the type of venue I was picturing this amp and pack for. I know the Micro Cube BASS is not getting much love because it's a beginner's combo-amp and it isn't a high powered component-based combination that would probably drive a medium sized festival stage, but it's more than enough power and EQ tone flexibility for the most common gigs that I'm involved with and it's light, back-packable, battery operated (with AC adapter if desired) and easy to setup. And I spent less than $400 including tax and shipping for the whole amp and day pack setup brand new. Maybe it's not the most powerful "schepp-able combo" available, but I have a feeling it is at least worth consideration for some folks...

So I just wanted to ring this bell one more time. Although I personally have a much more powerful component based sound system (500 watt x2 / 16 channel mixer, high end mics, etc.), my experience with a variety of Roland Micro Cube amps has been excellent through the years -- maybe it's because of my age and lower back, but the Roland Micro Cube series of amps is actually my preference because of their performance, lightness, ease of setup, battery operation and accessibility... And this Micro Cube BASS amp totally matches that experience.

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I run my Roland Bass Cube on the super flat setting, I tried the mic setting after reading your post, but it did not pair well with my Stagg EUB. Do you use a mic on your DB and that’s why you chose the mic setting? Impressive that you were able to be heard with a piano. The picnic is an interesting use for the Roland. I am not one of bass players for the group that I was at the picnic with. They have two BG players and at least one shows to the picnic and brings a relatively big amp. I play banjo with this group. I brought my Roland and Stagg for the time before and after the bass players are there. I was not sure whether the Roland would work especially with horns, so it was a surprise that I was able to be heard by all the participants. We had 80 people in attendance and my wife said I was able to be heard throughout the pavilion. Surprising for such a small amp. My gigging rig is a Tonedexter preamp into a traynor sb200h head into a MAS 16 speaker cab, but my porch or deck amp is the Roland.

 

[Don Hergert]

I don't actually use a mic with the Micro Cube BASS, but I use the MIC setting... It seems to be the most clear and full-volume of the possible amp emulations.

My hot-rodded Alcoa has a Vic's Pickups Model C dual piezo pickup set, one piezo in the treble wing of the bridge and the other under the fingerboard. I currently only use this pickup set in a mono-mode so the bridge piezo is the only active piezo. And I plug directly into the amp. I've also DI'ed into various PAs and recording studio systems with great success.

For EQ I set bass at 50%, mid at 75% and treble at 75%. i usually run with 25% gain, and usually either with compression on at 75% volume or with compression off at 100% volume. This has worked well so far, with very light playing pressure. For more amp volume I'll kick EQ up to 75%, 100% and 100% and possibly kick the gain up a bit more, but we're getting into distortion territory there. Also, with my bass the EQ bass setting has to be about 25% lower than the mid and treble settings or my low strings start sounding too unclear.

I mostly play pizz and slap, with a little bit of arco, for bluegrass, old jazz and root music. I'm currently using Innovation SilverSlaps E and A and SBW Deluxe D and G. I really like the tone and feel of this mixed string set, but with these strings the bass isn't loud enough by itself to be heard over a loud piano or other very loud instruments.

Coming from a bluegrass environment, I'd much rather not have to use an amp at all. But it's great fun playing with good piano and horn players, and you gotta hear it if you want your intonation to be any good. For me the Micro Cube BASS is an ideal compromise.

 

[Djadja]

I wish they still made that amp. The sucessor is the Genzler-Gollihur Acoustic Array it's not cheap but it has all the bells and whistles. Rick Wolf has one and he's
posted demos of the amp.



I own a powered MAS 1/8 and the Grace Felix. I'm having a pocket put into my cover to accomidate a preamp. So there's an additional
connecting cable and a second power cable. That does make for a more complicated setup, but the advantage is that I've got a 700 watt combo, a pristine
pre-amp, and a very small footprint that weighs 25 lbs.

Actually, the Genzler 350 Combo is more the successor of the Genz Benz Shuttle 3.0-10T. The Gollihur Bass Array Combo adds a few more bells and whistles aimed at the upright player. Both are worth a look.

Magellan 350 Combo - Genzler Amplification

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[HD007]

Today I had the opportunity to play out of the Henriksen "the bud", it sounded great! I couldn't believe how much sound was coming from the little thing, it was only 1/4 of the way up. It was guitar/vocal, violin, bass; outdoor. Before today I had only seen them used by guitarists. I was actually in one channel and the guitar in the other. I am really impressed! Has any else had a chance to play this amp?

I have one and love it. Originally got it for acoustic guitar but these days it is my main bass practice and travel amp.

 

[Matt Ides]

Actually, the Genzler 350 Combo is more the successor of the Genz Benz Shuttle 3.0-10T. The Gollihur Bass Array Combo adds a few more bells and whistles aimed at the upright player. Both are worth a look.

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But the older combo amps were so much more affordable and easy to transport. I had the 8t for years and it was great until I decided to upgrade to the crazy 8 cab. Still have the shuttle 3.0 as my main amp.

 

[Jason Hollar]

Zombie thread awaken!

I just did a gig at a downtown upstairs venue and schlepped my Markbass cmd 121 through the parking garage, down an elevator, around the block, up a flight of stairs, back a hallway, and then through a bunch of people around the piano. Whew. I have some more gigs there soon so stepped up looking again.

Would like the amp to do double duty on electric bass - as I’ve got some remote teaching opportunities coming up.

Trying to keep it under 600$ - currently thinking about the GK MB 110, 100 watts, 10” speaker, 21lbs, $499

Trace Elliot Elf 1x10 combo, 100/200 watts, 17lbs, $599

I also have an original fdeck HPF so I bet that could come in handy with a smaller combo.

 

[Sam Reese]

How about the 200 watt GK MB112-II at $599?
EDIT: 30lbs. 2nd EDIT: What about strapping your Markbass to a light weight hand truck? You would utilize wheels everywhere except the flight of stairs.

 

[Fat bob]

Zombie thread awaken!

I just did a gig at a downtown upstairs venue and schlepped my Markbass cmd 121 through the parking garage, down an elevator, around the block, up a flight of stairs, back a hallway, and then through a bunch of people around the piano. Whew. I have some more gigs there soon so stepped up looking again.

Would like the amp to do double duty on electric bass - as I’ve got some remote teaching opportunities coming up.

Trying to keep it under 600$ - currently thinking about the GK MB 110, 100 watts, 10” speaker, 21lbs, $499

Trace Elliot Elf 1x10 combo, 100/200 watts, 17lbs, $599

I also have an original fdeck HPF so I bet that could come in handy with a smaller combo.

I played regularly through one of the GK MB 112 - (not the 110) while back in school.. what I didn’t like about them was they had one volume knob labeled Gain- (no separate gain, and master vol)

It changed the mids quite a bit when turning up, making me never want to go past half way because the tone was change so much… but it was very light

I was just checking out the PJB combos and saw the Bass Cub Pro- 120 watts and very small/lite… but never played one— it looks like there’s mention of the double 4 earlier in this thread, but it looks like the cub PRO is newer? And does look to be 2x5” speakers, and is rated at 120 watts rms and the double 4 is 2x4”, 70 watts rms.. would love to hear more about the Cub Pro

 

[klyph]

Would like the amp to do double duty on electric bass - as I’ve got some remote teaching opportunities coming up.

Trying to keep it under 600$ - currently thinking about the GK MB 110, 100 watts, 10” speaker, 21lbs, $499

Trace Elliot Elf 1x10 combo, 100/200 watts, 17lbs, $599

I also have an original fdeck HPF so I bet that could come in handy with a smaller combo.

So… I don’t know if it existed when this thread started, but I bought a Bose S1 this summer and have used it busking with both electric and upright (no drums) and at my piano bar gig (small room, light drums). I haven’t even pushed it at all yet. At 600$, with two mic inputs (1/4” combo), Bluetooth, long battery life, and less than 15 lbs…. It’s an absolute GAME CHANGER. It’s been a long time since I’ve been this impressed with a piece f gear, and the first time I’ve been impressed with ANY Bose product (I hate the “stick” PAs…).

 

[Fat bob]

So… I don’t know if it existed when this thread started, but I bought a Bose S1 this summer and have used it busking with both electric and upright (no drums) and at my piano bar gig (small room, light drums). I haven’t even pushed it at all yet. At 600$, with two mic inputs (1/4” combo), Bluetooth, long battery life, and less than 15 lbs…. It’s an absolute GAME CHANGER. It’s been a long time since I’ve been this impressed with a piece f gear, and the first time I’ve been impressed with ANY Bose product (I hate the “stick” PAs…).

wow the S1 looks cool, and Battery Powered option?! Dang

 

[Jason Hollar]

How about the 200 watt GK MB112-II at $599?
EDIT: 30lbs. 2nd EDIT: What about strapping your Markbass to a light weight hand truck? You would utilize wheels everywhere except the flight of stairs.

A hand truck / dolly is a good idea for the road, but adds extra weight & cargo inside.