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Old fart, new amp. Suggestions?

paulygonemad

paulygonemad

Dec 24, 2009
358
3
Seattle, WA. U.S.A
#1
i have been out of the live duties for a few years, having moved on a bit to production work. I have been recently tapped for a decent gig and could not say no. Pretty decent.
I was using big, heavy, loud... You get it. Svt, tube, 8x10, backbreaking stuff with great tone. My gear was awesome and I cleared my investment and then somewhen I sold it all. No regrets.
This time around I am looking at lighter gear. I love the tube tone but I'm not out conquering cities in my mind any more. I'm in it for the work and the joy of playing. I am curious what my fellow tbers would suggest.
I am currently leaning towards a gk modular system. The gk mb212ii (or 115)combo with the same powered extension cab. That seems to be the winner in my head thus far.
Club size will be small to mid. One gtr player, very melodic lighter end of rock.
Thanks
 
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#2
If you want SVT tone in a non-backbreaking form try the new V4B with one (or two) of the matching 2x12 cabs. If I didn't have a boatload of rigs already and had the cash for it that's what I'd buy :) .

OTOH my Aguliar TH-350 plus a 4 ohm GK 212MBE does a pretty good job of faking "that sound" at under 40 lbs total :) . I'd get a RevSound 2x12 if I didn't already have a pair of the 212MBE's.
 
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#3
I use GK for some gigs, but unless you've used it before and are familiar with the GK tone, you'd probably be happier with a more vintage sounding amp. For your application I'd use the Aguilar Tone Hammer 500 and a 2x12 neo cab. Probably overkill for the small clubs or when you have PA support, but its nice to have the headroom when you need it. I personally keep coming back to the Bergantino CN212 for live work. The TH 500 are always available in the classifieds, and occasionally you'll see a CN212. Not the most economical approach, but solid, lightweight, reliable and good-sounding gear.
 
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#4
I was looking at the same v4b set up. Almost pulled the trigger. I also looked at the new tc bh series and the new orange hybrid. A gtr/bass head it seems. So many good options. I forgot to add the bass I chose for this project. Picked up a Squire Corbonita 4. A bit of tweaking and it has a nice growl.
Also forgot to add they like a bit of fuzz on a few tunes. Broke out the trusty Devi ever ruiner for that. I used an old ampeg v9 and svt pro 3 at practice. The pro 3 responded to fuzz well. I'm of the mindset that tube is best with fuzz but I know that gk solid state responds well, or so I have read
Thanks
 
#8
...'lighter gear' to me translates mostly into cab selection ... if you liked the sealed Ampeg 10's, might want to check out the 210AV micro cabs at 26 lbs each ... two gives you a 410, tall or wide, and then add your 350-500 class D micro head of taste ... Peg 350 might be enough for most of your work, if not maybe the 500 (just dont buy one used, there were issues)...

I used a TH350 for a short while, but then went back to GK .. I have a MB200 and 500, and have three of the 210AV's... at 60 years old and a back disability I just said enough was enough .. sold everything bigger and only kept one of the early 400RB heads for posterity sake ... extremely modular this way, I have used the MB200 and one cab many times, a full stack with either head, and even a series cable and ran 3 cabs (610) for more speaker surface ... and never had to lift over 30 lbs on a trip in ...
 
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#9
+1 on Aguilar heads and Neo 12 cabs (the Bergs are awesome but not the only option) for this. I like my EBS HD350 head even better for dial-in organic grind, but it's an older, heavier, pre-class-D design and pretty pricey in the US.
 
#11
B-string said:
Chances are VERY good with one G-K MB212 II you'll not need the additional powered cab till you play larger gigs or outdoors without PA bass support. That is one capable and great sounding rig in a light carry and go package!
Click to expand...
I actually use my pair of 212MBE's as subs for the PA when I'm doing sound (powered at 600w each) - way too much rig for just bass, one is plenty with the TH-350 even for outdoor parties...

BTW for those who don't know the TH-350 use the same power amp module as many "600 watt" amps. Even with just a single 8 ohm SVT210AV I was able to keep up with a hard hitting drummer a couple weeks back, I had a much louder 4 ohm 212MBE in the van as backup but didn't need it :) .
 
#12
B-string said:
Chances are VERY good with one G-K MB212 II you'll not need the additional powered cab till you play larger gigs or outdoors without PA bass support. That is one capable and great sounding rig in a light carry and go package!
Click to expand...
Do you think I am fooling myself in thinking the combo version, with the extra powered cab for outdoor, will suffice?
Some great suggestions thus far. Thank you all.
 
#14
paulygonemad said:
Do you think I am fooling myself in thinking the combo version, with the extra powered cab for outdoor, will suffice?
Some great suggestions thus far. Thank you all.
Click to expand...

1000+ watts with 4 12"s will handle most any outdoor gig! I have no trouble with the 500 watt (okay it can do 836 watts easily) Fusion 550 with a NEO412. Unless you are taking 3000 or better people, but then you must have a good PA anyway.
 
#17
Rather than combo, I would buy a pair of good 1x12s or 2x10s and a class D head. Several, including the Carvin BX-500 or 700, have tube preamps. You can keep one cab where you rehearse, and the other at home. For rehearsal, just need to bring head and bass. One cab for smaller gigs, 2 for larger.

Aguilar makes several good 1x12s. I like the Revsound 2x10.
 
#18
I went through a bunch of GK gear, including a micro stack (210 combo w a 15), and it absolutley did NOT cut it for me. All the GK stuff I ever owned rattled and farted before I could get any decent sound or volume out of it. I'd detail my experience, but I'm getting tired of hearing myself :).

I finally realized I wasn't going to be happy w this lightweight stuff and got myself a Bergantino NV610. Story doesn't end there though...

Recently started using 2 carvin mb15 cabs with a carvin bx500 head. The cabs weigh next to nothing, fit in the really limited cargo space of my Kia Soul, and I am certain I have more than enough volume for any gig I'll be playing. IME and opinion, that setup demolishes any GK gear I've owned (and still own). And I'm talking gear that has cost me 3x as much, and had more speakers and more wattage. Bottoms are $230 each, head they only make the 700 watt version of now, but you could also get the 115 combo with an added 15. I'd give it a go.

And no, I don't officially endorse carvin, though I should :).
 
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#20
One day I'd love to do a side by side comparison of GK and Carvin in a loud band setting with a hard hitting drummer. I believe it would be a shock and awe experience. GK amps sound great for me to a certain volume point, and then it's all over. Becomes a battle to get them to cut before farting. I too was running 4 Neo 12s with a 700 watt GK head and it couldn't cut through a loud band without breaking up. I even sent my cabs back thinking there was something wrong with them, and had them replaced. Same thing. Sounded great for small clubs, and that was it. Throw them on a big stage with a loud band and it was a no go. I think the musicians people play with, style of playing, and music have a lot to do with our opinions here. If I only played up to a certain volume I'd probably be thrilled with my GK gear.
 

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