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Old fart, new amp. Suggestions?

#44
Referring back to the GK comments, I am not doubting you guys who say they had issues with the cabs, but its the first I heard of problems with them. I've heard the opposite from others. I have the 212 neo cab and have no complaints. Tom Hamilton (Aerosmith) seems to do ok with them.

Sorry OP not trying to hijack your thread. I recommend the GK MB 500 or the GK Fusion series with the cab of your choice. I prefer mix and match of amp and cabs over combo's. I also have a Carvin BX 500 and the BRX 10.2 neo which is a great rig for any small gig. You can't go wrong with any of the recommendations you've gotten. Good luck to you with your new gig.
 

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#46
I have a GB Shuttle 6.0 with 2x12t cabs under 50lbs total and a GB Contour 500 2x10 model at 52lbs and love them both. I've been playing since 64 and these are the best amps I have ever owned. I've had every one known to man at one time or another all good in their day but do not compare.
IMVHO
 
#52
theduke1 said:
I have a GB Shuttle 6.0 with 2x12t cabs under 50lbs total and a GB Contour 500 2x10 model at 52lbs and love them both. I've been playing since 64 and these are the best amps I have ever owned. I've had every one known to man at one time or another all good in their day but do not compare.
IMVHO
Click to expand...
Vote for GB contour, and a second cabinet, if you still can find them. They are getting blown out as closeouts in the $350 range, for a good sounding power amp that would do 500 watts into 4 ohms. I have one, and love it. If I stuck another 15" cabinet under it, it would cover just about anything. Great Combos --- very sorry to see Genz Benz gone.
 
#53
I initially thought that I could go with an Aguilar TH500 with a modular 2x 112 neo cab solution. Like you, I play small to medium clubs and, for me, PA support is something I dream of.

Yes, a TH500 and a 112 will get decent in volume. However, I found that it ran out of steam early and I ended up bringing the second one more often than not.

I play in a band with a drummer, guitarist 2 singers and 2 keyboards.

If I were in your position, I would go with that initial GK 212 combo and the 212 powered extension. You'd have a killer 412 1000w stack in a small foot print that would be loud and easy to carry. The head in the combo is essentially an MB 500 and, from my experience, delivers a great rock tone. In the past I have combined the GK head with the VT bass with great results.

That being said, the draw back is the lack of being able to change around your amp setup and the lack of effects loop. With that first point, any other gear you get isn't necessarily going to be "better", but a different flavour of good. As for the effects loop, I've never used it so it was never an issue for me.

If you really have abandoned the combo route, I'm in the camp that says bring a 500w head with a single 8 ohm 212 for small gigs and 2 of the same cab for larger ones.
 
#54
I am old as well and playing clubs- covers, one guitar, drummer and a singer.
Used use valve heads. Never looked back after buying a GK Fusion 550 and an GK Neo 410 a few years back.
Plenty of power and volume and can get a nice tube sound.
Tried GB, didn't like the tone. Personal preference.
 
#55
Yet another thread where the OP is asking about what combo to use, and the same people coming in telling him or her don't go with a combo. Head and cab are the only way to go...

Sure combo amps have disadvantages, but they have advantages like simplicity of transport and setup, that the haters ignore.

If a combo is what you want, fits your sound, features, budget, and weight requirement go for it.

Audition everything you can, and make an informed decision.
 
#58
Big Hoss said:
Yet another thread where the OP is asking about what combo to use, and the same people coming in telling him or her don't go with a combo. Head and cab are the only way to go...

Sure combo amps have disadvantages, but they have advantages like simplicity of transport and setup, that the haters ignore.

If a combo is what you want, fits your sound, features, budget, and weight requirement go for it.

Audition everything you can, and make an informed decision.
Click to expand...

paulygonemad said:
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.
Click to expand...

Uhh that didn't sound like "no modulars" or "definatly combo". Sounded to me like OP was just askin for general suggestions and said "leaning towards". Most of us will suggest our own rigs because we love em and feel we've successfully gotten the tone we want.
Agreed on test driving all you can but I had to rely on word of mouth and opinions on tb cause my GC stock isn't that good.
OP-don't stress if you're a buyers remorse person (I am). The classifieds are fantastic here and there always seems to be someone looking for what you have, and are good, fair people.
 
#59
My stage rig is a pair of Agular GS112s with a Streamliner 600 head. Sounds amazing, can play any gig anywhere. Best head ever (but I have not tried the tone hammers).

I got the cabs for a great price here on the classifieds. They are not super light, but manageable.

...But for most gigs I use my GB Shuttle 3-10t with 10t extension. This is a 300w combo with a ten (and a second 10" extension). The combo weighs like 17 pounds. Every time I play with it, I am asked to turn down. It cuts through everything, and has an excellent DI. I have filled big clubs with no support with this rig, as well as big outdoor festivals (with a little FOH). I kinda think it fills the room even better than my "stage rig", due to its sound, but don't tell the STM & Aggies.

I wish Genz Benz was still with us.
 
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#60
Toying with the idea of the tone hammer 500 and 2 avatar 112's.

The little rocker in me does still like the idea of a 1000 watt 4 12 system that could be carried by a ten year old.
Just something cool about that.
That being said, I almost feel my gut was leading me in the right direction to begin with. I'll sleep on it.
Thanks all. Great ideas thus far. I'll have a great set up at the end. I knew that before I asked. Good folks on this site.
 

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