Here is my situation:
My classic rock group has broken up so I no longer need the bigger, louder amps that I have. What I plan on keeping is my Carvin BX500 and (sorry to admit) my Dr. Bass 2x12, as well as a polytone (currently in the shop) for home use and also a Fender Champ.
I am currently playing with 2 (not yet gigging) groups - one is a jazz trio, the other a funky blues group. For the jazz trio I have used my Fender Champ - but even in a quiet trio it's not adequate. For the Blues group, I am being run through the board and this gives me no control of my volume, so I can't always hear myself.
I believe my best options are:
Buy/Build a Fearful 12x6x1. Expected pros: not very big or heavy, purported good range of tones - should even be able to handle my low B string. I would use my Carvin BX500. For max volume, I could also use my 2x12 with it as they're both 8 ohm and then the Fearful driver would get ~2x the power of each Dr. Bass driver (which is good). Negative: lead time and cost.
Buy a LDS 12x6x1. Pretty much the same pros as a Fearful but slightly more cost efficient. This cabinet would probably weigh more than the Fearful and current wait time is not too bad according to Don.
Buy the new G-K 1x12 lightweight combo. Pros are the weight, ~30 lbs, lead time is very short, and cost (less than 1/2 the cost of a Fearful kit from Leland or an LDS from Don). Minuses are that I cannot combine easily with my BX500 & 2x12 (but may never need to). Also, this has no mid and what I believe is a "lesser" woofer. Reports are that it sounds good and can handle a low B though - but I doubt it would match up to the above 2 options.
Finally, there is a Carvin 12x6x1 combo with the BX250. This is about $100 more than the GK and just a little heavier. However, I haven't heard much about this one so there are a lot of unknowns with it. I do like the idea that it has a mid and I expect the BX250 to be similar to the BX500 in sound control. I have no idea if this is worth another $100 over the G-K.
Overall, weight is an issue as I am in the 60+ crowd and I would really like to be able to use this set up for both jazz and blues. I really like the concept of the Fearfuls, but I have also heard great things about LDS and I have talked to Don directly. I am torn on the cost as the 12x6x1's cost almost the same as the 15x6x1's but I'd really like to still be able to use my low B string as well as play harmonics. I am sure there are other options that will muddle this even further, but I would really appreciate hearing what other bassists have to say.
My classic rock group has broken up so I no longer need the bigger, louder amps that I have. What I plan on keeping is my Carvin BX500 and (sorry to admit) my Dr. Bass 2x12, as well as a polytone (currently in the shop) for home use and also a Fender Champ.
I am currently playing with 2 (not yet gigging) groups - one is a jazz trio, the other a funky blues group. For the jazz trio I have used my Fender Champ - but even in a quiet trio it's not adequate. For the Blues group, I am being run through the board and this gives me no control of my volume, so I can't always hear myself.
I believe my best options are:
Buy/Build a Fearful 12x6x1. Expected pros: not very big or heavy, purported good range of tones - should even be able to handle my low B string. I would use my Carvin BX500. For max volume, I could also use my 2x12 with it as they're both 8 ohm and then the Fearful driver would get ~2x the power of each Dr. Bass driver (which is good). Negative: lead time and cost.
Buy a LDS 12x6x1. Pretty much the same pros as a Fearful but slightly more cost efficient. This cabinet would probably weigh more than the Fearful and current wait time is not too bad according to Don.
Buy the new G-K 1x12 lightweight combo. Pros are the weight, ~30 lbs, lead time is very short, and cost (less than 1/2 the cost of a Fearful kit from Leland or an LDS from Don). Minuses are that I cannot combine easily with my BX500 & 2x12 (but may never need to). Also, this has no mid and what I believe is a "lesser" woofer. Reports are that it sounds good and can handle a low B though - but I doubt it would match up to the above 2 options.
Finally, there is a Carvin 12x6x1 combo with the BX250. This is about $100 more than the GK and just a little heavier. However, I haven't heard much about this one so there are a lot of unknowns with it. I do like the idea that it has a mid and I expect the BX250 to be similar to the BX500 in sound control. I have no idea if this is worth another $100 over the G-K.
Overall, weight is an issue as I am in the 60+ crowd and I would really like to be able to use this set up for both jazz and blues. I really like the concept of the Fearfuls, but I have also heard great things about LDS and I have talked to Don directly. I am torn on the cost as the 12x6x1's cost almost the same as the 15x6x1's but I'd really like to still be able to use my low B string as well as play harmonics. I am sure there are other options that will muddle this even further, but I would really appreciate hearing what other bassists have to say.
