Hi All! I'm new here, so I hope this is the correct forum... (It is a combo ELB/URB bass gear question, so I will be double posting in the Double Bass forum as well.) I'll try to keep it quick... I've been shopping around for new gear, and I think I've narrowed it down, but I would love some input on what I am picturing in my head. There's no local shops around here, so I'm shopping by specs alone... And the finalist are: AMP: EA Doubler II -this seems to be the best head for doublers (which is a term I've recently discovered, and apparently, I am one.) I love everything about it on paper except that the effects loop does not go through the DI. (almost a deal breaker...) Would this head be powerful enough to power these cabs? CABS: Either Bergantino's HDN-210 & HDN-112 or two of the Euphonic Audio NV-112s. Could I mix Bergs and EAs?? Basically, I need a modular set up that would allow me to play jazz on an upright and fretless ELB one night, punk rock on a big stage the next night (think House of Blues. Any bigger, and you need in-ears anyways), and reggae with a 5-string the next. The Bergs I've heard in a show room, and the dealer assures me the 210 on top of the 112 would be more than enough, but you never know... I'm coming from and SVT-4pro in to whatever, so I'm used to big and heavy = powerful and loud. I'm not saying I need that much power/headroom, but it's nice to know it's there. I haven't heard the EA NV-112s, but the specs are insane, and the transmission line cabinet is intriguing, but could two 1x12s keep up with two punk guitarists and a drummer?? If EA made an accompanying 2x10, I would probably go all EA, but apparently they don't want to make the insanely popular NV-210 anymore for some reason...?? I searched the forums and found plenty of info and opinions on both, but I was hoping to get the head to head opinions on these two in the same ring. Anyhoot, I'm not married to either of these brands either, so if you got info on something I haven't considered yet, shoot it on at me!! Thanks!! -Rice
Budget is not a factor. I prefer quality over quantity, but there is a good argument to go with a company like Ampeg or Mesa cause they've been around forever vs a newer/boutique company that is not as "accessible". I mainly just want the best gear for the various styles of gigs that are out there... No allegiance to any particular brands... Thanks!!
I wouldn’t play with any of the punk or hardcore drummers I know with less than two fifteens and a couple hundred watts. If you want to stay neo I’d do two Mesa Subway 1x15’s and a D-800 personally
While I'm an owner of the Mesa Subway D800 and really enjoy it, the guys that I have talked to that double really liked Genzler offerings. Check them both out.
Thanks for the input! You two, plus a local buddy here who uses the exact same Mesa set up as @PunkRocker33133 , have given ringing endorsements for the Mesa products. Fortunately, the local shop here has Bergs and Mesa, so it looks like I'm gonna have to spend another afternoon in their showroom... lol Thanks!!
I would definitely check out the Genzler products. The array cabs seem to work extremely well as cabs for doublers and come in a variety of configurations and the heads are really versatile.
At least check out Berg cabs They offer from 1-12 on Up Studio clear/ transparent Same for forte’ amp Add your own dirt If ya gotta have built in dirt then Genzler which is why I bought Bergantino because I wanted clarity
The Bergs are in the top contention, that's for sure! I love the clarity, and I figure I can dirty them up on the amp side if I really need to. It's down to them, EA, and maybe Epifani and Barefaced. How would you say the new Genzlers compare to the old GenzBenz XB series (<--that's what I used to have.) I loved my GBs sound... clean and thick when I need them; loud and bitey when I pushed them, but never losing its balls... I'd rather not got that big and heavy, but damn... Couldn't beat that tone. Thanks! -Rice
My only experience was in Atlanta Bass Gallery I asked sales guy to A B C amps: Berg Forte’, Berg BI and Genzler Genzler had dirt and BI cloned that tone easily which may steer you toward Berg BI Asked my wife which tone she preferred ( has sublime hearing) She said “That one! “ It was BI cloning the forte’ so we bought the forte’ Amazingly the forte’ sounds Best right out of its box; all tones flat Clearest audiophile amp I’ve ever heard So clear it takes getting used to because what you put in is Exacly what comes out