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Should I do it?

NYgiant

NYgiant

Sep 22, 2023
628
1,327
Virginia
#1
Man, I might be asking the obvious, but………I like hearing people's responses.

I just bought a new(to me) Bass online and it hasn't even been delivered yet. Now I find myself searching for new gear, yet again tonight. For those that have chimed in on some threads I've started here over the last few weeks, you'll know I haven't been really happy with my GK 212 Neo IV. Just me I guess, used to a 410 and this doesn't do it for me. Also just got a used GK MB-500 amp to go with it and I'm not in love with it either.

I had posted about possibly getting a Genzler 410 or a Mesa Subway 410. Amp wise I've been considering a Mesa head (WD-800, WD-800+ or the Genzler Magellan 800)

Well, always considered buying brand new but was looking around this evening for used. Came across these 2 items and was wondering if they fall under the catagory "too good to be true", or did I just find 2 damn good deals? The Subway cab is pickup only and would be a 4 hour drive. The amp ships for "free" or is just built into the price. Let me know what you think.

Subway 410 with road case on casters $1600

Genzler Magellan 800 with carry bag $780

The Mesa cab and Genzler amp new would be a little over $3000 new.
 

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#3
abarson said:
The Subway 410 is $1999 at Sweetwater so it's like you're getting the flight case for free.
The Genzler looks like a solid price as well.
Click to expand...

Thanks man….since posting, I found the Genzler amp for $650, no carry case. Says it's in excellent condition. Thats a really good price I'm thinking.

Regarding the Mesa cab, yeah, $2000 new. If this guy is selling for $1600, $400 less than brand new plus a case which I think is around maybe $250-$300 used? I guess maybe it's an ok deal. I haven't seen too many used Subway 410's for sale though. Seems like a cabinet people buy and keep.
 
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#4
NYgiant said:
Thanks man….since posting, I found the Genzler amp for $650, no carry case. Says it's in excellent condition. Thats a really good price I'm thinking.

Regarding the Mesa cab, yeah, $2000 new. If this guy is selling for $1600, $400 less than brand new plus a case which I think is around maybe $250-$300 used? I guess maybe it's an ok deal. I haven't seen too many used Subway 410's for sale though. Seems like a cabinet people buy and keep.
Click to expand...

I haven't heard a bad word about the Subway 4x10. I think you don't see as many for sale used because Mesa doesn't sell as many as their other offerings. It is a high end 4x10 for sure, but you are paying for that case in the price. The protection can't be beat but the added weight and bulk might be something you don't necessarily need, though it would make a hell of an amp stand once you got to the gig.

What are your tonal goals again? I remember you don't like the smooth low mids of the GK212 and you aren't jiving with your MB500. I still suggest trying whatever cab you get with your GK before you get a new head, or try whatever new head you get on your GK212 before getting the new cabinet. Take one step at a time. Some heads sound better on certain cabs and there really isn't any science to it, just happy accidents (like mom said I was). We all like different sounds and trying is how you find out. If you change everything without trying first you are just guessing. Nothing worse ending up with something else you dislike and a big dent in your wallet.
 
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#5
Sid the Kid said:
I haven't heard a bad word about the Subway 4x10. I think you don't see as many for sale used because Mesa doesn't sell as many as their other offerings. It is a high end 4x10 for sure, but you are paying for that case in the price. The protection can't be beat but the added weight and bulk might be something you don't necessarily need, though it would make a hell of an amp stand once you got to the gig.

What are your tonal goals again? I remember you don't like the smooth low mids of the GK212 and you aren't jiving with your MB500. I still suggest trying whatever cab you get with your GK before you get a new head, or try whatever new head you get on your GK212 before getting the new cabinet. Take one step at a time. Some heads sound better on certain cabs and there really isn't any science to it, just happy accidents (like mom said I was). We all like different sounds and trying is how you find out. If you change everything without trying first you are just guessing. Nothing worse ending up with something else you dislike and a big dent in your wallet.
Click to expand...

Man, I needed a good laugh…that was funny as S* it!! (just happy accidents (like mom said I was). Having a bad, stressful few months with my current work situation.

You definitely make great points and things to think about. so the turn on unhappy one is more of that thick powerful heavy low end. The GK 212 just doesn't do it. I have my old SWR 115 hooked up to it but it's only 250 W it's it really have to be careful if turning up the volume at all. I think just having a good 410 would solve all the issues. I remember my old 410 was an SWR and I rarely used my 15 and got good low end out of it.

I figure if I were to buy that Mesa subway for 10 I could sell my GK 212 for about $1000. So I'd really only be out about $600. I like you said, I really don't need that case and I'm sure that's another 60+ pounds. Would be more of a cool thing to have at least for me now like I'm so professional bass player, traveling the world or the country.

that would be my only hesitation about just buying a new amp and keeping the cabinet. I guess it's something to try out but I just don't think I'm gonna be getting a nice thick, deep tone if it's just the 212. The 212 set up doesn't have that deep powerful sound. It's loud no don't. But that isn't my issue with it.
 
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#6
I think you're on the right track. Something else to consider is the size of the cabinet themselves. Some of the newer designs have small and compact as a selling point and to me that seems to make them a bit bass shy. If you loved the sound of your old SWR consider something newer in the same vein, ie a big ass 4x10 but with more modern NEO drivers.

I had a Genzler BA410-3 and BA115-3. I recently purchased 2 Genz Benz Uber 15 cabs and they trounce the Genzler stack in low end power. They are much bigger in size with similar performance specs, but the Genz Benz cabs put out the old school shake your bones bass that I crave. You can talk over the volume of the cabs and still feel the punch of every note.

If I were in your boots I would consider taking full advantage of Guitar Center and their liberal return policy. They currently have front ported Markbass 4x10's on sale, and they have this used Genz Benz cabinet I have been dreaming of buying. Both are not the flavor of the week, but both will give you the big box sound you want. The Genz Benz Uber 410 would be a real low end beast of a cabinet.
 
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#9
Sid the Kid said:
I think you're on the right track. Something else to consider is the size of the cabinet themselves. Some of the newer designs have small and compact as a selling point and to me that seems to make them a bit bass shy. If you loved the sound of your old SWR consider something newer in the same vein, ie a big ass 4x10 but with more modern NEO drivers.

I had a Genzler BA410-3 and BA115-3. I recently purchased 2 Genz Benz Uber 15 cabs and they trounce the Genzler stack in low end power. They are much bigger in size with similar performance specs, but the Genz Benz cabs put out the old school shake your bones bass that I crave. You can talk over the volume of the cabs and still feel the punch of every note.

If I were in your boots I would consider taking full advantage of Guitar Center and their liberal return policy. They currently have front ported Markbass 4x10's on sale, and they have this used Genz Benz cabinet I have been dreaming of buying. Both are not the flavor of the week, but both will give you the big box sound you want. The Genz Benz Uber 410 would be a real low end beast of a cabinet.
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Man, more great suggestions. Wish you posted weeks ago. I might already be on the right road and already made a decision!

So another thing I didn't post is weight of the cab. Getting older and do have a lower back issue when lifting pretty heavy things. Maybe 70 lbs and up. Can do it but don't want to, you know? That's why I've been looking at the Neo speakers.

You think the Mesa Subway 215 might give that sound I'm desiring? I'm gonna check out the links you posted. I've really started to despise GC in a very short time. Doesn't help the manager of the local one closest to me comes off as a little d-bag with an attitude. :laugh:
Bug you're right, hard to beat the return policy. Although this is the type of guy to give you a hard time even if you're within your rights.

Are you saying look at the older heavier cabs to get what I'm looking for, or am I misunderstanding/misinterpreting what you're saying?
 
#16
I'm not necessarily suggesting old and heavy stuff, simply saying that cabinet size does matter. There is always a trade off when being light and compact is a priority, seems to me that low end extension is the price.

NYgiant said:
@Sid the Kid

You play through or heard anyone play through that Genz Benz you sent me the link too? (Uber Bass 410T-UB Bass Cabinet). Looks interesting. At 72 pounds it's only 18 more that the subway 410.
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I have not heard one in person, only online. Based upon my experience with Genzler cabs I took a gamble that paid off with my pair of 15's. I can tell you the cabinets are rock solid and loaded with premium drivers. The Uber4x10 even has a rear handle and wheels to tilt and roll. I'd like to think it was top of its class when introduced and it had some serious competition. Things became smaller and lighter, but I don't think the new stuff sounds much better than the old.
 
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#17
Sid the Kid said:
I'm not necessarily suggesting old and heavy stuff, simply saying that cabinet size does matter. There is always a trade off when being light and compact is a priority, seems to me that low end extension is the price.

Ok gotcha. Just wondering how it compares to the subway 410 since that's the main one I've been considering? I can tell you I like the price of the Genz Benz a lot more…ha ha



I have not heard one in person, only online. Based upon my experience with Genzler cabs I took a gamble that paid off with my pair of 15's. I can tell you the cabinets are rock solid and loaded with premium drivers. The Uber4x10 even has a rear handle and wheels to tilt and roll. I'd like to think it was top of its class when introduced and it had some serious competition. Things became smaller and lighter, but I don't think the new stuff sounds much better than the old.
Click to expand...

You have and pics of you 15 set up? Just wondering. That's my other thing……go back to the familiarity of the 410 or do a 215? Some guys on here recommended a 215. Sucks I can't play any of this in person like the good old days. Just a big gamble with how things are. Guess that's why you mentioned getting through GC just in case.
 
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#18
Correct about why I suggested Guitar Center. You might get a dud here and there, but you can get some real winners too. You can not beat the return policy. Everybody is aging moving to small and light modular stuff. Old heavier cabs are a killer deal these days.
 

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#19
NYgiant said:
Thanks man….since posting, I found the Genzler amp for $650, no carry case. Says it's in excellent condition. Thats a really good price I'm thinking.

Regarding the Mesa cab, yeah, $2000 new. If this guy is selling for $1600, $400 less than brand new plus a case which I think is around maybe $250-$300 used? I guess maybe it's an ok deal. I haven't seen too many used Subway 410's for sale though. Seems like a cabinet people buy and keep.
Click to expand...
A used flight case for the 410 is probably worth $500 alone if in good condition.
 
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