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thinking about a new combo - specific feature questions

Discussion in 'Amps and Cabs [BG]' started by craigb, Nov 9, 2001.

  1. Nov 9, 2001 #1
    craigb

    craigb G&L churnmeister Supporting Member

    Jan 27, 2000
    Spring, TX (Houston metro)
    Hey Y'all,

    While I've been big on GAS I've avoided AAS completely. I've only ever had 2 bass amps and still have them. A 1x12 GB combo and a head & cab setup. I'm thinking the head & cab is too much amp for my needs and a second combo would be useful (since my 1x12 is being used as a vocal/everything monitor when my band plays out).

    The features I think I want in a combo are:

    - relatively small & light (<50lbs)
    Which implies 1x12 to me for max depth with small size. The Ampeg 2x8 might work as well

    - tilt back capability
    because without it in our current coffeehouse gig my ankles would have a good bass sound but my ears wouldn't

    - tweeter
    I don't slap and pop now, but I might in the future?

    - some power, say 100-200 Watts
    My 1x12 is 135W and that seems pretty good for the box

    - an extension speaker input
    Future capability, always good

    - not too expensive, in the $500 neighborhood

    Are these all necessary? The GK 400RB-112 has pretty much every feature I want except the tweeter. Will I miss it if it's not there? I need to try some of these out in a store once I sell my head & cab but a short tryout isn't the same as living with it.

    Tilt-back seems like a nice thing but with a 50 lb combo would an amp stand do the trick instead? The built-in tiltback on my current combo is nice to have.

    The combos I've found that have most of the features:

    GK 400RB-112
    - a bit heavy
    - no tweeter

    GK 700RB-112
    - a bit expensive
    - a little heavy, but has the built-in rolling capability

    Genz Benz ML200-112T
    - the extension stuff is kind of weird, it runs 200W @ 8Ohm internally but you can split the power amp and run 100W @ 4Ohm off of each side so you get less than that into the internal 8Ohm cabinet (but I guess you could run a 4Ohm extension)

    Hartke 12 Kickback
    - no tweeter
    - can't run an extension cab

    Ampeg 328
    - a bit heavy
    - no extension
    - will a 2x8 project much?

    Any suggestions? I realize in the end it's going to come down to the test-drive (if I can locate them locally) but I like to do a lot of feature comparison before I spend precious time chasing things down to test them out. I'm really looking for opinions on whether you think a tweeter is important or not, whether you think extension cab capability is important (I'm planning on keeping my other combo for daisy-chaining if I'm not going through the PA).

    I think if I could sell everything I've got listed (head, cab, bass) in forsale I might go for the GK 700RB-112 and deal with the weight since it has the power and flexibility (if I like the sound).

    I couldn't find any other combos that had what I wanted - am I missing any?

    Thanks for the opinions
     
  2. Nov 9, 2001 #2
    LiquidMidnight

    LiquidMidnight

    Dec 25, 2000
    I tried the Hartke Kickback you mentioned a few years ago. I liked it alot, but as you mentioned, it doesn't have a tweeter. I wish I had it now, but the store that was carrying it went out of business. Have you tried any Fender Bassmen's. Also try the Ampeg makes a kick back design. (Not sure of the model number, I know the one I tried was 100 watts) Some of the more "amp knowledgable" could probaly give you more advice.
     
  3. Nov 9, 2001 #3
    captainpabst

    captainpabst

    Mar 18, 2001
    Tennessee
    i personally think a tweeter is important. you get much more 'snap' when you slap/pop, and it gives the cab a more 'hi fi' sound in general. more harmonics in the tone - it sounds less muffled, more 'all there'. that's just my take on it.

    i personally wouldn't buy a combo without an extension speaker jack. the ability to expand or augment your rig in the future is important (i would think).

    sounds like you're being meticulous about weighing your options - and that's good. ;) the GK 700 112 combo would be a good choice. check www.riksmusic.com - they're carrying GK now, and they have lower prices than pretty much anybody. free shipping too.

    liquid is right on about the fender bassman amps - the 100 or the 200 might do you right.

    also, several people on this board have good things to say about a nemesis combo - they make a 112. MF has them i think, definitely worth considering.
     
  4. Nov 13, 2001 #4
    craigb

    craigb G&L churnmeister Supporting Member

    Jan 27, 2000
    Spring, TX (Houston metro)
    Well, I did it. I sold my head & cab setup to my guitar player's son (who plays bass in a band named Liquid Youth for you Houston area TBers). He's going to add a 4x10 to it and have a good old time being very loud.

    I weighed my options and went for a GK 700RB-12. MF had one that was scratch-n-dent for $599. I tried to get a quote elsewhere (Riks Music) and found out they are discontinued. I've been having good luck with discontinued things lately (MTD Beast, Dearmond Pilot Pro) so I went for it. It's a little heavier than I wanted but has built-in handle & wheels and will fit in my car trunk.

    I'll report more when it arrives and I can check it out.