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Ultra portable set up

liljawn

liljawn

Sep 1, 2008
228
0
West Plains, Missouri
#1
Hey TB

Gotta question for you guys just give me the flat low down on what you think.

Im needing an ultra portable set up thats going to be half way loud but more importantly im looking for good tone(im a bit of an audiophile). I jam at different peoples houses a few times a week with two other guitarist one running a 60watt tube Kustom. Thats really all that I have to compete with volume wise. In the future my other buddy is going to be upgrading his little roland im sure so there will be two guitarist I have to be able to cut through because they refuse to ever turn there s*** down.

Im looking at these 3 possibility just want opinions on what you all think would be good. Also I have no way of trying any of this gear out because I live in a small redneck backwoods town. So I base all my buys off tons of research and I ve looked into all of these extensively just want some opinions.

GK150MBS or E

Phil Jones Briefcase

^^^ half way worried that in the future those might not be loud enough but I have no way of knowing because I cant go anywhere to test em out so let me know what you ve heard and seen.

GKMB2 500 - Then pick up a small light weight 1x10 or 1x12 and my thinking is if I needed more oomph in the future I could expand on this one.
 
#2
I've been using the Markbass LMII into a 4 ohm Schroeder 15+L for this very purpose with fantastic results. I know that isn't one of the three options you mentioned, but I think this setup is really worth looking into.
 
#3
Personally i'm loving the PJB Briefcase.. I set aside my Mesa Boogie M-2000 / Ashdown mini15 rig in favor of using the PJB Briefcase. It has an amazingly clean amp/DI. It won't compete against guitarists with full stacks and a drummer, but I always have it DI'd into the PA for that extra juice.
 
#5
i am using a used mesa walkabout head (300 Watts rms)
and a schroeder 1212L
in a five piece line up, guitar, keys, drums, reeds, and bass
no problem
but i do like using a 2 x 15 for outside venues, if there is no foh
 
#6
dont know much about the briefcase, but frankly, it doesnt really strike me as something that would provide worthwhile bottom end.

a 1x12 cab would be better. to me, anything smaller without a PA usually sounds like a thick guitar string, rather than something you'd describe as "bass".

but lots of choices from bergantino to epifani to genz benz to avatar who make lightweight 1x12 boxes in the 30 lbs. weight class. then when you need more power, you could always add another cab for even more volume that's enough to keep up with the loudest of drummers and stages.

then there are a whole push of uber lightweight sub 3 lbs. head units like the GK mb2500, genz benz shuttle 6.0, markbass f1, euphonic audio micro300, etc, that all have terrific sound, yet push more than enough wattage for your needs.
 
#9
Thanks for all the reply's everyone from what everyones said so far the micro amps with a small 1x12 is what im wanting. See i was really interested in the pjb breifcase and the mb150 but as my friends get louder equipment i wasnt sure if those would keep up. I love there set up and weight and size but just not enough power.

Im leaning towards a Mb2 500 any other things i should look at?(i want to keep the weight under 40 or 50 pounds)

thanks!!
 
#10
liljawn said:
Hey TB

Gotta question for you guys just give me the flat low down on what you think.

Im needing an ultra portable set up thats going to be half way loud but more importantly im looking for good tone(im a bit of an audiophile). I jam at different peoples houses a few times a week with two other guitarist one running a 60watt tube Kustom. Thats really all that I have to compete with volume wise. In the future my other buddy is going to be upgrading his little roland im sure so there will be two guitarist I have to be able to cut through because they refuse to ever turn there s*** down.

Im looking at these 3 possibility just want opinions on what you all think would be good. Also I have no way of trying any of this gear out because I live in a small redneck backwoods town. So I base all my buys off tons of research and I ve looked into all of these extensively just want some opinions.

GK150MBS or E

Phil Jones Briefcase

^^^ half way worried that in the future those might not be loud enough but I have no way of knowing because I cant go anywhere to test em out so let me know what you ve heard and seen.

GKMB2 500 - Then pick up a small light weight 1x10 or 1x12 and my thinking is if I needed more oomph in the future I could expand on this one.
Click to expand...

I own the GK MB 150S. It's fantastic. It'll play louder than the Phil Jones. If you like the GK sound as much as I do it's a great choice. Whether it'll compete volume wise, I don't know. I sometimes use mine in practice sessions and jams at other people's houses with insensitive guitarists and it keeps up, but it is not going to be anywhere near as loud as the GK MB2 500 with a very good 1x12. But for a 26 lb amp it does awfully good. I can also use mine for the gigs I play these days since I quit playing the loud stuff a few years ago. It also records beautifully. Adding the matching 16 lb extension cabinet ups the output considerably.

If you are going to need more volume in the future for gigs with a band, then for sure get the MB2 500 and a very good 1x12 or lightweight 1x15. The GK Neo 1x12 is one I've tried and like a lot with any good head. It weighs about 39 lbs though so is not really lightweight. I tried one Markbass 1x12 that was lighter but it didn't have as solid a bottom end. I haven't tried any other Markbass stuff. Lots of guys like them but I'm a GK fan and feel no need to change from something that sounds so good for me.

Edit---re the Walkabout Scout 12- I owned and gigged with one for 4 years. It's a wonderful amp, loud as hell, fantastic sound. I'd still be using it now if I needed all that power. It weighs 50 lbs as a combo. Not really as portable as the little GK but great sound and the only other amp I would consider.
 
#12
grab a markbass LMII and a 112... i recommend the bergantino HS or AE.

don't get a B-15... yes they flip, as they have for 40 years, but they also have tubes that can be testy if you are moving the unit around a lot.

i know this wasn't on your option list but i highly recommend it.

also, the LMII weighs i think 6 lbs, and can be used with larger cabinets...210...i have even used a 410 no problem.
 
#13
Another Genz Benz vote. I use the Shuttle 3.0-10T for all my gigs. Great amp. Small, light, sounds great.

I have been tempted by the Mesa Walkabout Scout combo. It's not as portable, but sounds great. Maybe a little to "aggressive" or my jazz gigs which has kept me using the GB.
 
#14
62bass said:
I own the GK MB 150S. It's fantastic. It'll play louder than the Phil Jones. If you like the GK sound as much as I do it's a great choice. Whether it'll compete volume wise, I don't know. I sometimes use mine in practice sessions and jams at other people's houses with insensitive guitarists and it keeps up, but it is not going to be anywhere near as loud as the GK MB2 500 with a very good 1x12. But for a 26 lb amp it does awfully good. I can also use mine for the gigs I play these days since I quit playing the loud stuff a few years ago. It also records beautifully. Adding the matching 16 lb extension cabinet ups the output considerably.

If you are going to need more volume in the future for gigs with a band, then for sure get the MB2 500 and a very good 1x12 or lightweight 1x15. The GK Neo 1x12 is one I've tried and like a lot with any good head. It weighs about 39 lbs though so is not really lightweight. I tried one Markbass 1x12 that was lighter but it didn't have as solid a bottom end. I haven't tried any other Markbass stuff. Lots of guys like them but I'm a GK fan and feel no need to change from something that sounds so good for me.

Edit---re the Walkabout Scout 12- I owned and gigged with one for 4 years. It's a wonderful amp, loud as hell, fantastic sound. I'd still be using it now if I needed all that power. It weighs 50 lbs as a combo. Not really as portable as the little GK but great sound and the only other amp I would consider.
Click to expand...
I dont know man. If you're talking about that little aluminum GK combo, I tried it in store and knew right away that it would not be loud enough except for a living room type jam. I was really GASing for one until I tried it.

YMMV
 
#15
::::BASSIST:::: said:
I dont know man. If you're talking about that little aluminum GK combo, I tried it in store and knew right away that it would not be loud enough except for a living room type jam. I was really GASing for one until I tried it.

YMMV
Click to expand...

Yes, that's the one. Well, if that's not loud enough then go with the Walkabout. You can get everything from clean modern sound to old school and a fat tube overdrive depending on how you set your controls.
 
#18
The GK MB150S was my main amp for 12 years. Well... my main small amp, which covered rehearsals & Jazz gigs, about 90% of what I do. It sounds great, agrees with every bass I've ever plugged in to it and portability is absolutely out of this world.

People remark at how big it sounds for the size. But it does have it's limitations and the harder you push it, the thinner it'll sound. (It's not a fridge - it's a lunchbox. :D)

I recently upgraded to a Markbass Little Mark II and an Aguilar GS112. More bulk & heft to be sure but I get a LOT more beef. It would be hard for me to go back & make do without all this genuine low end I now enjoy. The MB150S got me heard - the LMII + GS112 gets me felt. And it really kills at 4 ohms, driving 2 12" speakers.

So if you're looking for portability, expandability and tone, IMHO it's a no-brainer to go with the new crop of micro-heads. (I would have chosen GK but wanted to try something different after 12 years. :p)
 
#19
Liljawn, you are living my life ... small scale, hifi tone, quality in small package. My GK MBS 150 does all of that, with a wooly GK touch as well. I have the extension cab, too, (MBX 112) and I rarely use it. I have modular gear that I bring or leave at home depending on the size of gig, but always high quality sound. I have a little mark II for bigger applications, and it, too is clean and deep and audiphilish. I add an Aguilar 112GS for bigger gigs, sometimes with the LM and sometimes simply with the MBS 150s, with the internal speaker on. Plenty of power. I've played sweet, acoustically balanced rooms with the GK/Aguilar combo, with a very pleasing roundness of sound that simply created a bigger projection into the room as power increased. This is the Golden Era of small but powerful heads (GK, LM, Genz, all good) and a rich choice of 112 cabs, all difference but all good (Aguilar, Bergantino etc etc.). I like to use the MBS as the core element of my many modular options. It's usually enough. I look for a smooth, clean, deep sound. Good luck
 

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