looking for small rig with my SR4

[bob atherton]

My bass rig for the past few years has been an Ashdown ABM 500 head with two ABM 2x10 cabs. This has served me well as for small gigs and studio work I just use one cab, for bigger gigs I use both.

The thing is I’m looking for a tighter, punchier, more mid focused sound than I’m getting with the Ashdown. I’m using a Stingray 4 with single pup. I tend not to switch gear around too much, and as I’m not getting any younger, I’m tempted by the new breed of small amps and lightweight cabs, maybe the Markbass Minimark III with two of their 2x10’s. Here in the UK Markbass cost a lot of money, so a cheaper (in the UK) alternative would be good.

Thanks for any pointers, Bob

 

[shakinbacon]

My bass rig for the past few years has been an Ashdown ABM 500 head with two ABM 2x10 cabs. This has served me well as for small gigs and studio work I just use one cab, for bigger gigs I use both.

The thing is I’m looking for a tighter, punchier, more mid focused sound than I’m getting with the Ashdown. I’m using a Stingray 4 with single pup. I tend not to switch gear around too much, and as I’m not getting any younger, I’m tempted by the new breed of small amps and lightweight cabs, maybe the Markbass Minimark III with two of their 2x10’s. Here in the UK Markbass cost a lot of money, so a cheaper (in the UK) alternative would be good.

Thanks for any pointers, Bob

I'm very happy with my rig so naturally I'll recommend that (Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0 into Epifani UL2-112) super light, punchy, thumpy and tight. Best tone, flexibility and portability I've had in 25 years. It handles the low B with ease.

The Bergantino AE112 and Genz Benz NEOX112 are well thought of cabs but I've not tried them.

You may consider a 2x12 instead of two 2x10s. The neo cabs are quite light.

If you want more grit I'd get a sansamp RBI in the effects loop for more SVT'ish tones. However the shuttle's tube preamp can get some overdrive, so try it first. I like it for mild tube compression not the grit myself.

If you need more power, go with the Shuttle 9.0 although the 6.0 gets 600W into 4 ohms and is stupid loud. I use the 375W/8 ohm setup and only once pushed it hard... I just don't need that kind of volume. The 9.0 gets 900W into 4 ohms! They have a 300 and 1200 watt versions too.

For more mid focused you can try Schroeder or Markbass cabs... all imho

I like seperate head/cab setups rather than combos... little more portable and I can taylor the rig for my needs. If I get bored with something I can swap it out. There are some nice combos out now though.

Markbass makes great stuff but I connected with the Genz Benz. Markbass seems to be the darling on this site so you'll likely get many votes for it.

I love spending other people's money

 

[MadMatt]

I dont think it will be a cheaper alternative but you might want to check out the TC Electronics Bass heads. I have the RH 450 and am very happy with it. The Classic 450 is closer to the Minimark price but does not have the presets and tuner.

 

[tommixx]

I dont think it will be a cheaper alternative but you might want to check out the TC Electronics Bass heads. I have the RH 450 and am very happy with it. The Classic 450 is closer to the Minimark price but does not have the presets and tuner.

+1 After having virtually everything out there I HIGHLY recommend the TC RH450!! It is simply the best amp out there for the money in my opinion.

Peace,

T

 

[MrMusashi]

my fav is the f1 from markbass. extremely small, but punchy. couple it with a 2x12 neo cab and you got awesome power at your fingertips!

MrM

 

[oli@bass]

my fav is the f1 from markbass. extremely small, but punchy. couple it with a 2x12 neo cab and you got awesome power at your fingertips!

MrM

Or pair it with a tiny MarkBass NYC 604 (4 x 6" !!!) cab.

 

[Bassmedic14]

Trace Elliot 715 Bass Combo is not bad

 

[Aussie Mark]

I'd like to recommend my rig.

The next poster will recommend theirs.

 

[bob atherton]

I'd like to recommend my rig.

The next poster will recommend theirs.

Thanks for all the ideas guys

. I know that everyone will say to go for their own rig but I guess that is why I asked. I've yet to try out a Markbass amp/cab of any kind and will have to drive quite a way to do that but I think that should be my next move. If I really, really like it I will probably go for it, if it ticks most of the boxes but leaves me wanting I will be back here!

Thanks again, Bob.

FWIW, My SR4 is now the only bass that I play. From time to time the Fender P, Gibson Les Paul and Ric 4001 got a look in but not anymore. The SR4 just ticks evey box. Now if I could only find the rig to match the bass......

 

[melvin7822]

Last time I had an SR5 I was playing through an A***ic F1-X, Cr**t CA-9, and a B**g**tino HT210S. While a clean rig, it amazingly did not have the clarity and the attitude that my Markbass rig has.

Since you're thinking about the possibility of a Markbass head and two 2x10s. I would recommend the Markbass Little Mark III or Little Mark Tube (if you want a little tube tone mixed in) and two Markbass Traveler 102P cabinets. Also, I'm sure the Markbass F1 would be a good amp candidate it would definitely be much punchier. The nice thing about those 2x10s is that they can be stacked vertically which gives a bit of 8x10. Plus 4 10s in a vertical array eliminates any comb filtering that would normally occur. Two Markbass 121H cabinets would be cheaper and also work well. The nice thing about 12s are they punch like 10s and have lows like 15s.

 

[Powman]

I'd like to recommend my rig.

The next poster will recommend theirs.

So true!!

So here I go...I like my Markbass stuff!

But not just for the sound, but the weight. I can't/won't/don't want to carry heavy rigs anymore.

 

[bobalu]

Bob, I have the same Ashdown rig as you (which I'm very happy with). But I also have a Mesa Walkabout Scout for when portability is needed. Very compact combo amp, and the head is removable for versatility. Dead reliable too. Try one out if you get a chance.

 

[bob atherton]

Bob, I have the same Ashdown rig as you (which I'm very happy with). But I also have a Mesa Walkabout Scout for when portability is needed. Very compact combo amp, and the head is removable for versatility. Dead reliable too. Try one out if you get a chance.

Thanks for the heads up, I'll give it a go.

what I'm finding with the Ashdown rig is that the mid puch is not quite there. I'm using an SR4 3band with settings (if one goes from -5 to +5) trebble 0, mid +2, bass +1.

In some venues it's fine in others I loose the focus in the mid. I play in a jazz fusion band where the mid of really important.

 

[roccobladr]

Markbass cmd 121p combo. probably the lightest most powerful thing you can get. 25 lbs, fits in the backseat of my cobalt 2 dr and can go to 500 watts through and extension, 300 to its own 12 inch speaker. not gonna sound the most "full" with the size of it, but you cant beat the portability.

 

[bob atherton]

I think I might check out the 121H as I'm not a great tweeter fan but the H has a horn which I've always prefered. It's a bit bigger and heavier than the 'P' version but still smaller and lighter than just one of my Ashdown 2x10 cabs! I'm guessing that the bigger box will also give a bigger sound? we will see...

 

[silverburst]

Last time I had an SR5 I was playing through an A***ic F1-X, Cr**t CA-9, and a B**g**tino HT210S.

I think there might be something wrong wih your keyboard.

 

[bob atherton]

I think there might be something wrong wih your keyboard.

I don't post much on this forum but I would have thought that mentioning other manufacturers is no big problem as long as one doesn't start raving over them rather than Ernie Ball products. Maybe I have that wrong?

If it wasn't for Leo Fender we wouldn't have the EB SR4 anyway, and the new models going back to more of a Leo F look must surely be a nod and and a thank-you in that direction.

 

[projectapollo]

Since you are in Europe, maybe give a thought to the EBS line of gear. I don't own any, FYI.

 

[Lynottfan]

I use EBS with a Stingray, the neo line cabs are very light, very well made, as good as any thing from Mark Bass, infact I tried Mark bass and prefered EBS. EBS has a very tight sound plenty of punch, the HD350 head is great peice of Kit and compliments a Stingray mighty fine, but like the Markbass stuff though, not cheap. Good luck mate.

 

[mrpackerguy]

I'll 2nd the Mesa Walkabout Scout. Sounds great with my SR4.

A 4ohm Acme 2x10 sounds great too and would make for a nice portable small rig with plenty 'o punch. I use it with either a Carvin B1500 (great head BTW) or an older Mesa Mpulse600.