Suggestions on a new rig

[Yango]

I personally love the sound that I'm getting from my 12" Mesa Walkabout Scout (I also picked up a 12" extension cab... which I have not yet used... the Scout is unbelievably loud and full-sounding on it's own). My main bass is a Stingray H, and let me tell you, it sounds GREAT!

I can get as much grit from the amp as I want just by cranking up the gain level.

http://www.mesaboogie.com/Product_Info/Bass_Amps/walkabout/WalkaboutScout/WalkScout.htm

I've also played through the Markbass Little Mark, and like others from this forum have told you... don't let the small package fool you. It's one kick-ass little performer. I found the tone very similar to what I was getting when I used my SansAmp Bass Driver DI (minus the distortion—the LM is pretty clean) through my klunky old SWR/Eden rig.

You can't go wrong either way. And your back will thank you as well...

 

[Manfloozy]

I'm trying to decide between a Markbass LMTube, TA-501, and Mesa Walkabout, coupled with Epifani cabs... Probably two 112s.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

 

[Yango]

I'm trying to decide between a Markbass LMTube, TA-501, and Mesa Walkabout, coupled with Epifani cabs... Probably two 112s.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

Check out my post above... Mesa Boogie, and may the force be with you.

 

[Infidelity]

I'm trying to decide between a Markbass LMTube, TA-501, and Mesa Walkabout, coupled with Epifani cabs... Probably two 112s.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

I wouldn't recommend LMTube since the tube IMHO doesn't give that much of a bite and the lows is pretty much hard to control.. Take the TA-501 if you really like Mark Bass sound and Walkabouts is not that bad also.. You might wanna try Bergantino 112's too.. Genz Benz products is a way to go too..

To the original poster.. I would recommend LMII/LMIII and a VT pedal too paired with Bergantino cabs..

 

[jlepre]

I'm trying to decide between a Markbass LMTube, TA-501, and Mesa Walkabout, coupled with Epifani cabs... Probably two 112s.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

I recommend the UL112 Epifani cabs. They are very stable, with nice deep lows. I'm going to get 2 UL210's this time around 8 ohms each with a Genz Benz shuttle 9 head.

Ooooops so sorry for the hijack...I got a little carried away.

 

[Manfloozy]

I recommend the UL112 Epifani cabs. They are very stable, with nice deep lows. I'm going to get 2 UL210's this time around 8 ohms each with a Genz Benz shuttle 9 head.

Ooooops so sorry for the hijack...I got a little carried away.

I absolutely apologize for the hijack, I had the same prob as the OP and didn't want to duplicate threads.

 

[toomanyslurpees]

$1000 should be able to score you a really decent rig, just take you time if you can and don't be afraid of used gear, I only buy new if I can't find something used and I haven't had too many problems. (and heck if you can fix broken gear there's some screaming deals to be had!)

 

[Manfloozy]

Another brand the OP might want to check out is Genz Benz. I went with a ShuttleMAX into a Epifani UL2-112. I can't wait to play the setup, and I'll report back in once I get it.

Lots of features, power, and tone options.

 

[jlepre]

Matt,

Which shuttlemax did you get? 9 12 or 6?

 

[Manfloozy]

Matt,

Which shuttlemax did you get? 9 12 or 6?

I was able to pick up a used 12.0 from Jim (GearHunter). It's WAY more than I need but the features and flexibility were the selling point. To find a Pro grade amp with a headphone out was awesome to me. It is also innately redundant with two separate poweramps. It has a tube and S'S channel, semiparametric mids, adjustable shape features, footswitch, mute, aux in... and the list goes on, in a 7 lb package.

It will hopefully serve me well as both a practice and gig amp.

 

[five7]

I was able to pick up a used 12.0 from Jim (GearHunter). It's WAY more than I need but the features and flexibility were the selling point. To find a Pro grade amp with a headphone out was awesome to me. It is also innately redundant with two separate poweramps. It has a tube and S'S channel, semiparametric mids, adjustable shape features, footswitch, mute, aux in... and the list goes on, in a 7 lb package.

It will hopefully serve me well as both a practice and gig amp.

That should kill any unwanted creatures in your yard. Those look to be very cool amps! Will one cabinet be enough?

 

[Manfloozy]

That should kill any unwanted creatures in your yard. Those look to be very cool amps! Will one cabinet be enough?

Three answers:

Enough for what I need right now: yes

Enough for what I want: no

Enough to fully utilize the amp: heck no

I'd like to add another 112 in the near future. One off each power amp would give me 750 watts.

 

[jlepre]

I used to own the Shuttle 6, and loved it! I just sold it last month, but will soon replace it with the 9.0. I considered the 12, but the 9.0 is the same size and weight as the 6.0, and I fit it easily in the front pocket of my gig bag. Talk about convenient!

 

[ZiggyDude]

Since the OP does not care about weight, and does need volume (large rooms and no PA) then we are talking big cabs to push big air. A single 4x10 just will not hack it - especially if you are not on the floor. My Ampeg 610HLF is not enough going against a loud drummer and when I am up on a carpeted stage and backwall. Sucks the whoomph right out of the amp. You won't realize it unless you are wireless. I solved the problem with a vintage Acoustc 406wide cab - modern speakers. Still some rumble loss but much better.

But you will need something that pushes a lot of air and the cabinet internal volume is large. Also ported. As far as the head - I have tried the little ones that are out. They sound OK until they start to fart. I like big iron as it has better head room and dynamic range. Solid state over tubes just because I don't want to replace them.

This was based on your need of loud volume and not caring about weight. The tone and projection of the rig is great as you are doing the job that some other players delegate to the PA.

 

[jlepre]

I have tried the little ones that are out. They sound OK until they start to fart. I like big iron as it has better head room and dynamic range. Solid state over tubes just because I don't want to replace them.

What exactly do mean by BIG IRON? I know that weight wasn't an issue for the OP, but to lump ALL "little ones" into one big group is a little unfair don't you think?

 

[drTStingray]

You should try an Ashdown ABM500 or Klystrom - solid state with switchable tube input stage - you can turn it off or blend it in.

Lots of big acts and semi pros use them in the UK.

 

[rickharrison]

My coworker is selling an Ampeg B2R head and a 410HLF cab for $500. He said he has barely even touched them. I'm going to go check them out. If it's nice I think thats a pretty good deal and I may do that to get me started. I can always upgrade the head or cab later on.

 

[7broccos]

Mesa Walkabout Scout has finally ended my long search.I'm done and selling everything else

 

[cellkirk74]

Another brand the OP might want to check out is Genz Benz. I went with a ShuttleMAX into a Epifani UL2-112. I can't wait to play the setup, and I'll report back in once I get it.

Lots of features, power, and tone options.

That should be a great combination.

I used my shuttle 6.0 with various cabs and it sounds especially well with neodymium 12' speakers like the UL series has. You may like to boost the mids at about 400 Hz a little bit. You will love the highs especially with the Bongo.

The Genz Benz amps are very clean sounding and preserve the original Sound of the Bass, while the Markbass stuff tends to color the sound a lot when set flat. This is not bad, as they sound killer, but flat is not flat.

I also played two Epi UL2 -112 with their UL 902 head. It's expensive, but it sounds incredible.

The Mesa Carbine m6 is also worth a try, but at least with 2 cabs.

Lets hear about your experiences...

 

[cellkirk74]

.

As far as the head - I have tried the little ones that are out. They sound OK until they start to fart. I like big iron as it has better head room and dynamic range.

I know what you're talking about. Problem with those digital power amps is that they can not be pushed into gentle clipping like the solid state amps can. They will reduce the volume instead of carrying the clipping signal.

If you are used to a saturated sound, you may consider a conventional amp. But I thought the farting to be a problem of the speakers and not the amp.