Got some spending money...

[Mogee]

And I need a rig for my Stingray. Its a 4HH, and I play mostly at church, but I am about to start playing with some guys. Probably wont be playing out much in anything smaller than a coffee house or small room. I know there are a lot of Markbass fans out there. What do you guys think about the Mesa Walkabout 300, as compared to say a Little Mark 2. And would you recommend a head with say a 2x10 or 4x10, or perhaps a 2x10 or 1x15 combo? I know its all in the ear of the beholder, but I have never really purchased a bass rig, (reformed guitar player) so any thoughts or discussion would help me a ton.

 

[jlepre]

I use a Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0 with (2) Epifani UL112 cabs. If it's a small situation I use only 1 cab, and get 300 watts. If the situation calls for it I use both, and get the full 600 watts. What's great is if I'm not sure I just bring the whole rig and set up with one to start, and if it's not enough I just connect the 2nd cab. The whole rig only weighs 63.75 pounds (3.75 for the head, 30 pounds for each cab). I've seen some slightly used heads for sale around for like $450, and cabs for around $400 each.

 

[silverburst]

I've owned Markbass amps, and did not have very good luck with them.

I am now using a Genz Shuttle 6.0 with Genz cabinets and love it.

 

[Mogee]

What style of music do you guys play?

 

[five7]

Markbass f1 with an ampeg 2-12 portabass cabinet will handle any gig. I have a spare ampeg cabinet for sale if you are interested for $300. The size and weight and having a dolly built on the back make it an outstanding cabinet. Plus it will handle 500 watts, everything the f1 will put out.

 

[jlepre]

What style of music do you guys play?

I have been playing for over 30 years, mostly classic rock fingers no slap. However I have heard my setup with a slap bassist, and it really kicked!

 

[Mogee]

I was pretty much sold on going with a Markbass, but you guys have got me thinking about that Genz Benz 6.0. I have been doing some research and it seems to be able to do everything the LM2 can, but with a tube preamp. Anyone else want to weigh in? I need to buy something before the 16th. Never played on a 2x12, always on a 2x10 or 4x10. what is the difference in sound?

 

[jlepre]

Never played on a 2x12, always on a 2x10 or 4x10. what is the difference in sound?

I had always played through 10's myself. I had an Ampeg SVT410HLF for years, and my current setup can come pretty close. The 12's are kind of an in-between the 10's and 15's sound. The 10's have a little more punch, but the 12's are close with a little warmer bottom end.

 

[jerimy77]

I Prefer Ampeg Myself, I use an old SVT with my band but just for jamming around I bought one of the 210 combos, I got the two hundred watt version which sounds really good, but the 300 watt would be more versitile as far as an all around combo. I like 10's but I played the 300 watt with the 15 version at GC recently and it has a lot of volume with a pretty sweet sound.

 

[phatduckk]

ive been a fan of GK stuff and like the Genz Benz shuttle a lot. id recommend u check those out

 

[smallequestrian]

I was pretty much sold on going with a Markbass, but you guys have got me thinking about that Genz Benz 6.0. I have been doing some research and it seems to be able to do everything the LM2 can, but with a tube preamp. Anyone else want to weigh in? I need to buy something before the 16th. Never played on a 2x12, always on a 2x10 or 4x10. what is the difference in sound?

Play them both if you can. I like the Markbass stuff a lot and gig it. Had a Shuttle and found it very lacking in comparison. But people I know and who have good taste in equipment like the Genz stuff a lot, so it really just personal preference.

FWIW, I really wanted to like the Shuttle more due to all the extra features that you have noticed.

 

[MusicMan4Life38]

If you have the money I would go with Genz-Benz GBE1200 and a couple of Accugroove cabs. The first time I picked up a Stingray I play it through a GBE1200 and Elwappo and I was floored by how sick the tone was. They are not cheap by any means but well worth the money.

 

[smallequestrian]

If you have the money I would go with Genz-Benz GBE1200 and a couple of Accugroove cabs. The first time I picked up a Stingray I play it through a GBE1200 and Elwappo and I was floored by how sick the tone was. They are not cheap by any means but well worth the money.

Given the items he is looking at and his gig requirements, don't you think recommending a 1200 and an El Whappo (while nice gear for sure) would be a little silly?

 

[bbernard]

I just played a walkabout last weekend. Very nice sounding combo with plenty of volume. Opinions vary on what it takes to play a gig. I did an awful lot of small rooms in a caberet type environment with a Roland Cube 60 and always had plenty of volume.

If you ar playing classic rock the guitarist will invariable be too loud so maybe you will need a little extra boost. I really like the genz benz gear. They have a range of combos that really put out the sound. I haven't tried one with an extension cabinet but I imagine it would cover most any gig. As would the walkabout...really you need to try them out as each has a pretty unique personality.

In my opinion dragging a 410 into a small room or coffeehouse is overkill.

One more note - Carvin has a nice range of new amps. I tried the big one, the B1500, into a neo cabinet and it sounded pretty good...a great value.

 

[patobrujo]

i use gallien krueger and really can handle my bongo 6 power!! like it or not i think you should take a walk at your musical shop and try as much as you can

 

[ivbenaplayin]

I've been a playin' my 20th stingray 5HH and bongo 4HH through a SWR SM-500 with goliath jr 2x10 and son of bertha 1x15 - great tonal variation and in the smaller venues which i play in alot, using one cab or the other (s.o.b for the 5'er) gives great flexibility and a lot of times I don't have to haul as much gear ... price and preference are obvious factors though...

 

[Road Pop]

I have a few cabs (210/410/115), a head and a large combo laying around. If you need something for the 16th, you can borrow whatever. That may give you some time to find what you like. I'm in Wabash.

 

[Mogee]

Thanks, I have an Ampeg SVT and an 8x10 to play with for the show, but I kinda wanted my own by then.

 

[Basspro]

I did use my Mesa mpulse 300 walkabout head with a lightweight 210 setup. I just love the sound of these.
I play bigger venues so my little mesa is just sitting around these days.
I played some Mark bass heads and cabs and wasn't too inpressed with them,
they are nice, but just not for me, you need to try out a few to see what you like.I would recommened GK,Mesa,or GB.
I will make you a great deal on the Mesa if your interested, i PM'ed you back again.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

I use a MarkBass LMII and two 1x12 Bergantino cabs. I generally jam and play at least half of my gigs with just one cab. If I need more, I have the other and it can get pretty loud (300W@8ohms, 500W@4ohms).

I use a SansAmp PBDDI if I want some warmth and/or distortion. It sure beats lugging around a 100lb head!

I tend to lean towards lighter more portable equipment (which still sounds great). If you're going to be playing small venues and don't need extreme volume, then a small light weight head with a small cab (1x12, 2x10, 1x15) would be ideal.