Powman
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Is the Genz Benz stuff expensive?
- Thread starter Powman
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cellkirk74
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no, not really...
Old_Guy
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My $.02..I like the MoMark setup (I have the 500W A/B chassis with the SS preamp); but the G-B should work well too. You can never win a volume war against a guitarist (or two), and if you wind up with a giant backline behind you, everyone will end up deaf. Every band I play with now puts everything through a FOH system, so all I really need on stage is something along the lines of a 2x12 or 4x10 driven by a 500W amp; so look at amps that give you flexibility in the direct output to the board; MoMark as an example offers a master module that lets me control that signal, which is (these days) more important than what's going to the backline - which is really just to amuse the drummer and myself at this point.
GGK
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There are some great options out there, but this would be my call as well or maybe buy two 12" (8 ohm cabs)
steve f
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For comparable gear (that I compared when shopping), I'd say it's close to MarkBass and a touch less than Mesa Boogie. For the power/weight/quality - well worth it.
T Alan
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Powman
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I rented a cab with two 12 inch horns in it...It helped my tone, but I was not blown away...the cab was a lower end 'Traynor". I will try and rent something else next. I want to try out a bunch of things before committing...
I did play some Markbass stuff at the Music Store...I liked it a lot, but it was over a grand for the head and another grand for the cab...definitely out of my snack bracket these days...
I did play some Markbass stuff at the Music Store...I liked it a lot, but it was over a grand for the head and another grand for the cab...definitely out of my snack bracket these days...
cellkirk74
Well-known member
I tried the markbass f1 and do own the Genz Benz shuttle 6.0. To me the Genz has a little less thump, but a nicer and more open sounding preamp. And it is not expensive at all when compared to markbass.
You might also want to check out the gallien krueger mb 2-500:
Gallien-Krueger MB2-500 Ultra Light Bass Amplifier Head and more Bass Amplifiers at GuitarCenter.com.
Powman
Well-known member
Ok, I was at a sale today and I picked up an SWR Goliath Junior 4 Ohm cab. It has two 10 inch speakers and a tweeter. Hooked everything up, sounds much better than my combo with just a 15 inch speaker.
But I am still really confused about this whole impedance thing. At the back of the Ashdown it said minimum 4 Ohms impedance beside the extra speaker output jack. Does this mean I am ok? Or does this mean minimum of 4 Ohms of TOTAL impedance. If so, then I am not ok as I think the total impeance from two speakers is going to be under 4 Ohms. HELP!!
But I am still really confused about this whole impedance thing. At the back of the Ashdown it said minimum 4 Ohms impedance beside the extra speaker output jack. Does this mean I am ok? Or does this mean minimum of 4 Ohms of TOTAL impedance. If so, then I am not ok as I think the total impeance from two speakers is going to be under 4 Ohms. HELP!!
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T Alan
Well-known member
What, exactly, is the ohmage of the other speaker? I'm assuming it's 8. If it is, then your okay. Just don't push it hard. But if the goal was to run both cabs together, then I would have gotten an 8 ohm cab.
Goliah Jr's are great cabs tho. Here's my old one-
...8 ohm because I later added a Son of Bertha(8 ohm).
Goliah Jr's are great cabs tho. Here's my old one-
...8 ohm because I later added a Son of Bertha(8 ohm).
Powman
Well-known member
Yeah, I think you are right. I do plan on running both cabs together, so I think i should have gotten an 8 Ohm...No worries, the store I buy from (Long and McQuade) has a great return policy.
T Alan
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Yeah, I would trade up to the 8 ohm to be on the safe side.
Powman
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I replaced the 4 Ohm cab. I almostt bought a brand new SWR Goliath 2X10 8 Ohm, but it was more than double the price.
They also had an 8 Ohm, 600 W Mesa Powerhouse 2 X 10. It was used, but looked like it was in great condition. I paid $450 CAD for it (thats 414.69 USD). So i took that home...I like it! I like the SWR a bit more, but not $250 more...
Anybody have any experience with Mesa cabs for bass? They dont seem as popular
They also had an 8 Ohm, 600 W Mesa Powerhouse 2 X 10. It was used, but looked like it was in great condition.
I paid $450 CAD for it (thats 414.69 USD). So i took that home...I like it! I like the SWR a bit more, but not $250 more...Anybody have any experience with Mesa cabs for bass? They dont seem as popular
shakinbacon
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I replaced the 4 Ohm cab. I almostt bought a brand new SWR Goliath 2X10 8 Ohm, but it was more than double the price.
They also had an 8 Ohm, 600 W Mesa Powerhouse 2 X 10. It was used, but looked like it was in great condition.
Anybody have any experience with Mesa cabs for bass? They dont seem as popular
Mesa = quality. Those boys do not play any games. I've owned there stuff before and I was very impressed with build quality. If you want tube tone they specialize in that arena. But you're asking about cabs...
The walkabout heads and combos have a dedicated following on talkbass
Old_Guy
Well-known member
I have a Mesa PH 4x10; it's a relatively recent model. Here's the thing about Mesa:
- Prior to this year, they didn't sell over the internet. You had to find a Mesa dealer, and special order if the dealer didn't have the stock you wanted.
- Dealers arent' able to charge less than the Mesa recommended retail price.
On the other hand:
- Mesa bass cabinets have a very distinctive sound. I've described it them as "The Gentleman's Ampeg." Similar to the Ampeg growl, but with better definition, clarity, depth.
- Their cabinets are HEAVY. The 4x10 weighs 98 pounds; most of that weight is in the wood; probably made better than any piece of furniture I own. It's also 18" deep, which is why it appears to be small.
Hard to say why they don't appear to be popular where you are - weight, cost and uniquely colored sound are probably it. Begantino AEs are in the same league, but weigh less. I love mine but dread having to get it up and down stairs...
Powman
Well-known member
Ok, that might explain some stuff...but the two important things are 1. Does it have the sound I want and 2. Will it last?
Sound-wise it is quite nice. If you recall, I have an Ashdown combo with a 15 inch speaker. After playing with the Mesa 2X10 attached to this for about an hour, I unplugged it to listen to the sound with just the 15 inch. I found I could no longer go back to that old sound of just a 15 inch speaker.
Yes, I have heard about the quality of Mesa products...you rarely see used Mesa equipment for sale as people keep it forever.
The only slight hesitation I have is that I did like the SWR slightly more. Not a huge difference...but still, whats $250...but still, the Mesa is quite nice too...
Old_Guy
Well-known member
I like the SWR sound on occasion too. I often regret selling my Super Redhead when I'm looking for a funk sound. I'd think (to my old ears anyway), the SWR and Mesa sounds are a little different, but it sounds like you've got the sound you want from mixing the Ashdown 15 with the Mesa 2x10. Folks rarely sell their Mesa stuff, and when they do it's years later and only because they just don't play anymore. Same thing with old Stingrays.
I've spent more time fiddling with speaker combinations than anything else - between a roundwound Sterling and flatwound Bongo, I think I've covered the range of bass tones more than adequately.
I've spent more time fiddling with speaker combinations than anything else - between a roundwound Sterling and flatwound Bongo, I think I've covered the range of bass tones more than adequately.
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Powman
Well-known member
Thanks for the advice Old Guy...
Here are some more details on what I am hearing. The SWR Jr. has a much brighter sound. If used on its own, I actually think it might be too bright.
The Mesa sounds great on its own, Balanced punchy sound. But when combined with the 15 inch speaker in the combo, it sounds fine> But the SWR, when combined with the 15 inch speaker, sounded like it could compete better. Does this make any sense?
So, should I pay close to $300 more for the SWR?
Here are some more details on what I am hearing. The SWR Jr. has a much brighter sound. If used on its own, I actually think it might be too bright.
The Mesa sounds great on its own, Balanced punchy sound. But when combined with the 15 inch speaker in the combo, it sounds fine> But the SWR, when combined with the 15 inch speaker, sounded like it could compete better. Does this make any sense?
So, should I pay close to $300 more for the SWR?
T Alan
Well-known member
Go for the sound that inspires you to play; simple as that.
