RandomBass

[quote name='Cosmo Valdemar' timestamp='1334322512' post='1614506'] I've been after a new rig for some time and have pretty much narrowed it down to a GK MB500 - but I can't decide on the cabs. My budget could just stretch to the NEOs, but are they really going to offer me that much over the MBEs? I've done quite a bit of research on here and Talkbass and there seems to be a bit of a bias against the MBE cabs on there, lots of people onsider them badly made and not to sound too great. Of course, with the MB500 head I won't have any use for the bi-amp feature - in fact the horn will probably just stay off anyway. [/quote] Ben I had the opportunity to play through an MBE212 and MB500 head a couple of years back, and it sounded brilliant. In fact i think I was using the SR700 that your friend bought from me. The MBE212 was clear, loud, and didn't vibrate nastily at all. That was one of the Mk1 MBE cabs, which have been replaced by the MK2 now. I believe these are USA made, and have a different look to them - but the basic internals are the same. According to Talkbass that is. Cheers Geoff

[quote name='MoJo' timestamp='1385121819' post='2284650'] Gary (grunge666) has offered to A/B mine with his on Saturday night. I'll report back with the results [/quote] That's good news. Obviously I don't need to tell you this, but check if its an earlier one and whether it's had a pre valve swap for lower gain ones, or if it's a later one with hopefully the same valves as yours, for a clearer level playing field comparison. Cheers Geoff

Cheers for that Ant. I had the PF500 for a while and found the same as you when using it with my BF Compact and Midget. I loved the tone and facilities, and never had the cutting-out problem that was widely reported. It just seemed to struggle even when I wasn't pushing it too hard. The PF800 does interest me a lot for the additional headroom with the same facilities and tone.

[quote name='Ant' timestamp='1385111924' post='2284512'] i thought the sound of my Ampeg pf500 into my barefaced super15 was awesome, but the pf500 often felt like it was running out of headroom and i never felt at ease when pushing it, i upgraded it to the pf800 and the headroom is amazing! so i say go for the pf800 [/quote] I'd love to know more about how you are finding the PF800. What cabs are you using with it, still a BF S15? What sort of venues do you play? Cheers Geoff

Good stuff. Out of interest, what is it?

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1385059874' post='2284048'] I don't understand this at all. Just to be on the safe side, have you tried A/B-ing your OTB500 against another? There must be loads of them in the Midlands. [/quote] +1 to this. If I had one I'd post the thing to you so you could compare

WTF? The BB414 has one of the hottest passive outputs I've come across. I know that Orange fixed the issue of an overly enthusiastic pre gain, and the associated DI, but if this is the result then they have gone too far and potentially destroyed one of the USPs of this amp.

I've had several Roqsolid covers for amp heads. Good quality and will last. They are not the last word in protection - only a flightcase would do that (or leave the amp at home of course lol), but for preventing dust, scuff marks and lighter dings and scrapes they are great. There are other cover manufacturers around, but Roqsolid seem to be the most popular around here. Cheers Geoff

I just had to add a couple of pics of my similar setup.... [attachment=148892:PB216812s.JPG] [attachment=148893:PB216813s.JPG]

Looking good! It's a common width that a lot of heads and cabs use, and have done for a while - makes things easier for rack mounting into standard size racks.

Result! Always good to see/hear You will have to revisit this thread with an update once you've had more time with your setup - and preferably gigged with it too. Cheers Geoff

Oops yeah how could I overlook the BX500. Now that is a corking deal too - and rackable with the optional mounting plate.

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1384960398' post='2282822'] Anything with two 12 inches in it is going to be popular on the internet! [/quote] Which is why we have a Gear Porn section... Anyhow, back on topic, I've also a Compact and S12 and not had the opportunity to run them together. The only 2-Ohm capable amp that might interest me is the Carvin B2000. The BX1500 could be used in dual mode, but I like the idea of a single mono amp that can go down to 2 Ohms without having separate power channels.

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1384957502' post='2282767'] Haha, it would have to be big red X and someone who only likes fenders that turns him in the end! [/quote] Surely anything on Barefaced Mountain would involve a Midget and his Big Twin? ;-)

[quote name='Japhet' timestamp='1384955656' post='2282733'] That has just given me an idea for a screenplay. It's about 2 bass players who take a bit of a shine to each other........................... [/quote] Ha ha, excellent

I might mention the Carvin BX1500 or B2000. Rack mountable but not heavy. Cheers Geoff

[quote name='bassmayhem' timestamp='1384899825' post='2282188'] I am sad to hear that things aren't so good with GB (No - not Great Britain!) and a lot of rumours are flourishing. Anyway, I got myself a nice Genz Benz Streamliner 900, at a more than good price, that will come in handy when a small powerful rig is needed. Since my big 2126 cabs are 900 W RMS at 4 ohms, one of them is the perfect match to the S900. Even if the cab is rather big it is light, the whole rig is somewhere around 61-61 lbs. The pedal board isn't ready yet, I'm waiting for cables with tighter jacks for closer placement. Some reorganizing still to do... [/quote] I have to say that cab is a little bit gorgeous

[quote name='brensabre79' timestamp='1384877870' post='2281770'] Well Pete, the 'mis-matched' 2x10 / 1x15 setup was indeed popular for a long time. As was the Laney Linebacker... Thing is, some of these were designed to work together. My rig with similar speakers was bi-amped with a crossover for example, and it worked brilliantly. but that does not mean that any old 2x10 and any old 1x15 will work well together, especially with just the one amp. SOME of the Barefaced modular series were designed to be used together or apart. The Super12 and Compact were part of this range, along with the Midget I believe... Having said that, I personally see no need for these sort of stacks unless you're playing in a stadium without PA support! To the OP. The Super12 will easily handle twice the power your Ampeg can muster. You can get the full 500 watts out of it just by using the Super12 on it's own. You'll get 60-70% of that with the compact on its own (8 ohms). If you use them together in series you will still get about 70% power. That's with all the knobs at 11 mind... So just use the Super12, turn it up so you can't hear every person in a 30 mile radius telling you to turn that f****g thing down!! [/quote] Pretty much it really.

[quote name='Dropzone' timestamp='1384878394' post='2281778'] The footprint of the S12 is about half that of the Mk1 Compact. Looks brilliant together, If only I could work out how to add pictures. [/quote] This confuses me. I've owned a mk1 and mk2 Compact together, and an S12, and mine all had the same footprint.

Another angle - do you really need to run an S12 and a Compact together? I'd guess the PF500/S12 pairing is pretty good on it's own. I know from experience how good the PF500 sounds with a Compact. Also, Barefaced recommend against running dissimilar cabs like this in series (according to their website). You'd have to ask them why. Cheers Geoff

[quote name='walbassist' timestamp='1384719396' post='2279985'] Hi guys Not gigged yet, but it has a lot of volume for something so small. It'll certainly work for some of my gigs though. A video shall follow Cheers Gareth [/quote] Good man The CTM should keep the garage warm this time of year

[quote name='MoJo' timestamp='1384812303' post='2281124'] No. They've not replied to my email [/quote] Ah ok fair enough, I misunderstood lol. I hope they don't take their time to get back to you. Fingers crossed.