chris_b

I used a 210 and 115 for 10 years. No random sound there. You can mix cabs and they will work. My point about 15's is that the design of drivers and cabs for bass has improved so much in the last 10 years that the traditional reasons for 15's (adding low end to your sound) is no longer relevant.

Yessssss

I think you'll find in the thread that the Mark Bass rig sounded "great" with two of the guys basses but "dull" with the third. That doesn't sound like a cab problem to me.

I know there is a difference in the sound and resonance of different woods. IMO if you work in studios or close mic'ed environments then these differences will be noticeable and more important, but the nature of the gigs most of us play will reduce the benefits that different woods could bring to our sound. I'd guess that in the semi pro gigging world differences this small will not even be noticed by the majority. If Roger Sadowsky, one of the pickiest guys around, can find acceptable alternatives to rosewood for his flagship models then the rest of us are going to be fine without rosewood..

IMO you should be buying pickups and onboard pre amps for their tone and you should be looking to the amp to provide the volume you require. If you have to spend time trying to tame the signal from a bass it is not a good thing. And a too hot signal from your bass will probably limit the effectiveness of what you can achieve with your preamp.

What is your budget? What amp are you using? How loud do you play? Have you reached the limits of your Zoot cab? Do you use a DI or mic your cab? Are you expanding because you want to or are you playing louder and need to? If a standard 115 (assuming 8 ohm) has been good for so long, just adding a 210 will be the simplest and cheapest solution. With 1 good 212 you shouldn't need to keep the 115 at all. The 115 won't add much in that set up because a good 212 can do everything you need on its own. Upgrading to 2 212's will be like chopping in your Ford Focus for a Ferrari. You could get another, better, 115 and replace like for like but if space is a limiting issue then I'd be looking at 1 or 2 of the smaller, more powerful 112's.

Get a used one. You can find virtually unplayed basses in the classifieds for a lot less than the new price. For your budget you could be in Shuker/ACG/Lakland etc territory. If you can save a little longer and get up to the £1500 level the basses get much more interesting.

I've recently heard a couple of bass players using MB amps (not the cabs though) and they were getting a very nice full, warm sound. I'd definitely stick with it and try different EQ settings. My only experience of MB was an LM2 and I liked it. I had the controls at noon with the filters switched off.

You're not supposed to be taking it out!!!

What does your band say? What does it sound like out front? Really, I'd be happy with "good" any day of the week.

I just got a ticket for Knower at the Jazz Cafe. Excellent.

I believe the illustration is. . . like turning a tap on and off. Anti clockwise is on and clockwise is off.

Self belief gets you into your first band. Getting better moves you into the next band, and so on. Joining the best bands depends on who you meet. IME you never really know, but you should never stop striving to be better.

JA's comments were in relation to the largely chambered, ie hollow, body of the Sadowsky. US Lakland's are not heavy basses.

The Kevlar finish is selling well I believe.

I think the OP has covered that. His problem occurs at higher volume levels. The power of the amp is irrelevant. The Traveller is OK at low volume and runs out of power when volume is turned up. That is what you'd expect with a cab that is basically under powered because it is too small to work on its own at high volume. Two cabs would be one answer (but IMO probably not the 115 that the OP is looking at).

Realistically the 102P cannot put out 400 watts. It will probably reach its maximum volume at less than 200 watts. There is a Barefaced Super Compact (gen3) in the classifieds for £450. That cab would cover more than an MB Traveller 210 and the proposed 115 can do.

Dislike? Anything pointy. Sparkle paint jobs. Other than that, everything else is on the table.

Lucky chap.

Band gear is left outside in vans and cars all around the world, so cold and heat shouldn't be a problem. Car stereo systems are always in hot and cold extremes and always work. The only thing I'd suggest would be bad is condensation. As long as there is no damp and you keep the gear covered, you should be OK.

Hi Dave, I'd stick with the 2 Two10's. I used mine for the first time on a "quieter" gig last weekend and they came through with flying colours. I used my AG700 and they handled the 5 string with ease. I also have a 4 ohm Two10 which I've used with a One10's and they sounded very good together. A Three10 for more volume and depth in the tone.

The amp might be the problem but whether the amp is good or not, IMO your cab is the weakest link in this rig. You need to move more air and the Traveller cab is just too small to do enough in that department. If you want to stay with Mark Bass get an MB Standard 102 HF to daisy chain with this cab and see what the amp does then. I'd stick with 10's and run 2 cabs for a better focussed sound and maybe try using the amp in stereo rather than bridged. I wonder what made you go down this unusual route with your bass gear.

I didn't know TK played a Lakland bass. He's renown for only playing Sadowsky basses. Stray or deflection, he's a lucky chap to be playing this one that night. As JA says, solid body with no chambering as the NYC Sadowskys are.

Good used Fender Precision with GHS flats.

I think this has been posted before. . . . but still worth another listen. . . .