Best lightweight rig for reggae ?

[redstriper]

I play dub reggae bass and need a deep, warm clean sound for stage monitoring and club gigs, there's always a PA at bigger venues.
My old Trace Elliot combo does the job, but it's too heavy - is there a lightweight solution ?

[MythSte]

You might find markbass and their vintage loudspeaker emulator knob could do it for you, drops all the highs giving a really nice dub reggea tone.

[redstriper]

[quote name='ste_m3' post='212189' date='Jun 3 2008, 11:21 PM']You might find markbass and their vintage loudspeaker emulator knob could do it for you, drops all the highs giving a really nice dub reggea tone.[/quote]

Yes, I have tried a markbass lmk 11 and it was a nice sound with both filters on full, the treble and mids turned off and the bass turned up, but their small speaker cabs were not happy with such low frequencies above quite moderate volume levels.

I do love the size and weight of the markbass amps, but haven't found a suitable cab that I can lift easily into the back of the polo.
The Bergantino 12" cab is a contender if it will satisfy my deep bass needs unless anyone has any other suggestions ?

[MythSte]

Well thats the head sorted, just a cab then! I think youll need more than a single cab if your going to want that much low - maybe 2 aguilar 112s?

theres a ported markbass 210 on here that might put out more than youd think too

[redstriper]

I tried the 2 x 10" markbass cab and didn't like the sound - just not deep or warm enough.
I've never tried aguilars, don't know where I'd find them in the northwest - I live in north wales with no music shops for miles around.
2 x 12" speakers might be the thing, trouble is it starts getting a bit pricey, I don't really want to go much over £800 for the whole rig.

[Musky]

You were using the markbass with the treble and mids fully off? Maybe you just need a sub - BFM Tuba 18?

[redstriper]

sounds interesting - where can I find one (and what is it) ?

[The Funk]

If you want deep bass, the only place to go is [url="http://www.acmebass.com/"]ACME[/url].

I have two of their 2x10s and one of their 1x10s. The 1x10 is very small and light and goes very deep. The only trouble is it's probably not loud enough on its own to do large gigs with. The 2x10 is still pretty light but should handle most gigs well. Roll off the high and mid attenuators on the back as required and you'll have a very, very deep and bassy sound.

You could pair it with a secondhand Ampeg SVP-Pro preamp (there's one for sale at the moment in the For Sale section). Then stick it all through a secondhand QSC power amp of some kind.

It probably wouldn't come in at under £800 but possibly around the £1000 mark.

Edited June 4, 2008 by The Funk

[redstriper]

Thanks for the Acme link - they look like exactly what I've been looking for and they now make them without the tweeter or midrange which would suit me fine.
I will contact them about shipping costs and also look at the Ampeg you mention - I don't know much about Ampeg other than noticing a lot of Jamaican players use them and I played through one at a festival with an 8 x 10 cab with the best sound I've ever had.

[Musky]

[quote name='redstriper' post='212235' date='Jun 4 2008, 12:55 AM']sounds interesting - where can I find one (and what is it) ?[/quote]

[url="http://billfitzmaurice.com/"]http://billfitzmaurice.com/[/url]

Bill designs a number of subs in different sizes. I don't know how they'd fair as a standalone cab, but perhaps not so different to the Acmes without the additional drivers. He pops up on these boards occasionally so maybe you could PM him. If you feel your woodwork is up to it!

[redstriper]

[quote name='The Funk' post='212254' date='Jun 4 2008, 02:35 AM']If you want deep bass, the only place to go is [url="http://www.acmebass.com/"]ACME[/url].

I have two of their 2x10s and one of their 1x10s. The 1x10 is very small and light and goes very deep. The only trouble is it's probably not loud enough on its own to do large gigs with. The 2x10 is still pretty light but should handle most gigs well. Roll off the high and mid attenuators on the back as required and you'll have a very, very deep and bassy sound.

You could pair it with a secondhand Ampeg SVP-Pro preamp (there's one for sale at the moment in the For Sale section). Then stick it all through a secondhand QSC power amp of some kind.

It probably wouldn't come in at under £800 but possibly around the £1000 mark.[/quote]

I'm really intrigued by the Acme speakers and wonder if there's anywhere in the UK to try or buy them ?
Did you get them direct from the USA and if so did you have to pay import duty ?

[redstriper]

[quote name='Musky' post='212431' date='Jun 4 2008, 12:44 PM'][url="http://billfitzmaurice.com/"]http://billfitzmaurice.com/[/url]

Bill designs a number of subs in different sizes. I don't know how they'd fair as a standalone cab, but perhaps not so different to the Acmes without the additional drivers. He pops up on these boards occasionally so maybe you could PM him. If you feel your woodwork is up to it! [/quote]

Thanks Musky, I'm not much good with DIY so I'll concentrate on the Acmes for now.

[alexclaber]

[quote name='redstriper' post='212497' date='Jun 4 2008, 02:14 PM']I'm really intrigued by the Acme speakers and wonder if there's anywhere in the UK to try or buy them ?
Did you get them direct from the USA and if so did you have to pay import duty ?[/quote]

I was the first person in the UK to buy some Acmes, way back in 1999. They did 9 years of sterling duty for me and are now with forumite BigJohn - the only reason I sold them was because I'm designing and building my own speaker cabs, I don't believe you can buy any better production bass cabs.

You should expect to pay import duty but the combination of direct sales and the weak dollar makes them incredibly good value even with the import costs.

I know a bassist in London that's using a Markbass F1 with a 4 ohm Low-B2 and he loves the combination. His previous cab, an Ampeg 2x10", couldn't handle the lows without farting out, which seems to be the case with the vast majority of compact cabs, so despite the low sensitivity the Acme can play much louder. I'd recommend the cabs with the midrange/tweeter included - you never know when you might want to play something other than reggae, plus they make great small PA cabs - and the cost isn't much extra.

Alex

[The Funk]

I got them direct from the USA on Alex's recommendation. He was completely right.

Shipping wasn't too bad. I'm not sure what shipping on a single 2x10 would be. The easiest way to find out is to email Andy at Acme and ask him to find out for you.

You normally pay 22.5% on top of the price (excluding shipping) in customs and duty. It still works out not that badly.

[redstriper]

[quote name='alexclaber' post='212533' date='Jun 4 2008, 02:55 PM']I was the first person in the UK to buy some Acmes, way back in 1999. They did 9 years of sterling duty for me and are now with forumite BigJohn - the only reason I sold them was because I'm designing and building my own speaker cabs, I don't believe you can buy any better production bass cabs.

You should expect to pay import duty but the combination of direct sales and the weak dollar makes them incredibly good value even with the import costs.

I know a bassist in London that's using a Markbass F1 with a 4 ohm Low-B2 and he loves the combination. His previous cab, an Ampeg 2x10", couldn't handle the lows without farting out, which seems to be the case with the vast majority of compact cabs, so despite the low sensitivity the Acme can play much louder. I'd recommend the cabs with the midrange/tweeter included - you never know when you might want to play something other than reggae, plus they make great small PA cabs - and the cost isn't much extra.

Alex[/quote]

Thanks for the information Alex, I've made contact with Acme and am seriously considering placing an order for the Low B-2W without the tweeter - I've been playing only reggae for 25 years now and have no intention of changing style.
It's hard to imagine a 2 x 10" cab being low and loud enough after trying the Markbass one, but I've read some very positive reviews and as you say they are very reasonable price wise.
I could always add another if I go for the 8 ohm version, or maybe a single 4 ohm would do the job.
I am thinking of teaming it with a Markbass LMK 11 and they only go down to 4 0hms total.
SWR and Warwick also make amp heads that might do the job - any more advice would be much appreciated.

Steve.

[url="http://myspace.com/redstriper"]http://myspace.com/redstriper[/url]

[redstriper]

[quote name='The Funk' post='212577' date='Jun 4 2008, 04:10 PM']I got them direct from the USA on Alex's recommendation. He was completely right.

Shipping wasn't too bad. I'm not sure what shipping on a single 2x10 would be. The easiest way to find out is to email Andy at Acme and ask him to find out for you.

You normally pay 22.5% on top of the price (excluding shipping) in customs and duty. It still works out not that badly.[/quote]

Thanks for the info - just a thought.............
Don't suppose you want to sell one of your cabs?

[The Funk]

[quote name='redstriper' post='212721' date='Jun 4 2008, 08:02 PM']Don't suppose you want to sell one of your cabs?[/quote]

[redstriper]

[quote name='The Funk' post='212737' date='Jun 4 2008, 08:41 PM']





[/quote]

I'll take that as a 'no' then............

How about letting me have a go on them ?

[The Funk]

Let me know next time you're planning on being in London and you could come over to try them out. The other person I know has a pair of Acme cabs is BigJohn. I'm not sure if he's closer to Anglesey than I am.

[redstriper]

[quote name='The Funk' post='212889' date='Jun 5 2008, 12:38 AM']Let me know next time you're planning on being in London and you could come over to try them out. The other person I know has a pair of Acme cabs is BigJohn. I'm not sure if he's closer to Anglesey than I am.[/quote]

Cheers I appreciate that and I would definately like to try them with my Ashbory bass.
I'll be visiting family in Camberwell in the next few weeks, so could meet up then if it's convenient.

I have been in touch with BigJohn and he also gives the Acmes the thunbs up, not sure of his location.

A friend of mine is visiting from the states next month and I might ask him to bring one over in his hand luggage............

[paul.bass]

Hey Redstriper

I've got a Markbass amp and Aguilar GS112 which you can try. I'm only down the road near Bangor.
I'll send you a pm

Cheers Paul

[OldGit]

[quote name='redstriper' post='212206' date='Jun 3 2008, 11:34 PM']Yes, I have tried a markbass lmk 11 and it was a nice sound with both filters on full, the treble and mids turned off and the bass turned up, but their small speaker cabs were not happy with such low frequencies above quite moderate volume levels.
The Bergantino 12" cab is a contender if it will satisfy my deep bass needs unless anyone has any other suggestions ?[/quote]

I've got the Markbass LMK (liek a two channel Litte Mark II) and a pair of Bergantino AE12's .

I've only had the cabs a few weeks (just one gig) so I've not tried them properly on my Reggae setting. I'll get the chance on Saturday
Incidentally the VPP filter adds top as well as bottom (It's a scoop shape) so you may want to try that turned off.
Actually I don't use the filters at all.
For reggae I turn the high stuff off and the bass and mid bass up to 3/4. However I'm not a specialist or playing in a reggae band so your needs may differ ..

Edit: The Schroeder 1212L I had before was brilliant at soft, smooth and creamy sub bass but I don't think one alone would do it in a full blown reggae band. You'd probably need 2.

OG

Edited June 5, 2008 by OldGit

[redstriper]

[quote name='OldGit' post='212930' date='Jun 5 2008, 07:44 AM']I've got the Markbass LMK (liek a two channel Litte Mark II) and a pair of Bergantino AE12's .

I've only had the cabs a few weeks (just one gig) so I've not tried them properly on my Reggae setting. I'll get the chance on Saturday
Incidentally the VPP filter adds top as well as bottom (It's a scoop shape) so you may want to try that turned off.
Actually I don't use the filters at all.
For reggae I turn the high stuff off and the bass and mid bass up to 3/4. However I'm not a specialist or playing in a reggae band so your needs may differ ..

Edit: The Schroeder 1212L I had before was brilliant at soft, smooth and creamy sub bass but I don't think one alone would do it in a full blown reggae band. You'd probably need 2.

OG[/quote]

Thanks Mr Git (or can I just call you 'Old'?),

I do like the markbass heads for the old skool sound without the old skool weight and I find that both filters on full gives maximum warmth.
It doesn't matter that the VPP adds top because I lose all that with the EQ anyway - maybe it shouldn't have any effect but I can definately hear something that I like with it on.
My Trace combo has a shape switch and I always use that too, even though I cut all the treble and mid with the graphic eq.

I've tried some Berg cabs ( 12", 15" and 6 x 10") since my last post and they're not for me - loud, light but not low enough.
Same problem with the Aguilar 12" and Epifani 2 x 10".
The Schroeder 1212L sounds very nice, but expensive and probably not lightweight enough.
I'm running out of options cab wise, with Acme and basschatter alexclaber's Big One being top of the list at the moment.

Still, time is on my side - I'm only a kid!

[OldGit]

[quote name='redstriper' post='214873' date='Jun 8 2008, 01:36 PM']Thanks Mr Git (or can I just call you 'Old'?),

I do like the markbass heads for the old skool sound without the old skool weight and I find that both filters on full gives maximum warmth.
It doesn't matter that the VPP adds top because I lose all that with the EQ anyway - maybe it shouldn't have any effect but I can definately hear something that I like with it on.
My Trace combo has a shape switch and I always use that too, even though I cut all the treble and mid with the graphic eq.

I've tried some Berg cabs ( 12", 15" and 6 x 10") since my last post and they're not for me - loud, light but not low enough.
Same problem with the Aguilar 12" and Epifani 2 x 10".
The Schroeder 1212L sounds very nice, but expensive and probably not lightweight enough.
I'm running out of options cab wise, with Acme and basschatter alexclaber's Big One being top of the list at the moment.

Still, time is on my side - I'm only a kid! [/quote]


Call me anything yuo like .. you'll not be the first


I paid attention during our reggae bit last night and the pair of Bergantini AE12's can certainly do it .. very low room filling throbbing bass .. We were on a bass enhancing hollow stage but I think it all managed it anyway.

Still. if you've tried them ...

The Shcroeder too heavy? I'll be interested to see what you end up with then

[redstriper]

The Shcroeder too heavy? I'll be interested to see what you end up with then
[/quote]


My mistake - they're not heavy at all I just thought they would be with 2 speakers in 1 cab - why did you get rid of yours?

Glad the AE12's suit you, I couldn't get the very low room filling throbbing bass but I was using the Berg IP power amp and a pre-amp that didn't like my Ashbory, they might go lower with the markbass head.