Another cab comparison question?

[gadget]

Hey guys,

So firstly, sorry if you feel this has been done to death, but searching has not provided the answers I am requiring, and I need your vital and valuable life experience.....

I'm currently looking at buying a new rig. I have played Markbass for the past 10 years, and been an endorser for the past 5. I absolutely love the tone of the LM3 with the 102HF cab, but I'm currently at a crossroads......

I'm almost certain I'm going with an LM Tube 800 head (though am also looking at a PJB BG-400), but can't decide on a cab....

As mentioned, I love the STD 102HF, and may just add a second one to the stack, but the other options I've been looking at are the Bergantino HD-210 or the PJB Compact 8. Being in Cape Town, I can't try either of these out as they are simply not imported here (too specialised for this market).....

The Bergantino may be a little too costly with shipping and VAT etc, but I've read so much good about this cab I cannot ignore it? Is it worth an extra 25% to 40% more over the others mentioned here?

The PJB gear has always piqued my interest, and I love the idea, but having no tweeter, I am a bit concerned about being able to control the sound as much as I'd like to? I tend to play with the 102's attenuator at around 10 o'clock. I'm also a bit put off by the fact that it is 4 Ohm, so limits me to this one cab (I like to mix and match as needed with cabs).

Barefaced and Vanderkley were also being considered, but are just too expensive for me to be able to afford the shipping and VAT on top.

Any decent advice on which way to go?
Regards
G!

[FuNkShUi]

Hi G, i assumed if you were endorsed by Markbass you'd have to stay with Markbass gear?
I've always liked the Markbass kit i've played through, and if you do too, then just get another 102 to beef up your sound?
Markbass cabs certainly work best with Markbass heads IMO.
Cant comment on the PJB kit as i've not played through one.
The Bergantino HD210 is brilliant though. I had one of those and loved it. Probably a little heavier than the Markbass, but i preferred it.

Edited December 20, 2016 by FuNkShUi

[Lozz196]

My one question would be, do you DI to FOH? If so I`d look at cabs other than Markbass as they have a lot of high-end roll-off, so whatever DI`d signal you send to FOH (if post eq) will be wayyyyy more trebly than you hear on stage.

[chris_b]

I don't know why people who have a sound they love get the urge to throw it all away and replace it with gear that it totally unknown to them.

A few years ago I saw a great sounding bass player using an LM3 with 2 102HF cabs. I've never been a fan of Markbass cabs but he lent me his back line on the gig and I liked it. . . a lot. If I already played Markbass I would be looking at this as the affordable, sensible and straight forward option. More of what you already love about your sound but better because there are 2 cabs. IMO 2 cabs really do sound better than 1.

Having said that I think that Bergantino cabs are fantastic sounding cabs. IMO you can't go wrong with any amp through any of their cabs, especially the 212 cabs. I played these for years and love their sound. They are worth saving up for.

OK, so this is way over budget, but I'm now playing Barefaced Super Compacts. If they were stolen, out of everything I'd played in the last 10 years, I'd go out and buy more SC's. Again I think they are worth saving up for. Try and get a 212 out of the BC Classifieds. A BF cab would breath a new lease of life into your current amp and if you postponed the new amp purchase your budget would stretch further?

[gadget]

Thanks for the views so far, all helpful. I also usually wouldn't consider stepping away from what I know and love, but as mentioned, I'm currently at a crossroads, and the endorsement thing is kinda in limbo (long story - and in no way Markbass's fault) and with spending so much money, I wand to make an informed decision. The reserved bassist in me wants to stick with what I know and love, but as I say, so much good stuff has been reported on the Berg cabs, that I simply cannot ignore them, and obviously PJB's marketing division speaks for itself (I'd like to cut through the marketing and get actual hands on opinions)!

So that's kind of where I am coming from with at least sticking with an MB head, and considering another cab. I just wish I could try them all side by side first! Most likely I'll bottle out and go with what I know, but I have to explore.

Regards
G!

[gadget]

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1482223493' post='3198510']
My one question would be, do you DI to FOH?
[/quote]

Really depends on the situation and size of the gig? When I do DI out, its generally before the amp anyhow (most engineers here are very inflexible like that - even when insisting otherwise), but often I will play with just the amp to carry the tone (I prefer it that way were it can work).

Regards
G!

[gadget]

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1482224389' post='3198520']
A few years ago I saw a great sounding bass player using an LM3 with 2 102HF cabs. I've never been a fan of Markbass cabs but he lent me his back line on the gig and I liked it. . . a lot.
[/quote]

I actually think the 102HF is the jewel in Markbass' crown! Its been a fantastic cab in my experience.

Regards
G!

[davideuck]

I never liked the Markbass 10" speakers... Always boom, mids and no highs. Totally different story with the NY122 or the 804 (discontinued), these are much more flat sounding and with the right head sounded amazing. I had a Tube 800 and liked it but I had it with other cabs... I used 2x804 or the NY122 alone with the SD1200, superb combinations. If I had to choose today I'll buy a Tube 800 or SD1200 with the NY122 or 122 Ninja, the cab it's really light, portable, powerfull and balanced in sound. I used the 122 with other heads too and it represented them perfectly.

[Dan Dare]

You appear to have answered your own question. If you love the sound of your MB 102HF, add another. Pay no heed to us on here with our "advice" - we're all biased in favour of what we like/use... It's your taste that counts.