Cab upgrade advice needed, please

[ProjeKtWEREWOLF]

I'm currently using a Tech 21 VT Bass 500 head into a TC Electronic k-212 cab. I play mostly doom metal, and I'm in a 90s/2000s rock cover band. 

 

The Amp is fantastic and rated at 300w at 8ohm and 500w at 4 ohm. 

 

I love the head, but the cab is just not *quite* enough for me. I bought it blind when it was cheap but well reviewed, and I've grown to dislike it. 

It's not hugely heavy, but the shape is unwieldy, and it struggles with lower tunings even with the mids pushed (I don't play below low A if I can help it).  I struggle for volume at times when there's insufficient PA support.

 

I need advice on a replacement cab. I can't find a matching k 212, and I don't really like the aesthetic anymore.  I'm thinking that I want a brand that won't go obsolete the second I buy it (thanks TC), and can be expanded when I have extra £££. 

 

I need it to be able to handle low notes without farting at volume, and probably 2x12. Storing and moving a 4x10 is impractical unless it's not much different to 2x12 specs. 

 

I will have £800-900 at most to spare on an 8 ohm cab (probably but open to advice) or a lower cost pair of cabs. 

 

I looked at GK neo IV, Markbass energy etc. The used market in my neck of the woods it woeful, an I'm hours away from civilization. 

 

Thanks in advance for reading my nonsense.  

Edited 20 hours ago by ProjeKtWEREWOLF

[bigthumb]

First thing that comes to mind are the Markbass cabs. I'd have thought they would be ideal being within your price range, new and delivered. There's never a long wait for a top second hand cab to be listed here but it's probably going to have to be posted due to your location, unless you like driving! 

[ProjeKtWEREWOLF]

22 minutes ago, bigthumb said:

First thing that comes to mind are the Markbass cabs. I'd have thought they would be ideal being within your price range, new and delivered. There's never a long wait for a top second hand cab to be listed here but it's probably going to have to be posted due to your location, unless you like driving! 

I despise driving haha. 

 

 

The new 2x12 energy cabs look good, but the combined cost for 2 cabs might be a smidge too much.  That said, I'm running 300w into a less than stellar cab now, and I can't find a matching cab for *that*. 

 

I've seen a pair of neo Ashdown 2x10 cabs for less than £800....

[bigthumb]

What about a pair of 15”s? 

[ProjeKtWEREWOLF]

16 hours ago, bigthumb said:

What about a pair of 15”s? 

Nothing against that idea. I used to run 15" Peavey cabs back in the 

90s.   I had a massive SWR head at that time. It was all ridiculously heavy. 

Edited 20 hours ago by ProjeKtWEREWOLF
Clarification

[Chienmortbb]

Interesting, on the Tech21 site

 

"AMPLIFIERS

Built around the warm analog brain of our SansAmp technology, our amplifiers offer yoga-guru flexibility with easy-tweaking layouts. We also built them as tough and good-looking as Lemmy. Whichever you choose, these amps will quake the bedrock live and in the studio.

Due to exorbitant price increases of materials combined with supply chain and transportation issues, we have suspended production of all amplifiers.
We will, however, continue to service and provide technical support as we always have."

 

 

[ProjeKtWEREWOLF]

12 minutes ago, Chienmortbb said:

Interesting, on the Tech21 site

 

"AMPLIFIERS

Built around the warm analog brain of our SansAmp technology, our amplifiers offer yoga-guru flexibility with easy-tweaking layouts. We also built them as tough and good-looking as Lemmy. Whichever you choose, these amps will quake the bedrock live and in the studio.

Due to exorbitant price increases of materials combined with supply chain and transportation issues, we have suspended production of all amplifiers.
We will, however, continue to service and provide technical support as we always have."

 

 

Why "interesting "? 

 

It's a gorgeous little amp, which I've had a few years.  Sounds fantastic.  The *only* problem is that the DI volume isn't independent of the speaker output volume. 

 

When it finally dies I don't know what I'll go to. 

[Chienmortbb]

I checked the Tech21 site for your mp spec and could not find it, that is why it was interesting.

 

On the cab front, some of the new boutique 12" cabs outperform most 2x12s. Barefaced may or may not be out of reach, try looking at the LFSys Monza. If you really want two cabs, buy one excellent one, then add another when funds permit. I can vouch for the LFSys cabs, and there are any that can praise the Barefaced cabs.

[ProjeKtWEREWOLF]

5 minutes ago, Chienmortbb said:

I checked the Tech21 site for your mp spec and could not find it, that is why it was interesting.

 

On the cab front, some of the new boutique 12" cabs outperform most 2x12s. Barefaced may or may not be out of reach, try looking at the LFSys Monza. If you really want two cabs, buy one excellent one, then add another when funds permit. I can vouch for the LFSys cabs, and there are any that can praise the Barefaced cabs.

 

 

 

I'm thinking of doing this...a good cab, then another good cab.  I'm leaning towards GK neo IV. My first bass teacher had a GK amp, and I've loved them since. A Mesa Subway 115 or 212 would be nice too. 

This would max out my budget. 

 

A Barefaced would be stretching it, but it *would* be a one cab solution at 4ohms and would cover an inevitable amount upgrade. 

 

https://www.tech21nyc.com/archive/vtbass-500/