Downsizing Amp and Cab Advice

[faceman]

Evening all,

After wasting several hours wasted on Love Actually (can't work out if it is good, crap or just stupid), I'm indulging myself on In A Silent Way and composing this....

On to the point, basically I've decided to completely re-do my amp setup as I've come the conclusion it is complete overkill for the sort of gigs I'm playing and it's taking up too much space. I've only got a VW Golf for transportation and with a stage piano, synthesizer, keyboard amp, keytar, keyboard stands, guitar, Vox amp, my bass in its hard case and drum breakables, there isn't much space left for my hefty 4x10. At the moment I've got an Ashdown MAG 4x10 cabinet with an Ashdown ABM-EVOII 575W RC head. I put the head online yesterday and it's already sold and being shipped Monday, good times

So, I'm thinking of down sizing. At my last gig, I played my Ashdown cab with a Little Mark III and it was sounding very tasty with 4003. The E was so strong and has so much foundation. So, I'm thinking a Little Mark II/III second hand with some sort of 2x10 cabinet? I was considering the Ashdown 2x10 MAG or ABM, any thoughts on these? Any alternative suggestions? I've looked at this ultra-light ones, Aguilar is one that springs to mind but it's out of my range. One thing is, I don't want to loose the strong and clear sound I had with the 4x10 but I've never run it past half way power, and it's usually a quarter of the way. I occasionally use an Ashdown Electric Blue 120W practise amp and that doesn't have enough bass for a gig, IMHO!

In terms of competing, guitarist has a 50W guitar amp and keys is also a 50W amp but it all goes through PA and gets beefed up through there.Obviously, budget is quite limited as I'm going to be restricted on what I can sell but I'm open to all suggestions

Thanks in advance!

[chris_b]

I think you should have a look at 2 Aguilar GS112 or DB112 cabs. Also these work really well with an LM2/3.

[KingPrawn]

First off. That film is sheeeeeeiiiiiiittttt. Man that film is so insignificant. I lasted 12 minutes.

Any way the cab. Its a tough one as the reduced size and weight do not come cheap. you may need to consider some of the cabs with "new" design materials. I can vouch for the Bergantino cabs. The HS210 might be worth looking at.

[url="http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Bergantino_Audio,_Bass_Speaker_Range.html"]http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_sp...aker_Range.html[/url]

[bassmansky]

little giant 1000w,they have come down in price online.i can recommend ashdowns classic 2x10 neo cab,light ,clear and loud,would sound good with the lg.Or wait till febuary and get the LB30 valve head from ashdown who assure me that it will be loud enough for small gigs.

[cLepto-bass]

I would certainly agree with chris_b on the Mark Bass and Aguilar DB112 option. That is the setup I have and it laughs in the face of most other 'reasonably' priced mini rigs. The cabs arent what yould call really light but the small footprint stacked either way means loading a car is a piece of cake and setin up on stage is just as easy. I am running a Sandberg 5 through it at the moment and it has oodles of clear, fat bottom to it, I think you mentioned the word 'foundation' well this rig has that.

All of the parts pop up every so often in the classifieds but if new is the way to go, definatley point you clicker at bassmerchant.com, good prices on all of the above.

Hope that helps

[noelk27]

Just been doing the very same thing, downsizing from an SWR Redhead and Triad. Had started to look at GK, Eden and Ampeg, but when urb's SWR Baby Baby Blue came up for sale within 24 hours of my Redhead selling, fate/BC presented the perfect solution to my needs. This post though is by way of saying have you given any thought to a combo? Ampeg BA115HPT, EBS D15, Mesa Boogie Walkabout, Nemesis 210, etc.

[Protium]

I had an ABM410 before buying a Schroeder 1210 and took me months of messing to get my "sound" again. Lost a lot of low end but gained lots of mids...

[urb]

[quote name='noelk27' post='689694' date='Dec 20 2009, 12:54 PM']Just been doing the very same thing, downsizing from an SWR Redhead and Triad. Had started to look at GK, Eden and Ampeg, but when urb's SWR Baby Baby Blue came up for sale within 24 hours of my Redhead selling, fate/BC presented the perfect solution to my needs. This post though is by way of saying have you given any thought to a combo? Ampeg BA115HPT, EBS D15, Mesa Boogie Walkabout, Nemesis 210, etc.[/quote]

Yeah that was cool Noel, really pleased my little BBB found a good home, as it's such a sweet sounding combo, and I'm really happy with my new Genz Benz Shuttle 9, so to answer the OP's question my advice is that a decent quality 2x10 will kick a major amount of booty - especially in the playing situation you describe yourself in - and obviously I'd recommend you try the Genz Benz stuff as the 3.0 and the 6.0 Shuttles also have their plus points, but as there are so many other good small sized, but powerful heads out there I suggest you get to Bass Direct or the Gallery and try some out. The EA ones are very good, likewise Markbass and Eden offer some decent gear and TC Electronics are very tasty indeed. The beauty of this type of gear is it travels very easily, is a piece of cake to walk into a venue with, I can easily carry my Epi 210 with one hand and the GB 9.0 fits in my gig bag... and I have 900 watts if I need them...! It's worth investing in a great cab as well as you'll reap the benefits with an overall great sound and there's plenty to choose from amp wise to suit your style, but go and try it first!

Good luck and go for it - you'll love having a smaller more portable set up.

Mike

[faceman]

Well after some Boxing Day eBay bidding, I have managed to get myself a Little Mark II (plus carrying case) for only £370 so I'm rather chuffed with that. The more I think about it, the more I loved the sound of the LMIII at the gig we did back in December.

So back to the cabinet front. Thanks for all the advice, I think a single Aguilar 1x12 wouldn't be enough to hold it with keys and guitars so I'm still thinking a 2x10. Ashdown's 2x10 isn't much lighter than my 4x10 but I imagine would be lighter.

Has anyone got any suggestions of any other 2x10s cabinets to look at? Does anyone have any thoughts on the Little Mark 210 Traveller?

Thanks, and merry christmas all!

[chris_b]

In my opinion the Little Mark 210 Traveller is too small to do bass properly as a stand alone cab.

[urb]

[quote name='sebpayne' post='694017' date='Dec 26 2009, 10:54 PM']So back to the cabinet front. Thanks for all the advice, I think a single Aguilar 1x12 wouldn't be enough to hold it with keys and guitars so I'm still thinking a 2x10. Ashdown's 2x10 isn't much lighter than my 4x10 but I imagine would be lighter.

Has anyone got any suggestions of any other 2x10s cabinets to look at? Does anyone have any thoughts on the Little Mark 210 Traveller?

Thanks, and merry christmas all![/quote]

Definitely check out the Epifani 2x10s, seriously sweet cabs, or a Bergantino 210, both very light and loud, my Epi 210 is all I need for now... I'm not a Markbass fan but no doubt they are worth a look / listen as well.

M

[bassmansky]

if youre lookin at ashdown cabs then it has to be the classic neo 2x10.if the LM 11 is as good as people say they are then this cab will complement it well.cab weighs 26kg so not bad for its size.Note the cab is 335mm deep not 420mm as stated on their website.

[JTUK]

You'll be probably using all those 300w against a gtr and keys with PA support
I would say that an LMll/lll through a single 2x10..??? it needs to be a pretty decent 2x10 as you may work it pretty hard.

Spec-wise that would require an output of around 500watts or so...IME

Best solution I heard was to pick up an old SWR goli jnr cab and rehouse the speakers with Delta2510..
Only worth doing if you can get the cab for less than £200 as the upgrade will cost you £150 plus.. less whatever you may out the original speakers for.. ( SWR Jnr cabs had ratings of 200w to 350w, IIRC. )
It works well for me...but for loud gigs I put a 15 underneath it.

If you need to be pushing the LMll, then you are going to need a better cab solution than a 2x10, IMV.
Maybe 2 1x12's, but even 2nd hand they will likely cost you £500.

[absentmindeduk]

On the Markbass Traveller 210, -on its own it just wont cut the mustard.
I have a traveller 2x10 and a traveller 1x15.

To be honest the 2x10 on its own just wont shift enough air to give you the earth-shattering bass a good 4x10 can give.
-I used to own an Ampeg 4x10 and the 210 is just not comparible -even though the ampeg was 500W and the Markbass is supposed to be 400W. Its good enough on its own in the house or a SMALL gig (talking about 20 people) lol.

IMHO the 1x15 will hold its own better than two tens will....
I got the traveller 115 2nd hand for £350 -so a reasonable price too.

[lemmywinks]

Although they appear to have gone out of fashion recently i use a Schroeder 1212r in a very loud band and it's a great one cab solution. Paired with a LMII it's handled everything i've thrown at it and has more than enough low-end.