Used small cab shootout

[arca_tern]

Hey all.

Looking to buy my first cab since moving from a combo amp.
Playing a MIM Geddy Lee through an MB500 head (love it!)

Three used options I'm looking at, all basically the same price. There's no opportunity to play them ahead of time.

I'd be using it for small church services, coffeeshop gigs, small bars, with varying FOH support. Playing rock, maybe some country, top 40. I don't slap (yet), use a pick on occasion.
Only cab I've played through was a Rumble 115 which sounded fine, but didn't make me grin ear to ear

1. GK Neo 115 III - 400w @ 8ohms, 40lbs
2. SWR Golight 112 - 350w @ 8ohms, 36lbs
3. DRB 115 (eminence kappa, no tweeter) - 500w @4ohm, ~45lbs

My original intention is get something small but good tone, easy to gig with, and down the road get something louder as a secondary cab, not necessarily to stack with or make a tower.

Initially leaning towards the SWR, kind of dubious of the whole Dr Bass debacle. But it would give full use the wattage from my GK head. The GK at least is current and I could add another cab to for a stack.

What are people's thoughts around these as stand-alone cabs for volume and tone?

 

[bassmacguffin]

you should look at a Phil Jones Bass C8, the best sounding Box I've ever played , 800 watt at 4 ohms, it has wheels and a telescopic handle, and worth the money

 

[arca_tern]

View attachment 2873714 you should look at a Phil Jones Bass C8, the best sounding Box I've ever played , 800 watt at 4 ohms, it has wheels and a telescopic handle, and worth the money

I’d be interested if my budget wasn’t $250usd

 

[bassmacguffin]

check out a Carvin BRX 10.2, that's a nice cab and around your price used

 

[arca_tern]

check out a Carvin BRX 10.2, that's a nice cab and around your price used

If there was one in Canada maybe I’d check it out. Don’t wanna get stuck with duties etc etc

 

[eriky4003]

I'd do some research on the Dr Bass and see if there's reviews that might indicate this would be a bad choice. I believe there's some love for the product. The GK I own but it is a mid-foreward cab which may not be what you want. Great cab, however.

 

[arca_tern]

I'd do some research on the Dr Bass and see if there's reviews that might indicate this would be a bad choice. I believe there's some love for the product. The GK I own but it is a mid-foreward cab which may not be what you want. Great cab, however.

Is the "mid forward" something that can be eq'd fairly easily? If I wanted more of a deep, smooth country tone vs brighter and more modern?

 

[eriky4003]

I'd say you are getting a more modern sound with this cab. Hopefully others will chime in with their experiences.

 

[Stumbo]

SWR Golight 112.....any input from TB?

 

[arca_tern]

SWR Golight 112.....any input from TB?

Thanks @Stumbo . Saw that post, didn’t have a lot of specifics. Seems to be an uncommon swr model or at least not hugely popular

 

[Stumbo]

Thanks @Stumbo . Saw that post, didn’t have a lot of specifics. Seems to be an uncommon swr model or at least not hugely popular

Buy the two 8 ohm cabs.

 

[arca_tern]

Buy the two 8 ohm cabs.

I’d love to! You pitching in for one of them?

 

[Bodeanly]

Big fan of the GK NEO stuff here, but I would be more inclined to go with the Dr Bass since it’s 4ohms and I don’t know how to rewire crap (all of my cabs are 4ohms).

 

[Stumbo]

Big fan of the GK NEO stuff here, but I would be more inclined to go with the Dr Bass since it’s 4ohms and I don’t know how to rewire crap (all of my cabs are 4ohms).

There's nothing to "rewire".

Two 8 ohm cabs, plugged into the same amp that accepts two 8 ohm cabs, operate at 4 ohms together.

 

[Bodeanly]

There's nothing to "rewire".

Two 8 ohm cabs, plugged into the same amp that accepts two 8 ohm cabs, operate at 4 ohms together.

Like I said, I know nothing about that kinda thing. I mean, I know two 8 ohms make 4, but that’s all I know and I’m otay with that, buckwheat.

 

[Stumbo]

Like I said, I know nothing about that kinda thing. I mean, I know two 8 ohms make 4, but that’s all I know and I’m otay with that, buckwheat.

No need to go gluten on me, Bo.

 

[Bodeanly]

No need to go gluten on me, Bo.

Gluten is a myth! There, I said it!

 

[BadExample]

No need to go gluten on me, Bo.

Typo. Properly it's "Otay, Buttwheat."

 

[eaglemachine]

Gluten is a myth! There, I said it!

Not to take us too far off topic, but no, it really is not

 

[Stumbo]

Typo. Properly it's "Otay, Buttwheat."

Otay, Mr. Glute Gluten.