Right cabinets to go with Markbass LMKII head?

[squirefan01]

After months of waiting, today I finally got a good deal on a used LMKII head ($350 on Craigslist). Now I just need to get a cab, and I could use some advice. I only have combo 1x15 amps right now. I think I'd like to get a 1x15 cab and also a 2x10 cab, to mix and match depending on the space to play. I am leaning towards Markbass 4-ohm cabs for these, but are there others that are as lightweight as Markbass, with great sound and maybe a bit cheaper?

The guy I bought the LMKII from uses all Markbass gear and he told me that his Markbass 8-ohm 2x10 cab really has to work hard with the LMKII head so he strongly recommended getting 4-ohm cabs.

Also, any comments of what to expect sound-wise from a 2x10 vs. the 1x15 sounds htat I am used to now?

Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Greg

[squirefan01]

Another question is front-port vs. rear-port cabs. The Markbass 2x10 has either but $100 more for front-port. How much better is is to try and get the cab into a space where it can deflect sound from the rear ports, vs. just porting out the front and not worrying about positioning (assuming I am thinking about it correctly)?

[squirefan01]

OK, getting somewhere now as far as my questions. According to the Markbass FAQ:

Can I connect two cabinets to my amp, and how?

You can use two 8 ohm cabinets with any Markbass head. The total ohm load then becomes 4 ohms, which means that you get more power from the amp. But be warned, you can't use Markbass amps into an ohm load lower than 4. That means you cannot use two 4 ohm cabinets, or one 4 ohm and one 8 ohm! There are two speaker outputs on every Markbass head. Simply connect one output to each cabinet. Be warned that using your amp into an ohm load lower than 4 ohms will damage your amp and will not be covered under warranty!

So for me to use a 151 and 102 cab together with the LMKII they both have to be 8 ohms.


...and this is in the FAQ about front vs. rear port....

Should I choose a front-ported or a rear-ported cabinet?

The HF (front-ported) and HR (rear-ported) models have a different character of bottom end due to the location of the ports (also called reflexes). Front-ported cabinets are physically larger, and are generally preferred on bigger stages, venues where the bass doesn't go through the PA, and in musical situations where you want big, full, round bottom end. The HR (rear-ported) models tend to have a tighter, more controlled bottom end. They tend to be preferred in situations where the bass sound is needed to be punchy and focused, with more emphasis on melody and detail, for example in pop, jazz fusion, etc. When using two cabinets, many players choose to use one HR and one HF cabinet.

The Classic series cabinets do not have ports at all this gives them a more aggressive, compressed tone. These differences are subjective, and if possible, it's best that you hear them for yourself before making a decision!

[jps]

The minimum load for the LM II is 4Ω total so you would not be able to connect two 4Ω cabinets to the amp, only one at a time.

[squirefan01]

I see Jeff. Are you still using yours alot?

Any new Rare Blend music coming out? Actually I just did a quick search and saw on the Myspace site that they were looking for a bassist in February???? What's up with that!?!? Your sound gives so much to the music on the CDs I bought.

I have been the bassist in a local jazz band for over a year now. I've been learning ALOT and having a blast. I have made pretty good progress but still a long ways to go.

-Greg

[jps]

I sold the LM II and bought a F1.

Rare Blend has lost it's direction so I left for greener pastures in November.

[blueflamerick]

Go for an Ashdown ABM 2*10 & 1*15. I have this setup and it sounds awesome.

[squirefan01]

You run the Ashdowns with the LMKII? I see they are rated for 300W continuous at 8 ohms. That should be OK for the LMKII. They are heavier at 60+ lbs each, but still managable. Cheaper too.

Thanks

[blueflamerick]

Yes, Ashdowns with the LMKII. Make sure you're looking at ABM cabs, not MAG cabs. British-made ABMs are of a higher quality than Asian-made ones (IMHO).

[woodyng]

i have the cmd121p combo with the 1-12". i really like the sound of a 12 inch speaker-i would try out two 1-12" cabs from markbass. (i have had various cabinet combinations over the years,this is what i like now. )

[squirefan01]

My bass guru (an excellent local jazz bassist who can play any style) told me about Dr. Bass cabs (he has a DRB210). Anybody here try them? Seems like a great quilty, boutique product. They are built to order so may take some time fore delivery. They are cheaper than Markbass cabs and not too much heavier.


www.drbasscabs.com

[woodyng]

i don't know about dr bass cabs,but schroeder cabs seem to get a lot of praise around the 'net. (talkbass would probably be a good place to check)

[jakeox]

I have a Schroeder 1210L cab (4 ohm), and it sounds great and is light, but it was not cheap. It pairs well with my Markbass R500, though.

I've heard good things about Dr Bass on talkbass. I think someone here was selling one a while ago.

[squirefan01]

Well, I thought about Dr. Bass and even wrote them today. But I still liked the idea of the Markbass 102HF front ported 2x10. I called Musician's Friend and they pretty quickly knocked the price down by $100 (which I wasn't expecting) so I grabbed it. Should have it by the end of the week!

So I'll start with this 2x10 and see about adding a 1x15 later.

[jps]

I used to have a Dr. Bass 2460NEO cabinet, but I found it's tone a bit on the dark side, so I sold it locally. I am hoping to get within the next couple weeks a custom built cab from Dr. Bass, a tall narrow 2-12 with a mid/high driver between the two, all vertically aligned.