Sparky Mark

I got into lightweight with a pair of Bergantino AE112 cabs which were a breeze to load in and out. I dragged my older heavier HT112ER and EX112ER cabs out from under the stairs to sell them but decided to gig them one last time just to be sure. There was no comparison when it came to the depth and quality of tone the older cabs produced and the AEs were traded soon after. That may have nothing to do with neo or weight but newer isn't always better in my own experience.

For me the TE sound I want is clear, full and punchy. I found the extra facilities on the SMX (tube pre and compression) didn't add anything for me and maybe even took something away. From a simple ergonomics perspective I prefer the longer travel of the Series 6 graphic EQ sliders. I went for the 200 watter because it doesn't have a fan (excellent for studio/low volume practice) and is feather-light compared to the larger UV lit, fan cooled models. Oh, and it's the loudest 200 watt head I've come across to date. With the pre gain set at about half way I barely need the output above 2! I doubt the output control gives a linear increase in volume but I'm not brave/stupid enough to see where its limit is.

I used a Series 6 GP12 410 (AH200 head) at a rehearsal room a couple of months ago which convinced me I needed a Series 6 AH200 in my life. The combo was surprisingly shallow front to back but sounded great. If you dont need to move it much you can get them for as little as £150. The head will cost about the same but is way more convenient and works perhaps even better with newer cabs.

I really like Marbass heads (which is why I own too many of them!) because they are pretty neutral and really let your playing technique and bass come through (not always good). I notice your EQ settings are pretty much flat and filters off, which is where I end up on 99% of my gigs. I'm sure from everything I read that Schroeders are brilliant cabs but I also know that at stage volumes (where it counts most for me) those larger format Markbass heads really come alive.

Almost 30 years after selling my Trace Elliot head, cabs and combos I have come full circle and found a perfectly preserved AH200. It's hard to believe it's only 200 watts; it punches like 400!

I experienced this exactly. One of the most capable and popular combos is the Markbass CMD121P which is a NY121P cab with a Little Mark III head squeezed in at the back facing upwards. This reduces the internal volume of the combo by that of the amp and surrounding timber. When I directly compared my CMD121P to my seperate LM3 and NY121P the combo didn't sound as full convincing me the extra carry was worth it. I now have two NY121P as my lightweight medium duty rig.

A STD102HF would be the ideal extension cab for your combo. With the combo head able to deliver its full 500 watt output you will have enough power for any reasonable gig either inside or out. Festival stages should provide PA support and your rig will be plenty for stage volumes.

Thank you for the rapid reply.