Hiya JMJ!

I'm playing a musical with a rather cramped pit. Great players but not a lot of space. The theatre is going to buy a new amp for me to use and I don't have time to go check them all out.

They have a great sound set-up, individual monitors and a great crew so I don't need much volume -- just a cool tone.

There's a bit of a budget (I don't really know how much) but it should probably be under $500.

I'm acquainted with Polytone, GK Mini's, SWR -- but not much else.

A one-12 could work but it's an intense 5-string score so it has to handle thumped on Low B's. (A lot of driving rock, as well as some pretty, high bass parts.)

Any suggestions?

Damn, I dunno. Amps forum probably better, but my recommendation not cost-dependent would definitely be Walkabout Scout with separate 12" cab. SICK little rig, will work great for 5 string. Deep and loud for size, and nice and small. But again, that's serious $. I love my little Line6 10" combo. Not sure if it's good for 5 string, but the models in it are rad.

ANyone else have some tips? If not, definitely post over in amps.

Best,
JMJ

I love my Markbass Mini CMD121P but it's $900 now, so definitely not in the range you're talking about. There are plenty of combos in the $500 range that would probably do the job well, but they're at least 2x10" and weigh a lot. I had a Nemesis that was pretty good. But anything in that $500 range that's a single speaker usually doesn't sound all that great unless it's a 15", IMHO.

Thanks guys. As I get reacquainted with the small combo world every little bit of info helps.

Markbass LMII with an Acme Low B1. Not quite a combo but would certainly get the job done.

I've got the Mesa Walkabout Scout and LOOOOVE it!!! I've also got the hot little Genz Benz Shuttle 3.0 10T which is awesome. You can't go wrong with either!

Well, since everybody seems to be missing the part about your budget I thought I'd reign this in a little:p Mesas and the Markbass stuff are cool, but for your budget you'll be lucky to get a cab, even used (at least at the prices around my neck of the woods). I'm going to say the polytones are definitely worth checking out. I've been eyeing a used one locally that I thought was way overpriced until I played it. Now I'm trying to justify increasing my budget. It was a mini brute IV, sounded great, tons of smart features (as well as a few that made me scratch my head) and very compact. Funny thing was I liked the "guitar" channel more than the "Bass" one. Nice and warm, but punchy. New ones might be a stretch, but used ones should be right in your budget. Also check out the Phil Jones Briefcase if you can. It's right in your price range and would probably work pretty well in that kind of setting. I haven't played one yet, but I've heard a ton of good stuff about them. If I pass on the polytone I'll more than likely be ordering one of these. My opinion only, so take it for what its worth.

I play at a couple of churches and have been very satisfied with my roland bass cube 100. I use it without going through the main pa and everyone can hear it with plenty of volume to spare. We played an outdoor gig last week and I added my aguilar 1x12 and it kicked. Good little amp for about $450new.

I'll bet that Cube 100 is pretty cool. I'm into self-contained, reasonable, decent sounding pieces like that, and if it sounds like any of the old Roland bass amp stuff, I'm sure it's good.

JMJ

I love it. Lightweight, has many sound options, and will kick for a 100 watt combo.

I play at a couple of churches and have been very satisfied with my roland bass cube 100. I use it without going through the main pa and everyone can hear it with plenty of volume to spare. We played an outdoor gig last week and I added my aguilar 1x12 and it kicked. Good little amp for about $450new.
I'll second that. The Roland Cube amps are fantastic for the money.

The Ampeg BA 115 is also a solid amp for the money, but it might not have as much volume on tap as the Roland, and it certainly does not have as many tone option.

I have the Ampeg B115 and it works great. It has a DI too which works fine for larger rooms. I have a few 4x10 cabs and different heads but lately all I have been using in a rock situation is the B115. I think I bought it new for under $300

A Carvin 210. https://www.carvinguitars.com/products/single.php?product=BR610

I play at a couple of churches and have been very satisfied with my roland bass cube 100. I use it without going through the main pa and everyone can hear it with plenty of volume to spare. We played an outdoor gig last week and I added my aguilar 1x12 and it kicked. Good little amp for about $450new.

+1 on the Bass Cube 100. Under $500, it is one of the best combos out there. Lightweight, quiet, flexible etc. I had one for a while and really liked it. I have a Genz Benz Shuttle 3.0 1X10 now. More power, smaller package, better sound but also a few hundred more dollars. ;)