$400 or less to spend on an Bass Combo amp

[heymelbs]

I have $400 or less to spend on a bass combo amp. Our band plays mostly 70's and 80's cover music (Beatles, Stones, etc.) and blues stuff. The drummer likes to wail and the two electric guitars like to crank it up at times. The amp would be more of a monitor on stage with a send to the sound system. I'm trying to find an amp that will not break my back (less than 50 lbs) and probably a 15" speaker with a 200 watt amp. So far, I have found two combos which seem to fit the bill - the Carvin MB15 and the Galllien-Krueger MB115. Carvin and GK also have smaller size amps, but would they add to the midrange hell or would they stand out on their own? That's why I'm thinking 15". I'm also looking at a used Ashdown EB 180, which is slightly heavier.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated...

[bassist4dalord]

I've owned a GK MB115 for a year, and it's never failed me.

[username1]

The peavey tour tko115 is also in the same price range but dont let the 400 watt rating fool you. It is 400 watts peak so in reality would have about the same 200 watts as the gk mb115.

[cableguy]

I had a Carvin combo with a 15" and only 100W. It seemed to hold it's own pretty well. I think either of the two you mentioned will work good.

[Mirios]

I would try to get a cab that tilts back if you can. At least try to help yourself out so you can hear yourself on stage. Not sure which ones that is in this price range but worth looking at.

[zon6c-f]

I love my Acoustic B200 COMBO; plenty of power; tone bank: 6-band semi-parametric. Has DI as well and within your weight limits. I have bass-players back, too. I haven't used anything but AC B200 Combo in last 3 years when out of the house. Still under $350 new.

[heymelbs]

Originally Posted by Mirios

I would try to get a cab that tilts back if you can. At least try to help yourself out so you can hear yourself on stage. Not sure which ones that is in this price range but worth looking at.

I suppose another option would be to put it on an amp stand. I like the idea of having the sound come back at me.

[heymelbs]

Originally Posted by zon6c-f

I love my Acoustic B200 COMBO; plenty of power; tone bank: 6-band semi-parametric. Has DI as well and within your weight limits. I have bass-players back, too. I haven't used anything but AC B200 Combo in last 3 years when out of the house. Still under $350 new.

Looks like a decent amp, good reviews on MF. I don't know much about the Acoustic brand - are they reputable? 75 lbs for the amp might be a little on the heavy side.

[heymelbs]

Originally Posted by bassist4dalord

I've owned a GK MB115 for a year, and it's never failed me.

What specifically about the GK MB115 makes it a good amp?

[heymelbs]

Originally Posted by zon6c-f

I love my Acoustic B200 COMBO; plenty of power; tone bank: 6-band semi-parametric. Has DI as well and within your weight limits. I have bass-players back, too. I haven't used anything but AC B200 Combo in last 3 years when out of the house. Still under $350 new.

What about this setup?

[username1]

Originally Posted by heymelbs

What specifically about the GK MB115 makes it a good amp?

It weighs only 35 pounds. Lots of reviews on here of that amp
Gallien-Krueger MB115 1x15 200W Ultralight Bass Combo Amp: Product Reviews | Musician's Friend

[Sav'nBass]

I have heard really good things about that amp.. (The GK-MB115) . You might also want to consider this Carvin MB15 Normally $469 but on sale now for $369... $100 instant rebate..

- Power: 200W @ 8 ohms, 250W @ 4 ohms (w/ 8 ohm extension speaker)
- 15" woofer
- Frequency Response: 60 - 20Khz
- Convienent top-mounted panel
- Neodymium titanium tweeter
- Outputs: Direct XLR out, phones/tuner, 1/4" external speaker
- Controls: Drive, Contour, Bass, Treble, Master Volume
- Seperate DI level
- Built-in compressor
- Dual parametric EQ
- Covered in black vinyl
- Dimensions: 17" wide X 12" deep X 18.5" high
- Weight: 32.6 lbs

They also have a 12 there that is actually a 3 way ...

[heymelbs]

It looks like the Carvin will let you tack on an external speaker and the GK will not. I could see that being an advantage.

[heymelbs]

Have a a couple of good quotes from RMC Audio on the GK 112 and the 115 and the 112 is $50 cheaper. Is it worth the extra amount for what I described in the top of this thread? Is the depth of 15 more important or the presence of the 12?

[Dustin Teel]

The Acoustic B200 combo is probably the loudest 115 combo amp I have ever used.

[heymelbs]

Originally Posted by Dustin Teel

The Acoustic B200 combo is probably the loudest 115 combo amp I have ever used.

Ever compare to the GK or Carvin models?

[heymelbs]

I have a friend who offered me his older Peavey Combo 115 with Black Widow speaker, 200 watts for a good price. Heavy as ?!$@, but it meets my other criteria. Yay or nay?

[jlepre]

The B200H is only 200 watts with a 4 ohm load. The cab in your link is 8 ohms, so you would either have to pair a different 4 ohm cab, or add another 8 ohm cab to get the full 200 watts.

[heymelbs]

Originally Posted by jlepre

The cab in your link is 8 ohms, so you would either have to pair a different 4 ohm cab, or add another 8 ohm cab to get the full 200 watts.

Is this the GK or the Peavey?

[jeff7bass]

"It looks like the Carvin will let you tack on an external speaker and the GK will not. I could see that being an advantage".

That’s a HUGE factor IMO. I have the Carvin MB10, which is a little killer by itself but is truly rock’n roll gig worthy when paired with an extension.
The MB-15, which I have also tried, is bigger sounding by itself (of course) than the MB10 and more transparent than the GK MB15, which I find a bit too colored. It also has a more extensive EQ and Direct Out section. It’s a lot of amp for the money.