A 14 lb 100 watt gigging amp? Am I crazy?

tommytoughnuts · #1 02-16-2011, 01:38 PM

looking to downsize my rig. right now I use an Ampeg BA-115 for practice and an Ampeg b2 head through an Ampeg 4x10 for gigs. real happy with both because they were cheap and they're real workhorses, but I need something I can take on a train.

Here's my proposal

G-K MB200 head through a G-K 112MBX extension cab.

according to the websites, this combo should weigh in at around 14 pounds and pump out 100-ish watts.

anyone have experience with either of these? both? used the very same combo?

I've come to terms with the fact that this rig wouldn't sound breathtaking, but we're a loud and rowdy jam band playing house parties and dive bars, so I don't think that would break anyones heart. I've also used the G-K Microbass combo and liked it, but it's more expensive than this rig I've proposed above.

SO... thoughts?

Thanks guys!

JimmyM · #2 02-16-2011, 01:52 PM

loud and rowdy jam band? i'd probably want a beefier cab. and since you like ampeg, i'd advise you to take a look at the micro vr stack. i just did a stage volume gig with it last night in front of 300 people and it totally carried the room and didn't struggle at all. we're not a loud and rowdy jam band but we're not quiet either. yeah, it's a little heavier and a little bigger, but definitely not out of the range of toting on a subway.

KramerBassFan · #3 02-16-2011, 02:07 PM

What he said. IMHO thats the best bet.

craig.p · #4 02-16-2011, 02:12 PM

"Loud and rowdy" and one twelve don't line up all that great, IMO.

tdub0199 · #5 02-16-2011, 02:17 PM

I think you will be disapointed.....

jmacdbass · #6 02-16-2011, 02:20 PM

for loud gigs i use 2 custom 1x12's cubes with an ea micro 300, i'm constantly told i'm too loud and its a loud band

less then 40 pds total

the main cab is a cube with a bnc coax speaker with a slot for the head, i think it is around 16pds, the second cube actually weighs a little more, but together they move some air

jmacdbass · #7 02-16-2011, 02:22 PM

*low down sound

Rooster009 · #8 02-16-2011, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

loud and rowdy jam band? i'd probably want a beefier cab. and since you like ampeg, i'd advise you to take a look at the micro vr stack. i just did a stage volume gig with it last night in front of 300 people and it totally carried the room and didn't struggle at all. we're not a loud and rowdy jam band but we're not quiet either. yeah, it's a little heavier and a little bigger, but definitely not out of the range of toting on a subway.

Hey Jimmy, are you talking no P.A. support here. If you are I may be checking into the same rig for the future. Also I know you like to mic up your cabs but have you had a chance to do a live show with P.A. support using the DI from the head? If so how does the DI sound?

will33 · #9 02-16-2011, 09:32 PM

In your situation, having to take a train places (????) the same rules may not apply. Usually having a modular rig, ie: a pair of 112's instead of a single 212 makes it easier getting around but in your case, you're confined to carrying all you're stuff with you in one trip no matter what. ( I surely wouldn't trust half my rig to that guy drooling in the corner of the subway car while I walked to the gig and back ). In this case, having a light 212 or a loud 210 or 15/6 would make more sense than having lot's of little pieces. Ergonomics plays a bigger role here. Having a little bigger rig that's easy to drag around can be better than having a smaller rig that's not. Also an easy/good sounding way to DI to a PA moves up the list of priorities.

NKUSigEp · #10 02-16-2011, 09:46 PM

Aguilar Tonehammer 500's are shipping soon (500 watts, 4 lbs, awesome Aguilar tone) and the SL112 cabs are 25 lbs and handle 250 watts RMS. The tone is supposed to be a balance of the GS series and the DB series cabs if you're familiar with them. If not, check out the Aguilar club thread.

Adam Bomb · #11 02-16-2011, 10:10 PM

I have that rig. I love it. But I wouldn't use it for that.

For tiny loud rigs, you might get some inspiration here.

--Bomb

The head might could work, with the right cab...

NKUSigEp · #12 02-16-2011, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam Bomb

I have that rig. I love it. But I wouldn't use it for that.

For tiny loud rigs, you might get some inspiration here.

--Bomb

The head might could work, with the right cab...

Which rig?

JimmyM · #13 02-16-2011, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rooster009

Hey Jimmy, are you talking no P.A. support here. If you are I may be checking into the same rig for the future. Also I know you like to mic up your cabs but have you had a chance to do a live show with P.A. support using the DI from the head? If so how does the DI sound?

yep, no pa support on last night's gig. now mind you, we're not trying to kill babies, but it did work very well.

i have not done a live gig with the di but i have experimented with it at home. it sounds really good, but you have to keep the gain below about 11:00, otherwise it distorts (this varies from bass to bass but is about where most of my basses start to distort). not a problem if you like clean tones or you get dirty tones from pedals like i do. but honestly, it sounds so good through the cab that i just mic it and don't even bother with a di.

spaz21387 · #14 02-16-2011, 11:05 PM

Markbass makes a single 12 combo i think its between 300 and 500 watts i dont remember im not really a markbass guy but for your situation i think the markbass combo would be good. I think it weighs like 40 pounds. but the price tag is kinda high When i saw it it guitar center it was in the 800$ range.

Chrisk-K · #15 02-16-2011, 11:49 PM

Quote:

G-K MB200 head through a G-K 112MBX extension cab.

I had that combo for a while. I got rid of the 112MBX due to its lack of a tweeter. If you don't need a tweeter, the combo should be perfect for you.

honestjohnny · #16 02-17-2011, 02:58 AM

Why not have another mbx112? Then you'd have 200 watts and 2 12's, 26lbs. Bass, amp, cables, tuner, etc. on back in gig bag; cabinet in each hand: ~12lbs each or 36lbs total. Sounds like a winner to me

Rooster009 · #17 02-17-2011, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

yep, no pa support on last night's gig. now mind you, we're not trying to kill babies, but it did work very well.

i have not done a live gig with the di but i have experimented with it at home. it sounds really good, but you have to keep the gain below about 11:00, otherwise it distorts (this varies from bass to bass but is about where most of my basses start to distort). not a problem if you like clean tones or you get dirty tones from pedals like i do. but honestly, it sounds so good through the cab that i just mic it and don't even bother with a di.

Thanks again Jimmy

revroy · #18 02-17-2011, 09:17 AM

one other option are the Genz Benz shuttles... I think they are great low weight rigs and you can go from the 3.0 (175 watts into 8 ohms & 300 into 4) up to the 6.0 (300 & 600) and as small as an 8 inch speaker up to 210. The 3.0 with the 8 inch is about 14 lbs. and while surprising loud and low for a cab that small, not loud enough for a loud and rowdy jam band

tommytoughnuts · #19 02-17-2011, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chrisk-K

I had that combo for a while. I got rid of the 112MBX due to its lack of a tweeter. If you don't need a tweeter, the combo should be perfect for you.

Cool! i don't really feel the need for a tweeter because we have two screaming guitar players that hold up the high end quite well.

I looked in to the Ampeg, and it looks great but it might just be a little too big. The most important thing for me is small. weight is second, and i guess i'm putting tone 3rd.

as far as volume goes, we're loud and rowdy at times but we rarely play rooms bigger than 100 people and if we do we have PA support (which is why i like the MB200, it's got a direct out)

I have had great luck with Ampeg, but i'm certainly not married to it. I've had good luck with G-K too.

thanks for all your help guys!