Amp upgrade advice sought

[scopar1]

I’m a novice bass player and a bass equipment neophyte. I play in a garage rock band that is starting to play some small venues and may one day move larger ones. My Ampeg BA115 barely keeps up with our guitars and so I need more power.

I’d like some advice on possible next rigs with the following ideas in mind:

- Lighter, smaller gear is much preferred as I have a mid-sized car and simply don't enjoy hauling excessively heavy gear.

- I think I’d like to move to amp/cabinet config (from my combo).

- I’d also like my next rig to be expandable (vs. simply replacing gear). Perhaps a larger amp with a cabinet that could added to later?

Any thoughts, wisdom, advice, etc. would be greatly appreciated!

[B-string]

If you like Ampeg sound, PF500 head and two of the new 115's to match. Up for a slightly different sound, G-K MB500 or MB Fusion with two NEO 212's.

[RickenBoogie]

Basic advice, louder means more speakers, so a bass head in the 300-500 watt range is plenty, and pair that with an 8 ohm 4x10 for starters. Should go a looong way with that, and if you need louder still, another identical 8 ohm 4x10 is the answer.