Bad Back -- Multiple, Small Amps?

[vanderbrook]

Forgive me if this has been discussed already -- I haven't found that it has -- but I'm wondering about using a couple of small, lightweight combos in place of a larger, heavier combo.

I've played upright -- jazz exclusively -- for many years, and am used to using small, 25- to 30-pound combos. Now I'm working on acquiring a slab in order to be able to play more (and a wider range of genres). Thinking I need more power than my upright amps will provide. Looking at the Fender Rumble 350. But 60-some-odd pounds? Not a good idea, with my 50-something year-old back.

So how about using a couple of amps, instead? Like a pair of G-K MB112s? I can move two 28-pound combos without a problem, and I'd have 200 + 200 watts, probably enough for just about anything. Is there any compelling reason not to go this route?

[onosson]

I've never done it myself but it does seem like an idea that could work. Interested to hear from people who've done this myself...

[bongomania]

It's a fine idea, but one other option to consider is that we live in a bold new era of ultralight amps. You can get a 500 W amp that weighs 5 lbs, and cabs that weigh half what they used to, without sacrificing performance.

[T. Alan Smith]

Personally, I would go with one of the new ultralight amps & a pair of neo loaded 1x12 or 1x15 cabs.

[cchorney]

I'm in agreement with the "ultralight head and neo cabs" solution. Just want to give the caveat that if you are playing with a drummer you'll likely need more that a 2x10 or 1x12, but that's ok because you can get 2 cabs and carry them separately.

To answer the question you actually asked, yes you can run 2 combos, perhaps thru a A/B box (my Morley ABC box doesn't care which way signal flows, I know that).

That said, you may get more perceived volume and more "uumph" for the dollar by going with one amp head and 2 cabs, as I originally started out. Plus if you decide you don't like the cabs or you don't like the amp, it's easy to swap components if you aren't tied to a combo.

[Rockman]

Getting two of the same combos doesn't really make sense. It would make more sense to get the combo then run an extension speaker with it. So like the MB112 with one of the extension cabs(Welcome to Gallien-Krueger: Power to Groove) that GK offers

[Firesalt]

Genz Benz Shuttle
375w on a 12" speaker for around 32lbs.
They also offer a smaller model that's less power and a 10" speaker that runs 18lbs.

[jmattbassplaya]

In addition to lightweight amps and cabs, you should consider buying yourself a handcart. I bought one from Lowes for about $25 and it's able to schlep up to 150lbs.

[Eric Moesle]

My vote is for a GK MB200 or MB500 ultralightweight amp, with two neo-loaded 1x12's of your choice.

It will sound incredible, and your back will thank you.

[RickenBoogie]

+1 for the light weight head paired with 2 small light weight cabs.

[agreatheight]

If you have a bad back, be careful about what you'll be are hanging around your neck for several hours. Load in / out with proper lifting and a hand truck / cart will be the least of your worries. Just saying...

But yeah, micro + neo will be your ticket

[lpdeluxe]

This is a Mesa/Boogie Walkabout head (300w, 13 lb) with two Genz-Benz 10T 8 ohm speakers (16 lb each). Highly portable, great sound.

[bassgod0dmw]

Yep, another vote for an ultralight head and cabs. They've got all kinds of great stuff out now.

I've got a 6.5 lb head that pushes 900w @ 4ohms.

[john m]

My Markbass combo with 1 12 neo is a damn good 300 watt,
light amp. Add another 12 or 2-12 and you've got a serious
500 watt machine (unless you're playing metal).

I suggest that any thing you get be equipped with and XLR out.

john m

[sanderic]

About time this was discussed. I am in the 50 something catagory, and was involved in an automobile accident last november, protruding disk, and cracked vertibra, compressed nerve, etc. end result-no lifting. I play in a 17 piece jazz/dance band and was using combo amps, SWR 210combo, Peavey 210 combo, Peavey TNT, SWR California Blonde, bottom line they all weigh 65 to 100 pounds. REMEMBER, you can have the finest hand truck in the world, but their comes a point where you have to dead lift that amplifier into your car. You might have help at the gig, but what about when you get home? My doctor said "no heavy lifting" and that rules out practicaly any amp except the ultralight GK's etc.
Now I would love to own one of these amps but find myself a little short on cash and dont wish to part with some of these combos, SOOOOO..........
Sold the Peavey Combo 210 for $200, went to my local dealer and bought a GK MB200 (never thought I'd own an amp lighter than my bass guitar).
Found a Peavey 215 speaker cab with BW for $100 on craigslist, stripped off the vinyl, coated the cabinet with duratex, installed skid rails on the back, and put JBL K140s in, wired parrallell to make it a 4 ohm cabinet. This cabinet is easier to move than any combo I've ever owned. I drive a Jeep Liberty, so I can just lean the cabinet over and slide it in the back. I also installed new Ernie Ball removable casters so the cabinet rolls easily, and even put a Hercules guitar hanger on the side of the cabinet. I have included a photo of last nights gig where the amp is partialy visible.

[vanderbrook]

Thanks, everyone, for your input. Since price is as important a consideration as weight, I'll probably not be picking up a Markbass combo and extension cab. My original idea (two MB112s for a total of 400 watts) can be implemented for less than $680 plus tax. I'll look around for a separate head and 1x12 cabs and see what I can put together, but it might be tough to keep that approach under $700.

I'm kinda surprised that no one argued that I might have a phase shift issue, with one amp working against the other sonically. (My original idea was to drive the "second" combo from the first via the effects loop or tuner out, not to use some kind of signal splitter.) Anybody wanna argue that point?

[bongomania]

If phase was too big of a problem in that context then cabs with multiple speakers would not work so well. Sure there will be combing and various nodes of cancellation, but that's true with pretty much any multi-speaker arrangement.

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by bongomania

If phase was too big of a problem in that context then cabs with multiple speakers would not work so well. Sure there will be combing and various nodes of cancellation, but that's true with pretty much any multi-speaker arrangement.

That's why it's best to go with matching cabs when using the same amplifier for them. You virtually eliminate phase problems from your rig and then all you have to worry about is the venue doing it...one less headache to deal with.

But phasing problems with using non-matching cabs with separate amps doesn't seem to be as big a deal to me. You can dial complimentary tones and change EQ's around if you get phasing.

[vanderbrook]

Originally Posted by Rockman

Getting two of the same combos doesn't really make sense. It would make more sense to get the combo then run an extension speaker with it. So like the MB112 with one of the extension cabs(Welcome to Gallien-Krueger: Power to Groove) that GK offers

I like this idea. MB112 ($339) + 210MBE ($299) = $638.

[rodl2005]

Yep, small micro amp & matching cabs, as suggested above!
GB shuttle 300w or 600w & cabs are or were at least, fairly cheap.
Avatar had a deal with them & a cab