Best gigging combo amp

cdseverance · #1 01-25-2009, 11:21 PM

Hi. Obviously I'm here since i can't answer this question on my own behalf! For years I've been carrying around huge cabs and rigs and to be honest I am totally tired of becoming a bodybuilder. my question for everyone is this. What is the best combo amp out there for the money? It has to be loud though as us bass players know ya gotta shake the room!

funkytoe · #2 01-26-2009, 07:48 AM

Best combo I ever owned/gigged was an Eden Metro. SWR Super Redhead was nice too, but I preferred the tone on the Eden.

Today, I would probably add Markbass to that list, as they make some pretty sweet sounding combos.

Best on a budget -- Pick up an old Peavey Combo 300 for about $200. Heavy as hell but that one will last for years and years and is plenty loud/

RickenBoogie · #3 01-26-2009, 09:40 AM

I'd go with a Mesa Venture. 600 watts, 2x12.

Christopher · #4 01-26-2009, 12:18 PM

I think the GenzBenz Shuttle combos are the best-value lightweight giggable combos out there right now, though it seems like every amp manufacturer is now competing to offer featherweight high-power Class D combo amps.

panaran · #5 01-26-2009, 12:44 PM

what size venue are you playing? We had a show at some smaller bars when i first started playing and i used an Ampeg BA115T and that thing had some balls for just a little guy. But that's really the only combo ive played so i cant really compare it to any others. It did sound pretty good tho.

funkytoe · #6 01-26-2009, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christopher

I think the GenzBenz Shuttle combos are the best-value lightweight giggable combos out there right now, though it seems like every amp manufacturer is now competing to offer featherweight high-power Class D combo amps.

You know, I tried the Shuttle 6.0 through both the 2x10 and the 1x12. Loud, clean, lightweight. Lots to like there. But for a little more weight, both the Eden and the SWR just killed it in terms of tone and onboard eq options. Sure, they are harder to lug around, but worth it if you are really going to go with a combo as your only amp. imo.

4-string · #7 01-26-2009, 01:09 PM

"Best" is subjective, but I would definitely check out the TecAmp combos. I will get a combo or small rig soon myself, and TecAmp is on the short list. They are pricey though.

pbagley · #8 01-26-2009, 01:39 PM

Very subjective indeed. Depending on the room, I can make a lot of combos work well enough for the job at hand.

Lowest power: Fender 50 watt Bassman 10 (4-10, heavy!)
Great tone, as long as you like mids with your mids and highs, from this '70's silver face combo. When I go out for a walk with my wireless I find it sounds pretty decent despite being a little bass lite on stage.

A tiny bit more power: Trace Elliot BLX-80 (half the weight, a fourth the speakers)
A bit more bottom heavy, and I end up biasing the tone upward a touch. Does not seem to have as much power as the Bassman, a little fuller in the bottom end (and perhaps a little muddier) than the Fender BassMan. The tone fits well with the rest of the band though, and that's what counts.

Light weight and cheap: Roland Cube 100
Models a bunch of amps, does an ok impression of the Bassman. Sounds OK, and a friend could not believe I was pumping out so much sound from 100 watts at our NYE gig. Stage was boomy so where I was standing it sounded muddy (and loud) as can be. Out front, on my 20 ft. leash, it sounded like a Bassman and balanced well withthe drummer and band. In a noisey bar, playing in a cover band, amp modeling sounds just fine (my opinion), so no point in hauling out heavy vintage gear. And for what we get paid boutique is overkill.

Heavy and cheap: Fender M-80 Bass
Old gray carpet coverd workhorse. Like the old grey mare, it ain't what it used to be. Sounds more like an old Peavey combo with every passing year. I've used this one for a lot of gigs, but have now retired it to the practice garage. At 100 watts (160 at 4 ohms) it is plenty loud enough for the small to medium bars we play.

So there are four impressions from the other side of the tracks. Now back to talking about the good stuff - Eden, Genz Benz, etc.

Thankful birds · #9 01-26-2009, 01:53 PM

I've got a Kustom Groove 210C (not the KBA) that I love. They're no longer on production, but it is a hell of an amp. It's 600 watts through two eminence speakers with a full eq, horn, DI out, and a strange upright standing deep cab that produces nice lows and acts as a monitor. It's still a little heavy, but much more manageable than a stack. Here's a link, although I don't know if they still actually have any for sale-

http://djshopping.com/210c.html

budget bassist · #10 01-26-2009, 02:07 PM

I'd never bother with a combo live. I just don't like combos, with a stack, you can tailor it to your needs, use certain speaker combinations for certain venues and they tend to have a lot more power. Honestly, i'd get a cheap stack, like an ashdown MAG or something.

6jase5 · #11 01-26-2009, 02:08 PM

I have an ampeg b100r and b200r and I'll bring one or the other over the svt or demeter rig when I'm not in the mood to haul. Both sound great and I use a $29 dolly from sears and 2bungies and roll in, roll out. They aren't light, but you only have to get them in and out of your vehicle and onto the dolly. I got each for about $200 used and trouble free. I also use a countryman di and I'm ready for any soundman.

It is also really up to the room. Neither would power up against 2 x 100w head geetardists in a 500 seater without a house pa, but 200 or less capacity room I've done with both combos and no pa.

At a talkbass san diego get together I played a ridiculously small (but expensive) rig with a 1x15 shroeder and markbass head.....holy moly light, loud and proud, if not shocking.

MHensleyJr · #12 01-26-2009, 02:12 PM

Mesa Walkabout Scout

MascisMan · #13 01-26-2009, 02:13 PM

I really enjoyed my Markbass CMD102P while I had it. Lightweight, loud, and expandable.

kittyboy · #14 01-26-2009, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by panaran

what size venue are you playing? We had a show at some smaller bars when i first started playing and i used an Ampeg BA115T and that thing had some balls for just a little guy. But that's really the only combo ive played so i cant really compare it to any others. It did sound pretty good tho.

Fantastic combo for the $.

Really it's a complex equation involving price, weight, freq response, and volume...

MrBEAR · #15 01-26-2009, 02:27 PM

Mesa M6 Carbine 2x12 combo is what I've been using for the past ten months and it just kills. It can do loud and it has enough EQ possibilities to do subdued low levels with punch and beef. There has not been a gig yet that someone isn't asking about what amp I'm using, bassists and geetard players alike are always amazed and knocked out by what it delivers.

I've used the SWR Redhead and the Eden Metro in the past, memory has them sounding mushy and loose compared to the authoritative tones the M6 Carbine combo lays into the room.

Sure it's all IMHO and what not but even with the 110 lb. weight factor it's a keeper. Intelligent handles and the roller blade wheels make load in and load out a breeze.

You didn't mention cost or style of music but there's my .02 worth for a best combo contender for you.

Cheers,

Mr. BEAR

hitch · #16 01-26-2009, 02:27 PM

I played the House of Blues in Chicago with a Markbass 121 combo. Opened for a "country star" and set it down in front of his bass players 810 ampeg and SVT head. Sound man kind of snickered and said, I think will just use a di for your bass. I turned it on and was noodling around and I saw him turn around. Then he walks up and throws a mic in front of my combo. He takes one look down at my amp, then up at the 810 in a road case and turns to me and asked how much mine weighed. I said around 25lbs, and his response was, "Nice, wish I was gonna have to help you load out instead of him." The small Markbass combo isn't for everybody, but with my bands sound and most places we play, it works just fine and then some. There are a lot of great combos out these days.

budget bassist · #17 01-26-2009, 02:32 PM

ooh sorry, i didn't read the original post properly, if it's doing your back in, i still wouldn't go for a combo, but i'd get a markbass little mark II head (400W and will fit in your gig bag) and a 115 or 210 cab, they're light as a feather and i'd rate that over a combo any day of the week.

Also i used to have an ampeg BA115 combo, sounded alright (not amazing) but it just wasn't anywhere near loud enough.

lawsonman · #18 01-26-2009, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickenBoogie

I'd go with a Mesa Venture. 600 watts, 2x12.

+1. Our band plays some pretty good sized gigs and I've never had the master past 4 with the gain at 11 o'clock. It's a monster on 2 wheels.Not light at 110 lbs but it's still 1 piece of equipment to move.

Mcrelly · #19 01-26-2009, 07:25 PM

The best "rig", not combo amp that I'd be satisfied with is a 500w+ head (into 4 ohms) (about 20Lbs like Eden wt550) and a 112 cabinet like a Epifani UL112. or Aguilar GS or DB 112.

IMHO...

finn74 · #20 01-26-2009, 07:39 PM

Fender Bassman 400 of Fender Bass Pro-400 2 X 10 combo with great tone. Usually one of the least expensive combos as compaired to other major manufactors. You owe it to to yourself to try one before you purchase otherwise. Nice powerful combo @350 watts internal and 500 watts with extension cab.