Best Portable Amp for a Student? BG and/or DB...

[loociek]

I'm a student bass player getting their first serious amp, now that I know a little something about tone, watts, etc. Any recommendations? I need something portable (definitely less than 50 lbs, and preferably a lot smaller), and versatile enough to work with a bass guitar or a double bass, maybe with the help of a preamp.

Throw out your favorites!

[kb9wyz]

Scope these: http://www.gallien-krueger.com/products_mb_series.html

I use an old version of the MB150E/112. I plan on getting the 150S in future. It adds contour controls. A little pricey, but small and powerful.

[bass4u]

Markbass CMD 121P. has a low impedance input as well as a 1/4 input. 29 lbs 500 watt combo. I have one and it served me well especially when using an upright bass.

[MichaelSmalley]

I have a Hartke 120w Kickback. It has a 12 inch speaker and is louder than you might expect. I'm not sure how much it weighs. It probably isn't something you want to carry around with you by hand, but it is compact, it handles DB and electric very well, and it was a nice XLR out, so if you are playing with PA support, you can use it as a stage monitor pretty easily.

I use it for pretty much all jazz or otherwise low volume gigs.

Oh, and I got it used for 200 bucks! Very much worth investigating if you are on a tight budget.

[ItsMichaelYeah]

genz benz shuttle series

[jwalin]

how much we spending?

[::::BASSIST::::]

Gallien K. MB212
• 500W Digital power amp
• 1/8” aux input
• Headphone jack
• Defeatable limiter
• Two 12” neodymium speakers
• Active 4 band EQ with contour
• XLR output
• 26.75x19.5x14.75
• 37 lbs.

[groooooove]

how "poartable" and on what budget?

most 1x12" combos will be "portable" as in, easy to throw in any car, and not difficult to carry in/out. they'll also be gennerally fine for jamming.

if you need more portable, the other night i tried one of those roland cubes for a jam- the one with the 4x4" speakers- and it was at about half volume and significantly louder than a nice acoustic guitar. the tone was actually sorta nice- no low end rumble or any actual good bass sound, but still punchy and nice in every way a 4" bass speaker could possibly be. i was impressed. and battery power is nice too..

[Jim Carr]

Originally Posted by loociek

I'm a student bass player getting their first serious amp, now that I know a little something about tone, watts, etc. Any recommendations? I need something portable (definitely less than 50 lbs, and preferably a lot smaller), and versatile enough to work with a bass guitar or a double bass, maybe with the help of a preamp.

Throw out your favorites!

My teacher, Yuka Tadano swears by her Acoustic Image, and uses it for BG and DB. Me, I prefer separates. Presently, for my Realist equipped DB I pack a Tech21 ParaDI as a pre-amp, and use a GB Shuttle 6.0 head and Epifani UL1 210 cab. The head weighs in at about 4 lbs, and the cab is about 37 lbs. Yes, with the DB it is two trips.

Trip one: BG on back, cab in right hand, brief case with Shuttle head, cables, music, stand, light, etc., over shoulder, stool in left hand.

Trip two, DB.

I am strong for 60.

The ParaDI is a good pre for a Piezo pickup, IMHO.
BTW, I like the GK MB150S/112, too. It is one of the few combos I kinda want....shhhh, don't tell.

There are at least two more combo/light rig threads going right now, BTW:

Gig's with a combo?
Combo Bass Amp options ($300-450)

[thudfromafar]

Genz Benz Shuttle 3.0-10T Pretty Cool Combo

[BananaKing]

Originally Posted by kb9wyz

Scope these: http://www.gallien-krueger.com/products_mb_series.html

I use an old version of the MB150E/112. I plan on getting the 150S in future. It adds contour controls. A little pricey, but small and powerful.

That is the first thing I thought of when I saw this thread title.

You can get them brand new at $440 before tax at Long and Mcquade (In Canada).