Biggest/Loudest combo-is it out there?

ThunderousFunk · #1 06-22-2010, 06:25 PM

I thinking I'm just pi$$in' in the wind by asking for my cake and eating it too, but is there a really high powered combo out there? I'm really interested in a combo for live/practice. but most of'em don't have enough wattage, and if they do, they don't have a good tone/EQ. I really hate the idea of having to go modular(head into cab). I used to like the GK 1001RB210 combo, but I don't think they make it anymore. Any clues to where I might go?

RickenBoogie · #2 06-22-2010, 06:31 PM

Loud bass means more than one speaker, so even a 500 watt combo would need an ext cab to achieve "loud". Including 2x10 combo's.

flipper_gv · #3 06-22-2010, 06:39 PM

m6 carabine combo in 2x12'' and everyone knows how loud the m6 is. It comes in 4 (for max wattage) and 8 ohm (if you want an extension cabinet)

waleross · #4 06-22-2010, 07:00 PM

I personally don't need a combo but if I did I might go Fender.
The Fender Bassman TV Duo Ten Tweed Bass Combo Amplifier (350 Watts, 2x10 in.)......Might be worth checking out...It is listed at $999. I played one and have heard them . I do have and have had Fenders recently and the quaility seems to be there........

Bass_Pounder · #5 06-22-2010, 07:16 PM

Keep your eyes open on the used market too..............

Carvin made 2 different high power combos:

The Cyclops - The cab is loaded with a single 15", 2X8's, and a horn, must be run bi-amp. Early version came with the R600 loaded into it, later versions came with the R1000.

BRX212 - 2X12 cab loaded with the B800 (little brother of the B1500).

pnut166 · #6 06-22-2010, 07:18 PM

Carvin made a 600W combo several years ago - the Cyclops, I think. It had a 15 and 2x8, plus a horn. Drawback is it weighed 100lbs, yet they advertised "goes easily in your trunk or back seat !"

pnut166 · #7 06-22-2010, 07:19 PM

You read my mind !

craig.p · #8 06-22-2010, 07:57 PM

Loudest bass combo I ever heard I actually owned back in the late '60s: a Teneyck 2x15. I had it during my transition from guitar to bass. There's one on CL: http://ames.craigslist.org/msg/1774554682.html

Loud as hell, but in a spawn-of-Satan sort of way. The thin board in back would vibrate so bad it'd go blurry when you played. Mine wound up with a cracked board etch and I traded it even for an 18" Portaflex. A real "piece a work," as they say up here. Anyway, if you want a real joyride and you like cussing at inanimate objects...

IPA · #9 06-22-2010, 08:28 PM

Not the highest of high-end, but my Acoustic B450 is extremely loud. http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend....mp-?sku=484907

The multi band EQ and notch help to dial out farty tone at louder volumes. Has outs for extensions which I think I will take up one day, maybe add a 1x15 or another 2x10 or something.

JmJ · #10 06-22-2010, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pnut166

Carvin made a 600W combo several years ago - the Cyclops, I think. It had a 15 and 2x8, plus a horn. Drawback is it weighed 100lbs, yet they advertised "goes easily in your trunk or back seat !"

I had the early version of the Cyclops and it was the loudest combo I ever could imagine hearing. Carvin had a 10 day trial period and since I had no gigs in that time I had to simply try it at home in my basement apartment. I plugged in, tuned up and turned the amp to 2 o'clock. It was pretty loud, the tone was not bad and I started tweaking the EQ and playing. After about 5 minutes my upstairs neighbor called me with panic in her voice "what are you doing, what are you doing?" "THE WALLS ARE SHAKING"! I figured, since the thing could create a localized earthquake I would keep it.

Bass_Pounder · #11 06-22-2010, 09:45 PM

I think Kustom also made a 3X10 combo that had the 1200 head in it.

ETA - It was the Kustom Groove 310C

http://www.kustom.com/Content/Groove...al_DEC2005.pdf

Mapleleaf · #12 06-22-2010, 09:50 PM

I just bought the MEsa M6 Carbine 2x12 combo .... its loud ! its powerful, its got great tone and a simple to use EQ cost is not much more than a 1x12 walkabout scout. downside - its quite heavy at 120 pounds - i cant get it down or up a flight of stairs on my own . a really nice peice of kit.

georgestrings · #13 06-22-2010, 09:59 PM

I always thought the Super Redhead was pretty impressive for a combo, but haven't seen any sense in using combos for quite some time now...

- georgestrings

shakerattleroll · #14 06-22-2010, 10:03 PM

Not exactly a combo, cause you'd need a pre, but you could use a high powered pedal...

tallboybass · #15 06-22-2010, 10:07 PM

Of course there's the GK MB212....500 watts into two 12" speakers, GK tone. It gets pretty loud for a 38 pound combo.

livinglow · #16 06-22-2010, 10:09 PM

Aguilar used to (still may...) make a few AG500 combos. You could get either AG500SC or the 2 CH AG500, I think you could (can) get it with 1x12, 2x12, and maybe 2x10. I have ran the GS212 and the 2 CH AG500 before (not in a combo) and it will pound the walls down!

KJung · #17 06-23-2010, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flipper_gv

m6 carabine combo in 2x12'' and everyone knows how loud the m6 is. It comes in 4 (for max wattage) and 8 ohm (if you want an extension cabinet)

+1 Massive sounding... and of course, it weighs over 100 pounds

bassplayer7770 · #18 06-23-2010, 06:32 AM

This is a pretty loud combo. The cab is a Low Down Sound 15/6.5 with a 2u rackspace built-in, and the head is a Carvin BX1200 that can push 800 watts bridged @ 8 ohms. You can have more rackspaces built-in if you'd prefer, and you can use any head you prefer.

EDIT: Forgot to mention the weight. The cab itself probably weighs in the mid-40s, so the total weight will depend on the weight of the head you use.

KJung · #19 06-23-2010, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassplayer7770

This is a pretty loud combo. The cab is a Low Down Sound 15/6.5 with a 2u rackspace built-in, and the head is a Carvin BX1200 that can push 800 watts bridged @ 8 ohms. You can have more rackspaces built-in if you'd prefer, and you can use any head you prefer.

I think that would probably be the all time winner for a combo that is not stupid big or heavy, but that puts out enough low end and volume for virtually any gig. Nice! I bet that sounds great, and what a nice easy schlepp. Beautiful!

bassplayer7770 · #20 06-23-2010, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KJung

I think that would probably be the all time winner for a combo that is not stupid big or heavy, but that puts out enough low end and volume for virtually any gig. Nice! I bet that sounds great, and what a nice easy schlepp. Beautiful!

I admit I'm selling the head, but it did serve me well for about a year. Still, the beauty of this setup is that you can also use any head you want (dependent on rack spaces). The removeable casters on the bottom also make it even easier to transport.

EDIT: Oh, and if you want a combo that tilts back, just remove the rear casters!