combo for an Acoustic Trio

[sideMan91]

I would appreciate some recommendations for; I am thinking a 112 combo. I have recently joined an acoustic trio. Acoustic guitar, bass, and percussion. Percussion consists of congas, bongos, a couple of cymbals and various odd and ends. Everything goes through a small but high quality pa, which includes subs. The sound is excellent. I am currently using an inexpensive Peavey Max 112, 35-watt practice amp. I have only played one gig so far and it almost worked. I just could not get quite what I needed, volume or tone wise. I had to cut the low way down to get any volume without it breaking up. Again, I was going direct and just used the 112 for a monitor. I am thinking that I will not really need a whole lot more since I am going direct. Until I can save and spend whatever it takes to get the rig that I really like I will need something better. I like the specs on the Ampeg BA112, (size and weight anyway) but I am not sure it would be much better. The problem I have had buying gear is that I have never really found out if a giving piece of gear would really work for me until I have played several different gigs with it.

Any advice would be a great help. Especially if anybody has experience with an acoustic format that I described above.

Thanks much!!

[SurferJoe46]

For what it's worth, GC has a 30-day approval exchange policy if something doesn't work well for you. If you use their free delivery, I think some of that 30-day time gets eaten up by the shipping time though.

[bassist4dalord]

Is this your only gig? Is it permanent? In my opinion, you should get something that you can use in other venues and ensembles as well. I'm looking at the Gallien-Krueger MB115 200-watt combo.

The Ampeg BA112 is what, $260 at Guitar Center? For about $100 more, you could have a 200-watt Acoustic B200 combo. Just some food for thought man.

EDIT: Also, please fill in your profile so we can know what you're working with right now. Thanks have a nice day!

[RickenBoogie]

It's alot more money, but if you really care about your tone, a Mesa Walkabout Scout 12 would certainly fit the bill. I've used one with an acoustic trio, and it was delightful. Also, easily can be made to power larger cabs, if you ever need to go "louder".

[sideMan91]

GC 30 day approval......good point

It is the only gig I have at the moment but I do have a Hartke 3500, 240@8 ohms, a 4x10 and 1x15.

I am hoping to get away something smaller than Acoustic B200.
I am laaaazzzzzyyyy

[sideMan91]

Mesa Walkabout Scout 12 now THAT would be great I am sure.
That would be what I would have to save up for.

[Interceptor]

I've been doing acoustic rock for years!

+1 on the Walkabout. Or try a Walkabout head with a Schroeder 115. There's another TB'r in my part of the world running that combination and I really like his tone.

The other stuff to give a hard look is TC Electronic.

I've settled on a Thunderfunk + two Epifani T-112 for when we use the big PA outdoors, or just one cabinet indoors with the conventional PA. We just switched to a Bose system, and by the looks of things I'll just be going direct in the smaller rooms. The joy of the Bose is those nights my rig will stay home.

[praisebass]

I like my Fender Bassman 150 combo for that application - the Bassman 100 combo is smaller and lighter. I think these may no longer be manufactures as they are on closeout at Musician's Friend and I don't see them listed on Fender's website. Anyway, mine has done well by me.

[sideMan91]

thanks for the suggestion!

nobody has used an Ampeg BA112 for Acoustic Trio?

[RickenBoogie]

Yeah, I've used a BA112 in an acoustic enviornment. Good little amp, actually. The best of that series, I think.