Combo Markbass, Carvin, GK

[Steve S]

I'd like to get a combo amp for rehersals and jams. Something lighter than the Ampeg B100 R but with a similar sound.

Any ideas on the Markbass 115 or 112, Carvin Micro 115 or the GK 115 would be appreciated.

[hyp.spec]

I played through the Markbass 15" combo the other day and was rather floored at how full and awesome it sounded...

although I am SURE people would beg to differ...

in all honesty, hit up your music stores around you and check stuff out!

[jeff7bass]

The Markbass is La Creme, but there's a big cost difference. I've played them all and the Carvin wins on B4B because of the features packed in and the sound. You can stack it for a 250w stack @ 4 ohms. It has all the gigging features for 399.00.
The GK sounds fatter than the Carvin but it's purely a standalone amp. It rocks though, plenty for small, even medium size gigs with PA support. The Carvin requires tweeking if you want a fatter sound, but it's there.
Markbass
Carvin
GK
That's how I rank them.

Before you question wheteher or not Carvin has the service, I sent my combo in to fix a little vibration coming from the top plate (loud volumes). I scratched the top plate while trying to fix it. I sent it in explaining that I scratched it and would pay for a new top plate myself, if they fixed the vibration. They fixed the vibration, replaced the top plate and sent it back to me in less than two weeks, all under warranty. That's faster than the local GK service guy ever fixed my amps.

[Steve S]

The Carvin and the GK weigh about the same too..

I used to have the SWR WM115 but it was too awkward to carry. I loved the sound of the B100 R but the older I got, the more I disliked carrying it.