Combo/Small Amp Time

[bankai]

I was previously (and until I find a new rig) using an Ashdown head with two cabs, yet I moved to uni a few months ago and now have something taking up a lot of room, and without a car, something difficult to take anywhere.


I'm after suggestions.

1. A small amp I can use for practicing and studio work. I'll then put my big rig away in storage where it doesn't get in the way and then only bring it out for live playing.

Alternatively

2. A smallish amp that I can use for everything. Compact enough to sit here, yet loud enough to be perfectly fine for live. In this eventuality I'd be able to sell my big rig so would have a bigger budget.


So I expect looking at about £100 for option 1 or £500 budget for option 2. I use Ashdown at the moment which sounds great, I really love the deep and warm tone, yet I really want something with a powerful rocky sound (with a good overdriven tone available as well), Ampeg and Marshall come to mind.


So, your suggestions? I'm definitely going second hand

[cataract]

Ampeg Micro VR + matching 2x10 cabinet.

I don't have the cabinet yet but the head sounds amazing through a 1x15.

[Russell L]

I got the Markbass CMD 121H combo. One 12", 300w, 8 ohms, 39 lbs. in a decent sized cab , big enough sound to fill a medium-sized bar, unless you're into the loud stuff. Not cheap, though. But, it's my dream come true for portability. I have a lot of different type gigs.

[SteveC]

Genz Benz Shuttle. I've used a 3.0 and a 12.0. Currently have the 3.0 again. Great little combo and loud.

[vin*tone]

I've been trying to find that mix for years. Trying to find an amp that is both compact and loud enough for live gigs will probably involve compromise on either side. How loud are your gigs? Are you fussy with your tone? My gigging rig is a Mesa W.A head with 2 x DB112 Aguilar cabinets. It's a great modular solution but a single DB112 is still is a pretty heavy lug for rehearsals 2 or 3 times a week. I'm now thinking it is better to have a light weight combo that compromises tone for rehearsals and a bigger rig that compromises weight/bulk for gigging.

Personally I'm looking at a GK MB112 combo.

[bankai]

Isobaric cabs from Orange any good?

From what I hear, the tone is surprising for the size.

[Phatbottom]

Mesa Buster combo. Heavy as a mug but amazing. Great tone and quite loud.

[philtoler]

Originally Posted by bankai

Isobaric cabs from Orange any good?

From what I hear, the tone is surprising for the size.

I have the SP210 + Terror Bass 500 and I use it most of the time. Not the loudest in the world but can take the full power of the amp and it's a really lovely sounding cab. Front facing port seems to help bass projection too. Very small and light - I can plop it in the back of my little Honda 1.3 with tonnes of room to spare.

[bankai]

Originally Posted by philtoler

I have the SP210 + Terror Bass 500 and I use it most of the time. Not the loudest in the world but can take the full power of the amp and it's a really lovely sounding cab. Front facing port seems to help bass projection too. Very small and light - I can plop it in the back of my little Honda 1.3 with tonnes of room to spare.

Gigworthy loud?

[philtoler]

Originally Posted by bankai

Gigworthy loud?

I have used it for all of my gigs since I bought it last year but I play mainly light, latin, soul and jazz stuff at smaller venues - pubs, clubs, parties, town/village centre bandstands, small marquees.

[MarTONEbass]

Markbass CMD102p: great for practice, loud enough for medium-small gigs. Easy to carry and hear on small stages. They go for $700-$800 used.