Gig Combo Fender Duo Ten?

[Edwcdc]

Hey Guys, At the end of the year my amp needs will change. I am leaving my cover band and doing original music. With the cover band I am using an SWR 750 and an 8x10 cab. I played a gig with the original band this past Friday and the 8x10 was over kill and too much to set up quickly. Most of the shows we will do will be multi band type things where you play one set and done. A lot of these venues are in city locations so fewer trips to the van while double parked would be fine by me.
I think I need a combo amp that is fairly light and enough power to play some of these small bars. I want to be able to just walk up there, plug the amp in and plug my bass in and go.
I have been checking out two amps, the Fender Duo Ten and the Ampeg BA600 leaning more towards the Fender.
I have been doing searches on TB and some folks mention they like the sound but haven't read much on the TV Duo Ten and its ability on gigs.

[capnsandwich]

Check out some of Gallien-Krueger's MB series combos. I've got an MB 212 that does exactly what you're wanting a combo to do. It's 37 lbs., it's 500 watts and sounds like it too, and it's got good tone, IMO anyways. There are a lot of combos out there on the market now days that could meet your needs. It just depends on what you're willing to spend.

[Edwcdc]

Originally Posted by capnsandwich

Check out some of Gallien-Krueger's MB series combos. I've got an MB 212 that does exactly what you're wanting a combo to do. It's 37 lbs., it's 500 watts and sounds like it too, and it's got good tone, IMO anyways. There are a lot of combos out there on the market now days that could meet your needs. It just depends on what you're willing to spend.

Thanks for the tip.

I won't rule the MB212 out. Will it keep up with a drummer and guitarist? I do realize when I ask that question that it would depend on the drummer and guitarist but I think you know what I'm getting at. I also don't play very bass heavy. I like a nice mid thing going. I do like the 37 lbs thing too!

[richardbethell]

I recently purchased the Fender TV 2x10, 350 watts. The vintage tone is warm and sits in the mix very well. The tube preamp sounds great and the fender tone stack is a dream to dial in a good sound on stage. It is light weight and makes set up a much better experience. I am sure there are other combos that do a great job, but i am very happy with this amp and highly recommend it. It also looks friggin awesome on stage.

[Edwcdc]

Originally Posted by richardbethell

I recently purchased the Fender TV 2x10, 350 watts. The vintage tone is warm and sits in the mix very well. The tube preamp sounds great and the fender tone stack is a dream to dial in a good sound on stage. It is light weight and makes set up a much better experience. I am sure there are other combos that do a great job, but i am very happy with this amp and highly recommend it. It also looks friggin awesome on stage.

Thanks Richard. How is the volume on that amp? Are you finding that you are maxing out easily or do you have room to spare?
I am drawn to the looks of the amp and its simple layout.

[capnsandwich]

Originally Posted by Edwcdc

Thanks for the tip.

I won't rule the MB212 out. Will it keep up with a drummer and guitarist? I do realize when I ask that question that it would depend on the drummer and guitarist but I think you know what I'm getting at. I also don't play very bass heavy. I like a nice mid thing going. I do like the 37 lbs thing too!

It'll keep up just fine. I play in a band with a deaf guitarist (pretty good player for being deaf too) and it's loud and clear. The drummer at church is pretty loud too and no problem, though I usually use the church's rig but have brought the MB212 to test it out. It passed.

This amp can definitely give you all the mids you need, especially since it's got a 4 band EQ, 2 of those knobs being low and high mid knobs. It has a contour button, which I hardly ever use, and a limiter button. The horn can be turned off and on as well.

the only bad thing, if you consider this bad, is that it has a single handle on top. It's not a bad thing but just a different thing compared to my other cabs for my other 2 rigs. I kind of wish it had side recesses handles. However, it's only 37 lbs. so I'm being a baby about it. Drummers hate me and so do big Marshall stack toting guitarists.

[Edwcdc]

Originally Posted by capnsandwich

It'll keep up just fine. I play in a band with a deaf guitarist (pretty good player for being deaf too) and it's loud and clear. The drummer at church is pretty loud too and no problem, though I usually use the church's rig but have brought the MB212 to test it out. It passed.

This amp can definitely give you all the mids you need, especially since it's got a 4 band EQ, 2 of those knobs being low and high mid knobs. It has a contour button, which I hardly ever use, and a limiter button. The horn can be turned off and on as well.

the only bad thing, if you consider this bad, is that it has a single handle on top. It's not a bad thing but just a different thing compared to my other cabs for my other 2 rigs. I kind of wish it had side recesses handles. However, it's only 37 lbs. so I'm being a baby about it. Drummers hate me and so do big Marshall stack toting guitarists.

I keep getting drawn in by the 37 lbs. I appreciate all of the info so far. My drummer will hate me when I get my load in down to one trip.
On a side note I have read some reviews saying that the MB212 has some cabinet rattling issues. Any thoughts on that?

[capnsandwich]

Originally Posted by Edwcdc

I keep getting drawn in by the 37 lbs. I appreciate all of the info so far. My drummer will hate me when I get my load in down to one trip.
On a side note I have read some reviews saying that the MB212 has some cabinet rattling issues. Any thoughts on that?

I have yet to have that problem. If they abuse their equipment and throw it around, any rig could develop that. Mine hasn't yet. In fact, for being so light and loud I was wondering if this amp would develop that. I have one of the first ones that came out and so far it's quiet.

[T-MOST]

I used to have a Super Redhead (SWR) It's a great amp but at 85lbs it's too heavy to haul. So, I just picked up the MarkBass CDM 102P. It has 2x10's, (available in a 2x12 version) tweeter and 350/500 expandible watts. It pumps with a thick creamy bottom with no rattles at all in the cab. Also it sparkles on top with very wide range of mids. I love that it has very clean tone and only weighs 44lbs. I'm super satisfied with the Mark Bass. If you are looking for power, tone , reliability and light weight It's definately worth looking into. My back highly recommends it!

[Edwcdc]

Originally Posted by capnsandwich

I have yet to have that problem. If they abuse their equipment and throw it around, any rig could develop that. Mine hasn't yet. In fact, for being so light and loud I was wondering if this amp would develop that. I have one of the first ones that came out and so far it's quiet.

Good to hear. I will have to get some place to check out a few of the combos out there. I really want to like the GK based on the weight and price.

[capnsandwich]

Originally Posted by Edwcdc

Good to hear. I will have to get some place to check out a few of the combos out there. I really want to like the GK based on the weight and price.

Man, too bad I'm in Ohio now. I used to live in Severna Park and in Severn in my high school days. You could've come over then but then, again, amps were in the 100 lb. range back then and I was a guitarist then too.

[Edwcdc]

Originally Posted by T-MOST

I used to have a Super Redhead (SWR) It's a great amp but at 85lbs it's too heavy to haul. So, I just picked up the MarkBass CDM 102P. It has 2x10's, (available in a 2x12 version) tweeter and 350/500 expandible watts. It pumps with a thick creamy bottom with no rattles at all in the cab. Also it sparkles on top with very wide range of mids. I love that it has very clean tone and only weighs 44lbs. I'm super satisfied with the Mark Bass. If you are looking for power, tone , reliability and light weight It's definately worth looking into. My back highly recommends it!

Thanks for the heads up T-Most!

Being an SWR guy for the last ten years I had considered the Super Redhead but yeah the weight is crazy and the price is a bit more than I can take right now. I have been looking at Markbass also. I plan to keep my big rig so if I run into a gig that needs it I will have it. I also have a little Ashdown amp. It's and electric blue 180 watt something or other with a single 12. I remember hooking up a 8ohm PA cab once and the volume difference was huge. This makes me think that something in the 300-500 watt range will be fine. I don't want to have to carry an extra cab to get it down to 4ohms.

[Edwcdc]

Originally Posted by capnsandwich

Man, too bad I'm in Ohio now. I used to live in Severna Park and in Severn in my high school days. You could've come over then but then, again, amps were in the 100 lb. range back then and I was a guitarist then too.

Thanks anyway man!

[Edwcdc]

OK, I just got my MB212 today!!
I opened the box pull it out with one hand and plug it in and I am surprised by the sound. Very nice! Very loud!
I am going to use it on a gig tomorrow so I will report back Sunday morning. I can't get over how much good volume I can get out of this little beast. I guess I need to hear it in context with the full band before I can truly decide if it will be able to replace my big rig for most of my gigs.

[Eublet]

Any updates on the MB212?