Gig Worthy Combos: Yea or Nay?

[two fingers]

Originally Posted by stepswork4me

Not even a 500w with a 15?

Absolutely. I use a Mesa Walkabout Scout 15 all the time for gigs. Sometimes with an extension (matching) cab but not nearly all the time.

[paganjack]

Depends on the combo, but I can think of a number of 1x15s that have done really well for me in the past. I just prefer having a more modular setup - slightly easier carry IMO and you can more easily modify your rig for the size of the stage/venue.

[bassboysam]

Originally Posted by Russell L

I am thinking about changing who I play with and style just to get to play music that isn't so damn loud anymore. I'm sick of all the noise and idiots who don't understand it.

then why join a loud band to begin with? no need for name calling. playing loud, playing fast, playing slow there is no wrong or right way.

[Adam Bomb]

Maybe it's cheating, because I use two. But a pair of GK MB210s does whatever I need. I play mostly rock.



700 watts into four 10s. Not sure the relevance of them being combos, except that I am still fairly good to go even if one goes down.

--Bomb

[Chris Horton]

I guess it depends on the type of gig and size of the room etc

[Marko5657]

Originally Posted by bassboysam

then why join a loud band to begin with? no need for name calling. playing loud, playing fast, playing slow there is no wrong or right way.

When we get old we get a little grumpy, and with experience, less-tolerant of ignorance, even when justified with subjectivity.

I’ve used worse words than “idiots” for people who can’t/won’t balance their stage-rig volume appropriately.

[Fergie Fulton]

Very giggable, used an Ampeg SVT350T on all gigs, in various countries around Europe with no issues at all for over 20 yrs.

Either as a 2x10



Or a 6x10



Its the same amp, she's had a few front grill changes in her life.

[jnewmark]

Anybody try the new GK combos, specifically the 212 MBII ?

[bassybill]

I just had to delete several posts in this thread for being directly insulting to people offering their honest opinions on the topic (and also a couple of others that were only problematic because they related to the bad ones).

Please don't continue in this vein as I really do not want to start giving people TB holidays for such stuff. Thanks.

Bill

[stepswork4me]

I wonder if anyone would really be apprehensive to gig the PJ BG800 for fear of not having enough volume?

[RDUB]

I've been using an AER Amp Three for just about everything lately. Jazz and theatre gigs, excellent. Rehearsals for a rock band, also excellent. I even did a Christmas gig with the rock band, and had plenty of oomph on stage. (With PA support, of course.)

For a bigger stage, or outdoor gig, I'd probably take one of the big rigs.

[sj_bass]

Originally Posted by paganjack

Depends on the combo, but I can think of a number of 1x15s that have done really well for me in the past. I just prefer having a more modular setup - slightly easier carry IMO and you can more easily modify your rig for the size of the stage/venue.

Exactly. For me it's more of a space/weight thing as I prefer the flexibilty of going 1x12, 2x12, 4x10, 8x10, or more.

[kcole4001]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

With a PA, you can gig just about anything.

As always, what JimmyM says is law!


Decent PA and good monitors make anything possible.
I've gigged with a Fender 2X10 combo (Rumble 100 I think), but then we keep our stage volume at a reasonable level.

I prefer 350 watts and a 4X10 cabinet, but the combo worked quite well.
We always have PA support: the guitar player and drummer co-own it, and are quite busy doing sound for other bands and functions, so obviously they also know how to use their system properly.
Make band life pretty non-stressful in that regard.

[Blue_Whistle88]

As previously stated, the benefits of a combo are specifically that they're lower-powered, smaller, and lighter. Having the amp built into the head used to mean that anything above a 210/115 combo was just too heavy, but class D amps have changed that. They haven't changed the size issue though, which is controlled by the speaker size(s). A 115 or 210 combo isn't going to compete against two large guitar amps and a loud drummer, no matter how powerful the amp is or high the wattage rating of the speakers, just because of the sheer volume. You could be heard if you wound it all the way up, but bass requires headroom.

Mesa Boogie's M6/M9 212 combos are the only ones I've seen that have the wattage and (possibly) the speaker size to have some headroom in a hard rock band, but even then you're pushing it. Separate head and cab rigs actually allow you to combat the weight problem, while coming as close as you can to overcoming the issues brought on by the speaker size. Plus, the reality is that, in a band context like that, you just need the wattage.

That being said, given how far combo amps have come in the last 20 years with respect to power output, and speaker power handling/delivery, I'd say that in anything less than hard rock/heavy metal (volume-wise), the larger combos available will give you enough headroom. I don't think it will be long before we see 1000 watt combos, with speakers that actually can handle the power, and that would change my answer. Modular amps, with small, easily-removable heads (hats off again to class D technology) will probably be the way forward though, as oppose to combos with heads permanently mounted in them. They may well usurp standard head/cab setups too.

[stepswork4me]

Preconceived notions are entertaining.

[timmerz]

Gotta throw this out there....won't be popular, I'm sure, but....I have big stuff and small stuff for different sized gigs and different music styles...the smallest stuff I have is an SWR Basic Black Combo and the Basic Extension, both 15" cabs w/tweeters...I can use just the combo or the combo plus the extension for more coverage...sweetest bass noise you'll ever hear for the Blues, Jazz and some smaller Rock venues...and it's only 120 rms or 180 rms with the extension...covers most of the gigs I play up to around a 60-seat house without sweating or P.A. support...
Yes, combo's can be giggable!

[Mastermold]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

With a PA, you can gig just about anything.

^^^^
This

[DougBass]

I have used an SWR Silverado Special that I have used on every gig for the last 14 years. I add a Bigfoot 2x12 when I need a little more thunder. Without a doubt there are combos that are gigable.

[chadds]

I always have that if I need it monster outside gig rig yet for fifteen years my SWR BBII has served me so well. Sometimes up to three times a week not including practices. If you're all loud it isn't your first choice.

[Stumbo]

Check out Phil Jones Pure Sound amps/cabs. Several giggable/portable/light combos and cabs to choose from.

http://www.philjonespuresound.com/products/?c=9

Phil Jones Bass Owners' Club