Great small combo amps?

bultaco · #1 06-14-2009, 07:08 PM

Hey All, I have "downsized" my band to a 3 piece and we play in really small places.. coffee shops and living rooms and such. We come across well at a really low volume. I have been using my pracitce amp, a Behringer 45W 8". It's not doing the job. I need something small and light as possible, but with a fuller sound.. not too deep, not too wiry. I play a 5 with fingers and a pick and I slap some. but I don't need a big "killer" sound... just something GOOD.. you guys know!
But LOW volume...something that sound GOOD at low volume.

Thanks

AxtoOx · #2 06-14-2009, 07:11 PM

I use a Eden Nemesis 210 for my back up and practice amp. Plenty loud enough for a stage monitor and DIs great into the PA. You can use it in a small venue w/o a PA.

jumbosilverette · #3 06-14-2009, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AxtoOx

I use a Eden Nemesis 210 for my back up and practice amp. Plenty loud enough for a stage monitor and DIs great into the PA. You can use it in a small venue w/o a PA.

+1 my experience too.

Stumbo · #4 06-14-2009, 07:14 PM

You might want to check out links to 30 light weight cabs,amps, combos or check out the following TB threads on this topic.

Philbiker · #5 06-14-2009, 07:22 PM

My old pre-Gibson Trace Elliot Boxer 30 never ceases to amaze me in similar situations. Good luck finding one though.

MysticMichael · #6 06-14-2009, 07:45 PM

Dunno what you mean by "too deep" (that's what EQ is for) ...

But another big thumbs up for the Nemesis 2x10. It will handle the "B" string, and it sounds great at low volume - rich, warm...and yes, deep.

Get one. You'll love it!

MM

LowFreak · #7 06-14-2009, 08:00 PM

The MarkBass 121P is a fantastic piece of equipment.
Lightweight and loud, and with a nice sound too.

Bassist4Life · #8 06-14-2009, 08:20 PM

What is your budget?

K.Ross · #9 06-14-2009, 11:23 PM

Carvin puts out a PB100 15" combo for $300.00 It is great to practice with,but packs a pretty powerful punch if you need it. I use it lots to practice with,and also use it for smaller venues. It is a nice amp.
Kent

T-Bird · #10 06-14-2009, 11:36 PM

Hi.

If hunting for used one, a SWR WM series is hard to beat, especially with Eminence NEO mods.

I probably wouldn't choose the 10" I have for use with a low B though.

Regards
Sam

62bass · #11 06-15-2009, 04:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bultaco

Hey All, I have "downsized" my band to a 3 piece and we play in really small places.. coffee shops and living rooms and such. We come across well at a really low volume. I have been using my pracitce amp, a Behringer 45W 8". It's not doing the job. I need something small and light as possible, but with a fuller sound.. not too deep, not too wiry. I play a 5 with fingers and a pick and I slap some. but I don't need a big "killer" sound... just something GOOD.. you guys know!
But LOW volume...something that sound GOOD at low volume.

Thanks

The GK MB 150S combo is what you describe. I have one and love it. Great sounding little amp and very reliable so far. They're more expensive than a lot of other amps in that size but well worth it I think. They weigh 26 lbs. 1x12" speaker. There's also a matching extension cabinet that weighs 16 lbs.

It'll make your Behringer sound like a toy by comparison.

Well done for playing at low volume. I'm sure sick of playing with guys who can only play wide open and I won't do it any more. At lower volume I get a chance to play music. What a concept.

Anyhow, try one out. I think you'll like it.

AxtoOx · #12 06-15-2009, 04:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T-Bird

Hi.

If hunting for used one, a SWR WM series is hard to beat, especially with Eminence NEO mods.

I probably wouldn't choose the 10" I have for use with a low B though.

Regards
Sam

I play nothing but 5ers. I use nothing but 10" speakers. I have the NC210 and an Ampet810. Both handle a low B just fine.

GearHeadBassMan · #13 06-15-2009, 05:43 AM

+1 on the GK MB combo, played one during a sit-in and was amazed on how light it was and how it sounded.

also +1 on the Carvin combos, they seem to garner alot of praise around here and I love all the carvin stuff I've tried.

RickenBoogie · #14 06-15-2009, 07:57 AM

It's expensive, but imo, the Walkabout Scout has no peers. It's all about the tone.

jdThumpin' · #15 06-15-2009, 08:27 AM

anyone with experience with the Phil Jones flightcase?

CrUiSeR · #16 06-15-2009, 10:15 AM

Ampeg rocket s
Ampeg portaflex s
SWR blue s

62bass · #17 06-15-2009, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickenBoogie

It's expensive, but imo, the Walkabout Scout has no peers. It's all about the tone.

I agree. I owned one for 4 years until I downsized. There is no better 300 watt combo made in my opinion. But it does weigh 49 lbs. For the OP I think it's overkill.

T-Bird · #18 06-15-2009, 11:59 AM

Hi.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AxtoOx

I play nothing but 5ers. I use nothing but 10" speakers. I have the NC210 and an Ampet810. Both handle a low B just fine.

IMLE SWR WM10 won't handle a low B with any practical balance or volume in an amplified band setting. The thread is about small (inexpensive?) combos.

Regards
Sam

DaybeD · #19 06-15-2009, 12:19 PM

Have you ever looked into either the microbass stack by gk or my favorite which is plenty loud but freaking amazing is the shuttle series by genz benz the heaviest is only about 4 pounds and 600 watts!!

MNAirHead · #20 06-15-2009, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T-Bird

Hi.

If hunting for used one, a SWR WM series is hard to beat, especially with Eminence NEO mods.

I probably wouldn't choose the 10" I have for use with a low B though.

Regards
Sam

I owned one - sucked.. distorted with active basses and broke down wiht a B

I own several amps.. for stuff like this, I nomrally use a tuned cabinet (1-12) and a Crate Block.. can go DI.. portable.. can be used as a practice amp.. lots of power and headroom.. simple to use...

You can go direct into the power amp

Seems as if the speakers and cabinets are what crack down on small practice amps.