Help me downsize - affordable gig/jam worthy combos?

[panama]

Hey all. It's been a long time since I posted on TB. My focus has been at work, home and school for the last 8 months or so.

I was playing a Peavey VB-2 through a 410 and 15 but recently sold the cabs (bills) and now I am selling the head. I am using the money made off of that to purchase a combo amp that will be ok for using during jams and gigs. I don't need ultimate power, but I usually play in indie and punk bands so decent power is desirable. I'm looking to spend around $550. New or used I don't care.

Ideas?

[panama]

Some amps located locally in my price range:

SWR Silverado Special
Roland DB-700
1975 Fender Bassman 10
Genz Benz 2x10 Neo-X 400

[panama]

On more:

1970 Fender Bassman Combo - "Started life as a Bantam Bassman with a strange Yamaha styrofoam speaker and an absurd under-rated output transformer. However, it has a big power transformer and has the traditional late 60's bassman tone stack.

I added a new output transformer, see Fender Output Transformer, Super Reverb, Bassman, Concert, 4/8/16 with M-6 Upgrade It's tapped for 4,8, or 16 ohm application. Also added a re-coned Jensen P15Q with a long throw voice coil. It can handle the higher watts of the new OT.

I had Detroit area amp guru, Dean Zink recap and tweak the normal and bass circuits.

I channel jump from Normal to Bass. It's clean to about 4, breaks up nicely to about 7, then gets rock-n-roll after that. I've had bigger speakers (Jensen Neo, JBL D130), and it plays LOUD with lots of bass."

[panama]

damn yo

[Russell L]

Ok, what else do ya need to know?

[panama]

I'm just looking for recommendations. I've never ventured into the world of bass combos.

In terms of new amps I am seeing a Fender Rumble 350 and anAshdown MAG C-115-300 EVO II that are in my range.

Does anyone have experience with any of the amps listed in this thread?

[panama]

Hm. It looks like the Ampeg Portaflex 350+210 cab isn't that far out of my range.

[Russell L]

Markbass CMD 102P kicks, as does the Jeff Berlin combo. Both are lightweight compared to many others in their price range.

[bassbeard]

GK MB212

had it for a year and it still amazes me every time i get to take it up to gigging volume.

light, powerful, afordable

[panama]

Beauty. Thanks for the suggestions. I'll see if I can check em out locally!

edit: oof that markbass is well out of my range new!

[jungleheat]

Out of the ones you mentioned, the Silverado Special is probably the best choice. Something like 350w and 2 12s I think. Definitely gigable. SWR makes high quality stuff that sounds great.

The GB combo would probably be good too.

Roland might sound good but I dont know how much power those have.

The Fenders are kind of cool amps, but not really ideal for a main amp. They're best for recording/practice/etc... rather than gigs, especially louder gigs.

[gjbassist]

Originally Posted by panama

Hm. It looks like the Ampeg Portaflex 350+210 cab isn't that far out of my range.

This was going to be my suggestion. Actually there are a couple of PF500 heads and PF cabinets for sale on TB right now. So you could go used and get the PF500 head with more features and power for the same or less than a new PF350/PF210 setup.

[panama]

Thanks guys!

[panama]

How about the Markbass MINI CMD 121P? Too small?

[Pickebass]

Had the roland at one time. Wasn't loud or defined enough. Easily lost in a mix. Also owned the silverado. My was a 4x8. Also played the 212. Great amp, but like most SWR amps, it is a "soft" 350. You will definitely need an extension cab to really be heard in a loud setting. Great amp though. Really liked mine.

The bassman is another great sounding amp, but probably will be at the edge with volume

[panama]

Great info. Thanks!

[panama]

This isn't a combo, but it's in my trade range. I don't know much about GK's budget line though. Any thoughts?

Gallien Krueger 600 // 300watt amp full stack bass

[panama]

SWR Workingman 15?

[ksandvik]

Originally Posted by panama

How about the Markbass MINI CMD 121P? Too small?

With an external cabinet and DI 550W is not too small.. Maybe the size is too small even with a 12" cone.

[Dustin Teel]

Acoustic B200 1x15 combo.