Looking into buying a small combo amp for practices

Armueller2001 · #1 05-24-2010, 07:02 AM

Getting tired of lugging my 4x10 cabinet and rack case around just for band practice. Do you guys have any suggestions for a 1x10 or 1x12 that puts out a good amount of dB while still sounding good?

Thanks

waleross · #2 05-24-2010, 07:29 AM

For me a 410 cab (Ampeg HLF) isn't a drag at all. I do have a Fender Rumble 60 (1 12") that is a good combo but for a band session you'd have to go with at least (1) 15"......Check out what Fender combo's there are used in your area, you might get lucky.......

SteveC · #3 05-24-2010, 07:31 AM

Genz Benz.

StuartV · #4 05-24-2010, 09:07 AM

On Friday, I received my Ibanez Promethean 1x10 combo. Prior to receiving it, I had been alternating between sometimes using my Peavey BAM210 combo for practice, and sometimes treating myself and using my SVT 2 Pro through my Peavey Pro410 cabinet.

Well, no more! The Promethean has blown me away with how good it sounds and how loud. I have not yet turned the Master up past roughly 9:00! I haven't played it yet with my band. Will probably get to do that on Wednesday. But I'm very confident that it will be more than loud enough for use during practice. We are vocals, bass, guitar, and drums, playing classic rock, southern rock, etc..

As far as lugging something places for practice, this baby is definitely IT! What it might give up in volume and tone to my bigger rigs is not nearly enough to make it worth the hassle of lugging either of the bigger ones.

Now I want to take the Promethean down to GC and A/B it against the Markbass 1x12 combo, just to see how they compare. I demoed the Markbass a week ago and I'm thinking that the Promethean doesn't give away anything to the Markbass, even though the Markbass is a 12, compared to the Promethean's 10.

becker4567 · #5 05-24-2010, 09:37 AM

Acoustic 260! At 100w, it's perfect for practicing at home or jamming, small enough to be easy to drag around, looks cool, sounds good, and at only $300, affordable!

CElton · #6 05-24-2010, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Armueller2001

Getting tired of lugging my 4x10 cabinet and rack case around just for band practice. Do you guys have any suggestions for a 1x10 or 1x12 that puts out a good amount of dB while still sounding good?

Thanks

What's your budget? What type of tone are you looking for? What are you competing with at practice? Any additional features your looking for?

Nedmundo · #7 05-24-2010, 01:25 PM

You really can't go wrong with one of the new G-K MB combos. They aren't small, but they're absurdly light, and they sound great.

I've gotten excellent results with a Roland Cube 100 at electric rock band rehearsals, even at earplug level volumes. My bandmates were amazed how much sound comes out of that little box. It sounds like more than its rated 100 watts, but if you rehearse in a large room, it probably wouldn't be enough unless you could also run it through a PA.

I might replace my Roland and my older G-K head with an Ibanez Promethean, because then I'd have the small combo and backup head all in one box. I'd probably grab the extension cab too.

StuartV · #8 05-24-2010, 02:53 PM

That was also my thought on getting the Promethean. If were playing anywhere "big", I would take my SVT rig with a 4x10. And I can now take the Promethean head to have as a backup in case the SVT takes a dump. I might even pick up something like a Sansamp to have, too, as I think the Sansamp in front of the Promethean head would give a pretty good SVT-like sound for the case where the SVT dies and I have to use the backup plan.

**bass4worship** · #9 05-24-2010, 04:25 PM

I'm been using a Trace 65watts 110 combo, great amp if you can find one.

CAW · #10 05-24-2010, 04:27 PM

While not strictly a combo, a still light and portable option is to get a solid-state amp like the RH450 and a 1x12 cab. The 1x12 should weigh in the 30lbs range. The head goes easily into a backpack with all your cables and such. And you can use the head with your larger cabs when playing out.

**TXLawDawg** · #11 05-24-2010, 04:29 PM

GK MB112 or MB115

pasta4lnch · #12 05-24-2010, 04:31 PM

I use a MB minimark for rehearsal, practices and small gigs. a bit pricey, but it's soo small and built like a tank (and sounds pretty darn goo too

)

RickenBoogie · #13 05-24-2010, 05:26 PM

I've never had good luck playing a single speaker combo with a full band. Especially without any sort of support. I'd be surprised if a 1x10 anything were loud enough without straining.

**bass4worship** · #14 05-24-2010, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickenBoogie

I've never had good luck playing a single speaker combo with a full band. Especially without any sort of support. I'd be surprised if a 1x10 anything were loud enough without straining.

How loud do you play at pactice?

SteveC · #15 05-24-2010, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickenBoogie

I've never had good luck playing a single speaker combo with a full band. Especially without any sort of support. I'd be surprised if a 1x10 anything were loud enough without straining.

I used an 80 watt 1x10 SWR WM10 for rehearsal with a 10 piece horn band. That was a great little amp - especially with a Tube Works 4001 tube pre/DI. Great little rig.

For gigs I used a 410 with 350 watt head.

vin*tone · #16 05-24-2010, 10:40 PM

I use a Aggy DB112 with Mesa Walkabout for rehearsals. Add another db112 for gigs.
Tone for days. Bags of booty. Love it.

Nic. · #17 05-25-2010, 12:56 AM

Genz Benz shuttle.

guylewis · #18 05-25-2010, 03:28 AM

Roland Bass Cube 100 is my choice for rehearsals and small/medium gigs.

Compact, well built, enough volume to compete with a loud-ish drummer and great sound; although slightly heavier (@ approx. 30 lbs) than the new ultra-lite combos.

Very good DI too.

richtea · #19 05-25-2010, 06:41 AM

I use a Genz Benz Neo Pak 3.5 head(8 1/2 pounds & comes with a shoulder bag) with a 200w 1x 10 cab, home made, for rehersals and the same head with a Genz 4x10 for gigs, same sound for both(ish) works for me.

Nedmundo · #20 05-25-2010, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guylewis

Roland Bass Cube 100 is my choice for rehearsals and small/medium gigs.

Very good DI too.

Yes, the Roland's DI is excellent. Unlike many combos, the Cube has ground lift and pre/post EQ on the DI, which means you can send the amp model tones through the PA. I did this for the first time on Sunday, running my Jazz V through the "Flip Top" model (Ampeg Portaflex), and into the PA. It sounded great, but the room was so large that the Roland was at the edge of its capabilities, even as a stage monitor. Keep in mind it still worked, even going up against a Mesa 2x12, Fender Pro Reverb, and loud drummer.