Orange Crush PiX 50 or 100 for my situation?

[PSM113]

What's up guys? New to the forum and just wondering if I could get some advice on which of these amps is the better choice for my situation. I've been a guitar player since I was young but mess around on bass in my free time here and there. I've got a Fender American Jazz Bass but no amp.

I was recently offered to make a little extra cash playing bass in an acoustic trio situation; just a single acoustic guitarist / singer, a light drummer (uses multi-rods live to keep it down), and me on bass. The singer brings a decent PA and with subs, so I just need something on stage for the drummer and I. I'll probably run direct out to the PA for the house mix.

I can get an Orange Crush PiX 50 or 100 watt combo VERY cheap new and considering the situation, I know I wouldn't need more than the 100 watter, but do you think I could get away with the 50 watt? It would only cost me about $120 more for the 100 watt, but I'd rather not spend it if I don't have to since this is really the only thing I'll be using it for (and it almost doubles the price I can get the 50 watt for). I imagine it's a little heavier, too, and I wouldn't mine keeping the weight down as much as possible.

Thoughts?

[PSM113]

Hmm, no help on this? I just found out we might be doing a few outdoor gigs come Spring so I'm guessing with that variable in there, the 100 watt is likely the way to go. I'm just nervous about the 15" speaker vs the 12" on the 50 watt. I don't want it to come across as muddy; we all like a bit of a tight, punchy bass. Wish I could throw down for the 500 watt terror combo but it's almost four times the price even at my cost, so that's out of the question right now (at least until we play a few gigs!).

[CL400Peavey]

If you are looking at combos, and are only picking up bass as a side project, I would recommend a different brand. Shop used, your $120 price difference is more than I would be willing to spend on ANY combo. If you have the cash to spend, a modest half stack would be my recommendation. If you are looking for portable, try looking at a Genz Benz head and pick up an Avatar B210, B212, or TB153. Just remember you regardless of what cab you pick up with any head, look for options that will let you expand with a second matching cabinet if you end up needing more volume.

[PSM113]

Originally Posted by CL400Peavey

If you are looking at combos, and are only picking up bass as a side project, I would recommend a different brand. Shop used, your $120 price difference is more than I would be willing to spend on ANY combo. If you have the cash to spend, a modest half stack would be my recommendation. If you are looking for portable, try looking at a Genz Benz head and pick up an Avatar B210, B212, or TB153. Just remember you regardless of what cab you pick up with any head, look for options that will let you expand with a second matching cabinet if you end up needing more volume.

Thanks very much for the input, CL. Unfortunatley, I really don't have much of a budget right now. I can get the 100 watt for well under $300 shipped and the 50 watt for well under $200 shipped (both brand new), and the 100 watt would be pushing my budget for the next few months but doable. I really can't afford any more than that right now but a few months down the road after some gigs, I can look into upgrading to a head/cab if necessary and set the combo aside for strictly practice duty.

The portability is also kind of a big deal for me. I could fit and lug a head/cab combo if necessary, but the whole point of this gig is an easy/cheap money maker. Not that I won't put in whatever work necessary, but we like to keep it easy going since this isn't the main thing for any of us (I'm used to lugging around my Orange guitar half stack, 3-4 guitars, and my equipment bag for my other gigs).

I guess for now I just need something to get me through a couple months while I save up the money I make from the gig for something a bit more serious if it turns out I need it. As I mentioned, I'll be running direct in to the PA, as well, so the amp will be more of a monitor than something for the house mix. And rehearsals with me start this weekend, so I'm kind of in a bind since I'll only be able to borrow an amp for a week or so at most.

[jimmy rocket]

I'm going to give you the opposite opinion here and say stick with the combo idea for your purposes. I have been through all sorts of full stacks and half stacks over the past 10 years. Ampeg, GK, Genz Benz, and then finally Aguilar (which I loved to death) but I also just had a baby and so I cleared out a lot of gear in the past few months.

My last amp swap was from an Aguilar TH500 head and DB212 cab to a Fender Bassman TV-Twelve and I couldn't be happier. It's nearly half the weight of my 212 cab and it is a tone monster! The 12 in speaker is perfect for that size combo, and although I know I could move a little more air with a 15" the size/weight of the TV Twelve is the perfect compromise to me.

I'm a little biased because I prefer 12" speakers to just about anything else (although if someone were to roll a B-15 into my pad I wouldn't complain)

IME and IMO 12's have the benefit of feeling a little more focused and they have always carried the fundamental tone of my basses well. I play an American Fender Jazz and an MTD Kingston and i can cover a lot of ground on that 12" combo.

So, to sum that all up, I'd stick with a combo in your price range. The CrushPix 50 might do it for you if it's not a loud band and you've got PA support. Don't be afraid of the 12" speaker, although a 15" is also nice option if it gets you in the 100 watt range. (too much is always better than too little in regards to volume)

I've been impressed with the Orange Crush series on bass, but you might also consider a GK MB112 if you can snag one used. Killer tones and a very easy schlep.

[PSM113]

Originally Posted by jimmy rocket

I'm going to give you the opposite opinion here and say stick with the combo idea for your purposes. I have been through all sorts of full stacks and half stacks over the past 10 years. Ampeg, GK, Genz Benz, and then finally Aguilar (which I loved to death) but I also just had a baby and so I cleared out a lot of gear in the past few months.

My last amp swap was from an Aguilar TH500 head and DB212 cab to a Fender Bassman TV-Twelve and I couldn't be happier. It's nearly half the weight of my 212 cab and it is a tone monster! The 12 in speaker is perfect for that size combo, and although I know I could move a little more air with a 15" the size/weight of the TV Twelve is the perfect compromise to me.

I'm a little biased because I prefer 12" speakers to just about anything else (although if someone were to roll a B-15 into my pad I wouldn't complain)

IME and IMO 12's have the benefit of feeling a little more focused and they have always carried the fundamental tone of my basses well. I play an American Fender Jazz and an MTD Kingston and i can cover a lot of ground on that 12" combo.

So, to sum that all up, I'd stick with a combo in your price range. The CrushPix 50 might do it for you if it's not a loud band and you've got PA support. Don't be afraid of the 12" speaker, although a 15" is also nice option if it gets you in the 100 watt range. (too much is always better than too little in regards to volume)

I've been impressed with the Orange Crush series on bass, but you might also consider a GK MB112 if you can snag one used. Killer tones and a very easy schlep.

Hey Jimmy, thanks for the response. Your thoughts on the combo for my situation mimic my own, but I'm open to everyone's ideas and input before I make a decision. I don't like to be hasty with my purchases if I can help it (although upcoming rehearsals put me in a bit of a spot).

I don't see an MB112 used anywhere around here and even used it's in the same price range that I could get the 100-watt Orange for new. I have the same thoughts on the 12-inch speaker for this situation, but I'm nervous that the 50 watts won't cut it, so I'm leaning towards the 100 watt 15 inch combo at the moment. I agree with you that it's better to have too much and need to cut back than too little and be searching for more. I imagine it'll be easier to tweak a 15-inch 100 watt amp to my needs than an underpowered 12-inch combo.

Still open to thoughts and input! I'll be keeping an eye on the used market for comparable amps, as well, but I'll probably need to place an order by this weekend if I don't find something used.

[The Impostor]

I own the 50-watt version for a year now. Sounds good, looks pretty nice and the building is solid. I paid full price for it, was like 170 euros new. Its not loud enough for full-band practicing, but if you plug in a PA it'll be fine.