Peavey TNT 160 vs 2x15
 

Right now I'm using a 2x15 with a 100 watt tube amp. I'm getting really tired of hauling it around. Both bands I'm in rehearse in basements that can only be accessed through narrow stairways (the cab has to be tilted in order to fit through). Expectedly, the other band members are becoming less and less willing to help me move the thing.

I was scanning the local second hand websites for an amp that I'd be able to carry myself. I've heard a lot of good things about Peavey TNT 160's and thought that one of these might fit the bill. They can be found cheaply.

Is there a chance that the peavey 115 will make it in a semi-loud band? Usually, I have to turn the volume up to 60% on my current set-up. The guitarists only turn up to 20% on their amps though (Bassman, Vox AC30, ...).

I know the peaveys have a reputation of being louder than you might expect, but I'm not sure whether they'd have a chance to make it here. Maybe I just have to save some money and buy a micro rig of doom.

Thanks a lot!

what about buying another cab to leave at the second practice location? that way all you would need to carry is the amp head.

Thanks for the reply.

It's not only practice locations. It's also gigs for both bands that has me moving the cab in and out of those basements. And a 100 watt amp needs a big cab to make it through the mix in louder bands (which limits me to buying another big cab).

You will be taking a serious step back as far as providing a good, solid fundamental. I'd explain this to your bandmates in no uncertain terms if they're reluctant to help you.

So many options- you could do a 212 cab, one of these fearful 15/6. Or a 410, or (2) 210's But you will need to spend some money, unfortunately.
215s are beasts to haul, I used to have that same PEavey 215 cabinet, and can honestly tell you most newer cabinets will perform better, and sound better for way less size and weight.

Sounds like both your guitarists are using sane-wattage amps and IME a Peavey combo will keep up fine, though not as full as the 2x15.
There are a lot of newer inexpensive combos out there with higher power as well, suggest you take a look at Acoustic's 200W+ offerings, which are definitely budget but surprisingly good-sounding and loud.

I used a TNT 130 (I believe it was a 130 anyhow) for over a decade and it cut through better than any other combo I ever owned, including a 700 watt GK combo with 2 neo 12s that they put out for a short while.

What's your rig now. I'm assuming the 2x15 is the trace Eliot mentioned in your profile but what's the head? I played a few shows with my friends TNT a few years back. Not a bad combo. They are loud but in my opinion not band loud. My band would never go for it. They would rather carry 2 of my 810s than loose out on tone. Tell your band mates to suck it up and lend a hand.

Have you considered just picking up a couple matching 1x15 cabs? More portable... And you can still use the sme head.

My amp is custom made by a local tube amp serviceman. The design is largely based on the Bassman 110. To quote the maker: The circuit has been adapted here and there to make it more fit for use with an electric bass.

My 2x15 is a trace elliot from the early 90's.

FYI, we have 3 guitarists (one often switches to keys, though :p).

Three guitarists? Forget my 'sane' comment. ;)

Had a TNT160 for almost 20 years (recently sold it to a kid starting out). It is definitely loud and punchy for 150 watts and a single 15, but it's all mid bass IMO, no real lows to speak of. The tone wasn't bad but nothing special. I only gig'ed it a couple of times years ago and it's a butt pain to haul, like 75 lbs IIRC with one strap handle on the top. Really needs casters / dolly and/or heavy duty side handles. Fine for just leaving it in a rehearsal space or something, but for the effort involved, I'd rather haul something better to gig with. Lots of better options now as others have pointed out.

Maybe I'd better sell the tube head (it was 1700$ and the shop where it came from is quite known in Belgium, so I guess I'd be able to get a decent price for it) and buy the peavey combo to leave in one rehearsal space and then buy an old trace elliot head (also plenty of those for sale over here) for the 2x15 and leave that one in the other rehearsal space. The peaveys go for about 250$ and the trace heads for about 350$ around here.

I've grown out of the "quest for tone" anyways.

Now that IS a shame.

+1

Those older peavey combos (I think the new ones too actually),while reliable, are a bear to carry.. too heavy tall..the handle placement is just silly on the top, unless your 7 ft tall.

I think you wouldnt be much better off than you are now..

They're built like tanks...and weigh as much too.
;)

It's a shame your pals arent so willing to help as much.

I'd go lighter..

Well, not really :p.

I'm just not that much into amps anymore (although I'm still a huge pedal and synth-geek). They serve their purpose, but as long as I can get a decent sound out of 'm, they're OK for me. If someone has an old, decent amp lying around that I can use, I won't bring my own.

Live and in my modest home studio I always use a DI.