Small amps that sound good with 5-string?

[MBlackbird]

I love my new 5-string; it's rapidly becoming my main bass that goes everywhere with me. I also love my large and heavy old Genz Benz combo, which has stupendous low end. Unfortunately, I travel a lot, and the Benz isn't very good for that; it's too large, awkward, and uncomfortable to carry very much.

What's the smallest, lightest amp you've used that actually sounded good with a low B string? I'd love suggestions for things to try out. This would just be for practise or playing with unamplified flute, guitar, and viola, so I don't need a huge amount of volume, I just need good tone and a full, rich, non-staticky low end.

[DRafalske]

Originally Posted by MBlackbird

I love my new 5-string; it's rapidly becoming my main bass that goes everywhere with me. I also love my large and heavy old Genz Benz combo, which has stupendous low end. Unfortunately, I travel a lot, and the Benz isn't very good for that; it's too large, awkward, and uncomfortable to carry very much.

What's the smallest, lightest amp you've used that actually sounded good with a low B string? I'd love suggestions for things to try out. This would just be for practise or playing with unamplified flute, guitar, and viola, so I don't need a huge amount of volume, I just need good tone and a full, rich, non-staticky low end.

Have you tried anything from Genz's Shuttle line?
I talk up my Shuttle 6.0-12T combo every chance I get.

D

[MBlackbird]

Originally Posted by DRafalske

Have you tried anything from Genz's Shuttle line?
I talk up my Shuttle 6.0-12T combo every chance I get.

D

I played a Shuttle 3.0-10T with my fretless, and loved it, but I haven't gotten to try one with the 5-string yet. I have to admit I'm looking to spend a little less money than that, since it's just meant to be a practise/travel amp - I live in Atlantic Canada, and around here the smallest Shuttle goes for about $700 used - but it's certainly something I often consider, since I love Genz Benz amps in general.

[dhomer]

May be a bit out of budget, but consider a 12/6 fEARful. Might be able to extract the Benz top and make an airhead. Check out the fEARful thread theres a guy who done a very nice airhead 15/6. These cabs are specifically designed for fivers, and would more than fill the need..

[Munjibunga]

I play only 5-strings, and my Shuttle 9.0 and TCE RH750 both work very well with them. However, the amp will play a much smaller role in serving the B string than the cab. Most amps will reproduce notes below E with no problem.

[neptoon]

i used my shuttle 6.0 through a pair of markbass ny 604 cabs...they sound awesome...loads of low end for their size

[MysticMichael]

Originally Posted by MBlackbird

What's the smallest, lightest amp you've used that actually sounded good with a low B string?

Generally speaking, it isn't the amp that's the potential limiting factor when it comes to reproducing the "B" string - assuming a reasonable amount of power. It's the cabinet.

So aren't you really asking, 'What's the smallest, lightest cabinet that sounds good with a five-string'?

MM

[jlepre]

Those new micro Ampeg head and amp setups (200 watt/210) sound really nice with a 5th. I just tried one at GC this morning, and for $600 it's a nice lightweight option.

[MBlackbird]

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

I play only 5-strings, and my Shuttle 9.0 and TCE RH750 both work very well with them. However, the amp will play a much smaller role in serving the B string than the cab. Most amps will reproduce notes below E with no problem.

Originally Posted by MysticMichael

Generally speaking, it isn't the amp that's the potential limiting factor when it comes to reproducing the "B" string - assuming a reasonable amount of power. It's the cabinet.

So aren't you really asking, 'What's the smallest, lightest cabinet that sounds good with a five-string'?

MM

Yes, of course, I do know that cabs have more to do with low end than the actual amplifier does. I should have stated that I'm looking mostly for a combo amp, since it's just for practise and travel; I've already got one that can more than handle any gigs I'm likely to get anytime soon. I'm certainly interested in other options, but it seemed like, for my purposes, probably a combo would be the simplest thing - like, one of those Roland Microcube things perhaps? I've been eyeing them online, but haven't been able to try one out yet.

[basszillla]

i use my LDS 2x8, & sounds pretty good

[Jeff Scott]

Markbass Minimark.

As mentioned above, my LDS 2-8 sounds great, also, but the Minimark is almost ⅓ the weight.

[lpdeluxe]

I use my Genz-Benz Shuttle 3.0-2x10T. A little pricey, but it's very light, puts out 300 watts, and works well with my Godin A5 fretless. It's also pretty inconspicuous, an odd attribute for a bass amp! I am learning to dial in the sound I want, which is fairly easy on the Shuttle series. I got mine after a friend bought a Shuttle 6.0-210T. His has an especially tight-sounding deep bottom on it, but I didn't want all the weight. It's 32 lb in one piece, while my rig is an 18 lb combo with a 16 lb second cab. Overall it's heavier, but I don't have to move both at once! It has also proven to be plenty loud when playing with a drummer and a couple of electric guitars.

My next move will be to pull the head out of my Mesa/Boogie Walkabout Scout and use it with two G-B 10T cabs. We're getting into expensive territory here (M/B WA head = $1100, G-B 10T cabs = 2 x $480) but I can afford it and I'm going for the killer tone machine that won't be the back killer also.

[bound'n'blocked]

My MB200 handles the low B on my Carvin B5 just fine.

BnB

[roberba]

I've benn using a MB Little Mark II Jeff Berlin combo for 3 years now. I play a 5'er and have never had a problem. it's lightweight and very powerful. Low B notes come out nice and clean.

[cacoOsapo]

I tried a few and happy with a GK MB112 for a practice amp...
it handles my 5 string just fine!! I tried the SWR WorkingPro 12 and liked it, the SWR LA 12 pharted out easily...I played on a friends Ampeg 15 combo, not sure which model and didnt mind the sound....

[HeavyDuty]

Originally Posted by cacoOsapo

I tried a few and happy with a GK MB112 for a practice amp...

Does the MB112 have a tiltback cabinet? I can't tell from the pic on the G-K website...

[Mirios]

Originally Posted by HeavyDuty

Does the MB112 have a tiltback cabinet? I can't tell from the pic on the G-K website...

These pictures would tell me no.

[5port]

Originally Posted by MBlackbird

I love my new 5-string; it's rapidly becoming my main bass that goes everywhere with me. I also love my large and heavy old Genz Benz combo, which has stupendous low end. Unfortunately, I travel a lot, and the Benz isn't very good for that; it's too large, awkward, and uncomfortable to carry very much.

What's the smallest, lightest amp you've used that actually sounded good with a low B string? I'd love suggestions for things to try out. This would just be for practise or playing with unamplified flute, guitar, and viola, so I don't need a huge amount of volume, I just need good tone and a full, rich, non-staticky low end.

Ampeg BA110 combo

I bought my Ampeg BA 110 combo just before LOUD took over and I paid $279. Mine says made in St.Louis and I can tell you its been a big surprise. I have used mine for practice and also used it to back up an acoustic act with vocals no problem. I only use my L2500 with it and it handles the low B very clean. Mine is 30W and 1-10" with a big rear port / tiltback.

-----------------------------------------------

The new BA110 is made somewhere in asia and is rated at 35W. The price is now $100 lower. I would still give it a try. I love mine. Its a keeper.

Ampeg BA-110 (1x10" 35W Bass Combo) | eBay

[cacoOsapo]

nope...it is just a small box style...I have it up on a stand tilted back off the floor...works well! only takes up a small corner of a room!

Originally Posted by HeavyDuty

Does the MB112 have a tiltback cabinet? I can't tell from the pic on the G-K website...

[cacoOsapo]

I use this stand, but had to put foam tape down to keep it from sliding(tolex and rubber feet) back and forth...works great!!!