Small combo for a p-bass?

project_c · #1 03-21-2011, 09:49 PM

This should be a straightforward thing, but I'm struggling to find a small combo that compliments the tone of my Fender Precision. It's an '83 MIA strung with rounds, and it sounds great, but most small combos I've tried make it sound hollow and a bit weak. So far I have owned a Genz Benz Shuttle 3.0-8T, a Markbass MINI CMD 121 P and an old SWR Workingman's 10, all of which were / are great for my other basses, but didn't quite fit with the voice of my p bass, so I'm looking for new ideas and recommendations.

The combo does not need to be particularly loud, it's mainly for quiet rehersal and practice so I'd like to keep it as small as possible, but it needs to sound good and compliment the raw passive tone of my p bass - anyone have any suggestions?

lowend1 · #2 03-21-2011, 09:50 PM

Ampeg BA112 or B100R - both are great amps and will do the P-Bass justice.

will33 · #3 03-21-2011, 09:53 PM

I'd say you're aiming just a bit too small. There are high-end cabs that could do that with an 8 or a 10 but I'd be inclined to look at something just one step bigger. Ampegs solid state combo's, at least the one with the 15 in it will do justice to a P, as will Yorkville's. Some good 112 combo's out there that can do it too, pretty much little brothers to the 15's I mentioned.

will33 · #4 03-21-2011, 09:54 PM

I see lowend1 beat me to the punch.

I like how the word "justice" seems to go together with the P-bass.

JimmyM · #5 03-21-2011, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowend1

Ampeg BA112 or B100R - both are great amps and will do the P-Bass justice.

i would also add the micro vr to that list. b100r's are discontinued but are absolutely wonderful amps. but for about the same price new, i think the micro vr is even a little better. don't get me wrong...i love them both, but the micro vr has just a little more crankability to it imho. the ba112 is also a fantastic amp, but it's mainly suited to very low volume gigs or rehearsal. still, i'd love to get one, and just might

PappaK · #6 03-21-2011, 09:57 PM

+ 1000. Great amp for practicing, recording and small gigs... and oh so sweet with a P-Bass.

will33 · #7 03-21-2011, 09:58 PM

I haven't had a chance to play a VR outside of a music store. Just using my ears, it's sounds like it could get the job done, I'll defer to Jimmy on that one. Experience trumps speculation.

will33 · #8 03-21-2011, 09:59 PM

OP, so far you have 3 choices.....Ampeg, Ampeg or Ampeg.

Get it???

project_c · #9 03-21-2011, 10:01 PM

That's a lot of recommendations for Ampeg in a very short amount of time

Thanks guys, I'll give the BA115 and the Micro VR a shot.

will33 · #10 03-21-2011, 10:08 PM

You're in the UK, you guys still own Canada right? If Yorkville/Traynor 115 combo's are available/affordable over there, give them a shot. Nice combo's that'll make a P sound good but also do a nice job of the J-bass growl.

gillento · #11 03-21-2011, 10:16 PM

Apparently the AER Amp One is a perfect match to the P. http://www.aer-amps.info/images/stor...yer/ampone.pdf

PM talkbasser Jacques (the man behind the RMI Basswitch). He is very knowledgeable about this....

NortyFiner · #12 03-21-2011, 10:23 PM

Methinks that the problem MIGHT be that the OP is trying to get a "classic" P-bass sound out of some very modern high-tech amps.

Be that as it may, here is my recommendation: I play a P bass, and have an Ampeg Micro VR mini-stack that I really like.

rayzak · #13 03-21-2011, 10:24 PM

I agree, Ampeg/Precision.... kind of like The Godfather of the electric bass sound.
Mesa makes the Walkabout Scout combo that, while not cheap, is fantastic with a P.

NortyFiner · #14 03-21-2011, 10:34 PM

In the interest of fairness (and pocketbook friendliness) I feel that I must point out the Acoustic B100 and B200 15" combos. Their basic tone is on the "vintage" side and very P-bass friendly. However, they lack headphone jacks or aux inputs for practice, and might be a bit bulkier than the OP wants.

The new combos by Orange might also be worth a look, but I don't know much about them.

Hope that helps.

will33 · #15 03-21-2011, 10:37 PM

You can plug a P into an alarm clock and it'll still sound like a P....just smaller.

project_c · #16 03-21-2011, 11:02 PM

Thanks again for the suggestions, I was not aware of Traynor or AER Amp One, although the price of the latter is a little crazy over here, so I will have to give it a miss.
I am indeed looking for the 'classic' p sound, but by that I don't mean flats and tone all the way down, but a slightly more upfront 70's funk vibe, this kind of thing:
YouTube - The Gap Band - Tommy's Groove - 1974 [Funk]

NortyFiner · #17 03-21-2011, 11:08 PM

Oh yeah, Ampeg and Acoustic can both do that.

And FWIW, I do use flats on my P, but I usually play with the tone about 75% UP...

JimmyM · #18 03-21-2011, 11:08 PM

oh sure, there's lots of amps out there that sound good with a precision. i've tried all the your amps before with a precision and used to own a 121p, and you can get some respectable precision sounds out of all of them. but ampeg is where it's at for me. they have my sound.

edit: just listened to that clip. ya, that's what you want.

SJan3 · #19 03-22-2011, 12:45 AM

Mesa Walkabout Scout. Best combo amp I've ever heard! Killer with a P Bass!!

Hnz · #20 03-22-2011, 02:46 AM

Allthough I totally agree on the Micro VR aswell as the MB Walkabout Scout, it perhaps is worth takin' a look at the Fender Bassman TV series.
Especially the 12" seems to be realy sweet. For an impression check Ed Friedlander's review. Check at 5.15 for the P-bass.
YouTube - Fender TV Fifteen & TV Ten Bass Combos