Small head/cab vs combo

[SwagAttack]

I was wondering, does the combination of a small head/cab give a better tone than a regular combo amp? I have had a few combo amps, and I feel like they don't give enough power and tone. I do have a GK 1001rb and a 4X10, but I want something smaller I can fit in my room and bring to jams/practices without having to do some major lifting.

[dhsierra1]

one of the advantages to small head/speaker cab vs combo is that the cab is (hopefully) optimized for the driver(s) inside.

A combo generally compromises the performance as it's usually smaller than what the driver needs to shine. More often than not, anyway.

Personally I like the easier schlep vs the combo (two lighter components vs one heavy box), plus I can mix and match cabs to the gig situation, eg 1-10 for a coffeehouse acoustic jazz session, 2 X 1-10s for something a little more electric, and so on.

In fact, I use a GK400RB for just those sorts of things. And I have a larger 800RB-based rig that's also modular for when I'm doing loud music in clubs and such.

Tastes great AND less filling ;-)

[cableguy]

I have had many combos. The last two being Carvins with single 15's. They sounded pretty good with a sansamp BDDI in front of them. But I now use a 700RB-II with a fEARful 12/6. It sounds awesome. The cab weighs under 40lbs and it would keep up (or exceed) with my old SWR Goliath II 4x10 which was 90lbs. I have another fEARful 12/sub I stack under the 12/6 if I need a lot of volume. 95% of my gigs or practices I use just the 12/6. Neo prices have diven up the cost of making these cabs but they are still worth it to me. You didn't say what kind of 4x10 you have or if you were happy with the way it sounded. If you are maybe just buy a 2x10 made by the same company. You have a good head so I would think just a samller cab would be what you want.

[SwagAttack]

Are most head/cabs the same size of lets say a 25-50 watt combo amp able to produce more watts? And what are the best small heads and cabs for the price? I am primarily looking for something that can take the place of my 25 watt combo and my 100 watt combo. I want the size to be as small as possible, but able to cut through a full practice or jam.

[Pilgrim]

Look into the Class D amps like Genz-Benz and Markbass. 600W in a 4-pound head is small enough for anyone, and you can always turn it down. Then you can choose cabs for the occasion.

[SwagAttack]

Originally Posted by cableguy

I have had many combos. The last two being Carvins with single 15's. They sounded pretty good with a sansamp BDDI in front of them. But I now use a 700RB-II with a fEARful 12/6. It sounds awesome. The cab weighs under 40lbs and it would keep up (or exceed) with my old SWR Goliath II 4x10 which was 90lbs. I have another fEARful 12/sub I stack under the 12/6 if I need a lot of volume. 95% of my gigs or practices I use just the 12/6. Neo prices have diven up the cost of making these cabs but they are still worth it to me. You didn't say what kind of 4x10 you have or if you were happy with the way it sounded. If you are maybe just buy a 2x10 made by the same company. You have a good head so I would think just a samller cab would be what you want.

I have a Avatar NEO 4x10. It is ok, I wouldn't say it is amazing though. But I honestly don't have much experience with other cabs since it is the only one I have owned. But I definitely want something smaller than it.

[SwagAttack]

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

Look into the Class D amps like Genz-Benz and Markbass. 600W in a 4-pound head is small enough for anyone, and you can always turn it down. Then you can choose cabs for the occasion.

I probably don't need 600w. More around 300w max. But I will definitely look into those. What are some good cabs around the size of 2x10?

[dhsierra1]

since you've a GK amp (and 4-10?) and you like the GK sound I'd stick w/something like a MB200 (class D, about 2 lbs, 200 watts into 4 ohms, around US$250) and maybe either one of their neo 1-12s or 2-10s.

There are other makes that do very nice ones in that power range like the GB 3.0 Shuttle so plenty of good choices out there.

[cableguy]

Originally Posted by SwagAttack

I probably don't need 600w. More around 300w max. But I will definitely look into those. What are some good cabs around the size of 2x10?

Both Ampeg & Carvin have micro heads in that range for under $300.00 I think. Might also look into some used micro heads on TB's classifieds.

[SwagAttack]

Originally Posted by dhsierra1

since you've a GK amp (and 4-10?) and you like the GK sound I'd stick w/something like a MB200 (class D, about 2 lbs, 200 watts into 4 ohms, around US$250) and maybe either one of their neo 1-12s or 2-10s.

There are other makes that do very nice ones in that power range like the GB 3.0 Shuttle so plenty of good choices out there.

I like the GK sound, but I have heard some other amps that are awesome, so I am definitely not solely looking at GK. The MB-200 does look like what I wanted though with an awesome price.

Also the 4x10 isn't GK if that is what you were wondering.

[dhsierra1]

not to completely rule out combos, but I think it's safe to say the venerable Ampeg B-15 is about the best there is, been around in one form or another since the 60s.

Agreed, no need to have only GK, I just find their sound perfect for what I'm doing in a couple of bands. Never been a better time to be a bassist w/all the great instruments and amps out there

[pbgonecrazy99]

Originally Posted by dhsierra1

not to completely rule out combos, but I think it's safe to say the venerable Ampeg B-15 is about the best there is, been around in one form or another since the 60s.

Agreed, no need to have only GK, I just find their sound perfect for what I'm doing in a couple of bands. Never been a better time to be a bassist w/all the great instruments and amps out there

I do have an Ampeg 108 combo. Believe it is a 25w amp. It sounds nice, but it just doesn't have enough power. I have a Fender Rumble 100, and it sounds AMAZING. But weighs a lot and a hassle to cart around. So I don't want to have to have different combos when I can have 1 amp/cab that is better.

I have done a quick search for some amps/cabs, and I have noticed 2 that I like a lot:
GK MB200 with some GK cab or Avatar 2x10
or
Ampeg Micro VR with SVT 210

saw some videos, and both sound great. Probably will end up buying whichever I can find the better deal.

[dhsierra1]

Originally Posted by pbgonecrazy99

Ampeg Micro VR with SVT 210

great amp, saw Tony Levin play through one here in town last year, sounded super and I know JimmyM really likes them as well.

[Pilgrim]

Originally Posted by SwagAttack

I probably don't need 600w. More around 300w max. But I will definitely look into those. What are some good cabs around the size of 2x10?

The Genz-Benz Shuttle 3.0 is 2.75 pounds and peak output is 300W. The Shuttle 6.0 is 3.75 pounds and peak is 375W into 8 ohms, 600W into 4 ohms. I recommend the 6.0 because having a bit more power is good, and because the voicing of the G-B amps changes somewhat as you move up the power curve. There is also a Shuttle 9.0 but it's a bit of overkill for what you indicate you need.

Genz makes a Shuttle 210 cab that weighs 37 pounds (STL-210T). I own this cab and team it with a single 12" G-B Shuttle speaker, and really like the sound.

They also make a 210 in the NEOX series that weighs 49 pounds.

Then there's the Uber-Bass 210 (GB-210-UB) at 50 pounds, which by reputation is a pertty freakin' awesome sab.

I invite you to do the homework at: Genz Benz Amplifiers - Guitar Amplification, Acoustic Amplification, Bass Amplification, Guitar Enclosures, Bass Enclosures & More

Their engineers hang out on TB and are outstanding at responding to questions and solving the few problems people encounter. Their stuff is NOT cheap, but it can be bought used.

Yes, I am a G-B fan!

[RickenBoogie]

I agree, especially in this circumstance, look into GB products. Their customer service is the absolute best in this biz, and their products, (especially the spkr cabs) are top of the line.

[pbgonecrazy99]

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

The Genz-Benz Shuttle 3.0 is 2.75 pounds and peak output is 300W. The Shuttle 6.0 is 3.75 pounds and peak is 375W into 8 ohms, 600W into 4 ohms. I recommend the 6.0 because having a bit more power is good, and because the voicing of the G-B amps changes somewhat as you move up the power curve. There is also a Shuttle 9.0 but it's a bit of overkill for what you indicate you need.

Genz makes a Shuttle 210 cab that weighs 37 pounds (STL-210T). I own this cab and team it with a single 12" G-B Shuttle speaker, and really like the sound.

They also make a 210 in the NEOX series that weighs 49 pounds.

Then there's the Uber-Bass 210 (GB-210-UB) at 50 pounds, which by reputation is a pertty freakin' awesome sab.

I invite you to do the homework at: Genz Benz Amplifiers - Guitar Amplification, Acoustic Amplification, Bass Amplification, Guitar Enclosures, Bass Enclosures & More

Their engineers hang out on TB and are outstanding at responding to questions and solving the few problems people encounter. Their stuff is NOT cheap, but it can be bought used.

Yes, I am a G-B fan!

The only reason I don't want something more than 300w is because I would only need it for shows, and I have my GK 1001rb for that.

I have never played a Genz Benz (they are pretty expensive), but I have seen almost every video from Ed Friedland on youtube, and he uses them. Makes every bass sound great.

[pbgonecrazy99]

I am kind of leaning towards the ampeg micro/svt210. My only concerns is that the cab is 8 ohms 200w, and the head is 8 ohms 150w and 4 ohms 200w. I would have thought they would have made it work more in unison. Also, will it provide a good tone that can cut through with growly modern tones, because it looks more like a vintage style amp.

[oldcatfish]

Quote: "I have a Fender Rumble 100, and it sounds AMAZING. But weighs a lot and a hassle to cart around."

Fender makes 2 Rumble Micro-heads. The 150 and 350.

[ButtUglyJeff]

I think you should consider expandability as a buying factor. Whatever you get, combo or components, just make sure you can add a second cabinet. That will give you more volume, in the future...

[pbgonecrazy99]

Originally Posted by oldcatfish

Quote: "I have a Fender Rumble 100, and it sounds AMAZING. But weighs a lot and a hassle to cart around."

Fender makes 2 Rumble Micro-heads. The 150 and 350.

I did not know that. Definitely going to look into that. The mid scoop on it really makes the difference.