Small Lightweight Combo with aux in and playback through speaker

remy26 · #1 05-17-2010, 01:45 PM

Hi All,

I'm looking for a small lightweight combo (or small head and cab) that has an Aux in that will actually output through the speaker. I actually picked up the Ampeg mini-stack and it does have Aux in, but whatever you plug into it only plays through the headphone out (unless there is a problem with the one I have). This is really only for home practice and I don't want to spend much more than what I did for the Ampeg (which will most likely go back). It's too bad because I really like how it sounds!

Anyone with suggestions?

Thanks!

lomo · #2 05-17-2010, 01:55 PM

Any GB Shuttle or eden head. GB Shuttle 3x8 combo is a small one.

jtc_hunter · #3 05-17-2010, 01:59 PM

GK MB115

remy26 · #4 05-17-2010, 04:05 PM

Thanks for the replies!

The Shuttles certainly look interesting. Anyone have an idea about how much an advantage the 10" would be vs. the 8" (other than volume since I really don't need it at this point)?

Also, does anyone know if the Ampeg designed to only output through the headphones from the auxiliary input or is there an issue with the one I picked up?

Thanks again in advance!

RickenBoogie · #5 05-17-2010, 05:11 PM

Ampeg BA112, if you want to stick with that brand. Nice sounding little amp, too.

lomo · #6 05-17-2010, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by remy26

Thanks for the replies!

The Shuttles certainly look interesting. Anyone have an idea about how much an advantage the 10" would be vs. the 8" (other than volume since I really don't need it at this point)?

Also, does anyone know if the Ampeg designed to only output through the headphones from the auxiliary input or is there an issue with the one I picked up?

Thanks again in advance!

The 8 combo is a killer piece of gear IME. It's the size of a chocolate cake and 12lbs. Sounds much deeper than it should for a small cube, but the 10 will sound much fatter/deeper. I have put my 3-8 on top of an 8 Ohm 210 and it keeps up with a loud drummer, albeit without power to spare. The head alone on a 212 or 410 is enough to gig with under most circumstances. Also, unlike many other small combos, it's a real quality piece-but it costs to match. The Fender Bassman combos are another good choice, but they won't be as multifunctional as the GB....not by a mile. Anyway-stating a budget and what you want/need the combo to do will narrow things down a lot. IMO the most versatile setup without regard for cost, assuming you don't gig with a loud band, is the GB 3-8 with a Shuttle 12 ext cab. The combo alone is uber portable for grab'n'go (gee, she's asleep so I guess I'll practice out on the patio) and with the 12 ext the setup is loud enough for adrummer and the tone deep and pleasing enough to inspire you to play/practice. If extreme portability is less of an issue and gigability is more important, then a Shuttle 12 combo makes more sense.

remy26 · #7 05-17-2010, 11:47 PM

Thanks for the detailed comparison lomo. It's very helpful. As for budget, I'd like to stay as close to $600 as possible, but I might be able to stretch if necessary. Truth be told, I think I'm a long way from playing out or with others, but I get a lot more enjoyment out of something that sounds good to me. I've tried a couple of combos and I think that they sound really boxy and this tends to distract me way more than it should. I'm probably pushing overkill for what I'll be using it for at the moment, but you only live once and you can't take it with you right?

The GB options are sounding pretty good at the moment.

Thanks again!

Quote:

Originally Posted by lomo

The 8 combo is a killer piece of gear IME. It's the size of a chocolate cake and 12lbs. Sounds much deeper than it should for a small cube, but the 10 will sound much fatter/deeper. I have put my 3-8 on top of an 8 Ohm 210 and it keeps up with a loud drummer, albeit without power to spare. The head alone on a 212 or 410 is enough to gig with under most circumstances. Also, unlike many other small combos, it's a real quality piece-but it costs to match. The Fender Bassman combos are another good choice, but they won't be as multifunctional as the GB....not by a mile. Anyway-stating a budget and what you want/need the combo to do will narrow things down a lot. IMO the most versatile setup without regard for cost, assuming you don't gig with a loud band, is the GB 3-8 with a Shuttle 12 ext cab. The combo alone is uber portable for grab'n'go (gee, she's asleep so I guess I'll practice out on the patio) and with the 12 ext the setup is loud enough for adrummer and the tone deep and pleasing enough to inspire you to play/practice. If extreme portability is less of an issue and gigability is more important, then a Shuttle 12 combo makes more sense.

tallboybass · #8 05-17-2010, 11:56 PM

GK MB210 or MB115

dannybuoy · #9 05-18-2010, 01:47 AM

I think the Line6 combos can do that too. The new Orange Crush Pix combos hve an ax in too, not sure if it come out of the speaker though.

lomo · #10 05-18-2010, 05:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by remy26

Thanks for the detailed comparison lomo. It's very helpful. As for budget, I'd like to stay as close to $600 as possible, but I might be able to stretch if necessary. Truth be told, I think I'm a long way from playing out or with others, but I get a lot more enjoyment out of something that sounds good to me. I've tried a couple of combos and I think that they sound really boxy and this tends to distract me way more than it should. I'm probably pushing overkill for what I'll be using it for at the moment, but you only live once and you can't take it with you right?

The GB options are sounding pretty good at the moment.

Thanks again!

If the tone is important to inspire you to practice (it is for me) then I suggest the Shuttle 10 or 12 combo. The larger speaker and box will go lower and fatter and unless the super portability is a major factor, the 8" speaker will be less satisfying. The reason I prefer the Shuttles to the GKs is the fact that the head can be removed in 15 seconds and used with another cab or headphones. I'm not sure if that applies to the GKs as well.

Late Boomer · #11 05-18-2010, 05:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannybuoy

I think the Line6 combos can do that too.

+1 for the Line 6.

I've got one, and I use it for exactly what the OP described: playing stuff through the aux in (I use my iPod or PC) while I play along on my bass. It's great for practice. New they're selling for $300 now, used they're just under $200.

Radek · #12 05-18-2010, 05:40 AM

I had been using Shuttle6 as kind of a monitor by AUX input (simultaneously playing my bass). It was good enough as "quick fix" in that role - AUX in adds for utility for sure.

lomo · #13 05-18-2010, 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Late Boomer

+1 for the Line 6.

I've got one, and I use it for exactly what the OP described: playing stuff through the aux in (I use my iPod or PC) while I play along on my bass. It's great for practice. New they're selling for $300 now, used they're just under $200.

The Line 6 is fine for practice, but that's about it IME/IMO, and still doesn't have tone as pleasing as the shuttles. Unless the OP wants the mediocre effects or to save some coin the GK or Shuttles are a better option.

Nic. · #14 05-18-2010, 05:58 AM

The shuttle is awesome. I'm using a 3.0-10T. I suspect it's lighter than my pedalboard, and it's 175W on its own, 300W with an aux cab (which I can probably grab from a venue)

StuartV · #15 05-18-2010, 09:48 AM

I just went through the same decision tree. I ended up getting an Ibanez Promethean 1x10 combo. You can get one in Used - Like New condition from MusiciansFriend for under $600 (with shipping).

I considered getting a Shuttle, but decided against it for 2 reasons:

1) a Shuttle 6.0-12T was going to cost me at least $300 more than what I spent - and I felt like that was more comparable than the 3.0-10T because of the power ratings. The Promethean is 500W with an extension cab.

2) I did not like the idea of having the amp stuck on top of the cab. I like how it's tucked away and protected on the Promethean. I can envision throwing it in my truck and piling in more gear on top. I'm not bothered by that with the Promethean. I did not like the idea of piling junk on top of the Shuttle, with the amp being relatively unprotected on the top. And if you remove the Shuttle amp, it leaves the bracket sticking up, waiting to scratch stuff or get bent.

StuartV · #16 05-18-2010, 09:53 AM

ps. while I wouldn't really anticipate gigging with the Promethean or a Shuttle 6.0-12T, I do observe that, with the Promethean combo and the Promethean 1x10 extension cab, I would have more power and just as much "speaker" as if I were using my Peavey BAM210 combo, which I think is PLENTY for any small-to-medium sized room gig.

Really, the point being, I can't envision a gig where the Shuttle 6.0-12T with a 12" ext cab would be acceptable and a Promethean with a 10" ext cab would not. For me, if there was any question, I would just bring my 4x10 cab. And probably my SVT....

PaulNYC · #17 05-18-2010, 10:09 AM

I use the promethean amp with another cab. I usually have the aux in plugged in and it is great.

DrVenkman · #18 05-18-2010, 10:50 AM

Another vote for either one of the new GK combos or one of the Shuttles. I went with an MB210 over a Shuttle primarily because of price. I actually liked the Shuttle a little (and it was just a little) better, but not so much I could justify the additional money. If you can find one try out the MB115 - I personally think it's a heck of a deal.

remy26 · #19 05-18-2010, 11:18 AM

All of you are giving great suggestions and I'm loving all of the info. The Shuttles and the Promethean are at the top of my list at the moment. I tried the Ampeg BA112 and I don't think that it really has the tone that I'm after. It sounded quite a bit different than the Micro SVT to me. I also had a chance to try the GK combos (both the 115 and the 210) and they sounded pretty good, but they had a pretty big footprint and if I can find something smaller that I like, then that would be preferred.

remy26 · #20 05-26-2010, 10:46 AM

Hi All. I just wanted to give a quick update to let you know that I decided on the Shuttle 3.0-8T. I found one that I felt was a great price and it honestly will suit my purposes. I really like it so far. It has a tone that I really like and gets plenty loud for solo practice at home. You certainly can't beat the size and weight of this thing either!

I think that there is still a small part of my thinking that just tells me that you can't get this good of sound out of something so small, but I know that it's just a silly thought for me at the moment because it really does sound gret. And I can always add a bigger cab down the line if I really need too!

Thanks again for your suggestions! They really helped me to find something that would suit my needs!