Trying to choose a practice amp that can handle small shows too

dangorange · #1 11-20-2012, 08:50 AM

I need an amp for home use, but it would be great if it could serve as something to use for small gigs where a full rig is unnecessary and inconvenient too.

I have an Orange AD200b with a 15" cab which I am very happy with, it stays at my band's practice space though. With all these micro Class D amps out there, I'm digging the idea of a little combo amp that is light weight and powerful enough to handle a small room also, so I wouldn't have to bring the full rig out. I am open to any suggestion, but if possible I would really like to keep it to a combo since this would mostly be used at home and I want to easily drag it to different rooms.

I would love to buy used, I am keeping an eye on holiday sales/deals for new stuff. Budget is sort of open, I was thinking in the $500 neighborhood but could go up a few hundred more, or down for that matter

Amps I've been thinking about are the MarkBass 121p, I love the size and weight. The new GK MB112-II looks interesting and is considerably less money. I tried the TC Electronic BG250 but it didn't really do anything for me and it's a bit large, the smaller the better. The Mesa WA might be great too if I found one used, although that would be my top budget.

Since I have the Orange and would use that for most situations, I'm not looking for a 2nd rig. I even thought about a Roland micro cube since it runs on batteries and ditching the idea of the amp being anything other than a practice amp. I guess I'm confused what to get and wanted to see if anyone could chime in with a suggestion. Thanks!

**CL400Peavey** · #2 11-20-2012, 09:08 AM

If you know you like the Orange tone check out one of these.

dangorange · #3 11-20-2012, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CL400Peavey

If you know you like the Orange tone check out one of these.

That's a good suggestion, I thought about the little Orange combos. I think if I went in that direction though, I would cheap out and get one of the little Acoustics B series. I used to have the B20 and thought it sounded good.

jlepre · #4 11-20-2012, 09:32 AM

Will you have any kind of PA support at these gigs? If so then this would work perfect:

http://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/msg/3421895565.html

No affiliation.

dangorange · #5 11-20-2012, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlepre

Will you have any kind of PA support at these gigs? If so then this would work perfect:

http://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/msg/3421895565.html

No affiliation.

That's a good point, I would not always have PA support. Usually, yes, but there's definitely one room in a club we play often that the amp does all the business. However, it's a 60 person capacity basement room, tiny and it doesn't take much to fill.

I don't much about those Genz Benz, I'm actually just learning about these Class D amps, never paid much attention to be honest. The 8" speaker might be an issue with the potential lack of PA support.

goldenglory18 · #6 11-20-2012, 10:00 AM

If you know you like the Orange tone, I'd look into a Terror Bass combo......

jlepre · #7 11-20-2012, 10:04 AM

Well I have some experience with that exact GB combo, and I used it on a few occasions for rehearsal with a loud drummer and 2 guitarists. As far as gigging w/o PA support, I would just ad an 8 ohm cab, ad presto you have a monster amp pumping 300 watts. I used to add a single 12" cab and it would sound nice.

kanonfodr · #8 11-20-2012, 10:08 AM

I use a GK MB200 into a Kustom 115 cab, so it's almost a combo

. All totaled it cost me a little over $250 for both, is super easy to carry around, and the weekend before last it cut through with plenty of power left to spare. I would suspect that a MB115 combo would perform similarly.

Peace,
Greg

dangorange · #9 11-20-2012, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goldenglory18

If you know you like the Orange tone, I'd look into a Terror Bass combo......

I would totally get one of those, but I'd have to find one used, price is comparable to a new MESA walkabout scout I think.

dangorange · #10 11-20-2012, 10:19 AM

I wish stores in the area had the new GK MB series, I'd love to check one out, they all just have the earlier edition with the silver grill. I think the new ones are smaller in scale.

goldenglory18 · #11 11-20-2012, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dangorange

I would totally get one of those, but I'd have to find one used, price is comparable to a new MESA walkabout scout I think.

Ah, my bad. I didn't read the original post thoroughly.

It's those stupid isobaric cabs that makes them so damn expensive......

dangorange · #12 11-20-2012, 10:40 AM

yeah, I'd love to hear one though!

mccartneyman · #13 11-20-2012, 11:16 AM

Check out the TC Electronic BG250 combo -- 35 ppounds, 250 watts, 115. Built-in tuner and Tube Tone overdrive simulation circuit and the ability to load TonePrint effects direct to the amp. TubeTone, tuner & TonePrint all footswitchable with the optional switch. DI for PA support for gigs. I've used this with rather loud bands -- horns, keys, three guitars -- and it never breaks a sweat. Universal raves about the sound from the band members. Runs around $400. I also have Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0 112T, but I prefer the TC for bottom end in a small package and the TubeTone is very cool.

og61pbass · #14 11-20-2012, 11:42 AM

go online to rmcaudiodirect.com they have the new gk combos and at the best price too,the guys there are really nice and helpful,thats where i do all my gk purchasing...

dangorange · #15 11-20-2012, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mccartneyman

Check out the TC Electronic BG250 combo -- 35 ppounds, 250 watts, 115. Built-in tuner and Tube Tone overdrive simulation circuit and the ability to load TonePrint effects direct to the amp. TubeTone, tuner & TonePrint all footswitchable with the optional switch. DI for PA support for gigs. I've used this with rather loud bands -- horns, keys, three guitars -- and it never breaks a sweat. Universal raves about the sound from the band members. Runs around $400. I also have Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0 112T, but I prefer the TC for bottom end in a small package and the TubeTone is very cool.

I'm going to give that one another look, my impression was it was a little larger than I'd like. Since I already have a good set up for shows I'm really pushing for smaller, since in all reality this amp will live next to wherever I am at home.

For some reason I keep going back to that MarkBass 121p, although I've read a lot of less than stellar remarks about the tweeter.

Gaius46 · #16 11-20-2012, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlepre

Well I have some experience with that exact GB combo, and I used it on a few occasions for rehearsal with a loud drummer and 2 guitarists. As far as gigging w/o PA support, I would just ad an 8 ohm cab, ad presto you have a monster amp pumping 300 watts. I used to add a single 12" cab and it would sound nice.

This. I use the 3.0 head with the 8" for home practice and for the occasional acoustic set. Mated with either a 112 a 410 or both for bigger gigs. Works well without PA support with anything up to about 100 people in a large bar.

Sav'nBass · #17 11-20-2012, 01:32 PM

dangorange · #18 11-20-2012, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sav'nBass

This

Great amp, I still think it might be a bit large, plus I'm curious about the new series of this line.

Sav'nBass · #19 11-20-2012, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dangorange

Great amp, I still think it might be a bit large, plus I'm curious about the new series of this line.

It's 35 lbs.. the next gen goes for twice as much ... If I were in your shoes I'd be all over this based on what you said you wanted. I have found it is better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it and with a single 35lb solution ... Unless you can find the 112 .. which is rated a little higher power wise so you will have the juice to run another cab with a bit more headroom in the future if need be.

jlepre · #20 11-20-2012, 02:16 PM

Kind of a long ride from Massachusetts to Ohio.