1x15 combo for small gigs

[Lord Henry]

I've been out of the bass game (and away from TB) for a while now but I recently formed a new band and we are looking to start gigging in the spring of this year. The venues will mostly be pubs/small clubs, capacity of a few hundred (if you know London venues the Bull and Gate and the Dublin Castle are the sort of places that I have usually played). So, I'm in need of an amp upgrade. My basic requirements are:

1x15 combo
Enough power to play a normal sized pub (some places do have really good sound systems but you often don't know until you get there)
Good low end responce (I use a 5 string and sometimes go two octives below that with effects)
Ideally a max price of £500

We play our own stuff but main influences are Muse, Rage Against the Machine, Guns and Roses, so think hard rock and a fair bit of distortion use.

I'd be very greatful for any and all suggestions.

Cheers

 

[RBX4]

SWR workingpro 12

 

[Gomeztool]

That's a 12. he wants a 15. Just saying...

 

[Stinsok]

GK MB115. It's light, it's a 15'' combo, it's fairly inexpensive, it's a good sounding combo.

 

[Lord Henry]

Stinsok - The GK MB115 is definitely one that I'm looking at. Both the price and the weight make it a very attractive option. Do you own or have you used one? If so a) is its 200W enough power to cut through at a gig, and b) does it give a strong, pure sound compared to other combos?

Thanks for the tip. Any more?

 

[KPJ]

Stinsok - The GK MB115 is definitely one that I'm looking at. Both the price and the weight make it a very attractive option. Do you own or have you used one? If so a) is its 200W enough power to cut through at a gig, and b) does it give a strong, pure sound compared to other combos?

Thanks for the tip. Any more?

I have two. It is my main amp. The simple answer to your questions is yes. Don't get hung up on watts because that does not necessarily determine how loud an amp will be. The GK can get plenty loud. There are three guitars in my band. I keep up fine.

If you play in an incredibly loud band with an out of control drummer and over the top guitars, then no combo will cut it.

 

[Tom Howland]

I use a Ampeg B15R for small gigs.
100 watts tube goodness. Sounds great.

 

[baddarryl]

I also have the GK MB115 and can say it handles the low B just fine. I play with a pretty loud drummer and it doesn't even come close to the amps volume potential. Huge sound too.

 

[RBX4]

Screw the 15 that SWR workingpro 12 is a monster, just sayin!!

 

[RBX4]

Trust me!! For the music you play get this amp man, it's deep! ^

 

[bassist4dalord]

Another vote for the GK MB115. My only amp; it's great! Of course, there's the DI if you need. Great little amp.

 

[Lord Henry]

Wow, I have never seen such consensus on a TB threat (OK, on a TB thread that isn't about how crap Wish basses are) and especially around such an affordable product. I will check one out as soon as I can and by the sound on things be posting pics pretty soon.

Cheers guys

 

[DavePlaysBass]

I went the MB500 head with GK Neo115 route. I am happy. I have more power than the MB115 combo and can add a second cab. Of course, I spent more money.

 

[jeff7bass]

The GK MB15 and Carvin MB15 are both great choices for 400 dollars (US).
The Carvin can run with an extension for a full 250w, but the GK sounds “fatter” by itself.
I’d pick the Carvin for its versatility and pro features.

 

[tdub0199]

GK MB115. It's light, it's a 15'' combo, it's fairly inexpensive, it's a good sounding combo.

I love my GK MB115!!!!

 

[stratovani]

I love my GK MB115!!!!

I'll second that emotion! I love mine too!

 

[electracoyote]

Here's a vote for Markbass.

I've been using the CMD151P combo for the past several years, and it has never let me down. In fact, I just upgraded to the new version with the LMIII head in it for the improved DI, so I'm on my second one (traded in the first one for a good percentage of its retail price).

I'm a five-string player on occasion myself, have played many genres of music through my MB combo including hard rock, my pedal board sports around ten effects including OD/distortion, and this rig has never disappointed me. Sound guys love it, my band is always impressed, and I can pin my drummer's ears back any time I want to.

Good luck with your search.

 

[dalkowski]

If the GK MB115 didn't exist, I'd say Hartke A100.

 

[jeff7bass]

Here's a vote for Markbass.

I've been using the CMD151P combo for the past several years, and it has never let me down. In fact, I just upgraded to the new version with the LMIII head in it for the improved DI, so I'm on my second one (traded in the first one for a good percentage of its retail price).

I'm a five-string player on occasion myself, have played many genres of music through my MB combo including hard rock, my pedal board sports around ten effects including OD/distortion, and this rig has never disappointed me. Sound guys love it, my band is always impressed, and I can pin my drummer's ears back any time I want to.

Good luck with your search.

Definitely in another class, possibly the best 15” combo out there, but they cost around 1100 bucks so it’s more than double his price range.
I saw Jeff Berlin play through two of them with a TC Electronics chorus splitting his signal for true stereo effect.
Awesome.

 

[electracoyote]

Definitely in another class, possibly the best 15” combo out there, but they cost around 1100 bucks so it’s more than double his price range.
I saw Jeff Berlin play through two of them with a TC Electronics chorus splitting his signal for true stereo effect.
Awesome.

Oops. I just noticed.

What does 500 pounds translate to in US dollars?