2-10’s or 1-15

[Shishka Bob]

You can't go wrong with an Aguilar Tonehammer 350 or 500 and one or 2 Aguilar SL112 cabinets. You will be very happy at home and an awful lot of gigs with one of these cabinets. With the TH 500 and 2-8ohm cabs you will have the option of using one cabinet or two (which brings out all the glory of the full 500 watts). The cabs are light, and the amps remarkably small and light. They will cover every bass you want. I own a TH500 and use an 8ohm DB2-10 cab, and that cabinet is (to me) heavy at 59 lbs.

 

[Fingerer]

I'd recommend you consider the Mesa Subway line. Light, compact, versatile tonewise, packs a wallop when you need it and sounds good at lower volumes.

I just got back into music after a very long layoff. I did some research and dipped into the Mesa Subway line. I'm amazed at how light and how awesome it all sounds! Tech has come a looooong way!

 

[redwingxix]

True. The rumble gear is easy to sell. The 210 combo sounds really good for most applications or you could just skip that step and go right to mesa subway series...

 

[PillO]

No need to choose between 210 and 115. All in one package

Traynor - 600 Watt 1x15 / 2x10 Bass Cabinet

 

[Element Zero]

Mesa Subway D-800 and Mesa SW115 would be a GREAT setup. Look for used deals to stay within your budget.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

getting my 1969 Fender P-bass out after all of these years. Need to purchase an amp.........need some guidance. Manufacture, combo or head and cab, size........wow, been surfing up and down the internet and am overwhelmed............could somebody give me some direction as to which way to go. Don’t want to go overboard, but don’t want to paint myself into a corner and not have future options.........won’t be playing at Carnegie Hall any time soon but want some good thumpin sound! Thank everyone for your input

2-10s. Buy a lightly used 8 ohm cab from a quality manufacturer. Generally, I’m not big on combo amps although I get the attraction. One thing for sure, take your time and do your homework. Play as many different rig as you and buy what you like the best.

 

[MaxSpinrun]

2-10s. Buy a lightly used 8 ohm cab from a quality manufacturer. Generally, I’m not big on combo amps although I get the attraction. One thing for sure, take your time and do your homework. Play as many different rig as you and buy what you like the best.

I have Subway D800+, very powerful. Genzler BA 12-3 ARAY CAB. AWESOME. Compact but very high performance. Mids and highs produced by the aray drivers are smooth and disperse very well.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Nice rig. That’s (12) 3” speakers?

 

[hennessybass]

+1 to this. I have a CN210 (slightly older model) and love it, cuts through the mix very well with plenty of bottom.

Me too. Actually had a 115 (GB Bassic) and switched to the CN210 as my "small cab". For me, I decided a 112 was a little too small for gigging, and a 210 or 115 was more versatile (but still small enough).

Each cab is going to sound different, so maybe try to shop local, and try out some stuff. These days, there are lots of great options in every price range, for every player.

 

[dtripoli]

I no expert on amps and cabs but have played through a hell of a lot of amps/cabs.
Currently I use Ampeg PF500 amp and a 1x15 Ampeg Cab for small to medium gigs.
It's designed for maximum performance with 2 cabs. I rarely get to use both my 1x15 and 2x10 cabs together.
Whenever we have an outdoor gig or large hall I use both cabs and the difference is night and day.
The 500 watt PF only puts out 350 watts with one cab but the full 500 with two cabs.
And it's a wonderful feeling playing with the full 500 watts and probably even better with the PF 800.
The tone is much fuller, the lows and highs more distinct and the cleanest growl ever.
Unfortunately playing in small clubs and trying to use 2 cabs is not the same. Volume has to be much lower so you lose the fuller highs and lows. Not to mention one more thing to bring to a show.

PF 500 Amp with 1x15 cab & 2x10 cab. Make sure you are wearing a belt on your pants or it will blow them right off your bum if you dial in the volume and gain past 8

 

[Billy the kid]

I loved my GK MB115 with my Precision. Found the 2x10 too scooped for my liking.

Is there a headphone jack in any of the GK heads?

 

[Uncle Hanky]

If you look to the left, you’ll see that you can get both in one large and very inconvenient package.

2x10 in top
1x15 on the bottom.... boom

 

[Billy the kid]

Me too. Actually had a 115 (GB Bassic) and switched to the CN210 as my "small cab". For me, I decided a 112 was a little too small for gigging, and a 210 or 115 was more versatile (but still small enough).

Each cab is going to sound different, so maybe try to shop local, and try out some stuff. These days, there are lots of great options in every price range, for every player.

From my research I am leaning towards GK..........torn between combo and head/cab. Do you know if I go head (GK 700rb) for now and get the speaker later can I use headphones to play in the mean time?

 

[Sid s]

115 has as much surface area as 310s (almost).

Not true. 1x15 has 12.5% more surface area than 2x10. So they are pretty much the same in terms of surface area.

 

[Rip Van Dan]

getting my 1969 Fender P-bass out after all of these years. Need to purchase an amp.........need some guidance. Manufacture, combo or head and cab, size........wow, been surfing up and down the internet and am overwhelmed............could somebody give me some direction as to which way to go. Don’t want to go overboard, but don’t want to paint myself into a corner and not have future options.........won’t be playing at Carnegie Hall any time soon but want some good thumpin sound! Thank everyone for your input

As some folks have pointed out, two 10" speakers can be both deeper and punchier than a 115. Add to that the fact that a good 210 cab will push more air than a 115, I'd really suggest you check out some good 210's instead of 115's. Just more versatile.

 

[burgerdj]

I'd recommend you consider the Mesa Subway line. Light, compact, versatile tonewise, packs a wallop when you need it and sounds good at lower volumes. You could find a used 1-15 cab (or a 2-10) and a D-800 amp within your budget. (I happen to have a D-800 for sale. Linked in my sig, below. But that's not why I'm suggesting this gear. It's _excellent_ bass amplification; no compromise.)

Might also consider a Walkabout combo.

 

[BogeyBass]

Heck a old used BA115 is pretty fun
Not very expandable, but heck just buy another one and its cheaper than most

 

[rylie]

How loud do you plan to play in this studio-type situation? Better to have too much power than not enough. You can always turn down, but if you push an underpowered amp too much it’s going to sound like crap.

If it were me, I’d start with a 115. You can always add a 210 later if you need it.

This where understanding matching cabs/heads ohm loads is important. Read more about ohms at TB forum.

 

[HarveyRobertson]

I'd choose 2x10 over a 1x15, I feel a 210 projects much better than a single 15.

 

[DJ Bebop]

I'd recommend you consider the Mesa Subway line. Light, compact, versatile tonewise, packs a wallop when you need it and sounds good at lower volumes. You could find a used 1-15 cab (or a 2-10) and a D-800 amp within your budget. (I happen to have a D-800 for sale. Linked in my sig, below. But that's not why I'm suggesting this gear. It's _excellent_ bass amplification; no compromise.)

getting my 1969 Fender P-bass out after all of these years. Need to purchase an amp.........need some guidance. Manufacture, combo or head and cab, size........wow, been surfing up and down the internet and am overwhelmed............could somebody give me some direction as to which way to go. Don’t want to go overboard, but don’t want to paint myself into a corner and not have future options.........won’t be playing at Carnegie Hall any time soon but want some good thumpin sound! Thank everyone for your input