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$300 dollar small amp challenge.

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#21
I got a Rumble 100 recently and it does a good job. I am in a classic rock band that plays for mostly older crowds, like my age, and I line out to the PA with either a passive direct box or the mxr m80. I can usually hear the deep lows coming from the PA speakers.
On a side note about weight,
Our new keyboard player has a big 1x15 Behringer combo that weighs 3 times that of the Rumble 100 and he doubles on guitar and has another guitar tube amp. If we get back to being real busy I want to see how he holds up. He bought ramps for the drummer's big trailer and yesterday, for the first time, we rolled his loaded cart of equipment into the trailer. Instead of buying ramps he should have gotten a lighter amp.
 
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#23
CrackBass said:
Hey guys,

I would like suggestions for a budget amp to fill a need of mine. My main rig is a GK700RBII with 2 112’s. It handles my electric, full band gigs no problem.

However, I find myself getting more and more three piece semi-acoustic gigs lately. Acoustic guitar, Electic bass, and Congas. Everyone sings. I have been going direct and that’s OK, but I think a small bass amp with a good di would make things better for me. We usually carry at least one powered sub to these gigs so FOH is good to do the heavy lifting, but I seem to want for a little more stage sound. My rig with one cab does the trick, but I’d like to find a small one handed grab and go solution.

Is there an amp that will do it for under $300? Used is OK. I’m considering a Rumble 100. Is there something else that I should be considering.
Click to expand...

Fender rumble 40 or the ampeg 40
 
#24
CrackBass said:
The rumble tone is pretty good for the kind of sound I want on these gigs. I am pretty set on getting a combo.
Click to expand...

Then I think you just need to figure out which Rumble combo to get. I've run a 100 with a full and pretty loud band before. It was at the limit of what it could handle but it worked.

I'm not a fan of the Rumble tone, but am really thinking about getting a 500 combo because that thing is loud enough to handle even a very loud gig, and for 35 pounds, well...you just can't beat that.
 
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#25
CrackBass said:
Hey guys,

I would like suggestions for a budget amp to fill a need of mine. My main rig is a GK700RBII with 2 112’s. It handles my electric, full band gigs no problem.

However, I find myself getting more and more three piece semi-acoustic gigs lately. Acoustic guitar, Electic bass, and Congas. Everyone sings. I have been going direct and that’s OK, but I think a small bass amp with a good di would make things better for me. We usually carry at least one powered sub to these gigs so FOH is good to do the heavy lifting, but I seem to want for a little more stage sound. My rig with one cab does the trick, but I’d like to find a small one handed grab and go solution.

Is there an amp that will do it for under $300? Used is OK. I’m considering a Rumble 100. Is there something else that I should be considering.
Click to expand...

I was thinking of a Shuttle Max 12” combo like what I use in a rehearsal hall in a 8 piece horn band (designed by TtBer agedhorse) would fit the bill, but I couldn’t find a used one for sale.
 
#26
I love this new Acoustic 100W, 1x12 amp. It's a bit heavier (and cheaper) than the Rumble 100 but has great features like tilt-back design and pre/post EQ switch for the XLR out. Looks great too. If too heavy, get the Rumble 100. The extra wattage compared to say, 40 or 50 watts, is always preferred. You don't want to over stress any amp.
https://www.musiciansfriend.com/amplifiers-effects/acoustic-b100c-1x12-100w-bass-combo-with-tilt-back-cab/l20604000001000?cntry=us&source=3WWRWXMP&msclkid=5dc570182886109ad0402efbe893be42&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=**LP - Shop - Amplifiers & Effects - Amplifiers - Bass Amplifiers&utm_term=4578366447404951&utm_content=L20604000001000 | Acoustic B100C 1X12 100W Bass Combo with Tilt-Back Cab Black | $279.99
 
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#27
CrackBass said:
I sat in with a rumble rig a while back and was pretty impressed by a buddy’s rumble 40 for what it was. The rumble tone is pretty good for the kind of sound I want on these gigs. I am pretty set on getting a combo. Anything more than that and I might as well take my current set up.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't assume you'd like the Rumble 100 if you like the 40. The 40 has a better tone, more mid-range detail, less over the top baked in low mid warmth. I sold my 100 and kept my 40. A smaller GK will have a better DI (Rumble is post volume and EQ), and be much less warm, but can be made warmer with EQ adjustment.
 
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#28
CrackBass said:
Hey guys,

I would like suggestions for a budget amp to fill a need of mine. My main rig is a GK700RBII with 2 112’s. It handles my electric, full band gigs no problem.

However, I find myself getting more and more three piece semi-acoustic gigs lately. Acoustic guitar, Electic bass, and Congas. Everyone sings. I have been going direct and that’s OK, but I think a small bass amp with a good di would make things better for me. We usually carry at least one powered sub to these gigs so FOH is good to do the heavy lifting, but I seem to want for a little more stage sound. My rig with one cab does the trick, but I’d like to find a small one handed grab and go solution.

Is there an amp that will do it for under $300? Used is OK. I’m considering a Rumble 100. Is there something else that I should be considering.
Click to expand...
The peavy max 100 is a great little amp. 110 combo. Great features and tone.
 
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#31
CrackBass said:
Hey guys,

I would like suggestions for a budget amp to fill a need of mine. My main rig is a GK700RBII with 2 112’s. It handles my electric, full band gigs no problem.

However, I find myself getting more and more three piece semi-acoustic gigs lately. Acoustic guitar, Electic bass, and Congas. Everyone sings. I have been going direct and that’s OK, but I think a small bass amp with a good di would make things better for me. We usually carry at least one powered sub to these gigs so FOH is good to do the heavy lifting, but I seem to want for a little more stage sound. My rig with one cab does the trick, but I’d like to find a small one handed grab and go solution.

Is there an amp that will do it for under $300? Used is OK. I’m considering a Rumble 100. Is there something else that I should be considering.
Click to expand...
Best sounding small am is the Ampeg B100R Rocket Bass. It doesn't have a built in DI,s so you need a DI. This amp kills, is retro looking, tube pre-amp and is very loud for what it is.
 
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#32
shadven said:
Best sounding small am is the Ampeg B100R Rocket Bass. It doesn't have a built in DI,s so you need a DI. This amp kills, is retro looking, tube pre-amp and is very loud for what it is.
Click to expand...
I saw a band with a bass player playing that exact amp. That thing sounded great, and he carried a small bar with a 5 piece electric band without FOH. It’s just a bit big for what I’m looking for here. I do have my eye out for a local deal on one of those.
Anyone have any experience with the Peavey Max 100?
 
#34
CrackBass said:
Well, I do take just one cab for a situation like this. The difference between my 17 pound head and a 5 pound head just isn’t worth it for me. A sub 30 lb. combo that can do it would be worth the money just for the extra convenience. Considering that I do most of these gigs direct currently, I don’t think it’s a stretch that I can find something that will work.
Click to expand...
I think you are over rating the combo experience. The MB200 fits in a tiny shoulder bag with a short speakon cable. Takes all of 15 sec to set up. I will admit that playing ''Have You Got Your Head?'' before setting off becomes more of a habit than before.
 
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#35
Every bassist has his/her taste, but personally, I'd get the Ampeg BA-112v2. Heavier than the Fender for sure, but, to my ear, way better tone. I have to use Rumbles a lot at the Old Town School, and I can't say I have ever found a sound in them that I loved. Serviceable, but not to my taste. The Ampeg has that classic bass sound that I love. If you like the Fender sound, it is lighter. I'd do the few extra pushups and get the Ampeg.
 
#37
TC Electronics BG 208. Used ~$300. 25 lbs. 175w as a stand alone combo or with a cab 250. I paired mine with an Ampeg SVT 210av, which is also 25 lbs. I am well balanced to walk with both.
I found a 112 available just now:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

The Ampeg from zzounds can be easily financed over ~ 6 months interest free. If you have an address and pay your phone bill, you qualify. Pretty cool.

The toneprints on the BG are fun to play with. I just zap them from my android to my PU. Many are usable. With the $50 footswitch, you can use 2 toneprints and have a mute at your feet. Built in tuner.
 
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#38
SunByrne said:
If you're not a fan of the Rumble100 tone, Ampeg makes a $300 combo, the BA-112. Somewhat less wattage but probably enough for your environment. Heavier, though, so I'd probably still go with the Rumble.
Click to expand...

I have the original BA-112 and love it. Bought a newer model, played it for two weeks and donated it to a church. Went back to the original.
 
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