Another combo amp recommendation request.

[vacuumchild]

I’m looking for a lightweight 1x12 combo (but open to other configurations if they end up meeting my needs).

About 20 years ago I stopped gigging regularly on bass and focused on recording, other instruments, etc. The only bass amp I own now is a Behringer BX1200, (a 120W knockoff of a Hartke Kickback with a couple extra features). It’s OK for practice, but it weighs about 50 pounds and has had reliability issues. I will likely be back to occasional small club gigs in the fall and want a better, lighter amp before then.

My leading choices are mostly obvious ones:
An actual Hartke KB12. The new ones are only 30 pounds. Concern: limited EQ.
One of the many MarkBass combos available. Concern: Which one?!?
Gallien-Krueger MB112-II. Concern: Enough volume?
Traynor SB112. Concern: Where to find one to try (near Chicago). The dealers listed on the Traynor website seem to be defunct (e.g. Sam Ash) or not really carrying the product.

Background:

The two instruments I’ll use are:
Hamer Chapparal 5-string (low B) fretless, EMG active pickups.
Alvarez 4-string fretted acoustic, piezo pickup (only rarely used).

I don’t generally use external effects.

FWIW, my biggest stylistic influences are probably Herbie Flowers and Mike Watt, but my preferred tone color (on fretless) is more like Fernando Saunders. There will be one guitarist/singer and a drummer doing originals. Call it "alternative" or "indie" if you must.

 

[Stylee Mousse]

Respectfully, the amp isn’t the big part of players like Herbie and Watt, they sound like themselves through whatever they play.

Peavey to Bergantino, p bass to reverend…

So try stuff? Anything decent will vastly outclass the behringer!

 

[friskinator]

Highly recommend the GK. Full 200w into a 12”, and it will definitely get louder than expected.

 

[ad9000]

I’m not sure why you would want to limit your choices to combos, in this day and age of plentiful lightweight heads and cabs. I use to think combos were more convenient, but since it’s now possible to easily carry a bass, head and cab into a gig in one trip I don’t consider that to be the case anymore. I have a Quilter BB803 head which weighs about as much as a loaf of bread - it sounds amazing and has power for days. There are lots of similar choices out there depending on the flavor you’re after, and many great lightweight 1x10 or 1x12 cabs. The slight inconvenience of taking an extra 30 seconds to plug in a speaker cable is a good tradeoff for having a lot more good sounding choices in a rig vs. going the combo route.

 

[Nebadon2000]

First it is nice to hear someone mentioning Fernando my favorite player loved his work with Lou Reed and Marianne Faithful

If looking in price range of Hartke it is as good as any

If willing to go near 1K Markbass CMD 121 P V also if you prefer kickback style their CMD 102P V

I used older 121 p with Ampwedge underneath to tilt up with good success

Many have their own opinions mine on Markbass was formed hearing quite a few live in the wild always sounded excellent in mix why I bought one not in store or at home solo without a mix or at least drum track

 

[Gervais Cote]

Tone wise, you can’t go wrong with the GK. If it’s not too heavy for you to handle, you won’t be disappointed.

 

[Medicine Man]

For me, Markbass 102p combo has been a winner for all sizes of gigs. Keeps up with a drummer with no pa, kicks back for a monitor for larger gigs. 35 lbs. I have been using it for anything from restaraunts to big outdoor shows and leaving my expensive big stage rigs at home. The rat fur is beat to crap, but it still keeps kicking after countless gigs. I will say that im less of a fan of a pure piezo pickup setup through it, though, even with a preamp. There are a ton of good options for 12 inch cabs and class D heads if you can spend bigger.

 

[Paul New]

Trace Elliot’s liitle 1X10 ELF 200W combo might be enough. It weighs 18lbs. A friend of mine uses one in situations where you would expect 2X10s and it sounds great. For louder situations adding an extension cab would leave you under 40 lbs. Very inexpensive too.

Sorry, the video is terrible, but shows the size of it.

 

[jerry]

I'm from the school of thought that separates are the way to go. Easy to change your mind about speaker or head and if one of the components goes bad, you don't have to replace them both.

 

[LowActionHero]

I have the GK 115 (2 actually).
Light for its size and gets very loud. Sounds great. My friend has the 112 with similar results.

 

[shoot-r]

Everyone is going to recommend the amp/cab or combo their ears personally prefer and works for them, (myself included.)

What you need to find out is what your ears prefer and works for you.

"Unfortunately", the only way to find out what is right for you is to go and personally audition equipment while using your personal bass and any effects you may use.

"Fortunately", your located in the Chicago area where there's still many brick and mortar music stores still open for business, stores that will have bass equipment available, in stock, for you to audition.

I'd suggest your starting at your nearest Guitar Center. Most GC's will usually have Ampeg, Fender, MarkBass, GC Acoustic bass equipment on the floor for you to A/B compare. Some GC's will also have GK, Hartke, ect. Call around and find Chicagoland stores that carry Genzler, Mesa, ect.

Try anything and everything you can find. Don't consider brand name, cosmetics, driver size, ect., ect.
Pick what will work for you sound/tone wise, power wise, number of drivers needed, ect. for the musically situation you anticipate working in.

 

[Nebadon2000]

I'm from the school of thought that separates are the way to go. Easy to change your mind about speaker or head and if one of the components goes bad, you don't have to replace them both.

Yes for many separates are preferred
But OP asked for light weight combos
Many may 'Think' they know whats better for someone else but in truth only know what's better for themselves

OP has been using combo and asked about Hartke KB 12 which is $599 Retail light weight and can handle small clubs

Yes as I suggested if OP is willing to go 1K+ their may be better lightweight combos which he asked for but sure separates then come into play

Which separates do you suggest and know is better for OP

I suggest and know Mesa D350 and Subway 1x12 or Genzler MG 350 and ULV 12 is better for OP(at a cost)

 

[jthisdell]

If I were looking at a new combo and had the budget I would really want to try the Genzler 350.

Last time I was in the market and started looking at higher end combos I realized there were a lot more options in separates so now I have several options

 

[g1303bk]

SB112 for the win. Gollihur Music in NJ regularly stocks & sells online.
I have an SB115 (which is fantastic) and the Hartke 12 combo which is great only if you like the snappy sound of their amps.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

I’m looking for a lightweight 1x12 combo (but open to other configurations if they end up meeting my needs).

About 20 years ago I stopped gigging regularly on bass and focused on recording, other instruments, etc. The only bass amp I own now is a Behringer BX1200, (a 120W knockoff of a Hartke Kickback with a couple extra features). It’s OK for practice, but it weighs about 50 pounds and has had reliability issues. I will likely be back to occasional small club gigs in the fall and want a better, lighter amp before then.

My leading choices are mostly obvious ones:
An actual Hartke KB12. The new ones are only 30 pounds. Concern: limited EQ.
One of the many MarkBass combos available. Concern: Which one?!?
Gallien-Krueger MB112-II. Concern: Enough volume?
Traynor SB112. Concern: Where to find one to try (near Chicago). The dealers listed on the Traynor website seem to be defunct (e.g. Sam Ash) or not really carrying the product.

Background:

The two instruments I’ll use are:
Hamer Chapparal 5-string (low B) fretless, EMG active pickups.
Alvarez 4-string fretted acoustic, piezo pickup (only rarely used).

I don’t generally use external effects.

FWIW, my biggest stylistic influences are probably Herbie Flowers and Mike Watt, but my preferred tone color (on fretless) is more like Fernando Saunders. There will be one guitarist/singer and a drummer doing originals. Call it "alternative" or "indie" if you must.

The Fender Rumble 100 combo is what you describe. It does have a 12" speaker. I've been using one for several years. This past Sunday (7/5/2026), I took it to a small outdoor venue to accompany an acoustic singer/songwriter type. It filled the bill. This afternoon, it will be used for a band reheasal.

 

[DuluthDank]

The GK MB112ii is louder than you think, and it's a great for gigging because the sound really cuts through. The only issue is that GK has really upped their prices recently. The Markbass combos are much more full featured, and you might be able to get one for about the same price as the GK these days. Although I actually prefer the GK sound over Markbass, but it's subjective.

The Hartke KB combos would make great pedal platforms and stage monitors. If you get your sound from your pedal board, I might go with Hartke. If not, you might find it a bit boring with just your bass plugged in.

The Traynor would be a lot like the GK, only more transparent/less colored. I used the 15 inch traynor combo and didn't like it because it wasn't bright enough ,but I hear the 12 inch combo is much more even. It's a popular budget choice for upright bass as well.

 

[Ric Vice]

I used to be a singles only bassists (Grace Felix, powered MAS 1/8, powered 4x5.5) now just GR Bass AT Cube Acoustic 112 .It’s just nice to flip the power switch and play. Jut my, take either works fine and there are good reasons for either setup. The Traynor SB 106 is great for trio gigs

 

[Lobster11]

My advice is to think beyond what will be adequate for your immediate needs and get something that is potentially expandable in the future -- if, say, you get a gig in a bigger room, or decide to add a second guitar player, etc. That's one advantage of a separate cab and head: You can add a second matching cab if you ever need to. Another option to choose a combo that can support an external cab.

 

[Kaa]

The Lobster is wise.

 

[SactoBass]

I’m looking for a lightweight 1x12 combo

The first lightweight 1x12 combo that came to mind when I read your post is the Ampeg RB-112. It weighs 26 pounds.