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Any recommendations for a nice, powerful modern combo amp?

Edword

Edword

Jun 23, 2005
1,039
260
Detroitish
#1
Just sold my trusty Ampeg Portabass 228 to a bud, time to move on.

Anyone had good luck with one of the current brands/models out there?

BTW, I'm not trying to achieve any particular tone, rather looking for an amp with an unfamiliar tone that I can explore/experiment with. Also looking for as much wattage as I can get, the 228 was 200W and was just about adequate for my band's rehearsals. It'd be great to have more on tap, and possibly to do smaller gigs with.

TIA
 
#5
buldog5151bass said:
Carvin, GK, Ampeg, Markbass, Fender, and many others make good amps - really depends on what you want to spend. I would say look for a 300 watt amp with a pair of 10s, a 12 or a fifteen, and then look to get a second matching cabinet if you expect to gig without FOH support.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I'll see what Fender's got. Oddly, that's one brand of amp I don't already have.
 
#6
Highly recommend the GK MB series. I happen to have the 112-ii (200w) and 212-ii (500w) and love them both. You get the full wattage going to the internal drivers so you don't need an extension cab to get the full capability of the amp. You can also add the something from the MBP series later down the line if you wish which is a powered extension cab that they make, you can get a really nasty stack like that.

For what it's worth when I gig with the MB212-ii, I never even come close to turning my volume knob up as far. Even for big outdoor gigs I don't think I've ever gone passed 10 o clock.. 500w into 2 12" speakers is monstrous. I believe it's pretty lightweight as well, around 40 lbs.

As far as tone goes on the 212, 4 band eq with contour on/off. Gain, boost, and master volume knobs. So there is a plethora of tones available.

MB 112 Specs
MB 212 Specs

Edit: I rehearse with the MB112-ii, and it's 200w through 1 12" speaker. I done use PA supper for rehearsals and I don't need to go passed 10 o clock, in a 5 piece band.
 
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#7
Yep. I'd go with the GK MB212II. I've got more amps than teeth. Big , small, tube, SS etc. But lately I've been using my GK for everything. Rehearsal and shows big or small. From country to thrash.

I just played a show last week where it kept up with a Marshall full stack in a small venue where nothing but the kick drum and vocals were mic'd.

You can't go wrong with it. 500 watts, light and loud. Plus the customer service is great!
 
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#13
amps have gotten a lot better over the last 20 or so years, especially the last 10.

you name any amp brand, theres someone who will tell you their honest oppinion why its the best choice. you have to just see for yourself.

of course, name brands generally wont kill you. markbass, mesa, hartke, etc.

one mans oppinion, what comes to mind as a "dont buy," i'm not crazy about any recent ampeg stuff, and the TC combos i thought left much to be desired. but like i said, thats just for me. i have unique needs and so do you - even if you dont know them yet.
 
#15
TC electronics BG series is truly a decent buy..light very loud and excellent features...pretty much all of them have this though...for me the TC was soooo easy to dial in to sound good and stay that way...line out was perfect when used at a large stage venue recently. even has a few workable effects system that is fun but isn't a complete gimmick. e.g the comp is actually very decent..
 
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#16
Hi there!
I have been using for a while this particular amp from the Swiss company Schertler
It's called Bass Fidelity
I got the "smallest" one, the B10
It has a very punchy and complete tone and it's easy to carry! very good stuff!!! ;)
Should check it!
 
#18
beaglesandbass said:
Highly recommend the GK MB series. I happen to have the 112-ii (200w) and 212-ii (500w) and love them both. You get the full wattage going to the internal drivers so you don't need an extension cab to get the full capability of the amp. You can also add the something from the MBP series later down the line if you wish which is a powered extension cab that they make, you can get a really nasty stack like that.

For what it's worth when I gig with the MB212-ii, I never even come close to turning my volume knob up as far. Even for big outdoor gigs I don't think I've ever gone passed 10 o clock.. 500w into 2 12" speakers is monstrous. I believe it's pretty lightweight as well, around 40 lbs.

As far as tone goes on the 212, 4 band eq with contour on/off. Gain, boost, and master volume knobs. So there is a plethora of tones available.

MB 112 Specs
MB 212 Specs

Edit: I rehearse with the MB112-ii, and it's 200w through 1 12" speaker. I done use PA supper for rehearsals and I don't need to go passed 10 o clock, in a 5 piece band.
Click to expand...

I also have an MB112. I like it, but not sure if I'm in love with it. That is subjective of course, and I do agree with your comments - these are the same reasons I purchased mine.
 
#19
I also vote for GK. I have the MB115 200 watt combo and eventually will pair it with a powered extension 115 for a total of 400 watts. They are small enough to fit into the back of my Smart Car. The MB115 alone is quite sufficient for most small to medium venues. I have yet to turn the volume above 1/2. :D
 
#20
TC BG250 (115 or 210) is nice. not everyone likes the sound (it's not overdriven in the same way as Ampegs or Fenders), but I do. not sure on the real watts, I have the 115 and it's noticably louder than Rumble 100 I had owned, so I assume it's about 200-250w.
 

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