At what point should you stop buying combos?

[4-stringB]

IMHO, you should keep buying combos until you have an amp at every trustworthy location, to cut down, or eliminate carrying those heavy little SOBs. My last purchase was a PV TKO 115/80w for 80 bucks, and I leave it my bud's studio. At that price, if it walks away (which it won't), it's not the end of the world...PS, two or more stacked make a very respectable amount of sound, modularism at it's best...

 

[Ironderby]

Combo for practice. Head/Cab for gigs

 

[skidrawk]

I consider the gigs I do to be professional, as I bring home money after each one. However, there's no way I could get by with a 210 for all purposes. But for full disclosure, I will scratch the whole rig if there is sufficient PA support (i.e. powered subs, etc) and just bring a DI.

If a combo works, then rock the heck out of it! If not, then rock the heck out of something else

PA support implied = yes.

 

[kimmyt]

I've never bought a combo, kinda like I won't buy powered pa speakers.

 

[RickenBoogie]

For me, a good, small, but toneful combo amp is only useful for informal livingroom acoustic jams. 50 watts through a single 12 for the easy to move, sounds good win. All other circumstances, including home practice, I prefer a good amp and cab or cabs. I don't see the point of a BIG powerful combo amp, as the trade-off is an undersized speaker box, every time.

 

[pfschim]

I've never owned a bass combo. I've always needed more volume than that.

well, if you have ever heard a Mesa Venture combo in action, I'm not sure you would ever need more volume than that rig can produce. If more volume was really needed, you probably need a PA.

Venture = MPulse600 amp driving a Mesa Powerhouse 2x12 cab. Plenty of grunt and volume with high quality pro features. Not your usual combo for sure, but a combo none the less.

 

[pfschim]

For me, a good, small, but toneful combo amp is only useful for informal livingroom acoustic jams. 50 watts through a single 12 for the easy to move, sounds good win. All other circumstances, including home practice, I prefer a good amp and cab or cabs. I don't see the point of a BIG powerful combo amp, as the trade-off is an undersized speaker box, every time.

and you are a proud Mesa Walkabout user .. no ?

(as am I)

 

[NecroticImbecil]

It's appropriate to stop buying combos before you buy your first amp.

 

[kimmyt]

that's what I was trying to say.

 

[chadds]

When you have already established your concert rig, and you buy a SWR Baby Blue II.

 

[chadds]

To be explicit, the BBII sounds like what you put through it. Strong for EB, ABG, and Ashbory or Upright. With LDS long throws it competes with all but concert rigs.
Living rooms of course. When I play house concerts I really want every inflection heard.

 

[Korladis]

It really depends what your tone and volume needs are. If you play mainly in small jazz groups that do local restaurant gigs and such, you might never really have much reason to look into separates.

If you're in a really loud rock band, a combo might not cut it as far as volume.

If you like the idea of using the same head but with different cabs, or vice versa, a combo might not be your thing.

It really depends on what you need out of your rig.

 

[klejst]

It should have nothing to do with skill level. How about when your gigs require it?

I agree with this. You play the same on a bass and the rig just simply amplifies the sound whether it is a small combo or a big rig with a amp and cab. Although the many different amp's and cab's out there sound all different from the next you still play the same notes and whatnot through them. You can start playing bass on a 1x12 combo or you can start with a SVT and 8x10 cab it's up to you.

 

[JimmyM]

I use both pretty regularly. Got everything from a vintage SVT/810 to a $100 BA108 and a couple rigs in between and it all gets used at some point.

 

[Low Key]

Ever since I bought my GK MB 212 combo, my stack sits in my basement. Combos and stacks have both evolved, but the former has been enough for indoor and outdoor gigs without breaking a sweat. I wouldn't have said this 5 years ago.

The only time I would haul out a stack now is if I was playing a large outdoor gig w/o a PA.

 

[EpiRipper]

When it's time to move out of the bedroom and into larger venues

 

[BassmanPaul]

personally, i would never buy one in the first place, unless it's fliptop, and i don't really consider a fliptop a combo since they have a seperate head/cab.
plus with today's lightweight heads and cabs, portability is no longer an issue and that's the only benefit that i can see in a combo.

+1

 

[dog1]

I dunno. While I do have a combo, it mostly collects dust. I have always prefered separate components. This allows me to select a separate amp and cab (cabs) depending on what I need.

 

[Tupac]

It's appropriate to stop buying combos before you buy your first amp.

Why on Earth not? I thought it was traditional to buy a crappy 100$ practice amp for your first set of gear

 

[nortonrider]

I guess I'm just different.
I use my old Genz Benz combo everyday and my tube rig is taking up space stashed in my closet.

I have never been able to get caught up in this whole Gear Snobification thing.
If it works and sounds good - I like it.