Welcome to Talk Bass @martysp19.Any recomendations for reliable combos (600€ is my max budget) to practice with small/medium bands/groups and some gigs?
I think I would want at least 100w, but im open to suggestions from you guys
Also buying used can be a great deal, but in my country there is not a lot of offer on that field and honestly, I value the warranty quite a bit.
Preferably combos with a good low end, and some vintage sound if possible xD. Is, for a example, the orange crush 100 a good option?
Thank you for your time!
One thing you need to consider when you're looking at combos is what the power output using the internal speaker(s) is. With most combos, the amp can handle a 4Ω minimum load (going less than the minimum rating tends to melt internal amp parts). Usually, not always, they will include an 8Ω internal speaker. You'll get anywhere from half the watts (most class D amps) to about 2/3rds the watts (some, like the Fender Rumble series) at 8Ω that you would with a 4Ω load. When you add a second 8Ω cab to it, that makes the ohms load 4Ω and allows the amp to send up to its full power through the connection. So be aware that just because you are comparing amps that have the same maximum rating, you typically need to add a second 8Ω cab to get all it has to offer.
For instance look at the Ampeg RB-210 combo. That's 210 combo provides up to 500-watts rms into a 4Ω load. Using just the internal speaker without an extension speaker, it can provide up to 250-watts rms, which is half of it's maximum power capabilities. That's actually enough for small and most medium-sized venues, but not enough for large or outdoor venues. Add a second cab to it and all of a sudden you have basically a 500-watt 410 rig, which is enough in most cases for larger venues and outdoor venues too.
Now look at the Fender Rumble 500, which is also a 210 combo and like the Ampeg uses a lightweight class D amp. It also has an 8Ω load with the internal speakers. However, it was designed to produce significantly more power with an 8Ω load than the Ampeg. It provides up to 350-watts rms with an 8Ω load and the full 500-watts with a 4Ω load. So pay attention to what the minimum ohms load is with internal speakers as-is without a second 8Ω cabinet. Although that extra 150-watts sounds like a lot, it actually will only make the difference of about 1 to perhaps as much as 2db in the sound pressure level (volume) of the amp. There is a noticeable difference but not a huge difference.
So both of those combos can take an external speaker and actually need to use an external 8Ω speaker added to the combo's internal speaker to get everything out of it.
Now look at another combo where adding a speaker doesn't change the power from the amp. The Eden E-series combos use an Eden 180-watt rms into 4Ω amp and it the internal speaker(s) are 4Ω speakers. Let's look at the Eden EC-210 since it's also a 210 combo. The amp delivers 180-watt rms into 4Ω. The good news is that all of the amp's power is available with the internal speakers as-is. The bad news is that when you hook up an external speaker to it, that automatically disconnects the internal speakers so you can't drop the ohms load below 4Ω and damage the amp. So ONLY the external speakers will be working. The internal speakers will get no power at all.
There is no running a 115 cab with the 210 combo. You can run the 210 internal speakers or you can hook up a 115 cab and only run the 115 cab. Plus, if the cab you hook up is an 8Ω cab, then it will only get a bit more than half the power from the amp, perhaps 100-watts. You can hook up two 8Ω cabs for the 4Ω minimum load which will give you more sound pressure level (volume). Doubling the speaker coverage gives a 3db increase in Sound Pressure Level (SPL) so it is louder, but you have to lug around the the combo to power it and the speakers in the combo add nothing but weight. So with the Eden EC combos the only real way to make the combo louder is to add the EX410 cab in 4Ω to it because after cutting off the internal speakers the 410 does double the speaker area and will add 3db to your sound. Not a good choice and unnecessarily heavy to boot
Eden amps have a very clean and clear sound. I use a number of Eden amp heads myself and love the sound and power I get from them. The speakers in the combo also sensitive speakers that don't take a lot of power to get to gig levels. But, in my opinion you want to avoid this type of combo like the plaque. 180-watts is not a lot of power even with sensitive speakers and if you need more power, you may as well try to sell your combo and buy a head and cab. This type of combo is the least expandable you'll find on the market, and Eden isn't the only one doing this. So be careful and make sure whatever combo you get has a good upgrade path without having to buy an entire more powerful combo to replace what you already have.
IMHO the Ampeg Rocket Bass combos and the Fender Rumble combos are a better choice both to start with and to expand for large venues. There are lots of other combos out there. Just be sure you understand what you are actually buying and what the upgrade path for that combo is before you spend your money.
