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Best all around combo

NYBassMan

NYBassMan

Oct 19, 2003
155
48
46
Levittown, NY
#1
In the market for a versatile all around combo. I currently have a british made ashdown combo and am not too fond of it. Looking for something with more punch and presence. THis rig will need to be able to play live..preferably a direct out and loud enough to cut through the live mix in practice and gigs.

thanks in advance
tony
 
#4
Not keen on an ashdown? woah, everyone I've spoken to about them love 'em!

For what it's worth I love my Laney RB4. Pretty basic, even cheap by some people's standards but its the most versatile combo I've ever used. It's 160, with 8 ohm impedance for a cab which can up it to 300W.

Has a good DI but its Pre Eq only (the one and only gripe I have with it).
 
#5
Mesa offers these combo's:

1. Walkabout: 300w @ 4ohms hybrid into either a 12 or 15 neo driver, great DI, great sound
2. Fathom: 600w @ 4ohms hybrid into a 2x12 neo loaded cab, great DI .. can't comment on the sound really .. very new.
3. Venture: 600w MPulse600 hybrid head driving either: 2x10s or 1x15 (older model) or 2x12 neo loaded cab. great DI, great sound.

on edit: I'd just add of course that "best" will need to be defined by what you personally want/need out of the combo.

just some additional options for your consideration.

good luck
 
#7
In my opinion, the Walkabout is the greatest combo amp, ever. Loud, punchy, warm, and sweet. If I had to lose all but one amp, this would be the one. (Thank god I don't have to, I love variety.) The Venture has twice the power, twice the speakers, (2x12), and most of the Walkabouts tone, but the Walkabout's a bit crunchier at higher gain settings.
 
#8
I heartily recommend a Markbass Mini CMD121P. Then get a 12" or 15" ext. cab to use if you need it (but you'll be amazed at how often you DON'T:)
To me, a great combo is about a balancing act between tone, power, and portability. This amp is a winner. It's almost crazy how loud it is for it's size and weight. Punchy? You bet.
 
#9
joconnorwi said:
What's the default DI setting on the walkabout pre or post eq? and does that include the lovely preamp tone/drive correct?
Click to expand...

it is indeed post eq and all that juicy preamp goodness will come thru, gain, eq and effects loop, via the DI .. just watch how much you fiddle with your master volume control during a performance though, because its in the signal path as well .. gotta stay consistent or the house sound people will go crazy watching your levels.

Some people don't like this about the Walkabout, there was a thread about it some time ago. I seem to recall that if you don't want that set-up (post eq plus master into the DI), Mesa will send you the instructions for a simple fix to make the DI pre-eq. Don't know what the fix is because I like it in it's stock form myself.


back to the OP :cool:
 
#10
pbass2 said:
I heartily recommend a Markbass Mini CMD121P. Then get a 12" or 15" ext. cab to use if you need it (but you'll be amazed at how often you DON'T:)
To me, a great combo is about a balancing act between tone, power, and portability. This amp is a winner. It's almost crazy how loud it is for it's size and weight. Punchy? You bet.
Click to expand...
I've been somewhat considering one of these, but how much low-end can you get out of that beast? Enough at rock band (3 piece roots rock) volume?
 
#12
::::BASSIST:::: said:
I've been somewhat considering one of these, but how much low-end can you get out of that beast? Enough at rock band (3 piece roots rock) volume?
Click to expand...
Dude, you should just go play one instead of asking this question every two weeks ;)

Here's my honest opinion of the Mini CMD121P after 4 months of using it...for its size, you will get an amazing amount of low end and usable power, plenty for rock band power as long as you're not totally insane with volume like in a metal band. But you're never going to get the low end out of it like you would with a larger cab with a larger driver. I used it by itself this weekend due to PITA load-ins, and while I continue to be amazed at the low end it puts out, it's not quite the same level as a 15" cab or a 410. Still, it's got better low end than many larger combos, and it sits in the mix perfectly, especially with a Precision.
 
#14
JimmyM said:
Dude, you should just go play one instead of asking this question every two weeks ;)

Here's my honest opinion of the Mini CMD121P after 4 months of using it...for its size, you will get an amazing amount of low end and usable power, plenty for rock band power as long as you're not totally insane with volume like in a metal band. But you're never going to get the low end out of it like you would with a larger cab with a larger driver. I used it by itself this weekend due to PITA load-ins, and while I continue to be amazed at the low end it puts out, it's not quite the same level as a 15" cab or a 410. Still, it's got better low end than many larger combos, and it sits in the mix perfectly, especially with a Precision.
Click to expand...
Sorry about that. Just trying to get different opinions. I've tried using a single wizzy 112 and while it sounded damn nice I missed that 'wall of sound' you get from more surface area. That would be my concern with this combo. If I had PA support I wouldnt care, but when the only bass tone in the "local pub" (I do these gigs alot) is coming from that small combo I dont know if it would satisfy. Now if only I could get out of the house without my wife giving me the 'evil eye' I could check it out. Gotta do that somehow...
 
#15
::::BASSIST:::: said:
Sorry about that. Just trying to get different opinions. I've tried using a single wizzy 112 and while it sounded damn nice I missed that 'wall of sound' you get from more surface area. That would be my concern with this combo.
Click to expand...
It's a legit concern. And yeah, you'll probably miss the "wall" with this combo as well. But it wasn't made for people looking for a wall of sound. It was made for people looking for a lightweight combo amp that can be used for relatively high volume applications without sacrificing tone. No small single speaker combo can defeat the laws of physics, but the Markbass is about as close as it gets.
 
#20
JimmyM said:
Guess what?

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Click to expand...

yeah, that's what I WANTED, but at the time I bought my 121P, those weren't available in the states. But, no regrets, as I've raved about, the 121P is quite remarkable. And, I can actually walk up a flight of stairs with the Mini in one hand, my Dr. Bass 1x15 ext cab in the other, and a bass on my back. Then you're talking 500w into a 12 and a 15, and I can still waltz in and out easier than the guitar player most of the time ;)
 

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