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Best combo amp under 25 pounds?

vision

vision

It's all about the groove!
Feb 25, 2005
3,988
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Ann Arbor, MI
jasonphelpsbass.com
Disclosures
Endorsing Artist: MTD Basses, La Bella Strings, and 64 Audio IEMs
#1
I need to get a lightweight combo amp that can be actually be used for gigs. The majority of my gigs are either weddings or corporate events which have a main set with full band that we do with no amps on stage and in ears, and a cocktail hour set with a jazz trio during which we use amps. Those sets aren't anywhere near loud enough for me to bring my main rig, which is an Aguilar Tonehammer 500 into a TecAmp S212. I have an Eden EC10 combo that I've been using for the cocktail sets. It's done a decent job. Usually I'm playing with a sax player and a guitar player. But recently there are times that we've added drums to this and it's been a quartet, and that little 50 watt Eden won't keep up. We still aren't playing loud, it's basic jazz standard stuff, but that's more than that 50 watt 110 combo was intended to handle.

I've done some basic research and found some options like the GK MB112 and MB110, the Markbass Mini CMD121p and MicroMark, the Phil Jones combos, etc. But is there anything I'm missing? Anyone else using a small combo for a similar application?

For extra context on what I might like, I prefer a pretty transparent tone from my rig so I can control tone from my fingers and the bass itself. I play an MTD535.
 
#5
RoadRanger said:
You could just get a lightweight cab for your TH-500. Maybe a RevSound RS210T ?
Click to expand...

Killed_by_Death said:
I would think the TH500 + light cab would be lighter than a combo of equal power
Click to expand...

The separate cab with my Aguilar is a good idea and I may end up going that route. However I'd like to go with a combo if possible so I can have the easiest possible load in and out. I'd like to Walk in to these weddings and corporate gigs with my bass on my back and a combo amp in one hand with me not needed to use a cart or have separate bags. I could bring the TH500 in it's bag on a strap and carry the combo in one hand, but then I'd still have a bit of extra setup with connecting the separate head. I'm sure it sounds silly, but I really try to streamline that load in and out. As soon as the gig is over I'm walking right out even before the singers who have no gear at all lol...

BUT...if there isn't a good lightweight combo out there the separate setup may be the way I end up going.
 
#8
Killed_by_Death said:
if you get an 8 Ohm cab & your TeCamp is 8 ohms, you could pair them together for big rooms later on
Click to expand...

True. But my TecAmp is 4 ohms, and I've definitely never needed more than that 212 with 500 watts. These days when I play rooms larger than that there is always full PA support.
 
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#9
I use an old GK 200mb combo for this kind of stuff. It's super easy to carry around and sounds pretty good. It's a metal casing and a sealed 12" speaker, used you can find them for $300 and it's pretty shallow front to back so it's not much different then carrying a briefcase. The Markbass 1x12 or newer GK stuff is bigger, bulkier and get a bigger sound. That being said for this purpose, wearing a tux, maybe having to walk a long distance or up and down stairs I find it works best. I originally had one for years 20 years ago, after it died I tried to replace it with the latest and greatest and eventually went back to this.

If you decide to squeeze the tone hammer in your bag a little Ampeg 210AV is an easy schlep as a small seperate.
 
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#10
peterpalmieri said:
I use an old GK 200mb combo for this kind of stuff. It's super easy to carry around and sounds pretty good. It's a metal casing and a sealed 12" speaker, used you can find them for $300 and it's pretty shallow front to back so it's not much different then carrying a briefcase. The Markbass 1x12 or newer GK stuff is bigger, bulkier and get a bigger sound. That being said for this purpose, wearing a tux, maybe having to walk a long distance or up and down stairs I find it works best. I originally had one for years 20 years ago, after it died I tried to replace it with the latest and greatest and eventually went back to this.

If you decide to squeeze the tone hammer in your bag a little Ampeg 210AV is an easy schlep as a small seperate.
Click to expand...

Good call - I forgot all about that 200mb combo. The size is perfect for carrying in one hand when there's a distance. May try to find one...
 
#11
peterpalmieri said:
I use an old GK 200mb combo for this kind of stuff. It's super easy to carry around and sounds pretty good. It's a metal casing and a sealed 12" speaker, used you can find them for $300 and it's pretty shallow front to back so it's not much different then carrying a briefcase. The Markbass 1x12 or newer GK stuff is bigger, bulkier and get a bigger sound. That being said for this purpose, wearing a tux, maybe having to walk a long distance or up and down stairs I find it works best. I originally had one for years 20 years ago, after it died I tried to replace it with the latest and greatest and eventually went back to this.

If you decide to squeeze the tone hammer in your bag a little Ampeg 210AV is an easy schlep as a small seperate.
Click to expand...

Is that the one they're calling the MB150 these days?

Gallien-Krueger MB150S-112III 150W MicroBass Combo Amp
 

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