Best combo amp under 25 pounds?

[Jughead6]

I'm gonna add a +1 for TCE. The BG250-208 is 25lb and can handle an extension cabinet. Plus you get the toneprint thing.

Besides that, every store in my region carries Fender, Ampeg and Mark Bass and I am sick of seeing them.

 

[Whippet]

I'm gonna add a +1 for TCE. The BG250-208 is 25lb and can handle an extension cabinet. Plus you get the toneprint thing.

Besides that, every store in my region carries Fender, Ampeg and Mark Bass and I am sick of seeing them.

I have that 250-208 and added the Phil Jones C4 to it. It now sounds really good. Apparently I wasn't the only one who did this and got results.

 

[JakobT]

But combos suck not because of their tone or anything. But the fact that if the amp breaks, you can't use the cab. If the cab breaks you can't use the amp. I have two combos and both the Warwick and the TC Electronic both crapped out.

I had to send them both back due to electrical failure and thank god the store paid for the shipping because it would have been so much money due to the weight.

I learned that the best is to get a light head and a light cab.

It may be the best for you, but mileage does vary. The thing is, every time somebody here on TB comes out and says they want or need a combo, fellow members fall over themselves to try to convince them of the error of their ways.

This amazes me. Of course everyone knows that if the amp section of a combo craps out, you can't use the cabinet, and vice versa, and that this is one thing that separates do better than combos. On the other hand, it's also a little like advising people not to buy a pair of gloves, because if you lose one, you can't use the other.

For many people, myself included, there are considerations that outweigh this, such as having only one unit to carry, not having to worry about matching the amp and the cab, not having to worry about extra leads etc. So there really is no "best". There is only what works for me, and what works for you. And those things are not necessarily the same.

 

[cruzois]

Acoustic Image make amazing tiny combos, no bigger than a hatbox, and I gig with one regularly.

made in usa.great guys.

 

[bigtone23]

I can't recommend the CMD121P enough. It's small, loud and light. Best grab and go amp I have ever bought.

 

[Kirk Bryant]

AER makes some of the best combos on the planet. Check out AER-amps.com Not cheap but they will kick most of the combos mentioned to the curb.

 

[Kirk Bryant]

Forgot to mention check out Ed Friedland, the bass whisperer on YouTube for a review. He thinks they're great, therefor they are! I was surprised to see GC is carrying them. Though I doubt you'll see too many in stores.

 

[Whippet]

You want a good combo? I owned the AER amp one. That is a good combo. It's 29 lbs. You can not go wrong with that. I would have kept mine but I needed 240 volts.

The only minor drawbacks was the price and when you cranked it up, it got loud, but it also sounded like it was going to fall apart. Not that it was going to fall apart , but it sounds like that because the entire amp makes the sound, not just the speakers. All said and done, I regret selling that combo.

 

[JakobT]

I just gave an opinion to elgecko. Opinion. You get it? Not a definitive statement.

I wasn't talking to you. What amazes me is how personally you take my opionion I was sharing with elgecko. Am I not allowed to make an opinion? In fact later on, I even say that the Mesa Walkabout Scout is most likely a killer combo.

Stop taking everything so personally. Especially when I wasn't even talking to you. You don't like my opionion? Then don't read it.

Actually, I did not take your post personally at all, like yourself I was expressing an opinion - it seemed a good opportunity, since you brought the subject up. I apologize if I offended you, but there was really no call for you to take my post personally either, as it was a general observation based on your post.

 

[Whippet]

Actually, I did not take your post personally at all, like yourself I was expressing an opinion - it seemed a good opportunity, since you brought the subject up. I apologize if I offended you, but there was really no call for you to take my post personally either, as it was a general observation based on your post.

Sorry, didn't mean to be so offensive. Deleted my comment. Once again my apologies. JFYI, Mesa Walkabout Scout. I can't get it out of my mind. How can anyone go wrong with that? Great cabinet and detachable head proven head. I would pull the trigger if I didn't get that Fibenare Globe 5 just the other day........ Well all things considered, my credit card is starting a clean slate next month!!!!

 

[JakobT]

Sorry, didn't mean to be so offensive. Deleted my comment. Once again my apologies. JFYI, Mesa Walkabout Scout. I can't get it out of my mind. How can anyone go wrong with that? Great cabinet and detachable head proven head. I would pull the trigger if I didn't get that Fibenare Globe 5 just the other day........ Well all things considered, my credit card is starting a clean slate next month!!!!

No harm done. I might not have expressed myself as clearly as I would have liked. We all want the best for our fellow bass players, and we all have ideas to share. There's enough good options for everyone out there that we can all find something that works.

 

[GMC]

If I was in your situation, I would get a Barefaced Super midget 1x12" cab, which is an ultra small and ultra light cab and use it with your tone hammer 500. That way you get a super light "combo" which has a super flat output and lots of power.
But if I was in the market for a one box solution...I would probably get a Markbass 121P combo.

 

[vision]

There are Class D micro amps out there that will fit in the front pocket of a soft bass case. My Puma 500 easily fits there and weighs 2.5 lbs. So no load-in advantage for a combo.

I've been using micro heads for years, but I've personally never been comfortable with the idea of putting one in the front pocket of a gig bag. In terms of protection, I think it's best to have the bass in one bag/case and the micro head in another. Maybe that's just me though.

 

[vision]

It may be the best for you, but mileage does vary. The thing is, every time somebody here on TB comes out and says they want or need a combo, fellow members fall over themselves to try to convince them of the error of their ways.

This amazes me. Of course everyone knows that if the amp section of a combo craps out, you can't use the cabinet, and vice versa, and that this is one thing that separates do better than combos. On the other hand, it's also a little like advising people not to buy a pair of gloves, because if you lose one, you can't use the other.

For many people, myself included, there are considerations that outweigh this, such as having only one unit to carry, not having to worry about matching the amp and the cab, not having to worry about extra leads etc. So there really is no "best". There is only what works for me, and what works for you. And those things are not necessarily the same.

Yep. I've been using separate heads and cabs for 20 years at this point. So I know all the benefits of this. My main rig is a separate head and cab. I made this post specifically because I DON'T know about what combos are out there since I haven't used one as a main rig for over 20 years.

For this specific application, the number one concern is the load in and load out - that's seriously even more important than volume or tone. I'm wearing a tux or a suit, having to park in a lot and walk a long distance inside country clubs, I sometimes don't have a separate room in which to put a cart, and the work I'm doing is just musical wallpaper to set the mood for a cocktail hour which shouldn't be loud at all.

There are also some cases that in need to bring my full rig for the full band set in addition to something for cocktail hour, which is in separate rooms. So I don't really want to have to unplug my TH500 to move between rooms during the gig.

So I need to be able to comfortably walk in, holding an amp in one hand. The Eden EC10 I've been using weighs 26 lbs and is RIGHT on the edge of what I'd consider comfortable walking a long distance holding, which is why I'm looking for something 25 lbs or lighter.

 

[JakobT]

Yep. I've been using separate heads and cabs for 20 years at this point. So I know all the benefits of this. My main rig is a separate head and cab. I made this post specifically because I DON'T know about what combos are out there since I haven't used one for over 20 years.

For this specific application, the number one concern is the load in and load out - that's seriously even more important than volume or tone. I'm wearing a tux or a suit, having to park in a lot and walk a long distance inside country clubs, I sometimes don't have a separate room in which to put a cart, and the work I'm doing is just musical wallpaper to set the mood for a cocktail hour which shouldn't be loud at all.

There are also some cases that in need to bring my full rig for the full band set in addition to something for cocktail hour, which is in separate rooms. So I don't really want to have to unplug my TH500 to move between rooms during the gig.

So I need to be able to comfortably walk in, holding an amp in one hand. The Eden EC10 I've been using weighs 26 lbs and is RIGHT on the edge of what I'd consider comfortable walking a long distance holding, which is why I'm looking for something 25 lbs or lighter.

I have a not dissimilar situation - I live in the city and don't own a car, so it's imperative that I can carry my entire rig around town and use public transportation if necessary. So a combo is a necessity for me, and I found what I needed in the Rumble 500, which is light enough and loud enough for my purposes, with great sound and a good price to boot. Happy combo hunting!

 

[Burwabit]

Markbass CMD 121P

And they're easy to try at most Guitar Centers.

 

[Bodeeni]

I am a total amp/cab guy but if I was doing your gig, I would definitely be checking out these new combos like the Rumble and others. $300 and 21lbs. I also have used the little Hartkes and Warwicks, but I think they weigh more. Mainly to handle their top end volume. But for a mellow gig, I would go light. You have to A+B them. They all seem to have their own EQ curve.

 

[vision]

Great tips everyone! I'm gonna make my way up to Guitar Center this weekend to check out the Rumble 100 and the Markbass combos. Also considering the GK Microbass. The Phil Jones Briefcase looks great but I wouldn't be able to test one out.

We'all see!

 

[lsabina]

The Phil Jones Briefcase looks great but I wouldn't be able to test one out.

But I think the Briefcase weighs more than 25 lbs. The Bass Cub is only 13. And I totally forgot about their new Session 77. I believe it too is lighter than a Briefcase. (Oops, just checked--it's 28 lbs.)

 

[jthisdell]

But combos suck not because of their tone or anything. But the fact that if the amp breaks, you can't use the cab. If the cab breaks you can't use the amp.

I have a broken Fender Bronco in my back room...