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Best combo for $300?

Sparkdog

Sparkdog

Sep 18, 2006
1,572
970
Burbank, CA
#1
I need to tap the vast TB well of knowledge!

I need a small lightweight combo, mainly for acoustic and backstage quickie rehearsals. I don't intend to gig with this, I have several heads and cabs for that.

I basically want something I can easily carry in one hand but has enough thump to be heard and felt in a low volume setting like 2 acoustic guitars and some hand percussion.

I have a little Fender that's 25 watts and a 10" speaker, that's not quite enough horsepower to get it done, tends to fart out when I dial in enough bass to feel it, so I think I need to go one or two notches above this.

I would be willing to spend in the neighborhood of $300 and thare are a LOT of combos out there for that price.

What do you guys recommend?
 
#3
Had one of these for a while and it served me well, the only complaint was that a couple of the push-buttons on the control plate were weak and started to stick after a while. For its size, the sound is robust, its not too heavy, and it has fairly rugged construction.
JS
 
#5
that they don't exist, except in the GK Marketing department's imagination, and a few samples they had at NAMM.

Same with the MB212, which I was ready to buy but cannot find anywhere.

They've been advertised for months on end, but the ship dates keep getting pushed back, which pisses me off, but whatever...I'm going to buy the amp I need TODAY, not whenever GK gets their act together.
 
#6
I was recently in this same situation where I have a couple of larger rigs but got tired of carrying them to small venues/practices that don't require much power. I was set on the Acoustic B20 and would have purchased one but my local GC was out and their two display models were trashed...they did sound good though and were louder than what I expected. After playing several combos in the sub $300 range I ended up with the Ampeg BA112. I really like the tilt back feature and the tone that comes from this amp. The BA112 is worth checking into IMO. If the Acoustic B20 meets your needs I would recommend it too.
 
#8
Interesting...the BA112 is one I looked at online, but I have heard so many bad things about Ampeg quality it scared me off.

So you really feel it's a solid amp huh?

I'm trying to get over to my local GC today, I need this for rehearsal tomorrow if at all possible.

Thanks guys.
 
#9
FWIW i have the BA115 (no experience with the 112) and it's been a workhorse. the main complaint with these is a bit of tweeter hiss but it's easy enough to manage with the EQ. fairly warm sound for a solid state combo, and it hangs tough when cranked.
 
#10
I've also heard some bad stories regarding Ampeg. The problem I kept running into was that the high quality combo amps were all expensive. There was not a combo amp under $300 (that I could find) that I would really consider high quality.

I did feel the BA112 was decent quality for the price. I didn't go into the store planning on buying, or even looking at, the BA112; it just happened to be the best for the price IMO. The sound quality was really my main factor in making the decision. If I was looking for a big main rig I would definitely steer clear of Ampeg just because there are so many other companies that have better construction, support, and reliability.

Since you have a local GC you can at least see and hear for yourself what combo best fits your needs.
 
#11
bwv1013 said:
FWIW i have the BA115 (no experience with the 112) and it's been a workhorse. the main complaint with these is a bit of tweeter hiss but it's easy enough to manage with the EQ. fairly warm sound for a solid state combo, and it hangs tough when cranked.
Click to expand...

Unlike the BA115, the BA112's don't use a tweeter so that shouldn't be an issue. They still have the capability of getting a nice trebly, bright sound if you want it...which really surprised me.
 
#13
I'm in a similar situation. Need a combo mainly for solo practice and recording, so doesn't have to be really loud or built like a tank, just sound good and be maximum $300.

It's just mind-boggling how many practice amps under $300 exist!
Was looking into the BA112 myself but keep hearing so many conflicting reports about it.

Would really appreciate more recommendations, thanks!
Are the Fender/Peavey/Marshall amps in that price range to be avoided?

Also, was surprised to find Carvin had a 120 Watt/15" combo for $339! (on sale), but not like I can actually try one out. Although probably overkill for my current needs... Invalid Link Removed
 
#14
Hey guys, for anyone still following this, I have now had a chance to play a few combos and here's my take on them:

EBS Classic Session 60. 60 watts, 10" speaker, 36 pounds, $399 - This is a brand new combo that the Bass Exchange in LA got at NAMM, they think it's the only one in America at the moment! Size and weight are super important to me here, so this one definitely met those requirements. Sounded good too, but it just wasn't loud enough. I turned it up all the way and it still would not have really cut it in the rehearsal I had today...2 acoustic guitars, 3 singers (no PA), keyboard thru a tiny combo, small drum kit with mutes, and me.

GK MB115. 200 watts, 15" speaker, 35 pounds, $399 - This thing sounded really good, I'm not really a 15 guy but I liked this. But it's really too big for what I want and more than I want to spend. I'll bet that MB112 would be on the money though (if they ever actually make some)

Acoustic B20. 20 watts, 12" speaker, weight unknown, $149 - Perfect size and weight, but not even close to the volume level I'm looking for and was farting out long before it got to max.

Ampeg BA112. 50 watts, 12" speaker, 36? pounds, $279 - I liked this one the best of all I played. Tone was quite nice. Size and weight are great too, but again, when I got the bass and volume to a level that moved me it was breaking up.

I also looked at the Acoustic 260, that's a mini rig that looks like an 810 with a head, and the Ampeg version that's very similar. They're cute alright, but they are 2 pieces (head and cab) and the same size as my Carvin BRX2.10neo which I know would crush them in every way...what's the point?

I also looked at the Markbass combo with a Little Mark II head and a single 12" speaker in a 28 pound cube. That looks like a serious combo man, but at $900 I didn't dare plug it in so I'll never know :)

The best option I tried in my search was an Epifani UL2-110 with my Carvin BX500 head. THAT sounded pretty damn badass, but I could still break up the speaker and especially the tweeter if I dug into it hard.

I guess what I learned is that I may be expecting too much from ANY combo that I can either afford, or is in the size and weight range I want. I also concluded that any single 10" speaker, no matter how good, was probably not going to give me what I want.

So now I'm thinking I need to find a great 12" speaker in the smallest, lightest box available and hook it to the BX500. I saw some Epifani's and Aguilars today, but they look kinda big to me, and sure are expensive.

If it's not small and light, then I may as well use my 210. That thing lacks NOTHING in the tone or volume departments, but weighs 46 pounds.

Next stop...Avatar!

if you can help this troubled soul, please chime in :crying:
 

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