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Biggest bang from the smallest combo?

#21
BG250-208 user here. I don't play a 5 string so won't say for certain that it can handle it on it's own however I know when I pair it with a RS112 cabinet, it will have zero problem handling a low B. What I like about the BG250-208 is that it is the BH250 head, crammed into a 2x8" cab with the choice of using the 2x8" speakers plus an extension cab (via speakon connector) or disconnecting the 2x8" speakers from the head and using two 8 ohm cabs of your choice. It gives you some room to grow as you do. May be a bit more than you are looking to spend when you factor in the cabs but it's a very versatile combo unit.

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#22
drpepper said:
Hmm...I don't know about "a lot" of single 8" or 10". IMHO and IME (and generalizing), once you drop below a 112, you run into the amp's capabilities really being at the mercy of the drummer. Just my opinion, but "some 10s and some drummers"...sure, and I don't know of the single 8" that could be counted on to stand in next to any drummer.

I demoed a TCE BG250-208 and found that it performed great for rehearsals with one band. I took it to an outdoor (clubhouse-side on a golf course) acoustic gig, and it also did great. I took it to rehearsal with a different drummer, and it couldn't keep up. That threshold (brick wall) was impossible to see when playing with the first drummer.

I also think too much stock is put into the idea of "handling a low B". Pretty much any amp can "handle" a 5-string bass...from there it's a question of how loud? And answering that is going to vary from person to person and experience to experience.

Another amp you might consider is the Carvin MB115. I used the extension cabinet form of the same amp with a separate head. I found it to be very capable. You use the word "footprint" in the OP...the Carvin 115 is, I believe, the same size as the 112, and it's an extremely compact cabinet design.
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Carvin does have some neat looking stuff at great prices. I just wish I could try one before I buy it.
 
#23
Bodeeni said:
A little class D head and a 1-12" cab can go a long way. Sell the 2-12 and get a second 1-12 cab for bigger gigs
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Gonna stick with a combo on this purchase. I already have all the giging rigs I need. Just looking for something even smaller than my GK 210 for this particular application. But thanks any way. However, your advice is spot on for 90% of the small rig applications out there. I'm just in that other 10% right now.
 
#24
MNAirHead said:
I do tons of this stuff...

Roland keyboard amp..
MB200 + a 110 or 112 cab
sometimes a bose l1 compact

I've tried just about every small amp.. they didn't hold it.. I tried the promethean.. close but not articulate enough for my taste.

I've played the TC 2-8 amp.. it was just ok..

Seems as if the cabinets are where these fall down (hence the mb200 + 10)
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Again, thanks. And I'd normally agree with you on separates but in this particular application I know a micro will work. If the Markbass 121 CMP wasn't so darn expensive I'd have already solved this problem. It's about the footprint and sound I'm after but it's pricing is crazy.
 
#25
GBassNorth said:
Again, thanks. And I'd normally agree with you on separates but in this particular application I know a micro will work. If the Markbass 121 CMP wasn't so darn expensive I'd have already solved this problem. It's about the footprint and sound I'm after but it's pricing is crazy.
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The pricing is high because it's worth it, that little guy can fill a room. I love GK and Ampeg but the Rumble combos are so light and loud, that gets my vote.
 
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#27
What about one of the other GK MB combos with a single 12? You like your MB212, so maybe a smaller version would do you right - MB112?

I have the GK MB110. I use it for home practice and sometimes accompanying a single electric guitar. I've never had to push it hard to test its volume limits, and it does fine w/ my low B at the volume levels at which I've used it.
 
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#30
I'm a Carvin MB fan. I play the MB15 but the MB can be had as a single 10, 2/10. 3 way 12, or the 15. Very small light footprint even with the 15. You can add an extension that would easily handle small to medium gigs, plus it has a line out for the PA if needed. The biggest drawback as you have already observed is not getting to try one before you purchase one.
 
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#32
i really liked my Carvin MB10 ... light weight , single 10 , tweeter w/switch , nice options ... sold mine to my young cousin to get himself going on electric bass ...

i now have a Ibby Promethean 3110 , 200 watts ... i liked the Carvin much better ... they both will drive another cab if needed ... as will the TC BG250 2x8 ( non of the other models will ) ... also tried a few tilt back combos over the last few years ... fender , swr , plus - i can't remember ..!?!

sadly i think the Phil Jones stuff looks rather over priced ..?? especially now that the cheaper stuff is MIC ! like the really small MarkBass amps ... the 801 , 802 , 2x6 or whatever for 500-800 bucks ..?! really ?

the new Fender Rumbles and newer small GK models all look pretty nice ... just depends on which features you need now , or later .?!!
 
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#34
bholder said:
The Phil Jones Briefcase does pretty well for a very small size (about the size of a regular PC). Not inexpensive, however. Can handle a B quite well if you don't have to push it too loud. Won't find one under $500, but if you do, buy it.
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Saw Ed Friedland doing a seminar on Scott's Bass Lessons last week and he had one of these. Picked it up with one hand while sitting and holding his bass. He was taking it on a tour to practice his six string, no mention of how broadly it could be used. Looked like he had the 70w model and I've seen one that's 100w.

Price is stout but looks really versatile.
 
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#35
GB Shuttle. Designed to go loud and not blow itself up playing low notes. I have a Fender Bassman 25 that is OK, but I wouldn't ever run it wide open. I've run my Shuttle wide open before with no harm done when a sound guy wouldn't mic or take a line out.

175 watts into an 8 with a tweeter. Weighs under 13lbs.
 
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#37
Bassamatic said:
VERY highly rated is the Acoustic B200 - According to those who have used it, it is plenty loud, sounds good and not too expensive, plus you can find them on the used market.
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I also considered making this recommendation, and the only reason I held off was the weight. I had one and I believe it weighed north of 60 lbs, but strictly in terms of sound, it was perfectly adequate for small to medium gigs. It also handled a B string without difficulty.

MarkBass stuff is pricey, but I'll still throw a vote behind the CMD121P for sound and ease of handling. They're rated 300 watts without an extension cabinet, they sound a whole lot bigger than they are, but are under 30 lbs. These days I think they list in the $900 range new (and I've seen them on sale for as little as $800), but are definitely worth looking for used. I had an eye out for a CMD121P + NY121 stack for about 8 months and found one in a local shop, spotless, at just $850 all in. Suffice to say I pulled the trigger immediately and that's the only rig I'm running right now. For a small endeavor, I just throw the combo in the trunk and away I go. For medium sized gigs, I add the extension cab. B strings are a complete non-issue, and I have never run the master past the halfway mark...anywhere, ever.
 
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#40
The Phil Jones Super Flightcase has no problem keeping up with a fairly loud drummer and guitarist. I gig with my outdoors all the time and it sounds incredibly good and plenty loud.

Another PJB option is the Suitcase Compact, which is even smaller and sounds fantastic. With a C4 extension cabinet, you get 500Wrms of PJB and 8 5" drivers, which is plenty to fill a good sized room - and it'll handle a Low B with ease.
 
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