Biggest bang from the smallest combo?

[Benjamin Earl]

+1 for used MB cmd 121p. I just found one on ebay for less than $500.

 

[Double E]

The more I play my Markbass CMD121P, the more I realize that this is one serious piece of equipment. This thing fills a small club with a crowd while competing with two loud guitarists without even breathing hard. I got a great deal right here in the classifieds. It's at the top end of your budget at used pricing but they are loud, light and reliable.

 

[leurw]

If you like your GK 2-12, then why not buy one of their smaller 1-12 units? They seem pretty capable. I'm intrigued by their modular approach - the 1-12 is 200 watts, the extension cabinet - if you want to go 2-12, includes a self-powered 200-watt slave. I've seriously contemplated selling my higher-end stuff (Audiokinesis/Thunderfunk), getting those two and calling it a day…

Also, note on the little 1-12 MarkBass combo….great concept, love that 500-watt head, but I find the cabinet boxy-sounding and unsatisfying.

This is exactly what I have. The MB112 combo with the 112MBP powered extension cab. The whole 400W rig is 56-pounds TOTAL and can be split into two for smaller gigs. I use just the combo with volume at 1/4 when playing 3 piece (keys, acoustic, vocals all going through small PA) and I will use the whole stack for nearly anything...Not to mention you can usually find the combos for $250ish and the powered extension for $220ish.

 

[angrychair]

I own and love my TC Electronics BG250 115 combo. I hear the 210 also rocks. Only perceivable drawback is you can't run an extension cab off of it, as it's not an option and already at 4ohms

It is super light, and keeps up with a drummer and guitarist rocking 100w head through 212

 

[tombowlus]

The loudest, most full/deep sounding tiny combo amps I have tried are the AER amp one and amp three. Of course, they are probably out of your price range, though you might be able to get close if you find a good deal on a used one.

If that does not pan out, the newer GK, Fender, Ampeg and Hartke combos are very compelling, and many of them pass the "pinky lift test."

 

[pappabass]

I have a SWR workingmans 12 that is really cool. You can find these used.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Especially being where you are, I would check out the Carvin combo - there have to be tons of them out there.

 

[ColonelZulu]

Should be an easy equation.

db's per cubic inch or pound.

 

[GBassNorth]

+1

I've never been a Peavey amp fan but these look interesting, I'll have to check one out. Thanks

 

[GBassNorth]

I imagine a Markbass would do you well, they seem to pack a punch in a small footprint.

Side note if you ever wanna sell the GK, hit me up!

Will do.

 

[macteacher]

For years my rig has been a Bergantino HT112 with the optional 112 cabinet extension for bigger stages and either a walter woods 1200w blue light head or an acoustic image Claurus head.

Used in in NYC for electric/standup, 4 string, 6 string, whatever.

Love that fact that the two 112s come apart so the whole thing can sit in a backseat and with only one cabinet it travels well on subways on a hand cart with a cover.

I've never looked back.

 

[GBassNorth]

The problem with the lead sled big power amp heads is that they struggle at lower volume levels. The problem is trying to dial them down low enough in a bedroom / front room context and that puts quite a strain on them. The problem with smaller powered practice combos is that in a larger room the amp can't dampen the cone enough and they sound indistinct and lost, they just can't project or push through. Some of the newer class D amps seem to be better at doing lower sound levels than the big rigs of old and they seem good at the high power stuff too. So my advice is to seek a decent class D combo. I would seriously look up the new Ashdown Evo Rootmaster range. The new 1x12 looks very capable. At 500w and 14kgs...it should be top of your list. I've been running a 420w head since Christmas and it's astonishing how well is caters for bedroom practice levels and "fill a 200 seater" situation with relative ease. Naturally, add a 2nd cab (again the new Ashdows 1x12 is looking good) to get the most spl / wattage out of this class D amp and you have a very capable rig / combo that can do most things before needing PA support in larger venues.
I've also been amazed at the MarkBass CMD 121P, it's a small and powerful package but running a class A/B power amp. It's smaller than the Ashdown and I don't know if it can handle the lower volume levels as well as the Ashdown...but it's reputation is mustard (as they say in London) and probably more available state side. My only criticism of the Markbass is that i don't like the tone of their speakers. The Ashdown sound is far more my thang. But your mileage might vary.

Actually your tone comment is spot on and one of the reasons I haven't purchased the Markbass yet. I much prefer the richer smoother creamy tone of every Ashdown I've owned or played. The Markbass to my ears is a bit more two dimensional, it's plenty loud but maybe a bit more low mid focused with just not as rich and full a sound as the Ashdowns I've tried. I'll have to check out the rootmaster series.

 

[GBassNorth]

For years my rig has been a Bergantino HT112 with the optional 112 cabinet extension for bigger stages and a walter woods 1200w blue light head...

I've never looked back.

Let's see, a cost of well over $3000 for a 12" rig I can use on casual garage or living room jam sessions or practice and will never be used for giging. I think I'll pass on that one, but I'm sure it does sound fantastic.

 

[buldog5151bass]

For something like that, I would go used every time. As I said, there have to be Carvin coming out the woodwork in CL there.

 

[Mr_Martin]

I've never been a Peavey amp fan but these look interesting, I'll have to check one out. Thanks

The 115 is nice too:

 

[Sam Dingle]

I'm enjoying a Genz Benz 12" speaker with a TC electronic b250 head. Small, light and can easily overpower a big band.

 

[Honch]

If you don't mind separating the head and speaker, a lightweight class D of Markbass, or similar, then BAREFACED brand new ONE TEN would be perfect fit. The new nano from markbass at 300 W and this:

Invalid Link Removed

Ohh... dear, how big this pic turned out. But sorry, it's almost actual real size... ahh, well maybe that's a stretch...


but Barefaced has - on this one - put the tweeter inside the woofer, so it's a concentric speaker. This is with steel grill. With soft cloth grill : 7 KG / 14.5 LBS 15" high x 11.5" wide x 11" deep. Plus that little Nano from Markbass...weight: 3.2 LBS /1.45 kg WDH: 7.87x8.27x2.09 inches. You could ALMOST carry the amp in you inner pocket of a fluffy huge alpine coat, and wear that Barefaced as a hefty backpack. And your bass case with bass in one hand. If you have huge Mono case the Mark nano fits in one of the pockets.

Barefaced Bass - One 10

This is the only one taking a low B at that size 10 inch.

 

[groooooove]

i was in the market for the same thing a while back and am very happy with my markbass 2x6" combo. they now make it in a 2x8", but i really dig it with the 6" speakers. 20 lbs, convienent size/shape to bring anywhere. i use it to practice as well as teaching. great for upright, too.

 

[Wesley R]

One of the things I loved about my BA112 is it easily was seat belted in along with my bass case in the passenger side of my pickup. Mt Trace Elliot BLX 80 could be made to sound similar to a Portaflex. My current amp is a Genz Benz Intro 50(?), It is a gass of an amp.

Best of Luck,
Wesley R.

 

[jlepre]

The more I play my Markbass CMD121P, the more I realize that this is one serious piece of equipment. This thing fills a small club with a crowd while competing with two loud guitarists without even breathing hard. I got a great deal right here in the classifieds. It's at the top end of your budget at used pricing but they are loud, light and reliable.

and is WAY over the OPs $500 budget.