Double Bass Combo for DB on a budget

[Tom Baldwin]

I'm looking for a combo, suitable for DB, in the $500-$700 range. It's not for me, but for the university where I teach. It has to have enough power to keep up with a big band. It has to be a combo for practicality and durabilty. All of the typical DB stuff is too expensive, so I wonder if I'm searching in vain. One thing that caught my attention was the Eden N28S, a 120 watt 2x8 unit. Anybody have any experience with this, or anything else to recommend? Many thanks.

 

[Tom Baldwin]

Ampeg PBC-228? 200 watts and another 2x8. Looks like two channels with independent EQ. Anybody seen or tried it?

 

[mchildree]

If you can find a used (or new) SWR WM-12, those sound pretty good and are tough as nails.

 

[Marc Piane]

If you can find a used (or new) SWR WM-12, those sound pretty good and are tough as nails.

+1

 

[Alexi David]

I'll give another heads up for the SWR, though I have the one with the 10" speaker. Check the classifieds here on TB.

 

[Ed Fuqua]

Chances are, if he's buying for an institution it's gotta be new and has to be carried in at least two local stores so that they can be sure they are getting the best possble price.

Which is why so many small schools end up with Peavey stuff...

 

[Wilbyman]

If you can find a used (or new) SWR WM-12, those sound pretty good and are tough as nails.

Had one for DB for quite a while, loved it and works great for BG as well. Definitely tough as nails. Much better than the WM10

 

[Wxp4759cb]

I'd look for something with a warranty. The amps at my university get broken constantly from being used by so many people.

 

[greitzer]

Had one for DB for quite a while, loved it and works great for BG as well. Definitely tough as nails. Much better than the WM10

Yes, I have to recommend against the SWR 10-inch ("workingman's 10") if you're going to use it in a big band setting. I play Thursday nights in a big band, and I've got the SWR Workingmans 10, and it doesn't have enough power for a DB to be heard amidst the horns and drums in a big band setting. For smaller gigs it's fine.

I don't have any expeirence with the Workingmans 12 but perhaps it's louder. Good luck.

 

[Jeremy Allen]

The New England Conservatory kept an SWR WM-12 around for visiting artist/general use. It was loud, durable, and fairly easy for anyone to get an acceptable tone out of. So that's, what, +3?
They make a 15" version too, right? That might also be worth checking out.

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

They make a 15" version too, right? That might also be worth checking out.

-1.

They do, and it sounds great for BG, but in my experience with it, they should change the name to "Workingman's Mud" when they sell 'em to DB players. FWIW, YMMW, SOL, ***, IMO, PDQBach, etc.

 

[Jeremy Allen]

...***...

I'm telling! Moooooom! Chris said the "F" word!

Too bad about the 15", because the 10" sounds terrible too (AAA). One out of three ain't bad, though...Except that the 12" isn't GREAT, but it is a fairly good work-horse kind of amp.


PS I submit "AAA" = "apply appropriate acronym." My little contribution to the breakdown of modern communication...

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

I'm telling! Moooooom! Chris said the "F" word!

Huh? What? I meant "Way Too Fat".

 

[ToneRanger]

One thing that caught my attention was the Eden N28S, a 120 watt 2x8 unit.

I haven't tried the new budget Nemesis line (Silver Series) but I gigged with a Nemesis 210 for a few years and found it was a great sounding, reliable unit. I used it mainly for BG, but Nemesis (and Eden) speakers have a fairly neutral hi-fi sound that works well for URB and the preamp has good tone-shaping flexibility.

The Eden CXC110 is another great little combo that works well for BG or URB.

 

[Marc Piane]

I'm telling! Moooooom! Chris said the "F" word!

Too bad about the 15", because the 10" sounds terrible too (AAA). One out of three ain't bad, though...Except that the 12" isn't GREAT, but it is a fairly good work-horse kind of amp.

I have the wm10 and wm 12. I've had good success with both. The wm10 sounds better if you use a preamp. I use the sansamp. I think the wm12 is unbeatable at the pricepoint.

 

[Francois Blais]

The wm10 sounds better if you use a preamp.

It sounds even better coupled with a SWR 1x10T extension cab.
Alone, I have to boost the bass pot up to about 3 o'clock, but with the extension cab, I leave the bass pot in the middle, and have a little more power from the amp.

 

[Tom Baldwin]

Thanks for all the replies. Looks like the WM12 is a popular choice. Any drawbacks or anyone ever have a problem that needed servicing? Thanks again.

 

[justBrian]

I think you can get a new GK150MB from Rik's Music for about $700. Email them for a quote. Invalid Link Removed

 

[Wilbyman]

Thanks for all the replies. Looks like the WM12 is a popular choice. Any drawbacks or anyone ever have a problem that needed servicing? Thanks again.

I beat the crap out of mine for the better part of 8 years after buying it used. I think one of the inputs started going bad at the very end, but you wouldn't believe the abuse I wreaked on it. When I left school, I just decided it was time to retire it. I put it out on the curb with the trash (IE, nearly everything else in my apartment) and said my farewell.

 

[Tom Baldwin]

Well, I'm still mulling this over. I can't help be skeptical about the WM12 in a big band setting, being only 120/160 watts.

I'm considering also the Ashdown MAG C210T-300. On paper, it seems to have potential:

300 watts for more headroom
2x10" drivers for quicker response (compared to 12s)
3.9M input impedence for piezos
flexible EQ

Yes, but how does it sound? If anyone has used one, I'd love to hear your thoughts. I guess the wattage thing is only part of the equation, and speaker efficiency must also be a factor.

The only drawback I can see so far is the weight, at 70 lbs., but this is not an issue for us as it will stay in the building and can be put on a dolly for transport.