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Combo mania-HELP

E

emblymouse

exempt
Jan 22, 2006
5,395
1,475
#1
I've reached indecision and am giving myself a brain wedgie.
Help me out here with a replacement for my old GK MB150 12" combo (The little aluminum case guy) I need something with a little more oomph for rehearsals w/ drummers. It's all pretty mild mannered stuff but the amp had nothing left when I'd dig in. Other than that I love those amps. Must be near as small and under 30lbs. My vortex of amps include:

Phil Jones Flightcase (it fit the above criteria and a used one is in my budget. Oomph factor??)

MarkBass 121P combo-Still affordable used, sounds like it will kick more than most lil' guys. Tradeoff would be size and weight.

The Carvin MB110- Can it possibly do the job? Smallest and cheapest

Given what I was accustomed to with the GK I'd love to hear some sage advice. I can't demo any of these. Thanks y'all:bassist:
 
#3
I was looking at combos a few years ago and already had a Schroeder 15L which weighs around 35lbs. I bought a GK MB200 head which weighs 2.25 lbs and put it in my gig bag pocket. This combination was powerful and full of tone. I have played with drummer, 2 guitarists and a conga player with this rig. There are lighter cabs out there and I noticed that you are a Schroeder endorser....a mini 12 would be great. This head is the same one that is used in the combos that were recommended in the previous post.
 
#4
If you're handy...

Something similar happened to me several years ago. I liked the sound and portability of my MB150, but ran out of volume on some gigs. I was doing occasional work with a pop music band, plus playing with a 19-piece big-band on steroids.

I ended up building this:

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It weighs 17 pounds. With a micro head, the entire assemblage is physically larger but considerably louder than the MB150, while weighing less. You could use it as an extension to the MB150, and leave it at your rehearsal space.

Much more recently I caught the downsize bug and built something resembling the "Crazy 8" cabs that are now available. It's become my grab-and-go amp for 99% of my work, but probably on a par with the MB150 volume-wise.

I've had a hard time finding a combo that achieves what can be done with a micro head and lightweight speaker these days.
 
#6
The Markbass 121p is very solid. Packs a punch for what it is. The best 12" combo I've played so far was a Mesa Walkabout Scout...that one kicked like a mule. Too bad it doesnt fall within your requirements!

The GK MB112 is also very good. I found it lacking a certain...something in the tone though..especially after a while. Still a good combo though, nothing inherently wrong with it, really.
 
#7
I have a Markbass 121H combo that does pretty good, but if I ever bought another combo it would be the Jeff Berlin. But, that would be a bit heavier than your requirements. I've come to find that a 112 doesn't quite do what all I need except for small rehearsals and smallish gigs. But, I have played some medium-sized gigs with the 121H and did alright.
 
#10
emblymouse said:
Thanks for the posts, you guys got me unstuck! I've removed the combo blinders and am taking Gintaras's advice and going Schroeder mini 12+. Teeny weenie head yet to be determined:)
Click to expand...

I went from the GK MB200 ($175) to a Tone Hammer 350 ($400) both bought used. Quite a price difference but what a sound. Also the th350 is 3 lbs. Both heads are great at there price. With the Schroeder 12 you will be around 23 lbs with either head.
 
#11
OK, in for a penny, in for a pound- I have Mini12+ on the way, and Jorg is putting together a B+C loaded Mini 10 for me. I never seriously considered any of the micro heads for use with my main set up. The fact that this will just be for a rehearsal and home practice rig take some of the pressure off of what the amp needs to cover.I do need it to be small and light. If I have to carry 2 things instead of one combo it should be as EZ as possible.
I did buy and return a GK MB500 last year. It sounded pretty good but the knobs were so flimsy I was afraid it would not last long in my hands.
TH350 pushes all the right buttons but I am trying to keep this rig below the $600 mark if possible.
TC 450? A little larger than I would like, and it weighs almost as much as my Walkabout head did. I just can't get excited by the GenzBenz stuff, accept maybe the Streamliner.
 

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