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combo or cab?

J

joebass93

Feb 21, 2009
42
0
#1
I consider myself a beginner (4 years, practice about 2 hours a day?) and I am in high school, playing for the jazz band. I have a really nice mexican deluxe series fener jazz bass, but just the beginner pack combo amp (rumble amp I think). I'm saving up for a new amp, and I've heard some good suggestions, but I want to know:

combo or cab?

I've heard cabs are better, but I've also seen the price tag, and ouch. I'm in high school and don't play in a band (I just quit). I want something that has great low ends and can pack a punch when I slap. It needs to be probably...at least 250 watts? but most important is tone. My price range is probably from about 500-700 dollars, which kinda screws with the cab idea.

I was wondering, which do you guys think I should get with just the money I have. EXPLAIN please. thanks.
 
#2
Look for some used equipment. Also if you buy good used equipment, you should be able to sell it for close to what you paid for it. Always try before you buy and examine the speakers to make sure the cones are not creased.

I like the versatility a head and cab combination allows, you may start with an amp and a single 15" cab and you could add a 2x10" cab later if you need it. Some combos also let you add an extension cab, but many do not.
 
#3
thanks. unfortunately, my local music shop doesn't offer much. i like them, but eh. I'll have to go down to guitar center. I tried a peavey bam 210 (combo with an extension for cab) for I didn't like the sound. I'll have to look at some other stores.
 
#4
this general topic has been done many times. You did add your specific price expectations to it, but perhaps, you should first search on the topic here at TB ("combo vs head and cab"), then after you read the many posts, you can narrow the advice down to help make your decision.

Now, to your question. For the upper end of the money you are thinking of ($700), I think you can easily make it happen with either form ... combo or head & cab. Go used for sure, try as much gear as you possibly can, don't feel pushed into a quick decision (unless you find the perfect piece of gear :cool:) and you will be fine.

Older/used GK, SWR, Trace, Peavey, Nemesis, Yorkville, Hartke stuff (pretty wide selection really) will be in your range. I have seen Peavey heads in the 400w range listed for $2-300. Take a look at used Avatar cabs; decent cabs that are very inexpensive when new to begin with, you can find this gear used all the time at very reasonable prices. I have seen 2x12 cabs go for $200 on TB.

For instance, in the classifieds there are a number of combinations of very reasonable gear you could get for your money right now. Take a look., search is your friend.

The combo vs head & cab debate is endless. I currently prefer combos myself, but I understand why other players like the head and cab config. Ultimately this is just preference debate, there really is no right answer.

good luck
 
#6
If you'll continue to play just in the school jazz band, a nice 2x10 combo - or 2x10 cab plus head - should be just fine for you. If you'll be joining/forming a rock/pop/funk band, a 2x12 or 4x10 cab or combo would be preferable, IMHO...

For a 2x10, around 300 watts would be plenty, 200-250 watts would be adequate. For the 2x12 or 4x10, I'd try to get a good 400-500 watts, if possible.

I personally own a couple of Nemesis combo amps - a 2x10 and a 4x10 - that would be ideal for these respective purposes. But as has been suggested, you have lots of options - especially if you buy used...

I bought the Nemesis NC210 (2x10 combo) a couple of years ago on the aftermarket - for only $275 shipped from North Carolina to New York. It goes deep, it's loud, and it's punchy as can be. In my opinion, either an NC210 or the newer version RS210 would be perfect for playing in the school jazz band.

MM
 
#7
Search is your friend, I found several options on craigslist and the newspaper.

I happened into a local pawn shop to look for some out of print CD's and there was my new setup. A Peavey Max Bass 450 and a Pro 210 cabinet. I ended up buying the set for $300

Unfortunatley it had a bad speaker but $89.99 later I'm all hooked up and still ahead of the game.

Be patient when you look, you'll come up with something. I remember when I was back in high school in '84, I was shopping for a new bass. Impulse and lack of patience got to me. I ended up with with a really cool looking, goofy 80's shaped bass that sounded like total crap.

It was hard to say if it was the bass or the Peavey Basic 60 amp that I had, but what a mistake none the less.

Good deals are out there, just have to dig a little for them.
 
#8
FenderAmpeg said:
+1

Although I (personally) would try and go cab/head if you can with your budget, that way you could add or upgrade the cab in the future.
Click to expand...

I was trying not to rehash the VERY tired old combo vs head and cab discussion.:scowl:

Most professional grade combos can have an extension cab, and are perfectly expandable. This is not a reasonable argument against combos at all. been rehashed so many times. :rollno:

For instance, I have seen the Mesa Walkabout Scout 12 combo listed used for right around the OP's upper end $$ expectations. The Walkabout can have a extension cab added, no problem, and would, feature/spec-wise, absolutely stomp on so many head/cab combinations it's not funny.

So, why don't we let the OP read the nearly endless combo vs head/cab debates and make up his own mind. I was trying to evenhandedly let him know that, what ever option he decided on, he coudl probably get it together for the $$ range he was thinking of:cool:
 
#9
Before you buy, try and at least download the manual for the amp and read it very carefully. Not all combo amps let you hook up an extension cabinet. I know the $1,000 Ampeg BA600 did not (I don't know about current production models.) My early Fender BXR 200 did not. My B200R does not, but I got it to only use by itself.
 

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