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Combo or head+cab for beginner

T

Taz302

Jul 16, 2020
19
16
#1
Hello! This is my first message on this forum and English is not my main language. Thank you! :)

I have been learning bass for a few months. I currently have a Fender Rumble 25 but I mainly use a Digitech module to play with headphones and my computer. I would like to use another amplifier but I can't decide if I should take a combo or a head + cab. Mainly, I would like to use the head with my computer and the headphones to have a better "tone". In the future, of course I'll add a cab when necessary.

On the other hand, if I need to play at home without headphones I am afraid that the head + cab is overkill.

I also wouldn't want too small a combo if I play with friends (including a drummer). I don't want to buy stuff that won't last for my needs, I prefer a good choice first.

I have no problem buying used.

What do you think? Will a cab (not a big one) sound nice at home even at low volume?
 
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#5
I really like the ampeg Micro-CL 2x10". I think that would be a good "compromise" (small kit) and it's an Ampeg ;-) But I really have no idea if its 100 watt would be OK to play with a drummer. I like the fact that I would be available to separate the head and cab if I want to.
 
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#6
dbase said:
Welcome to Talkbass.
I still have my 1st 10" amp combo and it sits in the closet.
Your going to end up eventually with a head and cab so get the biggest you can afford. ;)
Click to expand...

I like the way you think! :D I love my Fender 25, but since it's just an 8" it's not so much fun to play without headphones. I don't mind getting a used head+cab, but I want to be able to use it in my basement. I don't think I'll gig in the near future lol
 
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#7
There are a few ways to look at this, but first of all, if you're concerned about how you sound through headphones, make sure you have really good ones.....otherwise nothing you buy will sound much better. Headphones aside, since you already have a small combo for practice, I'd advise separate head and cab as the next step......more flexible/versatile/modular in general. There's a TON of great used gear available (on TB and elsewhere), especially older, quality gear that's heavier than the newer stuff, if you're willing to carry some heavy pieces (or if the pieces you buy won't have to me moved frequently). The rest depends on your budget, wants and needs. I'd look for a head rated at 500 watts into 4 Ohms, and one 8 Ohm cab which will allow you to add another 8 Ohm cab in the future....then you can use either or both cabs. A pair of 112 or 115 or 210 cabs as an eventual rig is a good place to end up.
 
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#8
Taz302 said:
I like the way you think! :D I love my Fender 25, but since it's just an 8" it's not so much fun to play without headphones. I don't mind getting a used head+cab, but I want to be able to use it in my basement. I don't think I'll gig in the near future lol
Click to expand...
You will gig in the near future Grasshopper.. My gigging rig is also in the closet for now.. soon I will unleash hell on stage when I play our next gig. You'll get there, keep the faith. ;)
 
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#9
lomo said:
There are a few ways to look at this, but first of all, if you're concerned about how you sound through headphones, make sure you have really good ones.....otherwise nothing you buy will sound much better. Headphones aside, since you already have a small combo for practice, I'd advise separate head and cab as the next step......more flexible/versatile/modular in general. There's a TON of great used gear available (on TB and elsewhere), especially older, quality gear that's heavier than the newer stuff, if you're willing to carry some heavy pieces (or if the pieces you buy won't have to me moved frequently). The rest depends on your budget, wants and needs. I'd look for a head rated at 500 watts into 4 Ohms, and one 8 Ohm cab which will allow you to add another 8 Ohm cab in the future....then you can use either or both cabs. A pair of 112 or 115 or 210 cabs as an eventual rig is a good place to end up.
Click to expand...

Thanks a lot for your input. I have good headphones, they are fine for bass playing. Good sound. I want to be able to use the head/cab without my family or neighours screaming lol Will moderate or low volume will sound OK ? Sorry if it's a stupid question, I just don't want to have to crank the amp for the cab to sound good.
 
#11
I'd suggest a 210 combo of some kind. GK MB210 or Fender Rumble. There are others as well, but those are pretty common. Both have headphone out, and both are pretty powerful for their size.

I gig with a GK MB212 combo, and it is one of the best pieces of gear I've owned. Weighs 38 lbs, so I can pick it up with one hand, and I don't have to worry about extra cables/connections, etc... One box does it all.
 
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#12
68752051_1403677753103443_5184576510446534656_o.jpg
Cort CM150B is all you need at this time
 
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#13
backin82 said:
I'd suggest a 210 combo of some kind. GK MB210 or Fender Rumble. There are others as well, but those are pretty common. Both have headphone out, and both are pretty powerful for their size.

I gig with a GK MB212 combo, and it is one of the best pieces of gear I've owned. Weighs 38 lbs, so I can pick it up with one hand, and I don't have to worry about extra cables/connections, etc... One box does it all.
Click to expand...

Thanks!
 
#15
Taz302 said:
Thanks a lot for your input. I have good headphones, they are fine for bass playing. Good sound. I want to be able to use the head/cab without my family or neighours screaming lol Will moderate or low volume will sound OK ? Sorry if it's a stupid question, I just don't want to have to crank the amp for the cab to sound good.
Click to expand...

I bigger /better cab/rig will sound better and fuller even at very low/bedroom volume. I practice with overkill, cause it's the same rig I use with a drummer.....a 115 cab and an 800 watt amp........when played at whisper volume it sounds waaaaaay better than either of my 2 small combos (a GK MB 8" box and a pricey Phil Jones Double 4) played at the same volume.
 
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#16
lomo said:
I bigger /better cab/rig will sound better and fuller even at very low/bedroom volume. I practice with overkill, cause it's the same rig I use with a drummer.....a 115 cab and an 800 watt amp........when played at whisper volume it sounds waaaaaay better than either of my 2 small combos (a GK MB 8" box and a pricey Phil Jones Double 4) played at the same volume.
Click to expand...

Thanks a lot! That's exactly what I wanted to know.
 
#17
Welcome to TB! I've played for some time and coming from a 1000w head and 4x10 cab I have downgraded in size and modularity (is that a word?).

I use an Ampeg BA210 combo with a 2x10 extension cabinet. I get 450watts total or 300 with just the combo. This keeps up with my metal band's guitarist and his Marshall stack, and have had no problems. For larger venues the combo has a line out to go into the house PA for more oomph too! It's essentially a 410 I can split off or even aim the extension cab at my drummer (which he likes a lot)

Best of luck!
20191020_130932.jpg
 
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#18
Taz302 said:
Hello! This is my first message on this forum and English is not my main language. Thank you! :)

I have been learning bass for a few months. I currently have a Fender Rumble 25 but I mainly use a Digitech module to play with headphones and my computer. I would like to use another amplifier but I can't decide if I should take a combo or a head + cab. Mainly, I would like to use the head with my computer and the headphones to have a better "tone". In the future, of course I'll add a cab when necessary.

On the other hand, if I need to play at home without headphones I am afraid that the head + cab is overkill.

I also wouldn't want too small a combo if I play with friends (including a drummer). I don't want to buy stuff that won't last for my needs, I prefer a good choice first.

I have no problem buying used.

What do you think? Will a cab (not a big one) sound nice at home even at low volume?
Click to expand...

Rumble 100. 112 combo. Could be too small to play with a drummer though. So, if you have more money, go with a 115 combo.

I suggest a peavey 115. They're loud, sound good, and have good features.
https://www.musiciansfriend.com/amplifiers-effects/peavey-tour-tko-115-400w-1x15-bass-combo-amp

Or

Can't go wrong with a bugera bx15. Had one for a good while. Nice little amp.
https://www.musiciansfriend.com/amp...NlqfBX8kuGIC8Gvd-H3g3w0W8-mdVUnRoCTRIQAvD_BwE

Or

Ampeg ba115
https://www.musiciansfriend.com/amplifiers-effects/ampeg-ba115v2-1x15-bass-combo-amplifier

Or


This is also nice

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