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COMBO PROBLEMS

#21
What are some of the decent price class D heads. Good sound. I been hearing about some new Ibanez Combo. They say you can take the amp out and use it for a head. Its like 500 watts a Prom something I can't spell it.
 
#22
The Ibanez is the Promethean

The Carvin BX500 is also a very cool, and well regarded amp.

Works down to 2 ohms, rated for 500 watts (at both 4 and 2 ohms), and weighs 5 pounds.


I will add though to what EVERYONE else is already saying.

It is NOT WATTS that you need - you need SPEAKER AREA
 
#23
Fred Mott said:
What are some of the decent price class D heads. Good sound. I been hearing about some new Ibanez Combo. They say you can take the amp out and use it for a head. Its like 500 watts a Prom something I can't spell it.
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Promethean and I have the 1x10 combo. You can add a second cab or pull the head for other cabs like you mentioned. It's a good amp and pretty versatile. The combo is small and light, but it's probably not enough to gig by itself as the 1x10. Other amps I would consider would be GK500, Mark Bass Little Mark, Genz Benz, Shuttle, and TC Electronic Classic which is a little cheaper than the RH. Search you tube and you kind find many demo reviews to give you an idea on tone.
 
#24
I just picked up a Mark Bass Little Mark III Head and Mark Bass 102P cab today. After playing with it for a while, I was able to get good "CLEAN" volume out of it to easily do a small club. Attach another 8ohm cab to it for some more fun. Would work awesome as a monitor rig for larger gigs with PA as your main.

I personally see wattage as an amp's ability to process and maintain an input to output signal without clipping or losing "clarity" at greater volumes. As others have said, it's not exactly it's actual volume capabilities. If what you want is an amp's max volume you really should be searching for it's Db rating. Also as said before though, you better hope you have a monster cab that can handle it though. As previously stated, in order to safely increase overall volume, you need much greater air displacement. A LA more cone surface. A good PA system is your best bet.

My current Mark Bass setup can be picked up with one hand at just 40lbs total for head and 102P cab. Only setback with Markbass (if you like it's sound that is,) is that it can get pretty pricey. The cab and head combo was $1000 together and really only Guitar Center sells them in the states. I suggest you try all the suggestions out and give em a test pickup to see which ones fill out your tone and physical limitation needs the best.
 
#26
Fred Mott said:
How about the Ibanez Promethean P5210, I saw one for $600.00. Has anyone played one. Are should I stay away from Ibanez altogether.
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The unit weighs 55lbs. Never played one. If you are looking for lower weight, a 5lb amp head, plus two 30lb cabinets might be the way to go. It sounds like you are trying to cut down your trips to the stage along with not over exerting your body. One 54lb cabinet in your condition is probably not the best way to go. A couple of trips with lighter stuff would be easier.
 
#27
Fred Mott said:
Can anyone tell me,if there really a combo out there that produces 4 to 500 watts are more by itself. From 5 to $800.00 range. I don't want to have to add speakers. But I need the wattage.
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The limiting factor to output is the speaker, and that's where most combos fall well short. A ten thousand watt amp means nothing if the speaker is both in an inefficient cab and is displacement limited to less than 200 watts, and that is the case with most combos. Most separates too, for that matter.
It is NOT WATTS that you need - you need SPEAKER AREA
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Speaker area is almost as moot as watts. What matters is frequency response, sensitivity and displacement. Duke's AudioKinesis 1x12 is a winner in all three categories.
 
#29
Fred Mott said:
I was thinking something like the Hartke LH1000. I could use maybe one side at 500 watts with a 210 neo cab , then for larger gigs add another 210 neo and bridge it are 15. But the Schroeder 310212 has to go. What do you think. May be the Hartke H5210C, bigger gigs add Hartke Hydrive 15
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That is a really good idea. You always have the ability to change/add cabinets for more volume/better tone. If you go with a combo, you are stuck with that tone and those speakers. You are better off getting separate and LIGHTER pieces. Check craigslist.org or a music store nearby with used gear.
 
#30
If you need to remove weight then you should be looking at a Class D amp and Neo speakers. I went with a Carvin BX1500. In an SKB road case with a power bar and a tuner the thing is a two finger lift. I use mine to power a pair of Acme B2s one per amp channel. They are not that light having conventional magnets But the new Acme neos seem to be getting good reviews.
 
#34
I seen my cousin a few days ago Fred Mott and he bought one of the GK Neo's and said he loves it. A 210 I think. His Job takes him out of state a lot so he will get back to you guys when he can. Plus I want to go play it myself. Don't tell him I told you he's to cheap to buy a Lab Top to take with him HA HA. But He's cool.
 
#35
billfitzmaurice said:
The limiting factor to output is the speaker, and that's where most combos fall well short. A ten thousand watt amp means nothing if the speaker is both in an inefficient cab and is displacement limited to less than 200 watts, and that is the case with most combos. Most separates too, for that matter.
Speaker area is almost as moot as watts. What matters is frequency response, sensitivity and displacement. Duke's AudioKinesis 1x12 is a winner in all three categories.
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What should we be looking for? I'd love a GK MB212 combo for portability and convenience, but I would like the versatility of the MBE 212 and a micro amp, like a Carvin BX500, so that I can play a smaller, lighter rig at small gigs, and still stack the 212 with my Dietz 1x15 and Peavey Tour 700 on big jobs while still having a spare amp. What kind of technical information should I seek when shopping?
 
#36
buffalobillh said:
What kind of technical information should I seek when shopping?
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No manufacturer provides all the technical information you need. Only Duke and Alex (barefaced) come very close. This may be the information age, but where bass cabs are concerned it's just not out there. Try before you buy remains the best option.
 
#37
I know it's been said by other people, but the GK MB212 is KILLER. I've had mine for about a year. 500 watts, 2x12's, 40lbs. If you need an amp that's any louder than this thing, then you need PA support. I can drown out 3 loud guitarists and a drummer with mine, and that's with the controls set to around noon. I think it could go toe to toe with just about any 410 out there.
 
#39
billfitzmaurice said:
No manufacturer provides all the technical information you need. Only Duke and Alex (barefaced) come very close. This may be the information age, but where bass cabs are concerned it's just not out there. Try before you buy remains the best option.
Click to expand...

Thanks, Bill. I always appreciate hearing and seeing your input.
 

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