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Combo Recommendation?

#65
KenD said:
Low volume, superb tone, price no object.
Laid back music: soft jazz, blues, semi-acoustic blues, country-blues, some folk, etc.
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If portability isn't a factor in the decision, I'll second the recommendation for an Ampeg B-15.

My favorite of the B-15 models is the later version with two channels; I like to jumper the channels, then get my basic tone from channel one, then turn up the bright channel just enough to get nice articulation.

If portability is a factor, there are a lot of lightweight, modern amps that sound great in compact packages.
My favorites for tone are combos with 12" speakers; within the range of most combo manufacturers, I often find the 10" model a bit anemic sounding, the 15" will sound scooped and indistinct, and the 12" just has a good vocal quality to the midrange that doesn't exaggerate one end of the spectrum or the other.
 
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#67
KenD said:
Low volume, superb tone, price no object.
Laid back music: soft jazz, blues, semi-acoustic blues, country-blues, some folk, etc.
Click to expand...
I’ve got a few combos that would fill the bill.
First is a small SWR cube with a ten and a switchable horn. It can hold it’s own with a cocktail kit and a couple guitars through Deluxe Reverb amps as long as everyone is on board with volume control, but really shines when used with a bunch of acoustic instruments. it’s my go to amp for a hillbilly string band where I’m the only amplified instrument. A lot of purists are turned off by a Fender Jazz bass with a couple flat tops, a banjo, dobro, fiddle, mandolin, and occasionally an autoharp or dulcimer, but plenty folks really like what we do.
Next is an old SWR Working Pro 12 I got to use as a personal monitor fed from my amp. It sat to the side pointing past me toward the drummer so we could hear each other better. It sits up straight or tilts and has a switch to shift the EQ so it sounds the same tilted as it does straight up.
Next is a Fender Rumble 500. I got a killer deal on this amp with intentions of flipping it but it wound up at my brothers place to use when his bands practice there or I’m over and we want to jam a bit. I’ve also taken it to a few acoustic and electric jams and it worked just fine.
Last is not a combo but it’s just as easy to move. It’s a Carvin BX500 in a two space SKB rack case and a couple of 4ohm Avatar 126 cabinets. For most of what I do one of the Avatar speakers is enough, but if I need more I take both. The good part is it sounds the same with both cabinets as it does with one, just louder.
With the current crop of mini powerhouse amp heads, and a single 2 or three way cabinet with a 12 would be ideal for what you described.
 
#76
I've been gigging with a fender rumble 100 for quite a while. Has plenty of tonal control, plus some preset voicings that compliment very well.

My only issue with combos and small amps is that sometimes you have to find a way to get them pointing at your ears so you can hear quite the whole freq spectrum. Otherwise, you end up having the sounrd in your legs in small places. But I guess that happens with any amp depending on where you are playing.

I had a problem with mine once I played in an outdoors gig and some faulty power lines ruined the power switch. The spare cost $2 and it was a snap on... but I've heard when one internal component breaks, you practically have to get a new one.
 
#77
mr_musica said:
I've been gigging with a fender rumble 100 for quite a while. Has plenty of tonal control, plus some preset voicings that compliment very well.

My only issue with combos and small amps is that sometimes you have to find a way to get them pointing at your ears so you can hear quite the whole freq spectrum. Otherwise, you end up having the sounrd in your legs in small places. But I guess that happens with any amp depending on where you are playing.

I had a problem with mine once I played in an outdoors gig and some faulty power lines ruined the power switch. The spare cost $2 and it was a snap on... but I've heard when one internal component breaks, you practically have to get a new one.
Click to expand...

Amp stand to elevate, outdoor gigs require more watts, faulty power lines can ruin any amp, today's labor is expensive whether you have a combo or separates...decisions-decisions!
 
#78
If money is no object, get an AER. I have an Acoustic Image combo. Coda Series 3. Inefficient drivers so not loud but reproduces the bass very well for its size. I can drive 4X10 if needed and it has the same guts like another amp but it could use a better mid range control unless you have an preamp on your bass.
 
#79
This is a no-brainer and I’m shocked no one has mentioned it this far in the thread:
upload_2022-4-28_17-8-56.jpeg


Pizza flavored for the win!
 
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