• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Combo Woes...

There are 4 guitar centers in the Dallas area, as well as Zoo Music in Dallas and Garland. Plenty of places to go amp shopping.

I've been to all of said places as I used to live in that area and unfortunately the selection is kinda of lacking in diversity as far as amps go from what I remember. All I ever really see is Markbass, GK, Peavey, and Ampeg out there. Different brands or models besides the usual names are kinda few and far between and move pretty quickly.

Remember that you are a BASS player. A single 12, unless it's one of the new "super" 12s, isn't going to take you too far. If you are going for a combo with a single driver I wouldn't go below a fifteen.

The reason I'm going below a 15 is purely because of size issues. HOWEVER, I would make an exception for compact 15's that aren't much bigger than similarly spec'd 12's (i.e. the BG250 mentioned earlier).
 
Since I guess compact 15's are on the table now, does anyone know of any compact 15's that'll get the job done? I realize this'll open the door for a lot more options so I'll be doing a bit more research on my own as well...

So that's opening my eyes to the Carvin MB15 right up there with the BG250. Has anyone tried both?
 
Yeah I think that the BG250 is actually what I am leaning toward at this moment... Now the thing is to find one used for a decent price to see what's out there.

Go for it. 35 pounds, more than loud enough for a five-piece with 2 guitars, bass & drums. With PA support, it'll do most any mid-size club. No provision for an extension cab, though.

Alternately, a Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0 with a NEOX 112T. Not a true combo, but the head is 4 pounfs and the cab is around 40. Extension will give you 600 watts. However, it costs $1100 to the BG250's $400.
 
Yeah I think that the BG250 is actually what I am leaning toward at this moment... Now the thing is to find one used for a decent price to see what's out there.

They just came out with it this summer so I don't think you'll find many used ones. New on a 15% promo sale you can pick one up for around $339 so how much less would a used one just a few months old be?

Then you have to ask yourself why is the owner selling it and even if it goes for less than $300 what will it cost you get it shipped if you don't find it locally. And of course it's used so it no longer has it's warranty.

Seems to me like that's taking a gamble just to save a few bucks.

Here's what it is. Both the GK MB115 and the tc BG250 can be had for right around $339 delivered if you just wait to pick them up from any online source at 15% off and that offer is there very often. The Carvin is just $10 more but you'll need to add about $35 shipping to that cost. So anyone of them will set you back less than $400 new and anyone of them will provide you with a great sounding mid powered combo.

Most stores will have both the tc and GK combos for you to try and compare. Carvin only sells direct so there you have to take your chances but they have a generous return policy. You're just out some shipping costs if you don't like it is all. The online stores all have decent return policy as well.

I've played Carvin bass amps, GKs and now I have a tc BG250. It all comes down to the features and tonality you prefer. Sticking with these I doubt you'd be disappointed. Any one of them is a good choice.