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Compact Combo Opinions

#43
In 2009, I chose [GC] ACOUSTIC B200 Combo. It has 200 watts @ 4 ohms, 1x15 and tweeter [w/ on-off switch for tweeter], line-out for recording or PA, 6 band semi-parametric with mid sweep, gain and voume controls. It's great for rehearsal, more than adequate for small to medium gigs. The line-out has a volume knob, so you can send more or less signal required.

Does not come with casters or cover; I bought pop-ins from ACE Hardware and ordered a custom cover. Still under $400 and with a 3 year warranty.

You want old school? CAN DO! Modern Hi-Fi sound? Turn on the tweeter!! It is fairly light weight for it's size and plenty of power.

Low B-string? Handles B-string well into LOUD performance levels with no issues there, either.

Hindsight being 20/20: For a little more $$: Buy Acoustic 200-H and separate cab..or cabs. It is a lttle more portable too.

I wanted a combo and got a great one. The B100 and smaller ones have line in and headphone jacks. For a combo, buy Acoustic. Yeah, I loved Mark Bass, but the B200 has all the volume and tone and costs maybe $1,000 less.

For ultimate bedroom practice; buy a Korg Pandora also, which has: Tuner, plenty of amp and stomp box emulations, drum patterns and looping, aux-in for radio/CD.
 
#44
jeffwo said:
I had the Mark Bass CMD121P for a while but got rid of it because of the damn piezo - the highs were just too brittle and noisy to me. I got the slightly larger CMD 121H with the compression driver and I am so much happier. Much smoother highs and deeper lows with the bigger cabinet. I also think having the controls on the front rather than on the top is much easier. I usually pair it with a 112 MB cabinet for a great mini-stack.
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Yes, I suppose the piezo would be my only complaint as well though I have not found it as bothersome as others. I'd much prefer a compression driver myself but have been able to tame the highs when needed with a little adjustment of the EQ and or the VLE.

Regarding the Acoustic combos, I can say that I tried them out and for whatever reason, couldn't find a tone that I liked. I did this after we had opened a show for the Toadies and Doni Blair was rocking a Fender Geddy through an Acoustic B600H/Ampeg 810 setup. He sounded great and I liked the B600H when I tried it out at GC through the Ampeg 810 (I didn't care for the Acoustic 810). When I took a swing at the combos, I just couldn't seem to find a sound I liked from them. Not knocking Acoustic at all, just wasn't my thing, YMMV. The B200H/separate cab might be a good sounding option but I've yet to try that.

For separate cab/head options though, I can't say enough good about the Aguilar Tonhammer 500/SL112 combo. Just really great tone, plenty of volume (especially when running 2 SL112's) and super light - 54 lbs. for two cabs and the head.
 
#45
Just bought a Markbass CMD102P, it's an amazing combo and can be used on a fairly loud gig all by itself. (and of course you can still add a 2nd cab if you want) That said it is expensive and at 44 lbs it's heavier than the MB CMD121 but you can use it on gigs that the CMD121 by itself won't cover without an added cabinet. If your buying a combo amp mainly for home use I'd jump at a CMD121 but if you want a small amp that sounds amazing, is still fairly light and small enough to throw in the back seat of your car and puts out enough volume for live "full band' performance by itself consider the Markbass CMD102P. I love mine!
 
#48
I did not see the GK MB series of combos mentioned. Lots of posts on this forum. Do a search and you will be reading all night. They also have them in just the heads. I have the MB200 (2 1/4 lbs and goes in gig bag)
Here is a link to GK site with there combos.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
#49
I'd get a Markbass head and run it with a single 12 or like a BagEnd 15. You'd get more volume and more versatility.

FWIW I used the walkabout 12 for years and loved that combo, however, for the coin, there are more flexible options.
 
#50
It sounds to me like your looking for a Walkabout Scout. Although it's not the most versitile combo out there as far as technical features, it's extremely versitile in sound. I have a SWR Baby Baby Blue combo that has all the studio bells and whistles you could want but the Walkabout Scout is well equiped where it counts. Deepest 12" cab tuning around with vintage or modern sounds via the players control network, versitile 3 band parametric eq with seperate bass, mid, treble shelving controls, a great sounding tube D.I. out for p.a. support on live gigs, and 500 Watts at 2 Ohms makes any extension cab a possible partner. Under 50 Lbs and 300 Watts stand alone (4 ohm) makes it a portable gigging machine too!

They're not particulary cheap but well worth the price of admission and worth waiting for used. Buy the right combo once, save cash and time.
 
#51
Another vote here for the MB CMD102P - if the tone is too "Modern" for you, either adjust the VLE knob just a little bit or throw a BDDI in front of it. I've gotten lots of comments since buying my MB CMD102P on how it really cuts thru in the mix. Its not too big and not too bulky and not too heavy, and it can easily be heard over a drummer - especially if you elevate it (as you should any small cab) and turn it on it's side so the drivers are vertically aligned. Since I bought it I've been telling myself I'm going to buy an extension cab, but my experience so far is that its plenty by itself for small to medium spaces, and with PA support its fine for everything else. My band plays 60's - current R&B, Rock, Country, Soul, etc. We do manage our volume - no guitard hearing damagers here - but still, we hear me over the acoustic drums and that's pretty much "it is what it is".
 
#53
The updated, soon to ship Genz Benz Shuttle 6.2/12T is the best small combo I've heard to date. Massively fat, revised voicing and low end, a new gain structure that allows nice grind and grit from the tube pre, great kick back stand, and featherweight.

Top of the heap in under 30 pound combo's IMO.

I have a couple of review clips on my Youtube channel (link in my sig below), and Ed Friedland has a great review clip on his Youtube site.

The Markbass Jeff Berlin is also a very nice combo. I don't particularly care for the piezo loaded Mb combo's.

Shuttle62_4.gif
 
#54
I have the CMD102P combo and it's great. I did add the 104HF cab to it b/c a friend was selling it for a good price. If you don't like the tweeter, you can easily disconnect it. At 44 lbs, it's 10 lbs lighter than the Walkabout Scout combo that I had. I like the kickback option on it too.
 
#57
LowEndMan2112 said:
Genz 6.0-12T, if you play one you might just find they're worth the extra cash. I know I would if I had the green to spare ;)
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I recently sold my Ampeg cabs (1x15 and 4x10) and a GK amp ... and bought a Shuttle 6.0-12T. I play with a rather loud country band in large dance halls, and my first gig with the new rig was Sunday night. I feared I might have to buy the 12" extension cab ... but was pleasantly surprised. This little 30 lb rig did the gig with plenty of headroom to spare. Now I want a 8" cab for it for my jazz/blues gigs on the upright. Great amps and speakers. Worth the money and then some.
 

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