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Decent combo amp?
- Thread starter olddave
- Start date
I am a bit ahead of you in this decision. I was getting tired of lugging 2 cabs and and a 3 space rack with amp, preamp, and compressor around. I tried a side by side with the Mack Bass, Ampeg, and Rumble using a MIM P and an MIA J. The Mack was way to middy for my taste and didn't have a warm sound. The Ampeg was pretty good, but was over 10 lbs. heaver and quite a bit more expensive than the Rumble. I went with the Rumble 500 v3 2x10. It weighs 36.5 lbs. It has a very warm sound. With the vintange button in, it sounds as close to tubes as I have found with solid state amps. Since I bought it, I have gigged outdoors with 3 guitars and drums with nothing going to FOH and was right in the mix. Three weeks ago I played a semi outdoor gig. The venue has a roof and 2 1/2 walls and is open on the end and partially on the side. It holds 800. There were problems with the house sound system, so we had no monitors and no instruments in the FOH. After the first set, several people said I was too loud. I played the rest of the gig with the master on 3 and gain on 4. So, it is a fully capable amp. Since then, I bought a 25 for my bedroom practice amp.
My only critisism is the overdrive is not all that great.
BTW, I've had a Showman and a Super Showman that were both great amps. I had one bassman, and it was okay for it's time.
Agree! Some people hate on combos, I love mine its all I use anymore. MY MB 115 with a matching powered MB115 cab does all I need. At 200 watts and 400 combined as well as lightweight. About 90% of the time the powered cab stays home. A good combo is a good combo, no extra wires or head to worry about.
That's as good and unbiased a review as you are going to get.
Were I in the market, this is probably what I'd get today for all around versatility. Reasonably priced too.
I got away from combos a long time ago because they combine the weight of a cab and an amp. A lot of them have gotten more manageable with new technology. But it's still a bit lighter to have a separate amp and cab. Id reccomend buying the gear that puts a smile on your face and then figure out a better way to move them. Sometimes all it takes is adding a good set of casters. I rarely actually pick up my cab. In and out of the car mainly, occasionally up onto a stage if the stage doesn't have a ramp. My guitarists plays an old 5150 212 combo that is insanely heavy but a simple hand truck/dolly makes moving it so much easier. Played hundreds of shows with an 810 in a roadcase. It probably weighed over 200lbs. But at the time we used a band trailer with the rear door that came down to be a ramp, rarely ever deadlifted it and if we did everyone in the band would grab a corner. Even when lifting a 410 cab or 212 guitar combo these days we use teamwork. One person helping you makes a world a difference not only because they are lifting some of the weight but because of the shape of a lot of cabs some are awkward for one person to pick up by themselves.
+1 on this. I considered an extension cab, but can't see why when I have a direct out.Fender Rumble V3 500. Tone for days, scary loud. 210 speaker config, light weight, speaker out for an extension cab if you think it needs one.
Have I mentioned tone for days, scary loud and light weight?
And I would like to add it has tone for days, scary loud and light weight.
I went thru this same situation about 3 months ago, only I was using an Ampeg BA115 at the time. The Ampeg was doing ok but could have used a little more power. At 65 lbs I was struggling to get it in and out of a vehicle, so I went on a mission to get something powerful and light. I had no idea there would be so many good choices. In the end I purchased a TC250 115. I would have preferred a component rig but the cost would have doubled. So far I'm amazed by this 30 lb amp. I do have PA support on larger venues.
Mesa Walkabout. It gets closest to the tone you want, or you can get sort of Modern. Very flexible. It is LOUD. With an extension cab is is REALLY loud. It is the warmest of any combo I've played. The head is removable when you need to drive something big, like a 410 stack (sounds amazing through two Eden 410XLTs) or two 15's. I played mine for Motown, R&B, some country pickup gigs, some Louis Johnson style slap non-sense with a Stingray. never let me down. Not too heavy.
Swr redhead isnt exactly light... plus it really needs an extension cab to shine.
In essence I own a mix of redhead and superredhead, goliath jr II is the same speaker box as redhead, and bass 350 is the same amp as super redhead but minus the turbo and transparency push pulls. I picked the cab up for a song way after the fact. I wouldn't gig it with just that 210 by itself, perhaps with a jr III or eden xlt or xst. But the d210xlt is also the size and weight of a small 410. I used just the eden 210 for loud practices with acoustic b600. I sold it when I needed to downsize and get as much $ as possible. Not an easy 210 to lug around but it moved serious air.
It is too bad swr got sold sold and dissolved. Rabe would likely be making a killer amp with today's tech. But again, fender absorbed it and it shows in the rumble.
When it comes to serious combos like redhead and eden metro, and the bigger 410 combos, I agree seperate head and cab makes more sense. But today's light and affordable rumbles defy that. They are lighter than most cabs alone, and in reality I don't hear of them failing at gigs often.
In essence I own a mix of redhead and superredhead, goliath jr II is the same speaker box as redhead, and bass 350 is the same amp as super redhead but minus the turbo and transparency push pulls. I picked the cab up for a song way after the fact. I wouldn't gig it with just that 210 by itself, perhaps with a jr III or eden xlt or xst. But the d210xlt is also the size and weight of a small 410. I used just the eden 210 for loud practices with acoustic b600. I sold it when I needed to downsize and get as much $ as possible. Not an easy 210 to lug around but it moved serious air.
It is too bad swr got sold sold and dissolved. Rabe would likely be making a killer amp with today's tech. But again, fender absorbed it and it shows in the rumble.
When it comes to serious combos like redhead and eden metro, and the bigger 410 combos, I agree seperate head and cab makes more sense. But today's light and affordable rumbles defy that. They are lighter than most cabs alone, and in reality I don't hear of them failing at gigs often.
Thanks to all for the input and suggestions. They have been tremendously helpful. Here is where I am leaning, but still have a few more questions if I have not worn out my welcome:
Liking everything I can read about the GK MB200 and Neo 112 II. Plan to add a second cab, either another Neo 112 or a Neo 212. Adding the 212 cab would give me three distinct configurations of a single 12", dual 12"s in a single cab, or a three 12" mini-stack for larger venues and maybe a rounder, fuller sound (?) Thoughts?
2nd question - Should I consider the MB 500 instead of the 200, particularly if driving the three 12" configuration in a larger venue?
Thanks again to all of your comments. btw, nothing but good reviews on the Fender Rumble stuff too.
Liking everything I can read about the GK MB200 and Neo 112 II. Plan to add a second cab, either another Neo 112 or a Neo 212. Adding the 212 cab would give me three distinct configurations of a single 12", dual 12"s in a single cab, or a three 12" mini-stack for larger venues and maybe a rounder, fuller sound (?) Thoughts?
2nd question - Should I consider the MB 500 instead of the 200, particularly if driving the three 12" configuration in a larger venue?
Thanks again to all of your comments. btw, nothing but good reviews on the Fender Rumble stuff too.
