Get me gig ready - amp thoughts?

[Mark Andrew]

Ti

I don't necessarily agree with the "don't get a combo" crowd. There are some pretty serious combos out there these days, some at really good prices. Now if you want to be really loud, I might suggest a bigger cab like a 410 or two 210's or 115's with 300w, but if you will be playing less volume-intensive stuff than that, some of these combos will put out some decent tone and be less obtrusive than a bigger rig. I'm using my smaller rigs way more these days, but I do have some serious firepower for when I need it. The good thing about separates, though, is they're more modular, and you can build one nice rig that can do both small and fairly loud stuff with a small but powerful head and something like a couple 210's or 115's.

Time for a don't underestimate a combo thread Jimmy?

 

[el murdoque]

You might already know that, but as a bassist, the choice of cabinet is much more complex than as a guitar player. Bass cabinets are way more complicated than guitar cabinets and have a large impact on the sound.
That said, I'd like to point your attention towards the so called class of supercabs. The foremost players according to the Talkbass crowd would be greenboy (fEARless and fEARful cabs), Audiokinesis and barefaced.
All these use top shelf components, fresh ideas and above all bloody good engineering to produce cabs that do incredible performance at a ridiculous size and weight. So should money pose no hurdle, but reducing the schlep a significant amount sounds sweet, check them out.

 

[JimmyM]

Ti

Time for a don't underestimate a combo thread Jimmy?

Nah, there are plenty, plus I run the "Yes I Run A Dinky Amp And Proud Of It" club. Nothing over 100w and a 210 or 115. That leaves room for plenty of combos.

 

[Bill Murray]

For your current situation I would look into the Fender Rumble 500, GKMB210 (500 watt), Ampeg BA115, or Markbass CMD102p.

Markbass will have the most volume, boom, and resale value. None of these amps maintain clarity at higher volumes but they’re flexible and they’ll work for rehearsals with no PA and for gigs with a PA. Thanks


Each brand will color your bass a little differently but they’re all lightweight and popular on the used market.


My advice is to hold off on a separate cab and amp until you have a better idea of what sound you like and how much power you really need.

PS. I’ve owned and gigged with all of these so feel free to ask any questions

 

[Kipp Harrington]

Budget - anything goes for the most part, but resale is of value, since I have always found what I like at home vs at a gig very different, and I’ll only learn that through playing live. As a guitarist, in my first 5 years I bought/sold something like 20 amps as I learned what I liked - then haven’t bought/sold anything in the last 15.

Volume requirement - probably loud enough to play with a rock band in a medium sized club. Anything bigger than that and I find backline starts to appear or I can rent for the once in a blue moon.

portability is worthwhile. I drive a station wagon, so no 8x10 cabs. Weight wise, light is certainly a plus if I’m hoping to get busy with gigs and moving stuff a lot, but I do work out a lot, so I can deal with the weight if need be. TBH I can foresee needing a couple of cabs to cover a wide range of things... likely a good DI or preamp too, for the odd ampless gig.

Rumble 500 (or 800) head and Rumble 410 cab. You can do pretty much any small-medium (to even larger) gig, easily. Affordable, reliable and sound great!

Avoid the Ampeg BA Series like the plague! Underpowered, problematic, and cheaply made (IMO). I own a BA 210 v2... regret that purchase every day.

 

[Relsom]

I think in general, you're going to be better off with a modular, Class D and 1 or 2 lightweight cabs. A ton of options out there to find what works for you.
There are a few exceptions to those that flame us combo guys though. GK, Fender, and my favorite, though out of production, Genz Benz combos are extremely capable both in sound, features, and portability. You can add a 2nd cab, as in any rig, if you need to be louder. So don't count them out if you come across a deal on one.

 

[gstaats]

Where are you located at? You might be able to reach out to TB'ers that are local to you. Nothing beats hearing a rig with your ax and playing style to see if it suites you.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

Resale is of importance, so buy used. I'd get something quality - Mesa Subway, Trickfish, Genzler, and similar then the cab of choice would depend on your needs. Maybe go with a 2x210 or a 410.

Edit: A quick glance through the classified shows this cab (I have no affiliation to the seller but I did own a 212PL and it should cover just about anything without provided backline.)

For Sale - SCHROEDER 212PL CABINET BRAND NEW FREE SHIPPING

 

[Mushroo]

Recently, in the local scene I’m in, several prominent bass players have retired and/or moved and there is a huge shortage of bass players as a result.

Would one of these retiring players be willing to sell you their amp at a good discount?

 

[foolforthecity]

I love this rig. Lightweight, modular if I only need a single 112 or 115, both for more firepower.

This absolutely covers it all for me. YMMV

 

[Eddie LeBlanc]

Berg is best.....

for medium power gigs most versatile is a Bergantino B|Amp. Can do anything you need from small club to large theater venues.

Cabinet - portable, powerful, small foot print, and will cover most anything. Berg HDN 212 (dual 12s)

Larger venues add in the stack the Berg HDN112 - Small single 12 powerful, light. and both cabs will fit in my Toyata Matrix easily.

 

[gmarcus]

One thing to pay attention to is the noise level of the fan. If you are playing in an orchestra pit or at a quiet Jazz club some amp heads will contribute quite a blanket of white noise to the situation. I had a GK MB800 for about a month. It has 2 tiny little fans that sound like a quiet hair dryer.

I settled on a Genz Benz Streamliner 900 for several reasons, one being that the fan is pretty quiet. You really need to listen to even hear it. The old GK RB 700 and 1001 have virtually silent fans but they are bigger and heavier ~20 lbs. The Streamliner sounds fantastic. It has 3 tubes in the pre-amp that you can swap out within reason to modify the sound a little. There is a big thread here on tube rolling the Genz Benz Streamliner. Also if you send the amp to Aged Horse (the amps designer who is a member here) he will overhaul the head and bring it up to factory spec for a nominal fee. It makes a big difference in the response of the amp......like getting your bass set up by a really good luthier. There is also something about the high pass filter on this amp that I like, it is very deep, but also controlled and gets along with many rooms.

For speakers I tried a few and even designed my own 1x15, but my all time favorite is the Barefaced SuperCompact. 20 lb 1X12 that is as loud and deep as most 2x12s. There is just nothing extra in this cab, no crossover, no tweeter....just a very nice 12" speaker in a properly designed box. I could definitely use 2 for loud rock in a big club, but for most mid sized clubs it covers it and is really easy to move.

So there is my plea for you to use what I use....
Its a Talkbass thing.....everyone should play what I play....seriously though I hope you can pull a little info from my story to help you make up your own mind!

 

[Ggaa]

I've been using a Fender Rumble 200 head with GK 15s. 500 watt version would cover everything. Also very light pieces.

 

[byacey]

I don't necessarily agree with the "don't get a combo" crowd. There are some pretty serious combos out there these days, some at really good prices. Now if you want to be really loud, I might suggest a bigger cab like a 410 or two 210's or 115's with 300w, but if you will be playing less volume-intensive stuff than that, some of these combos will put out some decent tone and be less obtrusive than a bigger rig. I'm using my smaller rigs way more these days, but I do have some serious firepower for when I need it. The good thing about separates, though, is they're more modular, and you can build one nice rig that can do both small and fairly loud stuff with a small but powerful head and something like a couple 210's or 115's.

This is true, but retaining the same head while swapping cabs can offer almost infinite choices until the OP finds something he's happy with during the trial / experimentation phase of his journey. With a combo, you better be darn sure and satisfied with what you have when you fork over the cash.

 

[Standalone]

My tone and portability professional level gigging heaven is two old Bag End S15 cabs (42 lbs each) and a medium solid state head - in my case an old GK 400RB or a newer 700RBii. Just a musical reliable combination. Worth seeking out.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

I’ve been a professional musician most of my adult life - as a guitarist.

I’ve always wanted to expand my options as a player by doing bass gigs (as well as growing my musicianship). I’ve been doing some casual stuff - played bass the past 4 years in the church scene, and done a handful of professional gigs. I have 8 years of post secondary music training and can read music for bass quite well too.

Recently, in the local scene I’m in, several prominent bass players have retired and/or moved and there is a huge shortage of bass players as a result. I’ve even had a few gigs cancelled due to an inability to locate a bassist. Recently I have addressed a few of these by taking on the bass role myself (since guitarists are a dime a dozen). And despite near 20 years of working as a professional guitarist, I may enjoy playing bass even more!

Seeing as I’ve long been interested in doing bass more seriously, and the timing seems to be really good to get busy quickly, I’m wondering what you would recommend as a good, versatile, gig ready amp setup?

Ideally something common on the used market, because if it is anything like playing guitar, after more gig experience, I’ll probably find myself refining my tastes to what I want/like more specifically.

I could see myself doing everything from pop, rock, country, Motown, soul, jazz, show tunes, etc..

Budget?

 

[bottomzone]

That would be an awesome rig! I'm getting Phil Jones C4 and seriously considering getting a BP-800 and eventually a Barefaced Super Compact T.