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Good small combo amp

N

nojj

May 20, 2013
1,100
52
#1
After the proverbial gig from hell last night, I'm planning on adding a VERY small combo amp to my amp arsenal.
I have a micro-managing drummer who likes to have my gear down to the point of inaudibility.
This is the band I'm supposed to tour with, so other than picking up another project who actually needs a drivin' bass player, my options are rather limited.

Currently my smallest amp is an Ampeg BA-115. May still be too powerful.
My only other option is an Anchor AN1000X powered monitor,
which has a 4.5" woofer, and a small tweeter.
About 25 watts, and it has an extension speaker jack. Dims are 5"x8"x9"

Any opinions on a very small combo that can still put out, and can stand the road abuse?
 
#4
Yeah, at that point it seems like it'd make more sense to skip the amp and just go DI, with an Eden WTDI or Aguilar Tone Hammer or something like that.

That being said, I have the little brother of your current amp, the Ampeg BA-108 and I think it sound pretty good. Especially at low volumes. Honestly if I turn it up past 4, that's too loud for practicing at home...
 
#5
Carvin MB10. Great tone, 10" speaker, plenty loud if you need it, then if your drummer grows some nads (or you leave), you can drop it on another 8 ohm cab for a 250w mini-stack.

I love mine and rehearse with it. A steal right now at 299.00. This is a real amp with real tone. Not like MANY other 10" combos which are toys.

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#6
If they don't want to hear you then why do they need you? Either fire the drummer if he is the only problem or quit if they all back him up. It the issue is the latter then the problem is they all have 0 concept of balancing a mix and will probably just make more noise than music.

If the members are talented and you think they are worth the time then make sure everyone gets some sort of training on proper audio mixing. This has been a battle I have been fighting in my band but it is working and everything is coming together nicely.
 
#9
Most, if not all of their shows can be adequately handled with a Genz 4x10 and an SWR 4004. For extra ommph I pull out the Line6 POD XT Live.
Dunno why he has a bug up his whositz.
Like to think that after 45 years, I'm qualified to set my own stage volume, even in 'troublesome' venues like last night.

I just wanna see the look on his face when I show up with that micro monitor in a shoulder bag and say "Check it out man, here's my new bass amp. Sold my Genz stack for it...."

For practice, I use an Amgeg B-3158 cab (no amp) modded for 3 way, and a Yorkie Bassmaster 400.
 
#11
Thanks for the thoughts, Techno. And everybody else who responded.

Funny thing is, he likes having me set my cab right next to him.
Maybe use a front ported cab.
He'd gone out in the audience when it was just the gtr & bass, and brought me down to about halfway below 1.
Then asked if it could be lowered any more.

Maybe I'm just p*ssed-off still............

I'll look into that Carvin amp, although I never had a lot of luck with their gear. (Love my Carvin fretless 6 though)
 
#12
Matt Dean said:
The drummer is SUPPOSED to hear the bass player. You guys are SUPPOSED to play together... synch up, musically dance together. I'd get a bigger bass rig if I were you.
Click to expand...

I had 2) 4x10 Genz driven by a BBE 383 pre biamped into a Crown CE1000, 4 ohm load per side.
(Was told it was an outdoor show for a bike run)
Wound up playing inside, but the venue is pretty...massive where we were.
 
#16
Russell L said:
How 'bout a Markbass CMD 121P combo? 112 and 300w (Little Mark III head inside). Ain't cheap, though.
Click to expand...

Price isn't that much of an issue, it'll be going on my gear list for the upcoming tour. If I don't go berserk first........

Don't want to have them buy me a big-azz fancy stadium rig, to get micro-managed out of the mix.
So....I'll ask for both:hyper:
 
#18
I've been using an AER. Absolutely love it, and it'll do anything from coffee house to small rock bands with lots of oomph when you want it. Not cheap, but very high quality, great tone, and built like a brick. It comes with a great soft case, too.

It sounds great even at a whisper. The bass boost gives a fat sound even when it's really quiet. I've used it in situations where I really couldn't turn down the master any more, so I turned down the input gain.

I can carry mine with one hand, bass on my back, and coffee in the other hand. Works great. There are smaller, but this one will still fill a room if needed. 200 watts.
 
#20
dwjazz54 said:
What about turning down the volume on your bass then?

Regardless, this whole thing sounds ridiculous - "Hey, we'd like a bass player we can't hear..."

Try alternative amp placements or something. Or quit.
Click to expand...

Had the bass vol on about 50%, bass boost off
Ridiculous? Yep. Insulting? That too.

Was thinking on just using my little Ampeg tiltback as a bass monitor, turned back towards me next to the floor mons.
There's 2 ports on the back
Don't want to haul a stack AND a bass mon because of their half-assed, unrealistic expectations.

If they didn't work a lot (and had handed me this tour opp) I'd be long gone.
Have a couple 'project bands' to keep me sane (errr.....as a bassist can be.)
 

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