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Got 1k to spend on a combo. Your choice? (Updated)

S

Strat-Mangler

Inactive
Aug 15, 2010
157
2
#1
Will be visiting a couple of stores on Saturday and am wondering which combos you'd recommend I try or that you personally love at that price.

I like vintage tones, actually. However, I have heard some tones from the Aguilar DB750 and they sound sublime.

Just curious what you'd suggest I have to try.

FTR, I'm seriously thinking of buying a Fender Bassman TV 15. From what I read, it sounds like probably the tones I'd like to have.
 
#5
Heres the combo I just put together:

Used Ampeg B Series 410 ported cab, $270
Used Ampeg SVT-7Pro, $450 (or you could get a SVT-3Pro)
4x New Eminence Legend BP102 speakers - $300 (cause the ones in the cab were shot :spit:)
 
#7
i'd wait and see what those b-15 hybrids look like in january. otherwise i'd buy a b-15. tv 15 is pretty dang sweet, but it lost me because of lack of expandability.
 
#8
Came back from 2 stores and I'm a bit confused.

The TV 15 in store #1 sounded full, round, deep, lush, punchy, and LOUD, whereas in store #2, it was the extreme opposite. This left me scratching my head. In both cases, I tried a Jazz Bass. I'll bring my own bass to both stores this Tuesday and see if the same pattern repeats itself. If so, I can only conclude the TV 15 in store #2 is defective, somehow.

Also tried a Mesa Walkabout Scout 1x12 and an M3.

The Walkabout Scout wasn't very impressive to me. It was very loud and compact, but farty and I wasn't even pushing it. Maybe the 1x15 would fare much better or perhaps this particular one wasn't performing properly. I also found it to be very aggressive-sounding.Dare I say trebly. Had to dial that out. And though the removable head feature is interesting, it's also $425 more than the TV 15, so I will have to say "no."

The M3, OTOH, was a very nice surprised. It's even smaller, lighter, and could get in TV 15 territory with ease. It's not as deep or loud as the TV 15, but it's not a huge difference at all. There was approximately $100 difference between the two.

I'm still seriously thinking of getting the TV 15, but I need confirmation that the one in store #1 wasn't a fluke. Then, it'll be up to the stores to battle it out so I can see who'll give me the better price. Currently at 1000$ Canadian.
 
#12
Ampeg BA300 or 600 series. 210 or 115. I'd have to play em to be sure but it's definitely where I'd start.

BA300210_LG.jpg


Or maybe an Eden. I don't know really....
 
#13
andy2108 said:
Heres the combo I just put together:

Used Ampeg B Series 410 ported cab, $270
Used Ampeg SVT-7Pro, $450 (or you could get a SVT-3Pro)
4x New Eminence Legend BP102 speakers - $300 (cause the ones in the cab were shot :spit:)
Click to expand...

While that is a combination of gear I'm not thinking that is what the OP was referring to. :D

Anywho, just did a lot of looking into combos and decided on the Markbass CMD 102P. Gigged with it last night and it was stellar. Love the sound out of this thing.
 
#16
Sorry if I've miss it, did the OP give any reason as to why he wants to stick with the combo format?

The best sounding combo to my ears is still the Eden Metro. But that is one odd SOB to move; so that one has none of the potability advantage that a combo should have.
 
#19
Strat-Mangler said:
Came back from 2 stores and I'm a bit confused.

The TV 15 in store #1 sounded full, round, deep, lush, punchy, and LOUD, whereas in store #2, it was the extreme opposite. This left me scratching my head. In both cases, I tried a Jazz Bass. I'll bring my own bass to both stores this Tuesday and see if the same pattern repeats itself. If so, I can only conclude the TV 15 in store #2 is defective, somehow.

Also tried a Mesa Walkabout Scout 1x12 and an M3.

The Walkabout Scout wasn't very impressive to me. It was very loud and compact, but farty and I wasn't even pushing it. Maybe the 1x15 would fare much better or perhaps this particular one wasn't performing properly. I also found it to be very aggressive-sounding.Dare I say trebly. Had to dial that out. And though the removable head feature is interesting, it's also $425 more than the TV 15, so I will have to say "no."

The M3, OTOH, was a very nice surprised. It's even smaller, lighter, and could get in TV 15 territory with ease. It's not as deep or loud as the TV 15, but it's not a huge difference at all. There was approximately $100 difference between the two.

I'm still seriously thinking of getting the TV 15, but I need confirmation that the one in store #1 wasn't a fluke. Then, it'll be up to the stores to battle it out so I can see who'll give me the better price. Currently at 1000$ Canadian.
Click to expand...

You said you tried it at two different stores? Maybe that's why such a difference in sound? As we all know, an important part of the sound can be the acoustics of the inidvidual room, perhaps that is what's happening here, and it's not a problem with the amp itself. All else being equal though, just to be sure, I would get the one at the store where it sounded better. Saving what would probably amount to only a relatively few bucks wouldn't be worth the risk, IMO.
 
#20
Both stores were in open spaces and in store #2, their TV15 was about 1/3 of the volume. Definitely something wrong with it.

I'd be open to trying other brands like MarkBass & Genz Benz, but those are not carried in Canada.

Eden is, but I do wish to stay with the combo format since it's cheaper than a head/cab most of the time.

And considering we Canadians pay about 1/4 in taxes on top of the price of the item *&* the much more expensive shipping, you can guess that it's a costly and risky thing to order online a heavy/big & expensive item you've never played before. So that makes me want to stick to whatever is available up here, unless I have the chance to play/hear in person that particular gear. :(
 

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