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I need me some o' that combo amp advice.

autodidact

autodidact

Mar 13, 2011
2,054
101
#1
I need to downsize my bass gear so I'm selling off about 80% of everything I own in regards to bass. I'm estimating I'll get around $650 for the stuff I want to sell. Right now my priority is a good combo amp with as small a footprint as possible. I've looked into Eden and I love the sound but they're really expensive. Not a Markbass fan, they're hard to get an angry, punk sound out of. GKs are nice too but they're hard to tame IME. I've been reading a lot about the new Carvin Microbass line. Both the 210 and the 112 interest me and I'll be hanging onto a 12" ext cab anyway so I could pair that with whichever for more "oomph". I'm not a huge fan of 15s I prefer the twangier sound of 10s but I'd settle for a 12.

Anyone want to throw me some suggestions?

I know this has probably been discussed and I apologize but the TBMobile app limits my search function usage so I'd appreciate any help!

Thanks in advance :bassist:
 
#3
JimWasHere said:
Is it specifically the combo you want, or just the size of a combo? You can really open up your options if you go minihead+cab or pedal preamp+power amp+cab, and still stay in the same size/weight range.
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Either/or to be honest. I juat don't need a 4x10 and big head anymore. Id like something portable that's also suitable for apartment living.
 
#5
Well then... On the mini head side I hear great things about the Little Mark stuff... Mesa Walkabout, GB Shuttle... I've only played the Micro-VR, which really does get you very close to an SVT tone.

For cabs you might want to check out the 210AV... It's basically 1/4 of an ampeg 810. Or the fearful 12/6. Others will pipe in more, I'm sure.

On the Power amp and preamp pedal line... I always suggest the Crown XLS1000... It's pretty inexpensive, fairly powerful, and 9lbs in 2 rack spaces, which goes really well with a rack bag. You can even have a shoulder strap. Then pick up a BDDI, M80, WTDI... Each of those will fit in your gig bag and are also DIs, so if you have PA support you can go direct and not need the rest of your rig.

The thing I like about the pre/power/cab thing is how scalable it is. You can go from no rig to small rig to huge rig at a moment's notice.
 
#6
I have a 1x10 100W combo, and it just doesn't cut it. It seems plenty loud until I try to play with a drummer. More speaker surface area seems to be more important than more power. 1x12 will probably be louder than 1x10. 2x10 will be louder than 1x12.

I'd go for 2x10 or 2x12 with 200W or better.

That being said, I am very intrigued by the Phil Jones combo's.
 
#7
Phalex said:
I have a 1x10 100W combo, and it just doesn't cut it. It seems plenty loud until I try to play with a drummer. More speaker surface area seems to be more important than more power. 1x12 will probably be louder than 1x10. 2x10 will be louder than 1x12.

I'd go for 2x10 or 2x12 with 200W or better.

That being said, I am very intrigued by the Phil Jones combo's.
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I was looking at the Eden WTX264 1x10 mini stack. I think if I coupled that with my 12" extention it might do the trick and leave me some money left over. That little stack is a tone monster
 
#9
Carvins are really sweet amps, but I wouldn't touch a combo with just 1 speaker for playing live (unless its a 15"). The mini-head plus light cab is a great suggestion. I've got a Carvin BX500 and it's really nice and versatile. You can get some definite grind when you push the tube preamp, but it's not out of control by any means. Only thing is, it will definitely bring out the flaws in any cheap bass....the upside is that a stellar bass would sound even better through the Carvin.
 
#10
I was also going to suggest Carvins. I have one of their older PB200 combos, 200watt head bolted into a small 1x15 cab with a horn. Their newer (current) Micro series looks very interesting. I have been using their amps, of all sizes since the mid 70's and have never had an issue with the gear. You should at least peruse their website, It will be worth your time.
 
#11
VanillaThundah said:
Carvins are really sweet amps, but I wouldn't touch a combo with just 1 speaker for playing live (unless its a 15"). The mini-head plus light cab is a great suggestion. I've got a Carvin BX500 and it's really nice and versatile. You can get some definite grind when you push the tube preamp, but it's not out of control by any means. Only thing is, it will definitely bring out the flaws in any cheap bass....the upside is that a stellar bass would sound even better through the Carvin.
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I was thinking maybe the Carvin MB12 paired with my extention would be a 250w 2x12 mini stack for gigging, including a DI for larger gigs. I'm playing a GL Tribute L2500 and a Squier Jag that I've upgraded the pups and pots in, they should be fine right?
 
#13
I think a 1x15 combo with about 200 watts would be perfect for you. It's plenty for at home practice and you can keep up with a band as well. I recommend the Acoustic B200. I use as my small rig and it serves the purpose just fine.

I would also consider the GK MB115 and the Ashdown Mag C15. Both very quality amps with quality tone for a reasonable price.
 
#14
FrenchBassQC said:
Maybe this is an option also....

Invalid Link Removed
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I was actually offered one of those as a straight trade on Craigslist. However, Ive had bad experience with the Lowdowns. Played a 1x10 and a 1x15 and didn't like either, cpuldnt get anythimg out of the regular clean channel and I have no use for all those effects. I have a boost and an OD for pedals and I don't even use those much lol. Thanks for the suggestion tho.
 
#15
The more I read here on combos/mini's the more the other players have convinced me that speaker inches multiplied equals bottom end. Go to The Friend and read the reviews on the Genz Benz Shuttle 3.0 / 10T cabinet combo. It acts like a head/speaker system but travels like a combo. And it's professional enough that you should be able to add your external speaker for more bottom end. Murphy's Law: The minute you scale down for smaller venues you will immediately be thrown gigs requiring more power and speaker coverage i.e. angry drummers and bassy guitar players. I'm finding more and more by reading here, the modular approcah really makes sense. A small powerful head that links to a powerful cabinet, but is removable and can be paired with a larger double driver cab if needed.
Let us know what you decide on! Good luck!
 
#16
Schpector said:
I think a 1x15 combo with about 200 watts would be perfect for you. It's plenty for at home practice and you can keep up with a band as well. I recommend the Acoustic B200. I use as my small rig and it serves the purpose just fine.

I would also consider the GK MB115 and the Ashdown Mag C15. Both very quality amps with quality tone for a reasonable price.
Click to expand...

I have an Acoustic B20 for beating around and Im not crazy about the tone, its one of the things getting sold. I've played bigger Acoustics too and they're about the same tonally...just louder. Also as I stated in the OP, not really in the market for a 1x15.

To all, it may help:
I'm coming down from a Hartke 3500 (at least 30lbs.) into an older Mesa Power House 4x10 (at least 100lbs) but I don't think I can match that tone at my budget and still have it be as portable as I want. Id like to try and get close though.
 
#17
whanbury said:
The more I read here on combos/mini's the more the other players have convinced me that speaker inches multiplied equals bottom end. Go to The Friend and read the reviews on the Genz Benz Shuttle 3.0 / 10T cabinet combo. It acts like a head/speaker system but travels like a combo. And it's professional enough that you should be able to add your external speaker for more bottom end. Murphy's Law: The minute you scale down for smaller venues you will immediately be thrown gigs requiring more power and speaker coverage i.e. angry drummers and bassy guitar players. I'm finding more and more by reading here, the modular approcah really makes sense. A small powerful head that links to a powerful cabinet, but is removable and can be paired with a larger double driver cab if needed.
Let us know what you decide on! Good luck!
Click to expand...

I've really been contemplating that exact idea. The shuttle 3.0-10T is high on my list but there's no where around here to try one out. They look great and get a lot of love. I want to play one so badly. Im trying in vain to find one used. GAS to the max on this one.
 
#18
I think the Carvin MB 12 and a second cab would cover you for most situations. Through my older Carvin I play a Jazz and a Music Man as well as a Carvin 5 stringer and it preforms well. The mB's have plenty of tone control for most any type of playing and you can't beat the price.
 
#20
whanbury said:
+1 also on the Ibanez Promethean 110 combo. Reviews say it's loud and bottomy by itself. Super small best that has a detachable head, can run 2 cabs at 500 watts... Sweet :-)
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Hmmm nice reviews. The Carvin is more wallet friendly but this thing sounds pretty sweet
 

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