• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

I need me some o' that combo amp advice.

#21
Autoaddict - I know you're kinda cold on GK combos, not sure which ones you tried but I found the same thing you did on the 15 and 12 inch combos. They were kinda boomy and not to my liking (more of an Ampeg guy I guess). Then I tried a GK MB210 500watt combo and WOW. It sounded great, no problem taming it for smooth backline or coaxing it into overdrive for some grit and growl.
It had four things going for it that I couldn't find in another combo under $500 - total weight is a feather light 32 pounds, power is an honest 500watts, the combo will take a 410 or 115 extension cab and it has an XLR out. I've had mine for a couple of months now and it's really won me over.
 
#24
So I did me a little interwebz searching and I found a Genz Benz Shuttle 3.0-10T used for $440. Is that a decent used price for these combos? It seems like it might be a little high after shipping (MN to PA) and everything but its SO tempting. I've still never played one tho, so that makes me wary.
 
#25
autodidact said:
So I did me a little interwebz searching and I found a Genz Benz Shuttle 3.0-10T used for $440. Is that a decent used price for these combos? It seems like it might be a little high after shipping (MN to PA) and everything but its SO tempting. I've still never played one tho, so that makes me wary.
Click to expand...

Uh oh. Got my taxes done today, refund in about 2 weeks. Cost of used Shuttle 3.0-10T: $439.99. Total tax refund amount: $438.00. Is this a sign? :hyper:
 
#27
Sounds like it could be a sign. :)

I have the Ampeg Micro VR mini stack (head and 210 cab). It's 150W@8 ohms, 200W@4 ohms if I add another cab...small enough for my house, big enough to disturb the peace. ;) Very portable, and all SS, but still does a decent job copping that SVT tone. My only beef with it is that the headphone jack doesn't mute the speakers, so I have to unplug the cab for QUIET practice.

That said, I am thinking about replacing my little Ampeg with one of the Carvin combo stacks, specifically the MB1015 or MB1515. 250W, tube pre, big cones go BOOM. :D
 
#28
If I was shopping for a combo and I needed to be confident that it could keep up with a band, be reliable, and flexible, my first stop would be the new Genz Benz contour 210T. I haven't played one, but I would def check it out. I also agree with above, I owned a GK MB115 and it didn't do it for me. I am also weary of anything with a single 10" or 12".
 
#29
I would check out an Ashdown 330 Touring 210 combo.

Dual valve preamp section, 330 watts and 2x10 speakers. What's not to like. Portable, warm tone, plenty of EQ options and loud!!!

Good pricing too if you shop around.

I have the 550 Touring with 1x15 speaker. This combo impressed me so much I sold my Marshall VBA400 rig. I could get the same tone from the combo....
 
#30
Autodidact - I've been using the Carvin BR515 for about a year and I've been pretty happy with it. It doesn't have the qualities you might associate with a lot of older, woofy single 15s. Instead, it has plenty of mids so you can dial in lots of bark or twang as you need it. What I really like about it is that it's an 'airhead' cabinet. The head comes out and is the Carvin BX500 - a great little 500W, 6lb head with tons of tonal flexibility. The head and cab together weigh about 45lbs. They make a 2x10 version of this combo as well, but it's a little heavier and hasn't been as kindly reviewed.

I also like Eden gear (I've had Eden 2x10s for almost 20 years) and I can't really say that this amp sounds anything like Eden, but it's small and versatile and get's the job done. The only thing you may find lacking is that it won't give you much in the way of grind on it's own. You'll need to use a pedal for that. I know you said you're not a big fan of 15s, but you may want to check into this. I've been pleased.
 
#31
Found a used Eden 210 Metro but its heavy (78lbs) and doesn't have the smallest footprint. So tempting tho, like Lo-E said, nothing sounds like an Eden. In the interest of fairness Im going to my local GC tomorrow to try out just about every combo there, including GKs and a Fender Pro 400 2x10. However, at this point the top 3 contenders are: Genz Benz Shuttle 3.0-10T, Carvin MB12, and the Eden.
 
#32
autodidact said:
but its heavy (78lbs) and doesn't have the smallest footprint.
Click to expand...

Metros are really nice, but they are not as small as they look!

As you said, they're heavy and bulky.

If you do end up w/ the MB12, I'd be interested to know what you think. I've been curious about that amp myself. I do think that the removable head in the BR515 still puts it way ahead, though. That's just me.
 
#33
So I spent some more time with my rig and I've decided that I can't get rid of the Hartke 3500. I love it way too much. The Mesa is still on the way out but I'm thinking of a Hartke Hydrive 112 cab. I can get the bassiness of the 12s but with the hybrid drivers I'll get a little more sparkle on the high end. :smug: They're well under my budget and switchable between 4 and 8 ohms. Hell, I could get a pair of them used for as much as I plan on selling the Mesa for. :hyper: I think thats going to be the answer.
 
#34
I love my 3500 too! Have you played a single 12" hydrive yet? I was disappointed in the amount of volume I got out of one. I've done alot of reading on single 12 solutions here and when I have the money and the need to go for a single 12, I'm going to take a serious look at the Baer. Check em out. Of course this is all IMO and I do not pretend to know much about anything!! Good Luck!!!
 
#35
bkbass2000 said:
I love my 3500 too! Have you played a single 12" hydrive yet? I was disappointed in the amount of volume I got out of one. I've done alot of reading on single 12 solutions here and when I have the money and the need to go for a single 12, I'm going to take a serious look at the Baer. Check em out. Of course this is all IMO and I do not pretend to know much about anything!! Good Luck!!!
Click to expand...

Iv played around with one at a local music store but I'm going to get more in depth with it today. I'm on a quest to try every combo/mini-stack/12" cab I can get my filthy little paws on. The L2500 is packed up and ready for some traveling.
 
#36
Your lack of love for GK is noted, but they are redoing their microbass line. According to posts on Talkbass, the new ones will be US made and be able to drive a powered cab (also by GK). This gives the scalability of a small combo with the option to daisy chain additional powered cabs as needed. Might be worth a listen to see if the US manufactured ones have more appeal.
 
#37
Another nod to the 3.0-10T Shuttle as a solution for you. Just a fantastic piece of gear. I leave an extra 1x15 in one rehearsal space and rent a cab at another, and just bring the head with me. It fits in my gigbag pouch. Even just with the 10" Shuttle cab I have plenty of volume for stage volume. Love that thing.

I live in a small apartment and get around on foot/bicycle/transit, and it's the Shuttle that makes that possible.
 
#38
I have a Shuttle 3.0 10T, also, and have been using it for a little more than a year, now. I would agree that it is a great piece of gear for the reasons already mentioned and more. I use it as a combo for home practices and love the tonal variance you get with it; from warm and round to grind. It is so light and easy to carry!

It manages just fine in quieter gigs but I found in small praise and worship sessions (approx. 25 - to 50 people) with a drummer, piano, electric guitar and vocals that it just doesn't cut it. The head plugged into a Berg AE 112, however, does an awesome job with lots of room to spare and I would imagine that the combo with a 10" GB extension, taking advantage of 300 watts @ 4 ohms would be awesome.

I have found the STL 3.0 10T to be quite sufficient in a larger (150 people) church setting with PA support. The pre and post EQ setting is a nice feature to have in this application as well. One other feature that I have really learned to appreciate is the parametric EQ for the mids. You can change the tone and adjust for poor ( boomy) room acoustics, fast and easy.
 
#39
autodidact said:
. . . I'm thinking of a Hartke Hydrive 112 cab. I can get the bassiness of the 12s but with the hybrid drivers I'll get a little more sparkle on the high end.
Click to expand...

I have a HyDrive 210c - 250 watts w/tweeter (defeatable); 7-band EQ; Hartke Bass Attack dirt; XLR out (pre or post); effects loop. Weighs 60lbs.
Kinda expensive ($600), but it keeps up (fairly) with a guitard (4x12 stack), a drummer (tom & splash happy), plus a two-keyboard synth wildman . . .
Not to say that I'm not looking at an LH1000 & HyDrive 410 rig (or if a bag of $$$ appears, a ShuttleMax 9.2 & a 2nd 410)
 
#40
I played a used Fender 400 pro 2x10 at Guitar Center today and really dig the way it sounds. It's not exactly small but it comes on wheels? Plus it's selling for about $389 I was thinking I might just trade the Mesa in for it (straight up hopefully?) and just pocket my tax return money? I don't know, the Mesa doesn't seem to be getting any interest on my local Craigslist, people just don't have the money now a days I guess. The only two hits I've gotten on it were for a Line 6 LowDown 2x10 and a Fender Rumble 150 + a beat up Squier P bass. Plus the only 2 used Hydrive 112s I could find are sold so now I'm back up to paying full price. I just wish I could sell this Mesa, I thought it would be a hot commodity among local bassists, guess not. I wish I could just cut it in half and make it into a 2x10 haha.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back