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I want a 2x10 combo and I don't know why.

#42
Bassaga said:
The combo part is easy enough: I like simplicity. One box, boom, done. But I'm still working through the other bit.

Whenever the question of a new amp comes into mind, I think to myself, "Okay, step one, we can narrow it down to 2x10s." Realized recently that I have no idea how I got that in my head. I've got this notion that I prefer the sound of them in general, but no idea why I would think that, or what sonic experiences led to that. Frankly my real-life experience with different rigs' sounds is pitifully limited.

As a bedroom bassist who hasn't even turned on my 40-watt 1x12 Peavey VIP 2 in a year and a half except a few times with headphones, I clearly don't need a 2x10 for the volume, head room, etc.

Part of it almost seems like a mid-life bass crisis. I've been playing for a while now, and having a big ol' heavy ol' powerful ol' 2x10 would make me finally feel like a "real" bassist, even if it's just to look at and then attenuate. I'll never be a fridge sort of guy, sure, but a lot of real actual bassists use 2x10s, so look at me, I'm legit! Anyway, that'd honestly be nice, but it's still a dopey reason to spend way more than is necessary on way too much power. Plus I'd have to use it as a nightstand because I don't even have room for it, and that's just... that's a sign something went funny, I think.

So all I can figure, really, is that I just plain want one. It would occasionally pop into my head that I play through a Katana-210 or a Blackstar U500 or something and I would smile and heave a pleased sigh. Having often been described as a Vulcan, facing this motivation that can only be explained by passion or vague desire is super foreign to me, and I don't know what to make of it; is there in fact some logical, reasonable path I once went down where I realized a 2x10 was the way to go? or is it just plain emotional and I'll raise an eyebrow at myself whenever I look at the amp?

Having typed all that out, I can't really tell if I'm looking for advice or just thinking out loud. But there it is, so if you got this far and you've got some counsel, hey, lay it on me!
Click to expand...
Personally I would take the Blackstar over the Katana. But that's just me.
 
#43
People will often say that it doesn't matter if an amp way more powerful than you need for practice because you can always just turn it down. I took that advice and got an Orange Terror and a 2x10 cab for practice, which would be 250 watts at 8 ohms. I'm finding that the volume dial is way too touchy at practice volume to get it just at the level I want it. I'm also finding that it takes a bit more volume for the amp and cab to seem to hit its stride, if you know what I mean, than I often want to practice with.

On the other hand, my GK MB110 sounds great at my preferred practice volume and is easy to dial in. So basically I use the GK most of the time and will probably sell the Orange at some point. Maybe the touchy volume knob and dull sound at lower volumes isn't universal, but I'm definitely hearing it with Orange setup.
 
#45
GAS.
Feed the beast.
Combos are very fine choices.

I have a Fender 100 Bassman 110, practice mainly, but also small band it's fine. Mostly jazz. With electric, or even upright and HPF, line out to the house, the 100 it's often plenty for just enough onstage sweetening. Then bigger louder, it's cabs, a GK 210 and/or 115 with amp. I'll upgrade for upright sometime but it's okay.

On stage it's usually just the 210, and a line out to the house sometimes, except louder blues gig where I stack 2 cabs.

As a former bedroom bassist, I think there is a point where you're headed to joining a group, and some small gear just can't carry in a band rehearsal with a drummer. Go for it, GAS is real, may be time for a breakthrough.
 
#47
Bassaga said:
The combo part is easy enough: I like simplicity. One box, boom, done. But I'm still working through the other bit.

Whenever the question of a new amp comes into mind, I think to myself, "Okay, step one, we can narrow it down to 2x10s." Realized recently that I have no idea how I got that in my head. I've got this notion that I prefer the sound of them in general, but no idea why I would think that, or what sonic experiences led to that. Frankly my real-life experience with different rigs' sounds is pitifully limited.

As a bedroom bassist who hasn't even turned on my 40-watt 1x12 Peavey VIP 2 in a year and a half except a few times with headphones, I clearly don't need a 2x10 for the volume, head room, etc.

Part of it almost seems like a mid-life bass crisis. I've been playing for a while now, and having a big ol' heavy ol' powerful ol' 2x10 would make me finally feel like a "real" bassist, even if it's just to look at and then attenuate. I'll never be a fridge sort of guy, sure, but a lot of real actual bassists use 2x10s, so look at me, I'm legit! Anyway, that'd honestly be nice, but it's still a dopey reason to spend way more than is necessary on way too much power. Plus I'd have to use it as a nightstand because I don't even have room for it, and that's just... that's a sign something went funny, I think.

So all I can figure, really, is that I just plain want one. It would occasionally pop into my head that I play through a Katana-210 or a Blackstar U500 or something and I would smile and heave a pleased sigh. Having often been described as a Vulcan, facing this motivation that can only be explained by passion or vague desire is super foreign to me, and I don't know what to make of it; is there in fact some logical, reasonable path I once went down where I realized a 2x10 was the way to go? or is it just plain emotional and I'll raise an eyebrow at myself whenever I look at the amp?

Having typed all that out, I can't really tell if I'm looking for advice or just thinking out loud. But there it is, so if you got this far and you've got some counsel, hey, lay it on me!
Click to expand...
210s are great! It's difficult to justify any sort of equipment, when you're not actually getting any return from that purchase and only limited enjoyment. That being said, if you have the money and you feel like it, why not? A 210 definitely gives you a lot of oomph and I've never been able to turn up my ampeg BA210 above 9 o'clock while having other people in the house. But man, in a relatively small room, a 210 can sound massive.

I mostly practice with headphones through my tech21 di, but whenever I get some alone time at home, I add a 210 to that BA combo and turn up as loud as I think I can go without getting a noise complaint from the neighbors haha
 
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#49
DuluthDank said:
People will often say that it doesn't matter if an amp way more powerful than you need for practice because you can always just turn it down. I took that advice and got an Orange Terror and a 2x10 cab for practice, which would be 250 watts at 8 ohms. I'm finding that the volume dial is way too touchy at practice volume to get it just at the level I want it. I'm also finding that it takes a bit more volume for the amp and cab to seem to hit its stride, if you know what I mean, than I often want to practice with.

On the other hand, my GK MB110 sounds great at my preferred practice volume and is easy to dial in. So basically I use the GK most of the time and will probably sell the Orange at some point. Maybe the touchy volume knob and dull sound at lower volumes isn't universal, but I'm definitely hearing it with Orange setup.
Click to expand...
Amp volume is never really linear. There's usually a hump where it suddenly feels way louder and that's also often the point where you're starting to enjoy what's coming out of the amp, but it's always just a tad too loud aswell
 
#52
It happens to the best of us. I'm almost the opposite. I have a Rumble 500 2×10 combo and it fits my needs perfectly and don't need anything else...

BUT

I so want to grab a 800-1000 watt head and some 2×12s or 4×10 cabs.

Do I need it? No

...BUT

Do I *need* it? YES!!! :D
 
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#53
Bedroom bassist here too with more amp than I need as well: 120 watt with 10" speaker guitar amp that I play with the volume at 10 o'clock.

Looking at a MarkBass 1x12 with 3x the power or the Rumble 500: both overkill for how I play. Makes no sense but I know GAS never does. "I'm not going to do it." (Famous last words)
 
#54
Bassaga said:
The combo part is easy enough: I like simplicity. One box, boom, done. But I'm still working through the other bit.

Whenever the question of a new amp comes into mind, I think to myself, "Okay, step one, we can narrow it down to 2x10s." Realized recently that I have no idea how I got that in my head. I've got this notion that I prefer the sound of them in general, but no idea why I would think that, or what sonic experiences led to that. Frankly my real-life experience with different rigs' sounds is pitifully limited.

As a bedroom bassist who hasn't even turned on my 40-watt 1x12 Peavey VIP 2 in a year and a half except a few times with headphones, I clearly don't need a 2x10 for the volume, head room, etc.

Part of it almost seems like a mid-life bass crisis. I've been playing for a while now, and having a big ol' heavy ol' powerful ol' 2x10 would make me finally feel like a "real" bassist, even if it's just to look at and then attenuate. I'll never be a fridge sort of guy, sure, but a lot of real actual bassists use 2x10s, so look at me, I'm legit! Anyway, that'd honestly be nice, but it's still a dopey reason to spend way more than is necessary on way too much power. Plus I'd have to use it as a nightstand because I don't even have room for it, and that's just... that's a sign something went funny, I think.

So all I can figure, really, is that I just plain want one. It would occasionally pop into my head that I play through a Katana-210 or a Blackstar U500 or something and I would smile and heave a pleased sigh. Having often been described as a Vulcan, facing this motivation that can only be explained by passion or vague desire is super foreign to me, and I don't know what to make of it; is there in fact some logical, reasonable path I once went down where I realized a 2x10 was the way to go? or is it just plain emotional and I'll raise an eyebrow at myself whenever I look at the amp?

Having typed all that out, I can't really tell if I'm looking for advice or just thinking out loud. But there it is, so if you got this far and you've got some counsel, hey, lay it on me!
Click to expand...
Rb115
 
#55
Yu
RattleSnack said:
Ha, that's funny - my only amp at the moment is GK MB112 II combo (1x12) and the one I don't see myself parting with :) It does monitoring onstage great, and PA is there for heavy lift.
Click to expand...

Yup, my advice is to keep it. LOL. I miss my little MB150E and I think about replacing it all the time. My 210 combo is a Markbass....it is an awesome unit, but I miss the portability of that MB. Also, even at 80W (when using the internal speaker) it was enough to make my pants move on my leg if I stood next to it...plenty of umph.
 
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