If you could only own one amp

[Element Zero]

Mesa WD800 and Subway 410. Hands down. Perfect in every way.

 

[jj4001]

Acoustic 320 amp and a 402 cab for me.

 

[Lex P.]

I already only have one. Mesa D800+. Loving it through my 2 Mesa SW 115’s.

 

[DrThumpenstein]

Here’s a rig that has a great range of tones, from clean, bright, and articulate to deep and thumpy, with or without some serious tubey breakup, has a great DI, also has great practice features. More Mesa love:

 

[kesslari]

Another choice for the Mesa WD-800. It's essentially my only amp (I have an old Genz Benz as backup).
With MAS B28 speaker cab. Shown with the 1-8 additional cab, 'cos.

 

[pingvuiini]

Taking into consideration all the factors you mentioned, if I had to go with only one rig it would be the Quilter BB800 and GR Bass Aerotech 212 Slim cabinet. This decision is primarily based on the overall light weight and small form factor which makes it possible to carry everything by hand in one trip. I've only played a few times at rehearsal but the 4 knobs of the BB800 makes it very easy and fast to get a nice tone with lots of power and the 212 Slim has a huge crystal clear sound. I got the BB800 for a steal on TB classifieds, but even new they are not bad at $650. The 212 Slim is VERY expensive due to the carbon fiber construction, but for me the ability to hand carry it is priceless.

I also really enjoy the Mesa TT-800 and 1x15 very much. The TT-800 has lots of tonal and I/O flexibility with tons of power and the Subway cabinets are rock solid and impeccably built and sound great. The Mesa rig is not all that much heavier than the BB800/AT212 Slim rig (45lb vs 32lb) but I have it as my leave-it-at-home rig unless I really need some additional beef for live applications.

 

[Bill Murray]

Taking into consideration all the factors you mentioned, if I had to go with only one rig it would be the Quilter BB800 and GR Bass Aerotech 212 Slim cabinet. This decision is primarily based on the overall light weight and small form factor which makes it possible to carry everything by hand in one trip. I've only played a few times at rehearsal but the 4 knobs of the BB800 makes it very easy and fast to get a nice tone with lots of power and the 212 Slim has a huge crystal clear sound. I got the BB800 for a steal on TB classifieds, but even new they are not bad at $650. The 212 Slim is VERY expensive due to the carbon fiber construction, but for me the ability to hand carry it is priceless.

I also really enjoy the Mesa TT-800 and 1x15 very much. The TT-800 has lots of tonal and I/O flexibility with tons of power and the Subway cabinets are rock solid and impeccably built and sound great. The Mesa rig is not all that much heavier than the BB800/AT212 Slim rig (45lb vs 32lb) but I have it as my leave-it-at-home rig unless I really need some additional beef for live applications.

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that bass is nuts! If you have any videos or tunes you could share I’d love to hear it

 

[ExaltBass]

My Bergantino rig does it for me.
Forte HP - NXT212 - NXT112 in Vintage Bordeaux

 

[funkmaster p]

The AER Amp One does absolutely everything I need it to do, and is the best sounding amp I have ever owned. It truly inspires my playing at the gig and while practicing at home.

 

[pingvuiini]

that bass is nuts! If you have any videos or tunes you could share I’d love to hear it

It's finally here! NBD!!!

 

[Soberglitch]

My Bergantino rig does it for me.
Forte HP - NXT212 - NXT112 in Vintage Bordeaux

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This is a really classy looking setup. Thumbs up.

 

[bikeplate]

Bergantino B/amp. You're welcome

 

[Yogi Bear]

The AER Amp One does absolutely everything I need it to do, and is the best sounding amp I have ever owned. It truly inspires my playing at the gig and while practicing at home.

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Ditto in every aspect. This is the perfect amp for me!

 

[LowWay]

I have the one amp I’ll ever need (and will be selling off the others)

 

[rodl2005]

Probly the BAmp as its powerful and VERY adaptable. But the AD200B would be VERY close

 

[mcrawfordmusic]

Fender Rumble 500 for me
Duke

Honestly, I'd probably pick the same.

It's not the pinnacle of bass tone, but I can get a nice clean tone with plenty of stage volume. It weighs nothing and the combo form makes it super easy to lug around.

 

[svlilioukalani]

For me a Mesa 800+ with 2 Audiokenisis Changeling 12 inch cabs.

 

[NOVAX]

Ampeg SVT II P The bass preamp - into a NOS Carvin HD 1500 power amp that's housed in an SKB rack case. The cab is a Carvin 973 (15/6/1) with the tweeter unhooked. It's covered in Duratuff - a cute & whimsical marketing term for rat fur. Now, rat fur doesn't particularly bother me- Rats, however, do.

The rack is 1/3 the lift of the 300 watter, but still quite ready and up for slaughter ..

The rig is not light - it's hearty.
It sounds the way you want it to, especially at high volume. The covering is fuzzy-but the math is not. Some rigs get nervous when you push them hard - this one just doubles down - even at stupid and unrealistic levels the cones hardly flinch. I think the cabinet was designed by a JPL rocket scientist. It spreads its sound out nicely. Not beamy - big sweet spot. It has presence and depth. It's basically a small PA system with the treble turned down

 

[GreyBeard]

Mesa Preamp DI, Rumble 500C, BFM Simplexx 1x15

 

[groovepump]

There are many great suggestions by others in this thread, but me own experience is light and loud is best.
What I would want if I had people to carry my gear for me: Ampeg V4B, and SVT with 810 cab.
What I have instead is serving me wonderfully:
Quilter BB802 with a 210 cab and occasionally an added 115.
Light , Loud, and affordable.