There are a slew of different choices out there. I’m sure that, if it has not already occurred, every poster will describe his/her fave setup. But really, only you can choose. My recommendation: go PLAY them. Go to stores and play them. Pick them up to feel the weight, bring a tape measure so you can ascertain dimensions... then buy something and use it a couple times. Most stores have a 30 day return policy so you can bring it back if it is insufficient or overkill, or doesn’t sound the way you want.
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If you could only own one amp
- Thread starter Soberglitch
- Start date
It’s a great amp, one that I have recommended to people here. The matchmaker in me has been thinking about it paired with a Mesa Subway 215. I could probably play anywhere happily with that.Although it might not have been your favorite, I'm happy to see the EBS Reidmar 750 on your list of gear. It's my main bass head, and I'd have to say that it's one of the best sounding, most versatile and most powerful amps I've owned.
Not to derail from the OP's topic, but I'd be curious to hear your thoughts about it if you found a moment.
My choice of the 800RB in this thread was based on the warm fat tube-like sound that no other solid state head I’ve ever heard does as well. At the same time it has the snap of a modern sounding amp.
‘Eden WT-800 or WT-500 + D-210xst cab 8ohm paired with the WT-800. 4ohm with WT-500. A little heavy by today’s standards, but it’s a killer rig for most situations.
Or on the combo side, an Eden E-320 2-10 if you can find one is simple and rated at 320 watts, can kick like like a mule. Again, not a class D amp with NEOs, so expect it to be a tad on the heavy side by today’s standard.
Unfortunately, Eden is in a restructure having been divested by Marshall that will take a bit to get up and running, but plenty of used gear is available.
This is a BIG surprise for me (I truly didn't care for class "D" Amps when they were first introduced) but for my tastes, it's come down to two manufacturers amps.
I alternate between a Mesa Subway 800+, and a G.K. MB500.
Love em' both!
I alternate between a Mesa Subway 800+, and a G.K. MB500.
Love em' both!
I’ve got a Fender Stage 800 (their 800 watt, 2x10 modeling combo) and as much as I like the idea of owning a head and cab, the Stage does everything I’d ever need.
The Rumble v3 model sounds like a Rumble (duh) and the Super Bassman and TV Front models are excellent. The SVT & GK models sound remarkably like their muses.
39 pounds with 400w into the 2x10 is more than adequate...but a TT800 into a 2x15 looks like it would be fun to try!!
The Rumble v3 model sounds like a Rumble (duh) and the Super Bassman and TV Front models are excellent. The SVT & GK models sound remarkably like their muses.
39 pounds with 400w into the 2x10 is more than adequate...but a TT800 into a 2x15 looks like it would be fun to try!!
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I would go with my Markbass CMD 151p combo. It's light enough to carry with one hand, can get really loud, handles lows really well, sounds great in a band setting, and doesn't break the bank too bad (they can be found on sale at GC and MF all the time). They also have a great sounding DI and EQ section IMO. I also love the VLE and VPF knobs too. Overall it's a great sounding amp and I've owned many.
As a Mesa Boogie amp fan boy (3 Mark combos, 3 more heads, stereo amp and the Bass 400 all tube bass head ), I should already have a *800 amp. I backed out of a few deals here. It's because I play the double bass more, there is really no need for another head unless it's another AI head.
I may sell my Mark Combos. They are going for ridiculously high prices right now.
I have gotten good service from a modeling preamp, a power amp in a small rack box and a small quality cab that can move some air. It’s a one-trip carry with the modeler and cables in an old laptop bag slung over my shoulder. And it sounds pretty good with my guitar and lap steel too.
But it looks weird, so that might turn some people off.
But it looks weird, so that might turn some people off.
Fender Rumble 500 head, Rumble 1x15 cabinet, (2) Rumble 2x10 cabinets. Would give good flexibility for small to large venues by mix/match cabs and I love the Rumble line. 
I only have two amps, a Roland Cube Bass 100 and this G-K MB-500/Neo112 rig, so of course I'll take the G-K which has been my main rig since 2010.
But if I were starting from scratch, I'd probably get one of the G-K 1x12 combos that's essentially the same rig in one box, except I might go with the Fusion to get the tube preamp. In fact, I might replace the Roland with one of those, which would combine nicely with my Neo112 cab for an easily portable 2x12 rig.
But if I were starting from scratch, I'd probably get one of the G-K 1x12 combos that's essentially the same rig in one box, except I might go with the Fusion to get the tube preamp. In fact, I might replace the Roland with one of those, which would combine nicely with my Neo112 cab for an easily portable 2x12 rig.
I have a Berg Forte, which is the only head I own. I am pretty happy with it. It does everything I need and more. As for the cab, I have the Berg HDN210 - which again, is the only cabinet I own, the size is great, the weight is great. If I could pick whatever I wanted, the only thing I might change would be to get the Bergantino 310. But I couldn't be happier with my set up.
I have three combo amps, my most used is a Phil Jones Double Four when my uke group rehearses indoors or plays casually outdoors. When a few of us play at children's hospitals, I use a Blackstar Fly3 Duo Bass hung on me.
For larger audience gigs indoors and outdoors, I have a Carvin MB15 200/250w with neo speaker, a rather compact reasonably light unit, and for big indoor and especially outdoor gigs, I add a matching Carvin 115MBE box to bring the amp to 250w.
So to actually answer the question, it would be the Carvin combo MB15 amp because it fits easily in an old lady shopping cart with a battery/inverter I put together (I'm partially handicapped, which helps carting it around, don't even need to remove it when playing).
For larger audience gigs indoors and outdoors, I have a Carvin MB15 200/250w with neo speaker, a rather compact reasonably light unit, and for big indoor and especially outdoor gigs, I add a matching Carvin 115MBE box to bring the amp to 250w.
So to actually answer the question, it would be the Carvin combo MB15 amp because it fits easily in an old lady shopping cart with a battery/inverter I put together (I'm partially handicapped, which helps carting it around, don't even need to remove it when playing).
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