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Is there that much of a difference going from a $500 to $1000 combo (2x10)

someguyfromNC

someguyfromNC

Jul 4, 2015
516
629
NC
#1
Hey guys longtime guitar player here recently turned bass. Love locking in with the drums and getting my groove on. I'm looking to get my first bass amp. Something that can hold up to a loud rock drummer in a rehearsal setting and lightweight in case I have to regularly carry it up stairs by myself.

Is there a huge difference between the $500 ss amp combo offerings from Ampeg BA, Fender Rumble V3, GK MB from say a MarkBass CMD 102p? Would the markbass just outclass these other amps? I'm right now leaning toward a Rumble 500 because its a 2x10 350/500 watts and 36 lbs. I'm considering the markbass because with the july 4 deals I can get one under 1000 shipped. I've read reviews on ALL of these amps and they are very much positive. The only amps the local stores carry around here are hartke and peavey 1x10 practice amps so I can't try out any of these. When I start gigging again I'm sure a 210 extension cab is in the future with whatever amp I purchase now. So that would make all of these amps 500 watt 4x10.

Just asking because I know in the guitar amp world a few hundred dollars can make an absolutely huge difference in the quality of amps available. I'm clueless how the bass amp world is regarding ss amps. At first glance it seems the quality is everywhere :)

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EDIT

Purchased a GK 1001RB-II Head and GK Neo 212-II Cab.

Thanks for the advice and tips! Appreciate it!

After thinking it over all weekend I was just was not comfortable going with a 30 some pound combo when things can get knocked around pretty hard in transit or someone using it as a chair.
 
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#3
Is this the combo you are talking about? This is a very real option. With the coupon from Musicians Friend it's also 679 shipped (down from 799).
MB212-II-xlarge.jpg
 
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#10
JimmyM said:
I still stand behind what I said :D For me, while the 102p has some advantages the lower priced BA combos don't have, I like the sound of the BA's better. And as always, YMMV.
Click to expand...

I probably would have went with the Ampeg BA210V2 if it was in stock! $499 but every online shop is out of stock for at least 1-2 months. Nothing else in that price range that Ampeg has that I would really be interested in so it looks like the GB is going to be my purchase.
 
#13
A NOS GB would be pretty cool (production ended a little while back), I think you will be very pleased with the 37lb G-K though. I have seen and heard them on outside gigs even with shaky PA support and they do shockingly well for the size and weight. :)
 
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#16
the markbass sounds really good to me - in fact, for some types of music, markbass is THE best for my preferences. the 2x10 or 12" markbass would be my preference over the 1x10, although i also like their 15s including the players club combo.

there can be advantages to a 2x12 or a 2x210 over a single speaker cab. but beside the fact that everyone has their own tonal preferences, and that not all tones are as good for different types of music, not all basses sound the same with all amps.
 
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#18
B-string said:
I think you will be very pleased with the 37lb G-K though. I have seen and heard them on outside gigs even with shaky PA support and they do shockingly well for the size and weight. :)
Click to expand...

Agreed. I played an outdoor gig last weekend with no PA support. Not a huge venue but an outdoor parking lot party. I used a first generation GK MB210 combo with an extension cabinet and sounded huge. I only had the gain at about 10 o'clock. They can get very loud and are very light.
 
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#20
Only buying new.

After 20 years of buying/selling guitar amps and sometimes running into amps that are supposed to be "like new no problems"... many show signs of problems within days. I'm not taking that chance again and will take advantage of the warranty if needed. ESPECIALLY solid state amps.

If I was in the market for a tube Ampeg (which I likely will be down the line) I'd go used no problem.
 

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