I've got GAS for a new amp, but the reason isn't what you'd expect...

If you stand the extra weight get the 200 over the 100. More power and 15" vs 12".

 

You might just want to save up for a good tube D/I and a pair of IEM's
providing the PA systems you play through can handle it.

If a re-injury could result in possible paralysis, I sure wouldn't push my luck.

 

I would seriously look at grabbing a light-weight head such as Gallien-Krueger MB200 and build a simple ported box out of well braced 1/2" plywood with an Eminence KappaLite 3015 (or DeltaLite II 2515). Look at the Simplex plans at billfitzmaurice.net. You could get below 10 lbs with that.

 

I know two guitar players who are now partially paralyzed in their fretting hand from a slipped disc.
Both had surgery and there's not much anyone can do.

 

Not going to buy that weight. I bought an open back guitar cab, built out of okoume and a neo speaker. Still weighed 15 pounds.

 

I share your pain - and there's nothing like being super careful loading and unloading and setting up for a gig and then just making one wrong move and pulling something out of whack before the gig. (I did one gig sitting on my amp I was in so much pain.)

The good news is with class d amps, you can get a high powered head that weighs less than your bag of cables. And lightweight cabs are a plenty too. A combo might be simpler and there's light ones as you discovered too.

If you can handle it without worry, I'd go with a higher power setup. You never know when you might need it - as long as you're not carrying too much extra weight with it. I'd pick the 500.

Also I don't find 15's to be deeper than 10's - in general they can be the same. Boils down to the specs of the speaker. A bunch of 15's are full range, not subs, and they actually sound less deep than a pair of 10's to me. (I used to play through a pair of older 2x15 cabs - thats four 15" speakers - but a newer single 4x10 cab blew them away in how low it could go!)

Eden used to make a Nemesis line with cabs made out of... plastic? I don't recall now (and I own some!) - but they were super light.

Good luck with your choices!

 

Also, the 1x15 rumble 200 is listed as only 2 pounds lighter than the 500 with 2x10.

Using the internal speakers, you're comparing 140 watts of the 200 to 350 watts of the 500. Big difference in headroom there.

 

I would somewhat agree with this 10 fold over a Fender Rumble. A GK MB200 and a good lightweight cab will give you a much better rig than the Rumble. The MB200 I have sounds much better than the Rumble 500 head I owned. The DI is much better also.

 

Well, 10 lbs might have been a bit optimistic. 2 lbs for the amp, 6 lbs for a DeltaLite II 2515. Maybe 20 lbs of fir plywood, but you could easily go to 3/8" ply if you wanted to. Just mind the bracing!

 

Big difference between 10 and 26 pounds.

 

+1 microhead + Neo cab

Like you I also prefer 15's - I have tried many 210's but they just don't do it for me

For heads:
GK MB200 or Traynor SB200h = both are less than 2 lbs
GK MB500 or Traynor SB500h = both are less than 4 lbs
I'd go for the 500 to give you extra room with an 8ohm cab - just throw 'em in your gig bag - you won't even notice the weight

For matching cabs:
GK Neo 115 or Traynor Neo 115 = both are less 40lbs
But I really like the Ampeg PF115He at 45 lbs (I own 2)

Amp buying time is always fun so enjoy!

 

First, if weight matters so much, why get a cabinet with a head built-in? Separates are easier to schlepp, and allow you to change your rig with your needs. Second, I have a 210 that blows away many 115's for lows. Driver size does not determine frequency response/performance/tone.

Try some of the ultra light GK neo cabs, some of the Ampeg PF stuff, and choose between all the cool cheap 500+ watt micros that are out there. If you need to find it cheap, don't forget about used gear.

 

From what I have seen the G-K NEO115s are a little low end shy, not so with the NEO212 or 112s

 

Most any half-decent 12 with a hundred watts pushing it cover a coffeeshop or church stage. No need for the larger box of a 15 or 210 IMO.

200 watt Rumble with a 12. 200 watt GK with separate 112 or their MB combo with 112.

 

I gig with a Carvin MB12 for the exact reasons stated: a couple of rear-enders over the years, and I just don't want to carry the weight anymore. The reason I like the MB12 is if I need to carry the house, I can. If I need low end extension, I can plug in a 1X15. It has all the tone shaping, including both shelving and parametric, pre/post line out, active/passive, dim tweeter, tuner out, 250 watts, etc. The entire combo only weighs 30 pounds. It is also voiced neutrally, so I can use it with both double bass and electric bass.

 

Grab an MB200 and a Schroeder 15+L. You and your back (and your ears!) will thank me later.

 

I feel your pain. I had a similar accident and have had to revamp my rig to avoid the flare ups. I've never played a crate 1x15 combo, so I can't tell you for sure, but I wouldn't hesitate at all getting the Rumble 500 combo. At 36lbs it weighs the same or less than most lightweight speaker cabs. With its "vintage" switch engaged it's pretty fat down low, and these Rumbles pack a wallop. I would check out the sound first to make sure you like it...most GCs should carry at least the lower wattage Rumbles to test. These Fenders are somewhat flexible with their EQ presets but definitely skew vintage tube in their tone style. GC should also have one or two GK combos to check out for tone comparison. They are more modern sounding and are great products.

I will disagree with the above post that said the GK MB200 is way better than the Rumble 500. They both sound great in their own ways. At 2lbs the MB200 is a little beast that kicks louder than a lot of higher-rated heads, so it would be the lightest option out there. I ran mine with a 26lb Ampeg 210AV, and it sounded awesome, but that gets away from your 15 direction.

 

You might want to consider a 1x12 neo. They sound fantastic, and the weight saving is significant. Aguilar has one at just 25lbs. Or if your rig doesn't have to be feather weight—I'm using a Mesa Boogie walkabout Scout 12" combo, and man does this thing sound good! It weighs in a roughly 49lbs with the 300 watt amp installed. There's a lot of choices out there—I'm sure you'll find something that rocks your world while leaving your back intact.

http://www.aguilaramp.com/products_cabinets_SL112.htm

As for the head, GK is awesome. I highly recommend the MB Fusion 500. All tube preamp, 500 watts, 2 foot-swtichable channels, and an easy to use fantastic sounding EQ. And all that in a 4.5lb. package.


http://www.gallien-krueger.com/products/mb-heads/