Lightweight bass combo for oldman!!

[Maron6168]

Hi guys,
I normally play a large amp with big cab but finding it increasingly hard to carry at my age (62)!! So I've been looking at buying a small (100-300watt) combo amp that i can DI if needed and use my pedals through too. The internet is a nightmare with so many recommendations and combinations, the Fender 100 Rumble seems ok and I quite like the Mark bass but as I have recently joined Talk Bass I thought I would take the opportunity to ask the experts - you! I'm based in the UK and play mostly pubs and smaller clubs so any help would be much appreciated. Cheers

 

[gtirard]

What's your budget?

If you're looking for a super lightweight combo, I think nobody can beat GR Bass:

AT Cube 350: 8,4 Kg - 18,5 lbs
AT Cube 500: 8,8 Kg - 19,4 lbs
AT Cube 800: 9,6 Kg - 21,1 lbs

 

[Maron6168]

Money is not a problem, where are these normally sold?

 

[gtirard]

Money is not a problem, where are these normally sold?

If you live in the USA, they are not easy to find (their distribution network is growing slowly).
You should send an email to [email protected] to ask them, they are very reactive and helpful.

 

[Gigas444]

you can try the Markbass 121, i purchased one as a spare amp for smaller venues where my "fridge" made of speakers was "not welcome" D), soon after I tried it (both live and in a reharshal room) I decided to sell every other amp i owned (at that time i had a Marshall vba400 and an Orange Terror Bass 1000), just kept this little yellow thing (I play mostly metal and can confirm you'll never feel any lack of power), never had a regret, never an issue about sound/DI/line out/effects loop etc, here you can find the specs:

• power: 500W @ 4 Ohm, 300W @ 8 Ohm
• Speaker: 1x 12"
• Tweeter: Piezo
• frequency response: 45Hz - 18kHz
• Crossover: 3,5kHz
• Sensitivity: 99dB SPL
• Dimensions: H425 x 380 x 360mm
• weight: 11,9kg

 

[Marko 1]

The internet is a nightmare with so many recommendations and combinations, the Fender 100 Rumble seems ok and I quite like the Mark bass but as
I have recently joined Talk Bass I thought I would take the opportunity to ask the experts - you!

Welcome to TalkBass.

 

[CallMeAl]

I own both the Rumble 100 and Markbass 121p. The Rumble is good and will work if that’s more friendly to your budget. The Markbass had more headroom, overall volume and clarity in the mix, so would be my pick to maximize performance. Rumble 200 or 500 would also be good choices splitting the difference between cost and volume; if you can handle the size and weight (still pretty light though!)

have fun, good luck and welcome!

 

[Vincent Van Low]

I dont have one, but many people like the Fender rumble series, and some even like the Ampeg combo series...I know you are looking for a combo, but what about a lightweight head and separate cab? I bet you could find the lightest option that way...

 

[Auer]

I dont have one, but many people like the Fender rumble series, and some even like the Ampeg combo series...I know you are looking for a combo, but what about a lightweight head and separate cab? I bet you could find the lightest option that way...

yeah, you can throw a head in a bag and shoulder it and carry many modern cabs one handed with ease.

So many out there, but personally I have been looking at Darkglass and Orange.

 

[Bonecat]

I’m also in the broken old man club and I really like my GK MB150S-112. GK discontinued it, but they’re out there. Small, light enough, surprisingly loud for its size/wattage, useful tones, and a clean DI. Checks all the boxes and even sounds good with my upright…

 

[themickster]

Hi guys,
I normally play a large amp with big cab but finding it increasingly hard to carry at my age (62)!! So I've been looking at buying a small (100-300watt) combo amp that i can DI if needed and use my pedals through too. The internet is a nightmare with so many recommendations and combinations, the Fender 100 Rumble seems ok and I quite like the Mark bass but as I have recently joined Talk Bass I thought I would take the opportunity to ask the experts - you! I'm based in the UK and play mostly pubs and smaller clubs so any help would be much appreciated. Cheers

Look up Trace Elliott Elf.

 

[lbbc]

I would suggest a used Genz Benz 6.0 Shuttle combo (if you can find one). I have 2 and absolutely love them. About 32 lbs and 375 watts without an extension cabinet. 600 watts with extension cabinet.

 

[ahbradot]

Me turning 60 years old and I really love my Markbass Ninja Richard Bona Signature 500W

500 watts
• Two ten-inch speakers
• Light and portable
• Rear ported
• Built-in DI

 

[bottomzone]

Check out Markbass combos. I ordered this from Musician's Friend and it should arrive in December.

MB58R MINI CMD 121 PURE – Markbass

 

[pineweasel]

If money's not a problem, consider modern lightweight cabs and a small class D amp.

I have Barefaced One10 cabs (16lbs), using one or two depending on the situation, and a Tone Hammer amp (4lbs in its shoulder bag)

It's a wonderfully compact setup that's easy to transport and store, but with plenty of performance for the pubs and clubs that I play in.

 

[Deleted member 271037]

I have been very impressed with the smaller combos form Markbass but they keep releasing new models so I have no experience with their current models.

Fender Rumbles are nice amps too but I personally think Markbass is a step above. I guess it depends on what kind of tone you're looking for.

Of course there are LOTS of other options too, especially if you're willing to consider a lightweight Class D head + a small, lightweight cab instead of a combo.

I would get 300w MINIMUM though, and a 500w Class D amp will still be relatively light. If you're used to playing tube amps you will most likely need more wattage with Class D. I know "Class D watts" are supposed to deliver the same volume as "tube watts" but that's CLEAN. Tube amps can deliver a lot more volume when they're pushed hard and still be RELATIVELY clean. I normally use 100-200w tube amps (depending on the gig) but I have yet to play a Class D amp below 500 watts that will give me the volume I need.

I guess it depends on how loud you band is and/or what kind of venues you play.

 

[PiquetBass]

Take a look at the Fender Rumble Club pages - lot of options there, from the 100 to the 800 combo and everything in between.
Where are you in the UK? I got my Rumble 500c from PMT, it does everything I need. Same size and similar mass to the 100c and 200c, but with the obvious headroom advantage.

 

[Goatrope]

If money's not a problem, consider modern lightweight cabs and a small class D amp.

I have Barefaced One10 cabs (16lbs), using one or two depending on the situation, and a Tone Hammer amp (4lbs in its shoulder bag)

It's a wonderfully compact setup that's easy to transport and store, but with plenty of performance for the pubs and clubs that I play in.

As a 63yo member of the BOMNB (broken old man no budget) club myself, this approach gives you the most flexibility.

Full disclosure: I still lug my Super Bassman head most gigs. But a CN212 (47lbs) and a Mesa D800 (5lbs) is my difficult load-in rig.

Don't like Mesa, there are a ton of D class out there. Bergantino would be my go-to for a light weight cab. Again, a ton of options.

 

[butterfingers1]

Traynor.

 

[BGroovy]

My one trip easy load in is a Mesa WD800, super lightweight in a small shoulder bag. Bass in gator gig bag with shoulder straps. Mesa Subway 115 (could go 112 if you want even smaller).

Class D head in a shoulder bag + Neo cab is the easiest to carry for me.