Looking for a grab and go amp for blues

[Kael]

Go get a gk mb115 combo and be done with it. It is fairly inexpensive, easy to set and sounds decent. 200 watts into a 15" speaker. Combo and flyweight so easy to "grab and go". Are there better amp options? Yes. But this fits your requirements without breaking the bank and does so well.

 

[ErnieD]

check out the TC Electronics BG250 bass combo.

They are about $3 bills new at some online stores. Its a 250 watt, 15" combo with built in tuner, built in effects that you can change out with a smart ph or PC, headphone/aux jacks, DI out, a seperate tubetone knob. Only weighs about 35lbs, feels even lighter to me and it gets pretty darn loud.

I use mine for restaurant/bar gigs and have taken it to a couple loud 5 pc, blues band auditions recently....and was asked to turn down at one.

Even with many cabs/amps that I own from 112, 115, 210, 212, 410's and a few mini/micro amp heads I still wanted something I could use such as I stated above. I'll be 55 this Friday so I was tired of luggin larger, 40lb+, cab(s) to small shows/rehearsals Now I don't have to bring speaker cables, a tuner or effects pedals. I just pack the power cord in my bass case and carry in/out in one easy, quick trip.

I've used that combo more at the past 6-7 gigs/rehearsal/auditions than my regular gear it works that well for me. And I only play 5 string basses and it handles them very well. But if it will be your only bass rig, maybe seperate head/cab is best, but this little combo has been doing very well for me. So just another suggestion here. Good luck.

 

[straightblues]

It is really amazing the choices one has today. Tons of great gear for nearly every possible situation at reasonable prices. The choice will be tough.

 

[straightblues]

check out the TC Electronics BG250 bass combo.

They are about $3 bills new at some online stores. Its a 250 watt, 15" combo with built in tuner, built in effects that you can change out with a smart ph or PC, headphone/aux jacks, DI out, a seperate tubetone knob. Only weighs about 35lbs, feels even lighter to me and it gets pretty darn loud.

I just got back from trying the TC Elctronics BG250 combo. That is a really decent sounding amp and its very versital. I was surprised on how good it sounded at the price point. It is also very light and with the built in tuner and effects, it could be ideal. I will have to research it a little more.

I also played the Ampeg Porta-flex and Micro. The micro sounded louder than the 350 watt Portaflex. I don't know what was going on. The micro cabinets and amps are a really cool setup as well.

Still need to listen to other stuff, but I am liking what I am hearing so far. I can already see, that I will need a lot of solid state watts compared to tubes watts.

 

[bherman]

Go get a gk mb115 combo and be done with it. It is fairly inexpensive, easy to set and sounds decent. 200 watts into a 15" speaker. Combo and flyweight so easy to "grab and go". Are there better amp options? Yes. But this fits your requirements without breaking the bank and does so well.

These are a good choice. ALthough I am not a big fan of GK sound, this is alot of amp for the money. My brother has one and is very happy with it.

Two other things to think about.

Craigslist - depending on where you are located, there are good deals to be had if you are patient. My local Craigslist (and Denver - an hour away) always have a few combos or older cab/head combos that would suit for your purposes for $2-300

TalkBass classifieds - always someone selling something that would fit your needs. Take some time to browse, over a week or two you are bound to find something.

this forum is a great resource, but keep in mind that there is a wide variety of opinions. Some people love GK, others hate them. I'm not a fan of the newer Ampeg stuff, but they work really well for lots of people here.

Variety of ideas and opinions are great and a good way to learn as long as you stay away from the "I'm right and you don't know *****" threads.

Good luck searching....

 

[JimmyM]

I just got back from trying the TC Elctronics BG250 combo. That is a really decent sounding amp and its very versital. I was surprised on how good it sounded at the price point. It is also very light and with the built in tuner and effects, it could be ideal. I will have to research it a little more.

I also played the Ampeg Porta-flex and Micro. The micro sounded louder than the 350 watt Portaflex. I don't know what was going on. The micro cabinets and amps are a really cool setup as well.

Still need to listen to other stuff, but I am liking what I am hearing so far. I can already see, that I will need a lot of solid state watts compared to tubes watts.

Especially if you go micro. Headroom is your friend with micros.

As for the PF and Micro VR rigs, the little 210av cabs might have seemed louder because the PF cabs have a lot more low end, which uses up wattage at a greater rate than highs and mids, so the 210av's will give you more perceived loudness with the same head on the same settings.

 

[1stnamebassist]

I have a Carvin MB15 plus I have the Carvin MB15 extension cab. Each weighs around 30 lbs, 250 watts, is plenty loud for small to medium gigs, and has a line out if needed. It sounds great and has plenty of EQ. About 350.00 For the amp itself, and about 600.00 with extension. They also have a 2x10 version which gets good reviews for the same price. I've tried the GK combos, and they are fantastic as well. The TC BG250 is a nice looking amp and is small and compact as well. Lots of great choices out there!

 

[Alexander]

The best choice in my opinion would be a used Ampeg B100R (if you can find one). They're relatively cheap ($300-400, I think), have lots of mojo and just plain sound great with little tweaking required. As long as you're not playing in super loud environments, it is a great choice.

A second (better, more powerful, flexible and expensive) choice would be the Mesa Walkabout scout. Great amp, but at (or more likely just over) your price range on the used market,

Good luck

 

[obimark]

This has been my experience as well gigging with the TC BG250 is the BEST value for the money today. Unless you are a TOO loud metal group it is all you will need for most small/medium gigs. (and then DI it for LARGE gigs)

check out the TC Electronics BG250 bass combo.

They are about $3 bills new at some online stores. Its a 250 watt, 15" combo with built in tuner, built in effects that you can change out with a smart ph or PC, headphone/aux jacks, DI out, a seperate tubetone knob. Only weighs about 35lbs, feels even lighter to me and it gets pretty darn loud.

I use mine for restaurant/bar gigs and have taken it to a couple loud 5 pc, blues band auditions recently....and was asked to turn down at one.

Even with many cabs/amps that I own from 112, 115, 210, 212, 410's and a few mini/micro amp heads I still wanted something I could use such as I stated above. I'll be 55 this Friday so I was tired of luggin larger, 40lb+, cab(s) to small shows/rehearsals Now I don't have to bring speaker cables, a tuner or effects pedals. I just pack the power cord in my bass case and carry in/out in one easy, quick trip.

I've used that combo more at the past 6-7 gigs/rehearsal/auditions than my regular gear it works that well for me. And I only play 5 string basses and it handles them very well. But if it will be your only bass rig, maybe seperate head/cab is best, but this little combo has been doing very well for me. So just another suggestion here. Good luck.

 

[PJ Muzikmansky]

As little as I can get by with and still sound good and be easily portable. Easily portable is very high on the list. I am 50 and I like to make thing easy when I can.

I would for sure like to keep it under $700 on the used market. The Peavey TNT is maybe one I will look at. If I could get by with only spending $100, that would be killer. Are there others that come to mind on that level?

I was planning to sell a guitar to buy the bass amp. If it is only $100 or so, I won't have to.

I wouldn't recommend a Peavey TNT, unless you don't really care HOW your bass sounds and don't mind putting your back out now and again: As a former owner (TNT130), the only thing I can say mine had going for it was reliability (bloody thing went forever). As an actual BASS amp though, it was awful: Extremely heavy, hard to lug around, and sounded loud and 'boxy' with very little bass response (In '83, the year I bought it, I was a new player just starting out and didn't know any better).

 

[Fozzman]

I am new to TalkBass and thought this would be a nice first thread for me to chime in on. I use the GK MB 210 combo and was so impressed with it that I went out and bought a second one. I was playing in a 3 piece prog rock group and the GK more than fit the bill for what I needed. Stand alone power is 350 watts and 500 watts with an extension cab, which playing very small venues, I have not needed as of yet. Now I am playing more blues with more low end and the 2 10's don't quiet handle the low's like I want so I will be picking up a 15' extension cab. For straight blues, I would go with 15' speakers. I also love the old Ampeg stuff, but have heard that their new stuff is poorly constructed. Check out GK, I don't think that you will be disappointed.

 

[Russell L]

I am new to TalkBass and thought this would be a nice first thread for me to chime in on. I use the GK MB 210 combo and was so impressed with it that I went out and bought a second one. I was playing in a 3 piece prog rock group and the GK more than fit the bill for what I needed. Stand alone power is 350 watts and 500 watts with an extension cab, which playing very small venues, I have not needed as of yet. Now I am playing more blues with more low end and the 2 10's don't quiet handle the low's like I want so I will be picking up a 15' extension cab. For straight blues, I would go with 15' speakers. I also love the old Ampeg stuff, but have heard that their new stuff is poorly constructed. Check out GK, I don't think that you will be disappointed.

Speaker size only tells you how big it looks, not whether or not it will go low. It's all about the total speaker/cab design. Also different speakers, alone, have different capabilities. And displacement is not only about cone size, but also excursion. There are some 115 cabs that can move as much air as a 410, or nearly so. But it's due to the driver having a lot of excursion (actually xmax and xlim). Check barefacedbass.com and read some of the Bass Guitar Magazine articles by Alex Claber, as well as the write-ups for different Barefaced cabs. Really good info.

 

[mystic38]

both GK MB115 and TC BG250 will do exactly what you want.. small light loud and $400ish

 

[zon6c-f]

Try GC Acoustic B-200. Best bang for the buck; no issues with Low B-string. I tried them all..all failed the B-string test, except G C Acoustic B-200 .

Later I bought G C Acoustic B200 head and seperate cab. 2 trips and so much lighter.

Whether combo or seperates.. Plenty of volume and tons of tone: 6 channel semi parametric with notch filter. Set everything @ noon and tweak or use suggetsed tones. Lower GAIN for coffee house gigs or crank it and keep up with large guitar rigs, D I for PA reinforcement if needed.

Closest match to tone was MARKBASS, but @ $1000 MORE and a single 12 which could not handle low B ?? ..NO WAY.

Try G C house brand Acoustic. Very affordable; even more so if purchased used.

Good luck and keep us posted. PS..When you buy Acoustic, please join the Acoustic users 'club' on TB.

 

[straightblues]

Thanks for help.

I have played through the Acoustic B100 and B200. They sound good and would probably fit the bill. They are a little heavier than many of the other amps I am considering. I have a line on a B200 for $250.

There are several Hartke models that would seem to fit the bill, yet nobody has recommended them. Why is that?

Want to go try the GK stuff today.

Right now, it seems that the Tc Electronic BG 250 for $400 or a used Gen Benz Shuttle 6.0 and 12t for $600 are at the top of my list. Is the Genz Benz worth the extra cash?

 

[mystic38]

the hartke hydrive combos are decent..i had checked out the 210 version and it had decent tone (better than bg250 imo)..but kinda heavy/bulky and hard to fit in the cab of my truck.. so it went back and i got the bg250. its cheaper, lighter sized and sounds good enough.

genz worth extra?..yes.
Probably the best engineered amps out there... but call me biased if you like since i just dropped for a streamliner 900 and an uber quad.
imo if you can stretch for the genz it most certainly should be a clear step above the BG250

Thanks for help.

I have played through the Acoustic B100 and B200. They sound good and would probably fit the bill. They are a little heavier than many of the other amps I am considering. I have a line on a B200 for $250.

There are several Hartke models that would Kareem to fit the bill, yet nobody has recommended them. Why is that?

Want to go try the GK stuff today.

Right now, it seems that the Tc Electronic BG 250 for $400 or a used Gen Benz Shuttle 6.0 and 12t for $600 are at the top of my list. Is the Genz Benz worth the extra cash?

 

[dukeorock]

For a lightweight option for straight blues gigs, I'd do a Streamliner or Tone Hammer and feel well covered...both are light, reasonably priced and sound awesome.

I've yet to hear a combo amp I'd buy. I'd prefer to pick out my own cabs. Those little GK MB combos are certainly cheap and extremely light, but I just don't see what all the fuss is about beyond them being light and cheap. I've heard quite a few of them on gigs...walk around the room...just muddy, and gutless sounding to me. Though I do love many GK amps quite a bit.

I'd personally rule out Barefaced if you live in the States. There are a good number of high quality full range 15" cabs domestically that'll perform as good or better without all the expense of getting a cab shipped from the UK.

 

[bherman]

Thanks for help.

I have played through the Acoustic B100 and B200. They sound good and would probably fit the bill. They are a little heavier than many of the other amps I am considering. I have a line on a B200 for $250.

There are several Hartke models that would Kareem to fit the bill, yet nobody has recommended them. Why is that?

Want to go try the GK stuff today.

Right now, it seems that the Tc Electronic BG 250 for $400 or a used Gen Benz Shuttle 6.0 and 12t for $600 are at the top of my list. Is the Genz Benz worth the extra cash?

Ditto on GB quality - if you get it for the right price used, you can always recoup your money down the road. Great company putting out great products.

 

[zon6c-f]

I want to emphasize that I tried nearly all if not every combo listed in above posts, as well as some head/ cab seperates, from big name to boutique and the ALL farted out on my low B.

If low B or flat tuning is not an issue, then there are many options regarding both cost and quality.

Again I found combos to be a false economy: easier to plug-n-play, but a bit cumberson for an average haul, weight wise for one with adequate power to gig with.

I was astonished at how much easier it is to load seperate head and cabinet, weight wise; even at 2 loads. Or a handtruck makes any haul easier.

As for effects boxes: They will probably work well too as they are merely powerful pre-amps / DI boxes with some or many effects, cab and cab emulators. Not always satisfying to the player, but well pleasing to an audience. [ I own a couple myself and have successfully performed ampless with them ] You just lose that live speaker ambience of a real amp.

Also the best of those units as mentioned above cost well over what a G C Acoustic B200 head/ cab costs. Much easier to load? ..YES.. More costly? Probably very much so.

DISCLAIMER: I do not work nor am I affiliated in any way with any music stores or suppliers..I simply love electric bass and electric blues. [Hendrix and Robin Trower have new releases by the way...]

 

[Tactician]

Easy. Get an Ashdown Mag250 or 300 with the single 15. Here's the trick though, the stock 15 isn't up to much so swap in a good 15 and you are ready to go. Oh, get a second hand one - no point in messing with a new one. There are plenty of these around becausealyers don't know how much better they can be with a speaker upgrade. Budget for $150 for the combo and another $ 100 - $150 for the speaker chassis. And you can keep the speaker for life - just put the original back in if you want to sell. Install a 3015 in it as I did - works just fine and has loads of headroom, you'll clip before the speaker farts.