....Finally, IMHO, a light cab and a super light head are easier to transport, repair, expand and achieve world peace with, OK?
This^^^
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Looking for a loud and small Combo.
- Thread starter GMC
- Start date
This^^^
Dr Jim, my sincere thanks for your measured and thoughtful comment. I have also owned and gigged many kinds of amps/formats since 1968, and totally get that there are many good options for bass players to choose from. There are also favorite solutions for many of us, and I am no exception in advocating for gear that I personally think, and know, works great for various applications.I am sincerely sorry if what I contributed to this thread frustrated you or made you angry.
Please do not take offense, and do take comfort in the simple fact that most people seeking advice about combos actually buy combos.
Your criticism is justified in that I do very regularly suggest alternatives to combos often involving GK micro heads—n.b. I have owned many combos since 1963, and used a dozen more regularly. I also recommend other micro heads, but it is hard to beat GK for micros since GB closed. For the record, I own a GB Shuttle 6.0, a GK mb800, and used to have a PF-350. I also own and use an M9 and a CA6.
I think it is fair to allow alternative points of view, and I always welcome yours.
BTW, contrary to your post, I did not suggest GK above, per se, I only wanted to point out that there are 8 ohm 112 cabs that really call for ~500 watts (Barefaced Super-Midget), and that a 500 watt@ 4 ohm amplifier as the OP described doesn't really deliver that. There are several micro-ish amps that fit that bill.
Finally, IMHO, a light cab and a super light head are easier to transport, repair, expand and achieve world peace with, OK?
I try, but often fail, to ignore some of the more confrontational lines of dialog on TB. It's one thing to have simple alternative PoV's, it's entirely another when fanboi-ism kicks in and silly levels of hyberbole are employed in discussion from some quarters, as happens with certain topics like combo - head/cab.
Some days are better than others
thanks again for your measured comment.
play what you like/like what you play.
Can you get Carvin combos in the UK? Very reasonable, full feature sets, high power, lightweight and more.
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+100 on the MarkBass CMD 121. It has been described as "scary loud". I don't know how that tiny amp makes all that sound. 14" cube, 31 lbs, loud enough to play some outdoors and ANY indoor gig I have ever played. Great sound, and unbreakable. I compared it with every other combo the GC store had at the time and nothing else was even close. I really believe that this amp is the best item in the entire MB line and the one item I will never replace with something else.
Who said anything about what the number represents? Only you. That's the number the OP stated. Wouldn't have suggested what was suggested otherwise. You aren't even sure if what you suggested is available at his number. Or actually, if it's even available at all. And what CL400Peavey & I suggested still beat the ever-lovin' $hyte out of a combo. And the suggested possibilities are definitely available in the U.K.
And its lighter and potentially less expensive than the walkabout combo.
You do a poor job stalking my posts, and should spend your energies elsewhere. I suggest gear that I feel fits the problem best. Some times that is a greenboy cab, some times it isn't. In this case, with you n the op's budget, and being mindful of weight, I offer a solution that I believe would fit his needs.
You are welcome to your own opinion, and to offer it. If you want to debate the suitability of those offerings, save it for your own thread.
I would recommend the Markbass CMD 121 Combo amp. I've been using one regularly for about 2 or 3 years now in a variety of playing situations. I play a 5 string and it sounds great. It has a direct out and a very small footprint onstage. If I need more stage volume I have the 121 extension cabinet which brings the rig to 500 watts from 300. I'm always in the board for the PA system so I'm just looking for a good stage sound and the Markbass does the job. I was using a GK 1001 RB combo with 2x10s for a view years which was a nice rig but way too heavy (I think it was filled with Cement at the factory). You may also want to checkout the Markbass 121H which is basically the same amp with 1x12 but the cabinet is a bit taller and has a horn instead of a tweeter. Good luck.
OP, perhaps a cab maker would be willing to do a headcase (cab with a slot for mounting a separate head - basically a modular combo) for you. I haven't gone down that route myself, but I've talked to several builders who've said that they'd be willing to do that for a modest fee, even though it wasn't an option they advertised.
don't flatter yourself CL. I don't have to stalk anything to know that you and ialum will provide a GB answer to just about any question. Its not stalking, its called reading and remembering.
I posted a combo answer to the OP, who was asking, pretty clearly, for combo suggestions. You posted a non-combo suggestion (no matter how you feel it fits the problem), how is that me stalking yours posts.
silly rabbit, best you go back to explaining to the unwashed masses the math behind measuring the area of a circle.
Why not a Carvin MB-15? I love mine, very light, balanced line out, and loud enough for a small combo.
If the OP checks out Mesa Walkabout pricing in the UK, I'd be interested to know what it is. I know that Mesa does not get much love in Europe with their pricing. The EU VAT does not help much either.
oh well, all is not lost, there are lots of options to consider.
oh well, all is not lost, there are lots of options to consider.
I couldn't find what I wanted, so I made one to my own spec.
500 watts class D power amp tube preamp into 4x6.5"
and eyes that light up to your bass playing.
Gumtown's DIY 500 watt quad 6.5" bass combo | TalkBass.com
500 watts class D power amp tube preamp into 4x6.5"
and eyes that light up to your bass playing.
Gumtown's DIY 500 watt quad 6.5" bass combo | TalkBass.com
don't flatter yourself CL. I don't have to stalk anything to know that you and ialum will provide a GB answer to just about any question. Its not stalking, its called reading and remembering.
Then do a better job reading and remembering. You clearly do not follow me well enough, by your own admission, to tell me what I recommend, and with what frequency.
You are entitled to your opinion, and I am to mine. It isnt your place to police these forums, and peoples opinions. Know your place.
silly rabbit, best you go back to explaining to the unwashed masses the math behind measuring the area of a circle.
I am not explaining it to you a third time.
I have used the Markbass 2x10 combo and found it very portable, convenient and loud. The MB 2x10 also kicks back at an angle which was very handy as I used the direct out to go straight to the FOH and essentially used the combo as a stage monitor. The rear ports are very deep and extremely handy to store the power cable, instrument cable and long XLR cable so I can take everything in one trip. Later on I bought the MB 1x12 combo with 1x12 extension cab for a mini stack and sold the 2x10. At this very moment I am just using a REDDI going to the PA for the ultimate lazy person's rig and have been successful with that arrangement so far. But I am seriously pondering going back to the 2x10 combo.
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[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Then do a better job reading and remembering. You clearly do not follow me well enough, by your own admission, to tell me what I recommend, and with what frequency.
You are entitled to your opinion, and I am to mine. It isnt your place to police these forums, and peoples opinions. Know your place.
I am not explaining it to you a third time.
silly rabbit, you chide me, and yet constantly offer contrary opinions where none are asked of you.
Guess you weren't really out, huh? 4 more post from you, so far, after you said you were.Praise the Good Lord
Have you tried to figure out if what you suggested is available within the OP's budget? Or if it's really even available at all? Or are these small items unimportant?
I'm going to differ with you on this:
Markbass CMD 121P 18.9Wx23.4Hx18.7D 44lbs
GK MB 212 II 19Wx26Hx14.5D 41lbs
The GK also cost about $350 (us) less
The OP wants a combo. Many reasons to dig on a combo rather than separates. If gigging in multiple band situations where quick on/off and equipment security can be an issue, combos rule. With certain transportation scenes, combos can rule. Back to security - even if you're the only band but sticky fingers can access your small, lightweight, portable Class D amp…better off with a combo, I say.
The mark bass 121P is worth investigating - The amp is great, the speaker less so - the 121H might be better that way. Tecamp makes a great 1-12 combo, and other Euro makers may have fine stuff to offer.
If, OTOH, the OP start to consider separates, you do have Bareface as the UK light cabinet champ…
Good luck.
The mark bass 121P is worth investigating - The amp is great, the speaker less so - the 121H might be better that way. Tecamp makes a great 1-12 combo, and other Euro makers may have fine stuff to offer.
If, OTOH, the OP start to consider separates, you do have Bareface as the UK light cabinet champ…
Good luck.
That's a fair point and you are talking my language
According to Amazon UK (which I use to look stuff up)
Markbass CMD 121P is 29.3 lbs or 13.3kgs. £569
Markbass CMD 121H is 39.5lbs or 17.9kgs £654
GK MB 212 II 46lbs or 21kg £610
So price point is in the same price point, depending if I was to go 2x12, 1x12 or 1x12 in a tiny and probably too small cab....I think all three warrant my serious consideration.
Typical for Talkbass...people here want to question my need or reasoning. Every one's needs are different and in re-checking my thread has lead me to clarify my needs a little more and I genuinely appreciate every one's comments on this particular thread.
I have a rig already which is quite small and light and very loud. But it's too big and excessive to take to smaller venues and practice sessions. I have a very sweet TE 60w Commando combo which is very nice and has a good tone. But it's too small and under powered for anything bigger than a front room / garage. It doesn't have a line out or a DI, and it's not got enough power or cone dampening ability to put out the kind of dbs I'm used to. I need a combo to fulfill the role of my existing practice combo and handle smaller venues and halls if I want it to. I need it to be a "one box" solution, I don't need it to take over from my big rig but a healthy overlap is nice and would offer me some backup in the case of amp failure of I need to take a lighter option with me that day.
You guys are right, I could chop in my existing rig and go for a nice Bareface cab and 800w micro head....that's also a tempting consideration. Generally, If i'm being pulled in two directions...it usually points to a need of both. So I may consider saving to change both my main rig and pickup a "travel" combo too.
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Barefaced offer custom builds. They have a big list of UK users offering demos. Take your favourite micro along and see if it spins your wheels. Then order same with head slot. InstaCombo.
But really, micro head into gig bag takes all of ten seconds. Why bother with combo?
But really, micro head into gig bag takes all of ten seconds. Why bother with combo?
The only advantages, I can see in a combo over micro head/cab are that the head is less subject to theft and, possibly, price. If something ever breaks, it's always easier and often cheaper to fix just the cab or the head, and the options/flexibility with the head/cab are far greater. To each his own and good luck in your quest.
