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looking for a portable

A

Asa Samuel

Apr 9, 2007
3,722
3
33
Cornwall, UK.
#1
combo, to be used at practise and smaller gigs.

I have a gallien-krueger 400RB-IV 210 combo but its a little heavy and the only time i can bring it to practise is if my parents are taking me in the car, i've decided to try and find a smaller/lighter combo that will still be ok for band practise and/or small gigs.


I think i can spend around £100-150 ($200-300) for it.

It would help if its not too bulky either, so i can take it on the train.


Thanks.
Bass Junkie.
 
#2
Did you look the "amps for sale section " here at this forum? There is an LDS 110 and an Ampeg Porta-bass in there if you look. At practice and at gigs can you run a line out to the PA system? If so, I would go with either of the two I mentioned. Plus there might be others in there that may work for you.
 
#4
On this thread, I'd like to see if anyone out there in TalkBass forum land has any suggestions about REALLY light portable gear. I'm in a loud covers band as well as a semi-acoustic one. The former is catered for, but I'm finding my Line6 Lowdown 150 just too heavy to walk around with for the quiet band's gigs (well I'm no spring chicken anymore). BTW it is a great combo, and I'd recommend them to those with stronger biceps than me.

I also don't need the Lowdown because I've now got a Bass Pod XT plus FBV Shortboard that makes the clever bit of the Lowdown redundant. I D.I. in to the small P.A. so only really need a bit of on-stage monitoring. It seems there are small amps about, such as the Ashdown Superfly, or Mark Bass heads, but the challenge to me seems to be able to find a light-weight cab. Has anyone got a suggestion on a neat bass cab that is light in weight yet is not light in bass & volume?
 
#6
The GK MBS150-III combo has the GK sound and is extremely portable. But it's expensive... I wouldn't own one now if I didn't get such a good deal on one.

The most portable and great-sounding combo I've used (and owned) in a budget-friendly price range would be the Line 6 LowDown Studio 110. It runs around $250 USD.
 
#7
Bass Junkie said:
Please dont hi-jack, this thread is about combos rather than cabs :p
Click to expand...

That being said; I don't think that there is such a thing as a decent portable combo. Any combo I have ever seen or used, if it has enough power to gig with, you need two men and a boy to carry it. Someday there will be soon, one thats lite enough, but as of yet I don't think you'll find one. One 15" inch cab and a small head, still is the best combo going IMHO.
 
#12
For $300 budget... it won't take you that far for a good sounding quality combo that would double as a stand alone small venue gig combo. You could go gamble on a Crate BT220 220W 1x15 quick fix for around $280+s/h. A friend of mine has one uses it for small coffee shop gigs with favorable results. It's in 80+lbs weight but do have wheels for added convenience.

Then again... who knows??? You might find a way better combo than the crate if you look into the used department.
 
#13
Bass Junkie said:
I guess its not possible then, its just annoying having to rely on cars to be able to bring my amp round to places.
Click to expand...

Well it IS possible, actually. I've got a Studio 110 and you can use it with a drummer and for gigs . . . . . as long as you use the built-in DI and run through a PA. :cool: The amp models + the DI make this thing the Swiss Army knife of little boxes. If it only had a built-in tuner.

I've got a Mesa/Avatar rig that I use for gigs and band practice, but when I'm practicing by myself I find myself using the Studio 110 90% of the time. Would I be happy if it was my only rig? Probably not. But out of necessity it had to be my only rig, I would at least take comfort in knowing that I had one of the best little amps out there for under $250.
 
#15
In your price range, you're likely looking at an Ashdown practice combo. http://www.ashdownmusic.com/bass/section.asp?section=practice

The sound to my ears for these aren't super great, but you get what you pay for, and the volume won't be amazing, but you could easily line out to a PA if required.

If you can stretch your budget, look at a Superfly head and cab. More money, but more versatility in the long run. A Superfly head will set you back £150 on eBay.
 
#16
cmhgreg said:
Well it IS possible, actually. I've got a Studio 110 and you can use it with a drummer and for gigs . . . . . as long as you use the built-in DI and run through a PA. The amp models + the DI make this thing the Swiss Army knife of little boxes.
Click to expand...

greg, I think the issue here is that he wants a loud but portable rig to be heard during practice.

When gigging, the Studio 110 is great - as long as you have a PA. Therein lies the issue; it's great for solo practice and gigs, but band practice is another issue. It's not often that a band has a PA of their own to use for practice...
 
#17
MysticBoo said:
greg, I think the issue here is that he wants a loud but portable rig to be heard during practice.

When gigging, the Studio 110 is great - as long as you have a PA. Therein lies the issue; it's great for solo practice and gigs, but band practice is another issue. It's not often that a band has a PA of their own to use for practice...
Click to expand...

My bad. Question though: if the band doesn't have a PA for practice, what do they sing thru? A Mr. Microphone thru a boombox? Maybe I'm spoiled, but I can't imagine having a practice with loud guitars and a drummer without a PA.
 
#18
cmhgreg said:
My bad. Question though: if the band doesn't have a PA for practice, what do they sing thru? A Mr. Microphone thru a boombox? Maybe I'm spoiled, but I can't imagine having a practice with loud guitars and a drummer without a PA.
Click to expand...

Same here... but my last band didn't have a vocalist. And the band before that had a very simple portable system that worked nicely for vocals, but didn't have the headroom for bass...

I guess it really does depend on the circumstances of his current practice. But yeah, you do have a point - at some point, the band should ideally have a decent PA for vocals during practice sessions, and it should be sufficient for bass use, too. I guess that thought slipped my mind. :D

I love how my current band is well-equipped. But I don't even bother with the PA - I let my big rig handle my sound and volume. :D
 

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