Looking for an amp and a 2x10 cab expandable to a second 2x10

Any of the Mesa Subway amps would be at the top of the list, and grab one of the Subway 210's to match...although I'd recommend the Subway 115. But either way the Subway amp will drive two of those cabs...or three..or four if you want!

 

I gig with a Fender Rumble 500 combo amp. It has 2X10" speakers. It is all I really need to play the bars we play. I also have a Rumble 2X10 extension cabinet. The extension cabinet with the combo amp on top gives you a fuller sound. Fender Rumble amps are a great value.

 

Make sure that the 210s are 8 ohms each, as most amps are able to power a 4 ohms total load.
Other than that, it would help to know your budget, new vs used, style of music, etc. There is a ton of solutions to your ask.

 

Check out the Markbass Ninja 500 combo and extra 102P extension cabinet. Place vertically and have 500 watts and 4x10s.
Very light weight and potent.

 

What’s your budget? Tone preferences (favorite bands, players, genres?)

 

Lots of good options out there. The Aguilar Tone Hammer 500 and an SL210 would be a very portable rig, as would a Markbass Little Mark head (either an LMIII or a Little Mark Tube 500) and a Traveller 102. The Mesa Boogie Subway D-800 is in vogue right now, a book-sized 800-watt amp with semi-parametric 4-band EQ, plus the Markbass-like treble rolloff and contour controls for a darker vintage sound. Paired with a Subway 210 cube at 500W or the older Powerhouse series (watch the master volume, the Subway head overpowers a single Powerhouse cab by about 100W), it's a go-anywhere do-anything rig. Unfortunately it has a price tag that will make it your only rig for quite a while, at about $900 for the head and another $1000 for the first cab, easily the most expensive setup in this post.

Don't forget combos; why lug the head and cab around separately when you can mount the head in your cab? The Rumble 500 is 350W into 2x10, and accepts another 8-ohm cab for the full 500W experience. The CMD102P is the same idea in a smaller package, I can personally attest it is plenty of amp all by itself, but if you're at a larger gig with no PA help whatsoever, it also does well with another 2x10 or a 1x15 extension.

Definitely check the used market; there are lots of good deals to be had on very giggable rigs that are either too much or too little for the current owner.

 

My story: I went from a head and a 4x10 cab layout to a pair of 2x10 cabs some years ago when I didn't have a bigger vehicle handy to cart the big cab anymore. Haven't missed the 4x10 one bit.

As our pals already mentioned above, the smart route is probably to look for a head that is rated for a minimum of 4 ohms and a 2x10 rated at 8 ohms. That way you can eventually add another 8 ohm cab to give you a 4 ohm total when they're paired to the same amp.

The heavy head I was using for a little while was a Traynor DB-800. I found this in nearly new condition for a great price. VERY flexible preamp, lots of power, but this head can also run down at 2 ohms. That was sort of neat for me when I found it because it meant that if someday I needed or wanted to add a third 8 ohm cab, this head could handle that. Three 8 ohm cabs running together give a resistance of about 2.6 ohms.

I digress...

More recently I decided to lighten up, so I got a GK MB-500 from my favorite local shop. I haven't even gigged this yet, but it sounds really terrific so far. And it's loud. I'm a little afraid of it

I was originally using a pair of SWR Workingman's 2x10 cabs. Those were dependable enough, but I eventually decided to upgrade to more premium boxes. I simultaneously found two great deals on two great cabs - two different cabs. This mixing is often frowned upon, but at least in the case of these two cabs, they're both rated at 350 watts RMS and both have 8 ohm resistance. I've gigged them together and so far they've gotten along just fine.

One cab is an SWR Goliath Jr. and the other is an Acme Low B2. Not only are these cabs both more potent and rich sounding than my older Wkmn's 2x10's, but they're also both perhaps 8-10 lbs. lighter. Many thumbs up.

 

Facebook marketplace might also be good.

 

Or Talk Bass Classifieds.

 

With that budget, look into a Greenboy Fearless F210.. it's a 4 ohm cab, pair it with a Mesa D800 and you're gold...
Or, an F112.. same brand, except a single 12... that cab will do way more than you'd expect... I used one in a loud, six piece rock band and it still had more to give

 

I can't think of too many brands that won't give you an amp head and one 2x10 for under 2 grand, especially in Class D territory (over in AB tube land, yeah, you can spend some money). Under 1 grand is a little more challenging, but still plenty of options.

Reverb is my go-to for used gear, both buying and selling; it's a mix of individual musicians and small shops, they have a good user base, with far fewer bozos and yahoos than Craigslist, and it's totally free to get started on either end of the deal-making, Reverb just takes a 2-ish% commission on sales. Specifically for bass, the TB classifieds are good, it's free to buy and you're dealing with TalkBass members, though if you want to list you need a paid membership to the site.

 

This. Really.

I also use a Fender Rumble 500 and have a 2x10 extention cabinet. Will not change it for anything else. Plays damn good and weighs next to nothing compared to all the other alternatives.

 

Ampeg pf500 into an svt210av, with the ability to add another later.

 

I don't fully agree with this, it depends on your needs. In my experience a single 210 is adequate for most smaller gigs like you describe. In which case you'd be better off with a 4 ohm 210 and an amp that can go down to 2 ohms (all the Mesa Subways can), that way you'll get the most out of your amp and a single cab. If you end up needing a second cab, a second 4 ohm cab will pair with a Subway amp, and there are a few other heads that will go down to 2 ohms. If you think that you might go with an amp that can only do 4 ohms, then the 8 ohm cab advice is sound, in case you need 2 cabs in the future. Amps that only go down to 4 ohms are more widely available.

 

I gig everywhere indoors with DNA's DNS-210 cab and my Eden WT500/800 amp. The cab will handle up to 700-watts but would be ungodly loud at full power. Max SPL is 134db. I run my 800-watt Eden amp into it and the max volume setting I use indoors is 10 o'clock on the master.

It is the clearest, fullest, most articulate cab I've ever played through. Plus it has a really tight bottom end and did I mention it is LOUD? Street price is ~$849. Some will show up "used" on Reverb from time to time closer to $600. You can find more info on it here. It's a little taller than most 210's because of the flared and textured shelf port that is part of its magic. If you need to play outdoor festivals, you can always get another to add to it.

I'd recommend the DNA-800 amp to drive it. It will drive a bit over 400-watts into 8 ohms and 800-watts into 4 ohms if you decide to get another cab down the road. Being an 800-watt rms Class D amp, it only weighs 4.8-lbs. Was going to be my next purchase before this pandemic hit. You can find more info on it here. With a second 8 ohm cab, you'll get the full 800 watts out of it. Street price is ~$799. i

Personally, I use a DNS-410 for outdoor festivals and still get told to turn down. I've had the DNS-410 for 5-years now and only got the DNS-210 because rolling in my 410 would scare some small club owners and they'd make me use some crappy backline. Now, I use the DNS-210 for all my indoor locations.

This is my indoor set-up:

 

Depends upon budget. Any major amp company will have that option.

 

Man, I’ve never been happier since I got my Aguilar gear - just great sounding, high quality stuff. I have a bunch of their SL cabs, but my favorite is pairing the 210 with the 115. Better than any 410 I’ve ever heard and super easy to move around. Can handle lots of power. Aguilar TH700 and SL210 gets my vote.

 

Amps that can handle down to 2 ohms are in the minority. In fact, I'd venture to say that the Mesas are the exception, not the rule. Since the OP hasn't selected an amp yet either, I wrote this with the perspective as to what is most common in the market.