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Looking for good small amp

B

bassguy1960

Sep 24, 2012
65
5
Central Illinois
#1
Greetings,
I'm new to this forum and in central Illinois.

Going to be getting back into electric bass after 15 years of playing upright bass in a bluegrass band, haven't owned an electric bass or amp in a looong time although when I did I had some nice gear.

I'm looking for a nice combo amp that is portable but can still pack a punch, been looking at the Fender Bassman series, kind of interested in the 400W with 2-10s and the horn.

Any recomendations would be appreciated!

Thanks!

Don
 
#4
I would avoid a combo since you requirements are fairly above standard (400w, 2x10).

Carvin, GK and Genz Benz all make good solid 2x10 cabs to pair with their powerfull micro-heads.

My personal fav is the Carvin BX500 paired with their 4 ohm, BRX10.2 cab. Great clarity, punch, volume and versatility.

Second is Genz Benz with their Shuttle head + Focus cabs, but it will cost you a couple hundred more than the Carvin.

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#5
I've been asked to sit-in on a country band, I haven't seen them play yet so not sure if I'll be going DI or off the speaker. I don't know what the volume requirements will be but I'd like to be able to use it if I need to. I'm not a young person so size (weight) and portability does matter to me.

I'd say that I'll be staying in the country/lite rock genre...
 
#6
See I would recommend a micro and an 8 Ohm 210 or 115 cab. More than enough power to drive the cab to its limits, and this way you have the option for expansion if more volume is needed. Unless you are buying a truly capable 4 Ohm cab (AK TC115) you are better off starting with an 8 Ohm cab.
 
#7
bassguy1960 said:
I've been asked to sit-in on a country band, I haven't seen them play yet so not sure if I'll be going DI or off the speaker.

I'd say that I'll be staying in the country/lite rock genre...
Click to expand...

I would figure out what your volume needs are before purchasing. If its just a stage monitor then I would check out the GK MB115. I believe it can be used with an expansion cabinet should you need the volume increase.
 
#11
I recently picked up a used Ampeg B115 for 100$ used. At 100 watts it is surprisingly loud, I've been using it with a power trio and it's holding it own ( small clubs) it does have a balanced line out which I've not had to use yet.
The amp has a lot of good usable tones in it as well.
Great little amp for the price ( used ).

WG.
 
#12
Thanks for all the info guys/gals... I really appreciate it. I have a line on an Ampeg B115 HPT which has like 220 watts. I think I can get it for a couple hundred, it was used by a church so it's in pretty good shape. It does weigh 80 pounds though... ouch!

I looked at the TC BG250 and it looks pretty nice, especially at 32 pounds! more expensive though..
 
#13
The Genz Benz Shuttle amps are really good-light, versatile, powerful & reasonably priced.
I've got a Shuttle 6.0 & it does great with any cab/s.
The 6.2 is a tweaked version of the same. Pair it with one of their 210's for a superb, light combo, or any other cab.
They simply work. Well.
You'll see them 2nd hand in the TB classifieds regularly
 

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