modular rig or combo???

[pegdrums]

Howdy all. Hope ye are well.

New (ish) to bass. Posted previously about a few questions.

Question of the day is as titled......

I have a 20w Warwick blue cab at the moment. Its great for the house and practicing, even playing with another guitarist, quietly going through songs and some theory stuff.

Recently joined a band......Rehearsal room had 2 broken bass amps, so we tried the monitor which didn't work for us.

Point being I need to get a useable amp for rehearsals and small venues.
I have my heart set on a modular rig, links below:

https://www.thomann.de/ie/warwick_gnome.htm
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Idea here is further down the line I can upgrade the head and the cab will handle it.
Also the gnome headsets simple so Ill spend less time fiddling with it.

Here are some combo options:
https://www.thomann.de/ie/fender_rumble_100.htm
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Combos seem to have more 'options' on them. and less to drag around.

I think I like the less options. Play a Sire V7 yesterday and immediately found there to be too many knobs and options.....lovely bass though.


In your experience what are the pros and cons of each? gigging, rehearsals, recording??

Thanks for reading

 

[el murdoque]

None of these will get you audible when you play music that has acoustic drums and distorted guitars.
The Warwick head & cab might get you closest, if you take two cabs.

What are the others playing? What genre?

 

[pegdrums]

At the moment we're just kinda playing standard rock covers. Im practising a lot of Motown/ soul and a little disco, that's ultimately what id like to play

 

[Phlipper]

It pains me to say .. stay away from the Peavey MIC combos. Heard of, and personally experienced, too many reliability issues. Also, you'll need 200 actual watts (not this stupid marketing peak watts crap) and a DI to get the job done.

If money is an issue look at Hartke Kickbacks and heads or older GK heads and cabs.

 

[CallMeAl]

I like combos, use them for most everything. I think the essential features are extension cabinet out, and line out. That way you can add a cab down the road and run a line to a PA. 500w and 210 would be my recommendation; Rumble 500, Ampeg RB 210, or similar.

Not saying stay away from separates; but if your budget is limited you’ll get more (watts, speaker area, volume) for your money with a combo.

 

[SJan3]

Combo for convenience and cost savings.
Separates for more flexibility.
Really comes down to needs and budget.
You can be a winner in either scenario if your needs are not too extreme.

 

[pegdrums]

It pains me to say .. stay away from the Peavey MIC combos. Heard of, and personally experienced, too many reliability issues. Also, you'll need 200 actual watts (not this stupid marketing peak watts crap) and a DI to get the job done.

If money is an issue look at Hartke Kickbacks and heads or older GK heads and cabs.

Thanks. Is it a typo or do you mean to say Peavey MIC?

Also you raise a good point about the wattage.....The Gnome head says its 200 w but beside the kettle lead socket it says 60w. See the screenshot

 

[pegdrums]

I like combos, use them for most everything. I think the essential features are extension cabinet out, and line out. That way you can add a cab down the road and run a line to a PA. 500w and 210 would be my recommendation; Rumble 500, Ampeg RB 210, or similar.

Not saying stay away from separates; but if your budget is limited you’ll get more (watts, speaker area, volume) for your money with a combo.

Yea, I actually played through a Rumble 500 that same night would you believe. Band I formed is made up of musicians who are learning a new instrument, so the guitarist is actually a bass player and had his Rumble in the car. Took him 2hrs to realise he had it with him!!

But wow, unbelievable sounding piece of kit but waaaaaaaaay out of my league and budget.

 

[jimmydean]

For about $520.00 you can get a Warwick Gnome (200 watts) and a Mark Bass New York 151 (1x15), just put this setup together to go along with my Fender Rumble 500 combo.

 

[SJan3]

Thanks. Is it a typo or do you mean to say Peavey MIC?

Also you raise a good point about the wattage.....The Gnome head says its 200 w but beside the kettle lead socket it says 60w. See the screenshot

I can promise you that is not output. Hopefully those more technically literate will chime in but I believe that's power consumption, not output.

 

[pegdrums]

For about $520.00 you can get a Warwick Gnome (200 watts) and a Mark Bass New York 151 (1x15), just put this setup together to go along with my Fender Rumble 500 combo.

Thats gonna cost more over here, that cab alone is €572.

But what do you make of the little gnome? Is it actually 200w?

Was just looking at the back of the rumble amps and beside the kettle lead socket they state higher values than actually stated.... see thumbnail

 

[pegdrums]

I can promise you that is not output. Hopefully those more technically literate will chime in but I believe that's power consumption, not output.

That would be great if so because it make all amps very confusing. I must mention Im actually a drummer....waaaaaaay easier things to buy.

Drum go bang?

Yes.

Me like. I buy.

 

[CallMeAl]

Yea, I actually played through a Rumble 500 that same night would you believe. Band I formed is made up of musicians who are learning a new instrument, so the guitarist is actually a bass player and had his Rumble in the car. Took him 2hrs to realise he had it with him!!

But wow, unbelievable sounding piece of kit but waaaaaaaaay out of my league and budget.

In that case, I would shoot for that gnome rig; but see if you can’t stretch towards a 210 or 115.

I find 350-500w and 210 or 115 cabinet to be a good rule of thumb for a starter gig rig. You could try the 200w/112, but you’re running a higher chance both pieces will need to be upgraded. (Or supplemented, with a second 112).

a bigger cabinet will give you more volume than a more powerful head.

 

[pegdrums]

a bigger cabinet will give you more volume than a more powerful head.

Interesting.

This is the most affordable 210

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Decent reviews. For a starter rig Im not expecting the moon and the starts but quality sound and a couple of years at least of usability

 

[theduke1]

Any Fender Rumble 100 or above. Light weight and powerful
That’s what I use
Duke

 

[tshapiro]

If it's in your budget and you can handle the weight (50lbs), I think this combo will take you the furthest for 500watts and a substantial sound before needing to get something bigger. But, if youre playing with a band you can definetly hang with this and still have the convenience of a combo. They also have a 210 version at 35lbs but you will sacrifice some of the bigger sound.
Hartke HD508 4x8" 500-watt Bass Combo Amp

 

[pegdrums]

Any Fender Rumble 100 or above. Light weight and powerful
That’s what I use
Duke

They are very nice alright, and the 100 is fairly priced id say.

 

[pegdrums]

If it's in your budget and you can handle the weight (50lbs), I think this combo will take you the furthest for 500watts and a substantial sound before needing to get something bigger. But, if youre playing with a band you can definetly hang with this and still have the convenience of a combo. They also have a 210 version at 35lbs but you will sacrifice some of the bigger sound.
Hartke HD508 4x8" 500-watt Bass Combo Amp

Awesome looking rig but out of my reach, its €555 over here. MY ABSOLUTE divorce risking max would be 440 and for that I think the below rig might work

https://www.thomann.de/ie/tc_electronic_bq500_bass_head.htm

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[SJan3]

That would be great if so because it make all amps very confusing. I must mention Im actually a drummer....waaaaaaay easier things to buy.

Drum go bang?

Yes.

Me like. I buy.

Yes, you buy.

 

[MLC_BassPlayer]

I find 350-500w and 210 or 115 cabinet to be a good rule of thumb for a starter gig rig.

This.

A 500w head and two cabs will be loud enough for most gigs, easy to carry, allow flexibility between big and small gigs, and most importantly, easy to work your way up to financially.

The right four piece drum kit goes along way...