• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Double Bass Most Schlepp-able Combo ...

#61
Here's an expandable heavy-duty day pack I just ordered for my Cube...

Bass Cube Daypack - closed.jpg

Undo 4 clips and a zipper, plug in the signal cable and turn it on, and it's ready to go.

Bass Cube Daypack - ready.jpg

20 pounds, w/ Cube, daypack, signal cables, extra batteries, AC adapter/cables, telescopic lean post and documents.
 
Last edited:
As an Amazon Associate, TalkBass may receive commissions from qualifying purchases made via links on this site.
#64
What's interesting to me is that their are only a few companies that actually make an upscale, two channel, all in one combo Acoustic Image and Genzler. GK, Phil Jones, Traynor and Fender all make
single channel combos. Since it's so easy to built a tiny amp and tiny cabinet, they aren't as popular as they once were.
 
#65
When pursuing "most schleppable," you are skating on the edge of "satisfactory" from the perspective of reproducing bass in the most pleasing manner. Sometimes you need to oommmph it up a bit. This one is a cubic foot in size. And you can actually hear it thanks to the upward firing drivers. Another pair of drivers fires the sound to the audience.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

flightcase-bg-150-top-view.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Chris Fitzgerald and Jason Hollar
#66
I agree - I’ve found the MarkBass CMD 121 to be a proper size “cube” amp with enough oompf on the lower octaves. It’s just north of too heavy for me on several city blocks or flights of stairs, etc.

I sincerely appreciate all the suggestions. There’s more out there than I thought.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: lurk and Ric Vice
#67
Besides my bass, I carry a small bag over my shoulder with a couple of batteries, another small bag again over my shoulder with my pre-amp (tonedexter) and cables. After that, I have four combos and an amp and speaker cab to choose from. Hands down the lightest is the PJB double four (10lbs). I have a bag for it and I can grab it and go. This has been my main rig up until recently. It’s biggest flaw is when it isn’t loud enough there is nothing I can do. If it is pushed too hard it makes a noise that is horrible. The next combo I will take is the Markbass 801 Micro (17lbs). It gets loud enough but never sounds very transparent. The third and the largest is PJB BG-150 (24lbs). It sounds great and is plenty loud, but while not terribly heavy, it is awkward to carry. The fourth combo is the Roland micro bass cube. It just can’t get loud enough so I never use it outside my house. The PJB double four sounds better and is lighter compared to the Roland. The setup I have been gigging with lately is a MAS 16 speaker cab (13lbs) with a handle attached to the top and a Quilter Toneblock 200 amp (4lbs) in an over the shoulder bag. The MAS is awkward to carry with it’s side mounted handle but is easy to carry with a top mounted handle. It has no trouble getting loud enough and it sounds very transparent and clear.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Jason Hollar and MDrost1
#68
Great reviews MadBanjoPittsburghMan.

You express my greatest fear in a smaller cab when “pushed too hard makes a noise that’s horrible”.

I might have to revisit that classic GK combo in the metal ammo case - I remember them being able to thump an E string without farting out.

Those Phil Jones amps look cool - anybody use one of the briefcases?

And why did the Acoustic Images get so complicated? Those simpler early ones thumped too if I recall ... although I never owned one.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Fretless55
#69
I’ve dropped a few posts on the EB side about this ... I think a really cool amp series would be the new Mesa Subway line in combos improving on the venerable Walkabout Scout line.

I’d love to see a piezo / passive optimized 1x10, 1x12, 1x15 series all with neo front & down firing woofers.
 
#70
Jason Hollar said:
Great reviews MadBanjoPittsburghMan.

You express my greatest fear in a smaller cab when “pushed too hard makes a noise that’s horrible”.

I might have to revisit that classic GK combo in the metal ammo case - I remember them being able to thump an E string without farting out.

Those Phil Jones amps look cool - anybody use one of the briefcases?

And why did the Acoustic Images get so complicated? Those simpler early ones thumped too if I recall ... although I never owned one.
Click to expand...


Thanks! I own the PJB 150 briefcase. It sounds great, has a limiter to protect against bonking and weighs 24lbs. What I don’t like about it, is it is awkward to carry.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jason Hollar
#71
The thing here is you've gotta work out the sound/portability ratio for yourself. I'm 69, have a big bass, and often take the NYC subway which involves at best several flights of stairs, at worst more, and often a several block walk before and after that. So, for me I'm willing to settle for less than optimal sound in favor of light weight. The PJ Double Four is my amp of the day. 8.8 lbs.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BAE, isolated, Ric Vice and 4 others
#72
I'd like to check out the new QSC K8.2 series. I have a pair of original K10s for my pa system and they rock. I like their form factor - but the 10s are kind of heavy to carry any distance. The new K8.2 says it's 27lbs and now has a HI-Z input plus DSP for EQ and different recall settings. Supposedly with double the power and expanded low end. It could also pull double duty as a vocal monitor or aux speaker on the gig. Hmmm....
 
  • Like
Reactions: Max George
#73
I was just reading through the archives and saw how much- or little rather- some guys have payed for their double fours. Iam jealous! My fear is it wouldn't be enough power unless it was listening room- which all too often my gigs aren't. That upshot looks pretty dang temping; but I really wonder how much it would fill the rest of the room with the upfiring design- I guess it could be pointed 45 degree angle but then no coupling effect. Iam looking forward to hearing more from the folks who have gigged em both...
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jason Hollar
#74
Jason Hollar said:
I'd like to check out the new QSC K8.2 series. I have a pair of original K10s for my pa system and they rock. I like their form factor - but the 10s are kind of heavy to carry any distance. The new K8.2 says it's 27lbs and now has a HI-Z input plus DSP for EQ and different recall settings. Supposedly with double the power and expanded low end. It could also pull double duty as a vocal monitor or aux speaker on the gig. Hmmm....
Click to expand...

I still have a QSC K8 that I gigged with for a couple of years. For it’s footprint and weight it sounds pretty good. It’s also very durable because of it’s metal and plastic shell. The weight is the same as the K8.2. They do have a higher low end roll off than the K10’s.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jason Hollar
#79
Today I had the opportunity to play out of the Henriksen "the bud", it sounded great! I couldn't believe how much sound was coming from the little thing, it was only 1/4 of the way up. It was guitar/vocal, violin, bass; outdoor. Before today I had only seen them used by guitarists. I was actually in one channel and the guitar in the other. I am really impressed! Has any else had a chance to play this amp?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jason Hollar, HD007, Earl and 2 others

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back