most 'transparent, FRFR-ish' combo or?

[richntiff]

Does anyone have any experience with finding a decently powered combo amp that is pretty transparent or FRFR, for purposes of amplifying an HX Stomp with amp/speaker models? This would be for rehearsals and likely some gigs with a band that has a loud drummer. I want as close to FRFR as I can get. I know that the QSC or other PA speakers can do a decent job - but I'm concerned that they might not have enough oomph in this scenario - particularly since I play 5 string. Looking for a combo, or even just a small cab recommendation for rehearsals and probably some gigs (as a monitor). Weight is important - the new rehearsal space is.... fun to get into. I'm thinking about the Hartke KB15 for a combo. Should I spring for a QSC K12 instead?

 

[gtirard]

Does anyone have any experience with finding a decently powered combo amp that is pretty transparent or FRFR, for purposes of amplifying an HX Stomp with amp/speaker models? This would be for rehearsals and likely some gigs with a band that has a loud drummer. I want as close to FRFR as I can get. I know that the QSC or other PA speakers can do a decent job - but I'm concerned that they might not have enough oomph in this scenario - particularly since I play 5 string. Looking for a combo, or even just a small cab recommendation for rehearsals and probably some gigs (as a monitor). Weight is important - the new rehearsal space is.... fun to get into. I'm thinking about the Hartke KB15 for a combo. Should I spring for a QSC K12 instead?

A GR Bass Active Cab would be perfect, super lightweight and very transparent sounding, with good low end, but it might be pricey compared to a PA Cab or Hartke combo.

 

[BGroovy]

Phil Jones is my pick for transparent

 

[richntiff]

Phil Jones is my pick for transparent

Thanks - that could fit the budget.

 

[SharpCat]

Barefaced cab models with their 12 inch driver very flat and low weight. I'm pairing mine with a Quilter V803, but something like the Mesa 350 or other uncolored amp would work well too.

 

[Lee Armstrong]

Most any combo would work if you run your Stomp output into the effect return .... I do this with a Rumble 100 which bypasses all the pre-amp/voicing circuitry.

 

[Mr Joshua]

I know this has been asked before and I recall @agedhorse mentioning the subway cabs with the tweeter engaged are very FRFR. Lot of options in that lineup.

EDIT: didn't fully process the question and realize you're looking for powered or combo. No such beast in the Subway line, but I'll always say a used Quilter BassBlock is the best deal in Class D amps you can find IMO. There's regularly ones in classified for 400-450. A subway cab and a Quilter would be a great combo with your HXS.

 

[richntiff]

I know this has been asked before and I recall @agedhorse mentioning the subway cabs with the tweeter engaged are very FRFR. Lot of options in that lineup.

EDIT: didn't fully process the question and realize you're looking for powered or combo. No such beast in the Subway line, but I'll always say a used Quilter BassBlock is the best deal in Class D amps you can find IMO. There's regularly ones in classified for 400-450. A subway cab and a Quilter would be a great combo with your HXS.

This is great to hear - since my main cab is a Subway 212. I was running my stomp into the front of my Peavey Minimax and into the Subway tonight. It did sound good. Cab sims had to be turned off though, but then I think I've only got the tweeter pad turned up probably 1/3 of the way. I've actually been looking at the VB803 for a new amp head. Maybe the answer is a Mesa 112 and eventually a VB803

 

[richntiff]

Barefaced cab models with their 12 inch driver very flat and low weight. I'm pairing mine with a Quilter V803, but something like the Mesa 350 or other uncolored amp would work well too.

This would be the ultimate as far as I'm concerned

 

[Mr Joshua]

This is great to hear - since my main cab is a Subway 212. I was running my stomp into the front of my Peavey Minimax and into the Subway tonight. It did sound good. Cab sims had to be turned off though, but then I think I've only got the tweeter pad turned up probably 1/3 of the way. I've actually been looking at the VB803 for a new amp head. Maybe the answer is a Mesa 112 and eventually a VB803

Never played through the Peavey's so I can't say how colored they are when "flat" but you could run into the FX return and bypass the preamp.

 

[SharpCat]

I had a Peavey MiniMax for a while. Per my testing it was very flat when the knobs were all centered. That plus the 212 you're probably set.

 

[squish]

I like the idea of the powered PA cab. Seems you're open-minded about it. Lots of affordable, used models out there. Also you wouldn't have redundant bass equipment. The PA cab obviously could be used in other ways.

 

[el murdoque]

Barefaced Big Baby for FRFR or one of the other cabs with 12" driver and horn for FRFR'ish.
They cost about the same ballpark as a QSC K12.2, have a lot more firepower (I play a Super Mini in a metal band with hard hitting drummer), are incredibly light.
Just use the amp head you got (if you have one) and plug into the FX return and you got yourself a killer modeler setup.

 

[John D Harris]

I'd go with the QSC K12.2 - it should be plenty loud and go plenty deep - that way your stage sound and what is coming from the PA will sound the same.

A Genzler MG350-BA10-Combo-S2 plus a BA10-S2 cab would be excellent, as would one of the GR Bass Active cabs.

 

[richntiff]

I had a Peavey MiniMax for a while. Per my testing it was very flat when the knobs were all centered. That plus the 212 you're probably set.

It's a pretty flat amp, I agree. I used to have a Carvin BX500 that would have been even better - that was the flattest amp I've ever owned.

 

[davedamage]

Why not get a cab or combo that you like the sound of and run into the effects return? Are you planning on running a bunch of different cab sims?

 

[richntiff]

Why not get a cab or combo that you like the sound of and run into the effects return? Are you planning on running a bunch of different cab sims?

I like the idea of hearing basically the same thing from a rehearsal amp or stage amp as I'm sending to FOH. The more transparent I can get my rehearsal amp/combo/FRFR speaker, the closer I am to that.

 

[brstma]

I've been using the Yamaha DHR12M for about 3 years and love it. One is good for most situations and I add a second when playing with a loud drummer and no PA support

 

[John D Harris]

I like the idea of hearing basically the same thing from a rehearsal amp or stage amp as I'm sending to FOH. The more transparent I can get my rehearsal amp/combo/FRFR speaker, the closer I am to that.

Exactly, I have a Two Notes Opus Modeler and went round and round looking at options.

I ended up with a Fender Rumble 100 combo, basically because I got it used for a great price.

I run the Opus into the FX Return and I can make it sound really good (it had a 4 Ohm stock speaker, which I upgraded to a Celestion BN12-300S (4) and that helped a lot), but when I listen to the same presets through some very good Sennheiser headphones, it does not sound the same as what comes out of the combo.

Which is to say, I wish I had saved up longer and got a really good active PA cab (like the QSC K12.2 or at a lower price point, the EV ZLX-12P-G2).

There are a few combos that will get you close to what a PA will put out (post EQ).

 

[Jack]

Barefaced Big Baby for FRFR or one of the other cabs with 12" driver and horn for FRFR'ish.
They cost about the same ballpark as a QSC K12.2, have a lot more firepower (I play a Super Mini in a metal band with hard hitting drummer), are incredibly light.
Just use the amp head you got (if you have one) and plug into the FX return and you got yourself a killer modeler setup.

I've had both and I'm not sure the Barefaced stuff had any more 'firepower' than the qsc. Maybe they would have but in fairness I've never been close to the limits of either. For what it's worth I had a helix and 2 FR800s for ages but it was a pretty big rig, so I bought the stomp and the pair of qscs as a smaller lighter option. I ended up using them so much I sold the big rig. Both excellent choices though and I am on record as saying the pair of Barefaced cabs was the best rig I've ever had