My amp is petite and still too big!

[boilingTheDead]

We are a alternative rock band with 2 boss katana 100w and a pretty "normal" drummer. I decided to get a very reasonable 2x10 fender rumble and a 500w class d amp. (250w would have been enough but 500w version was on a discount). I am absolutely satisfied with the quality but in retroperspective I wished I would have gotten a smaller and lighter amp. The cabinet, even though it sounds great, is 17kg. I never set the volume past a quarter when reheasing. We played quite a lot of gigs locally, mostly small stages but also medium sized clubs.

-never did I not have powerful PA to support me on any location, my amp always functioned as a stage monitor basicly.
-If there is one thing I cant have enough of on small stages, it is space. Why bring anything bigger than 1x12 and put it on a beer tray?
-on bigger stages there was usually a 4x10+head backline free to use

I recently played a relatively big club stage and the other bassist brought a tiny 1x12 Mini CMD Markbass combo. That was more than enough. (I know the thing is 500w but the vol was also set so 1/3...maybe) There were at least 2 other venues that offered a small bass combo as a backline and it always was enough, even for metal bands. Is the era of 4x10 and even 2x10 over for most people? (not talking about very big stages, which most of us dont encounter, lets be honest) PAs in clubs sound gooood these days!

opinions appreciated on the topic! should I sell my 2x10 and see how small I can go? Maybe a rumble 100 combo will even be enough?

 

[gtirard]

We are a alternative rock band with 2 boss katana 100w and a pretty "normal" drummer. I decided to get a very reasonable 2x10 fender rumble and a 500w class d amp. (250w would have been enough but 500w version was on a discount). I am absolutely satisfied with the quality but in retroperspective I wished I would have gotten a smaller and lighter amp. The cabinet, even though it sounds great, is 17kg. I never set the volume past a quarter when reheasing. We played quite a lot of gigs locally, mostly small stages but also medium sized clubs.

-never did I not have powerful PA to support me on any location, my amp always functioned as a stage monitor basicly.
-If there is one thing I cant have enough of on small stages, it is space. Why bring anything bigger than 1x12 and put it on a beer tray?
-on bigger stages there was usually a 4x10+head backline free to use

I recently played a relatively big club stage and the other bassist brought a tiny 1x12 Mini CMD Markbass combo. That was more than enough. (I know the thing is 500w but the vol was also set so 1/3...maybe) There were at least 2 other venues that offered a small bass combo as a backline and it always was enough, even for metal bands. Is the era of 4x10 and even 2x10 over for most people? (not talking about very big stages, which most of us dont encounter, lets be honest) PAs in clubs sound gooood these days!

opinions appreciated on the topic! should I sell my 2x10 and see how small I can go? Maybe a rumble 100 combo will even be enough?

For the same reasons, I came to the conclusion that 1x12 is enough for my needs (although I'm using separate amp and cabs).
In fact 1x10 was enough most of the time (rehearsals and small gigs), but I reached the limit on a couple of outdoor gigs without PA support. Now 1x12 + lightweight head is great in all situations, and still very easy to move. I could have bought a second 1x10 in order to get a modular rig, but I prefer moving a single 1x12 than two 1x10.

 

[lomo]

I agree a good 112 can do a helluva lot. I use a 210 that weighs the same as a good 112 (Barefaced).

 

[Aloe]

(I know the thing is 500w but the vol was also set so 1/3...maybe)

it's actually 300W without an external cab. 1/3 on the volume dial is commonly like a half of the volume, not the 1/3, so don't take this dial like 'it's able to get 3x louder'.

this all said, I've moved from 112 to 210 for my small cab and don't regret it.

 

[pepj]

No hard and fast rule... I wouldn't dream of doing my gigs without 500w of cabs/800w amp etc. I can always turn down.

Other people have other gigs and cut their cloth accordingly.

 

[Maartenaerts]

I got a MBcmd121 after my old SWR wm10 sometimes wasn’t loud enough.
From 80 watt to 350-500, should be enough. Nearly the same size, but lighter.
Got the extra New York cab, to be safe. Used that 2 times only, larger venue.
So the single combo is really enough. Markbass is a lot more expensive as Fender rumble 100 though.
Seen those used a lot with PA, good sounds.

 

[TheDuff]

We are a alternative rock band with 2 boss katana 100w and a pretty "normal" drummer. I decided to get a very reasonable 2x10 fender rumble and a 500w class d amp. (250w would have been enough but 500w version was on a discount). I am absolutely satisfied with the quality but in retroperspective I wished I would have gotten a smaller and lighter amp. The cabinet, even though it sounds great, is 17kg. I never set the volume past a quarter when reheasing. We played quite a lot of gigs locally, mostly small stages but also medium sized clubs.

-never did I not have powerful PA to support me on any location, my amp always functioned as a stage monitor basicly.
-If there is one thing I cant have enough of on small stages, it is space. Why bring anything bigger than 1x12 and put it on a beer tray?
-on bigger stages there was usually a 4x10+head backline free to use

I recently played a relatively big club stage and the other bassist brought a tiny 1x12 Mini CMD Markbass combo. That was more than enough. (I know the thing is 500w but the vol was also set so 1/3...maybe) There were at least 2 other venues that offered a small bass combo as a backline and it always was enough, even for metal bands. Is the era of 4x10 and even 2x10 over for most people? (not talking about very big stages, which most of us dont encounter, lets be honest) PAs in clubs sound gooood these days!

opinions appreciated on the topic! should I sell my 2x10 and see how small I can go? Maybe a rumble 100 combo will even be enough?

How about a 200 watt tiny little Warwick Gnome bass head. A great item. Inexpensive.

Get a 1x15” neomydium sealed cabinet. Small, light, great.

 

[brianrost]

If the Rumble cab is too bulky for you, get a lightweight 1-12” cabinet. Prepare to pay a lot more than you did for the Rumble (there are a few that are less expensive). Prices below are for USA.

Rumble 210 39 pounds, $525

Ashdown CTM112, 26 pounds, $359

Orange OBC 112 26 pounds, $599

Ampeg Venture 112 27 pounds, $799

Darkglass 112 27 pounds, $899

Aguilar SL112 25 pounds, $899

 

[jthisdell]

I have Berg 112, 210 and a Barefaced One10 cabs, using a ToneHammer500. There is virtually no distance in the stage space taken by the 210 and 112, the 110 does take up less space but the difference is very nominal. For me, the 210 works better, sits higher so easier to hear, sounds great, is slightly heavier but well balanced and easier to carry. IMHO a 210 is not too big and having ample headroom is important. I do have the luxury of leaving the 112 at the drummers so I do not have to carry a cab for rehearsals.

 

[SC Bassboy]

You are already down to a 2x10. That's basically only good for a monitor to begin with. If you always have PA support, there's no reason you couldn't just trade out your current speaker enclosure for a proper stage monitor. Just add an attenuator for the tweeter and off you go. This points the speaker directly at your head, eliminating the need to stack a proper cabinet on top of beer crates. Perhaps even look into powered monitors, ditch the head and just run through a good pedal preamp/DI.

 

[Dana R Gregory]

Have you considered getting an inexpensive two wheel truck. I got one at Walmart a few years ago for a reasonable price an it has been a Godsend for hauling my amp around. I currently have a Rumble 500. Just a thought.

 

[Hoochie Coochie Man]

I am surprised that nobody has suggested the Trace Elliot Elf line, or, (on the other end of the cost spectrum) some of the Phil Jones stuff. I have not used either of these.

Is there a mini-bass cabinet that can be pole-mounted on a small tripod stand to raise it up four feet or so? That would allow it to be placed just off-stage to one side, leaving more room to do your thing on stage?

 

[Swift713]

I'm using an Acoustic Image Clarus head into a Ten2 cabinet. It's smaller than the Eden 112 I had before and has better low end. It's a shame that AI is no more, they made some really nice gear. I usually have pre and master volume below 12:00. It's good to have some extra power available when it's needed.
I have a Phil Jones Double Four for home use and have thought of playing out with it but I think it could get buried if the PA support isn't there.

 

[Ken Morgan]

Here's your cab:

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...192&gbraid=0AAAAAD_RQYkBi_W-5ei2RLJiH837A5906

Any number of heads/amps that could just about fit in your back pocket

 

[mambo4]

In 2025 A decent head and 1x12 will cover most situations where an FOH is also involved, and many where no FOH is involved.
I sold my second 112 because it basically never needed it.

 

[HueyFreeman]

Is there a mini-bass cabinet that can be pole-mounted on a small tripod stand to raise it up four feet or so? That would allow it to be placed just off-stage to one side, leaving more room to do your thing on stage?

Barefaced is your friend here. They have a top hat add on that can be fitted to a few of their cabs.

TopHat

 

[micguy]

17 kg is "too heavy". OK. When I was young, I had an amp that had to be carried in 3 pieces (a head and 2 cabs). It was about 100kg in weight - each cab was 37kg (82 pounds). It put out a whopping 100 watts, but given the efficiency of the speakers, and the fact that they actually went down to 40Hz (they didn't have to be drive hard to do that) it was likely as loud as your current rig. Perhaps louder.

So, you want a smaller amp. If you do that, for a while you will feel like you made a great choice....until that one day when..... it just isn't enough. Trust me, after that experience, having enough for that one big gig is absolutely worth hauling a few extra kg on your other gigs. Getting caught underpowered on a gig is a HORRIBLE experience.

An amp run well below its capabilities is a reliable machine. One run to its limits will fail (only a matter of when, not it), and it won't be at a good time. Keep your current amp.

 

[micguy]

1/3 on the volume dial is commonly like a half of the volume, not the 1/3, so don't take this dial like 'it's able to get 3x louder'.

Trying to gauge how much power or volume is happening from the position of your volume control is a fool's errand at best. There is no way you can account for all the variables involved and come up with a good answer with only that information. Even when an amp/cab combination starts to distort, there are multiple electrical and mechanical mechanisms at play that can cause distortion, so even then you don't really know what is limiting things. The only way to know what is actually going on power wise is to have real measuring devices (a voltmeter, an oscilloscope, etc) measuring the waveforms.

 

[Nebadon2000]

I used a Markbass CMD 121P for small/medium clubs always was enough and sounded good both on stage and in Venue mix no FOH; playing with fairly loud Southern, Classic, and Blues Rock Band

There are plenty of choices available depending on level of performance you are wanting, GIG type and budget for either Stage Monitor in large Clubs/Festivals or smaller Bar type with no FOH

For combo if I was looking now besides Markbass maybe Darkglass DG 112A

I now have Mesa WD 800 and Subway 1x15 but knew a Mesa D350 and Subway 112 was all I really needed for Bar/Club Gig's in my area even with no FOH

Yes many have their own reasons/opinions for 'wanting' to have 800+ watt Amps with 4x10 or Multiple cabs

 

[gtirard]

17 kg is "too heavy". OK. When I was young, I had an amp that had to be carried in 3 pieces (a head and 2 cabs). It was about 100kg in weight - each cab was 37kg (82 pounds). It put out a whopping 100 watts, but given the efficiency of the speakers, and the fact that they actually went down to 40Hz (they didn't have to be drive hard to do that) it was likely as loud as your current rig. Perhaps louder.

So, you want a smaller amp. If you do that, for a while you will feel like you made a great choice....until that one day when..... it just isn't enough. Trust me, after that experience, having enough for that one big gig is absolutely worth hauling a few extra kg on your other gigs. Getting caught underpowered on a gig is a HORRIBLE experience.

An amp run well below its capabilities is a reliable machine. One run to its limits will fail (only a matter of when, not it), and it won't be at a good time. Keep your current amp.

We all have to choose the best setup for our needs, and we have different needs. I agree that "getting caught underpowered on a gig is a HORRIBLE experience". That said, it only happened to me once or twice, and I could "save the gig" by cutting the lows, so my tone wasn't as full as I expected, but at least I could hear myself and be heard. On the other hand, carrying twice the weight I need, just in case, is not something I want to do. It took me years to know, now I'm confident with a Barefaced 1x12. You probably have different needs.