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Need advice for combo amp with small footprint

C

Corn Pop

Supporting Member
Aug 2, 2022
81
161
#1
I am gigging on small stages, and have a small postage stamp space to work in.
I currently play a Bergantino Forte D with a Bergantino Reference 112 cab. Yes I love the sound, but that reference feels pretty fat on a small stage.

I would like to find a combo amp with a smaller footprint that can compete with loud guitars and drums. Either a 210 or 112 (or other configs if a Phil Jones).
Do you have suggestions on a light weight, small foot print combo amp that would work for small stages?
 
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#2
I think the GR Bass AT 210 800 and the Markbass CMD Traveler 102 PV offer the best power / footprint ratio nowadays.

loud-combos-small-footprint.jpg
 
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#3
The first thing you should consider IMHO, is how loud you need to play. The Ref II 112 is a bit wide (18.5"), but consider the concept of diminishing returns. Once the size is reduced to a certain point, the benefits begin to diminish. Also at some point you start to give up headroom.

There are 112s and vertical 210s that are about 3" narrow. There are vertical 2x8s that are about 8" narrower. For significant volume out of a 2x8, you might need a stacked pair minimum.

Obviously there are 110s that are smaller, but your likely to give up quite a bit of performance vs your current cab.
 
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#4
Wasnex said:
The first thing you should consider IMHO, is how loud you need to play. The Ref II 112 is a bit wide (18.5"), but consider the concept of diminishing returns. Once the size is reduced to a certain point, the benefits begin to diminish. Also at some point you start to give up headroom.

There are 112s and vertical 210s that are about 3" narrow. There are vertical 2x8s that are about 8" narrower. For significant volume out of a 2x8, you might need a stacked pair minimum.

Obviously there are 110s that are smaller, but your likely to give up quite a bit of performance vs your current cab.
Click to expand...
Thanks Bud. I was considering those 2X8s, but have no experience with how that would sound onstage.
 
#6
Corn Pop said:
I was considering those 2X8s, but have no experience with how that would sound onstage.
Click to expand...
I don't have any first hand experience, but the TE ELF 2x8 cabs seem to be well regarded. I wouldn't mind having a pair; just for fun ;).

Something to ask yourself with a speaker that narrow (10.3"): Where will you put your bass head? I don't actually own any amps that would fit on top :oops:.
 
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#7
Wasnex said:
I don't have any first hand experience, but the TE ELF 2x8 cabs seem to be well regarded. I wouldn't mind having a pair; just for fun ;).

Something to ask yourself with a speaker that narrow (10.3"): Where will you put your bass head? I don't actually own any amps that would fit on top :oops:.
Click to expand...
I was aiming for a combo. Just t make stage setup more simple. Fooling around with cables in the dark on a crowded stage is starting to wear thin.
But I appreciate you pointing this cab out, b/c I played through a Trace Elliot backline a few days ago and loved it, so I will check this out seriously.
 
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#9
Corn Pop said:
I was aiming for a combo. Just t make stage setup more simple. Fooling around with cables in the dark on a crowded stage is starting to wear thin.
But I appreciate you pointing this cab out, b/c I played through a Trace Elliot backline a few days ago and loved it, so I will check this out seriously.
Click to expand...


TE does make a 110 ELF combo. It's 130W with the internal speaker and you can add matching 10" ELF extension cab for 200W total.

They also make a 108 ELF combo, but there is no matching 108 extension cab. You could add the 110.

AFAIK they don't post sensitivity specs for the ELF cabs. I know the drivers in the ELF 8" cabs are Faital 8PR200. Published sensitivity for one 8PR200 is 95dB 1W/1m, so a pair should be about 98dB 1W/1m. That's not bad, but with such a low powered amp, I would want a more efficient cab.

Other Links:

I know MarkBass offers combos in the vertical 2x8 or 2x10 footprint.

MINIMARK 802 N 300 – Markbass

www.markbass.it www.markbass.it

CMD TRAVELER 102 P V (NINJA APPROVED) – Markbass

www.markbass.it www.markbass.it

GR BASS

AT 210V Combo 350/800 – GRBass

www.grbass.com www.grbass.com
 
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#11
brianrost said:
I use the earlier Berg HT112 cab, it’s the same dimensions as your Ref 112. I always turn the cab on it’s side to save space. I play plenty of tight stages and never need anything smaller.
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That's how I would roll - they already have feet on the side.

I'd think you'd need a pair of the TE 2x8 cabs and a 500W head to hang in there with what you're describing.

Not sure what high quality 500W heads fit on the top of the TE 2x8 cabs.

Oh yeah, there's the Trickfish Bullhead Mini 500 that would hang off either side by one-eighth of an inch.

Probably are others as well.
 
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#12
John D Harris said:
That's how I would roll - they already have feet on the side.

I'd think you'd need a pair of the TE 2x8 cabs and a 500W head to hang in there with what you're describing.

Not sure what high quality 500W heads fit on the top of the TE 2x8 cabs.

Oh yeah, there's the Trickfish Bullhead Mini 500 that would hang off either side by one-eighth of an inch.

Probably are others as well.
Click to expand...
The Quilter 803 is small and light.
 
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#16
  • I've added your current Bergantino Reference 112 for comparison, and removed the Rumble 500 (almost same size)
  • I've tried the Markbass 802, but it's not loud enough alone, and it has no extension cab available so I didn't keep it
  • I've added the Phil Jones BG450. I don't think it's loud enough, but you can add a companion cab if necessary
  • The Trace Elliot Elf 1x10 was surprisingly big (very deep), and it's certainly not loud enough, I didn't keep it.
  • I've added the Aguilar Tone Hammer 210 suggested by @Pocket Dave - smaller than what I would have expected, it would be a good option IMHO.
  • I think the Markbass 102 and the GR Bass 210 are still good options too

loud-combos-small-footprint.jpg
 
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#17
brianrost said:
I use the earlier Berg HT112 cab, it’s the same dimensions as your Ref 112. I always turn the cab on it’s side to save space. I play plenty of tight stages and never need anything smaller.
Click to expand...

gtirard said:
  • I've added your current Bergantino Reference 112 for comparison, and removed the Rumble 500 (almost same size)
  • I've tried the Markbass 802, but it's not loud enough alone, and it has no extension cab available so I didn't keep it
  • I've added the Phil Jones BG450. I don't think it's loud enough, but you can add a companion cab if necessary
  • The Trace Elliot Elf 1x10 was surprisingly big (very deep), and it's certainly not loud enough, I didn't keep it.
  • I've added the Aguilar Tone Hammer 210 suggested by @Pocket Dave - smaller than what I would have expected, it would be a good option IMHO.
  • I think the Markbass 102 and the GR Bass 210 are still good options too

View attachment 7429992
Click to expand...
Thanks Git. You rock.
 
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