Need the ultimate lightweight combo

[Jack Butler]

200 watts with single 12inch cuts through in a rock band rehearsal?

Yeah, guitar player is running a 40 watt fender deluxe, drummer often uses electronic drums. Even played a 100ish person outdoor patio gig(without PA) and it did great and I got compliments on my tone. I was running the volume at about 75% though, so I wouldn't think it would be advisable for much bigger of a gig. I'm not saying it's right for every situation, but for 28 lbs and barely $200 I'm blown away by what I can use it for and how convenient it is.

 

[jessicabass]

There have been some great advancements in bass rig options lately... and some not as great as advertised.

You use to play through some great, powerful, warm rigs.

With the new lightweight options there are new sets of pros and cons with each of them.

I think you are correct to question whether a commercially offered single 12 or single 15 combo will hold it's own in your definition of a rock band setting given your prior rigs.

Also, with your amount of experience I think you will want to get out and hear the options you are considering... and hear them at volume if possible. The neo 2x12 cabinets might be something for you to start your research with.

As for the new Class D micro and hybrid amps you will want to increase your perceived need for power by about 50%. There is a whole army of people on TB that will provide measurements that prove this and that about the new amps but in practice a 500 Watt Class D amp will give just about give you the playing experience of your old 300 Watt solid state amps (tube is a different story of course). Try it for yourself when you go out and listen.

Do you have a decent collection of music stores in your area where you can demo various combinations?

I don't think you will find a lightweight, commercially available combo that will suit all of your needs. The possibilities really open up when you consider separate micro heads and neo cabs and shouldn't be much to consider as some of the heads will fit in the pocket of a gigbag or have their own shoulder bag.

Your are absolutely right.
If i can put a head inside the gig bag and just carry a cab i think that is much better than a typical combo.
But the mesa walkabouts are interesting.
Mostly GC's in the area.

 

[jessicabass]

If 45ish lbs is lightweight enough (for the 210 or 212), you might put Tecamp Puma Combos on your list of things to look at.

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I can't comment, as you preferred, from use, but I have never heard someone else playing something that I found as remarkable. Something to do with the player and his bass? Sure, but the sound coming out of the amp was perfect (Puma head and 212 cab)

If I had $2,000 for a combo, I'd own one in a heartbeat. Take a look at the owner/club threads for reference.

This looks amazing. Hard to find a price and dealer through the web site though.

 

[Brad Johnson]

I use a Glasstone Lil G cab for any gigs I do, from quiet duo up to large venue and outdoors without PA. It's a 212 cab in what looks like 1-12 form factor, weighs less than 35 lb., handles power well and is very efficient. Compares very favorably to two 1-12 cabs. Affordable too. Just about any of the current 500w amps will really light it up. Easiest load-in/out I've ever had along with being the best live sound I've ever had too... and I've had some very nice rigs over the years.

Here's mine outdoors with my Genz Benz Shuttle 9.0:

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[butcher]

Your are absolutely right.
If i can put a head inside the gig bag and just carry a cab i think that is much better than a typical combo.
But the mesa walkabouts are interesting.
Mostly GC's in the area.

Hmm, that is going to limit your selection somewhat.

The ones around here mostly carry GK, Ampeg and Markbass as far as anything neo you would bother trying out.

Lots of love and lots of "eh" for each of those. Give them a shot, at least you can get a feel for what is readily available to you.

With the budget you are working with, I think you will easily be able to find THE lightweight rig that is right for YOU - but it is quite possible you will need to make a pilgrimage to a location that has more options for discerning bassist.

Once you scratch passed the big box offerings there is a great layer of cab options (and amp also). Some of them get it right with designing the right box for some of the great new drivers available and sophisticated crossover networks instead of a piezo tweeter with a single inline resistor pad etc.

I have never been to one, but occasionally some of the folks put on regional get togethers to try out each other's gear. I haven't been to one but think that is a great idea for the bass community to share knowledge and experience and help each other out. Not sure if any are coming up your way.

 

[lomo]

The Walkabout combo provides outstanding tone but has a few shortcomings. I am a huge fan but:

The head is only 300 watts into 4 Ohms and if you ever need to be "loud", it will only satisfy with a big cab (at least 212 or 410 IME). The 12" combo weighs about 50 lbs and that's considerably heavier than some of the modern competition. If all you need is a stage monitor or to fill a smallish venue at reasonable volume it's a killer combo. I am a major Walkabout fanboy but for gigs I use a light GB head and a 15/6 LDS supercab (very similar to a fEarful) that weighs a hair over 50 lbs. If I wanted to get the same volume from my Walkabout I'd need about a 610 cab.

 

[Mark Nye]

+ 1 on the Genz Benz micro heads.

I have nothing against combos, save that they are a limiting factor, IMO. If I were in your shoes, I'd get a micro head that you dig, and a small cab that can handle it. If the gigs get bigger, add a second (matching) cab. I always prefer a modular setup for that reason, and the added advantage is that if you're ever provided with backline, you can always power the provided cab with your head to get as close to your tone as possible with minimal fuss.

Case-in-point: I have a GB Streamliner 900. Small gigs: one cab. Large gigs: two cabs. Opening for someone who feels like hauling an 8x10 and is cool with sharing it: I walk into and the gig with a bass and a backpack.

 

[edencab]

hi .......I figure the G&K MB210 would be the best.... 350 Watts on its own, plus it is their only combo that lets you add an 8 ohm ext. cab (another 2x10 or 1x15) and get 500 watts of pure bliss when needed...35lbs .....seems a good choice....can't imagine too many gigs where this wouldn't work

 

[fishdreams]

Another vote for the Aguilar TH500. Very good low end, sounding great with passive basses. I use it either with an Avatar 1X12 (for the roar) or a ACME B2 2x10 (for the clean voice). The amp goes into the gig bag, the cab on a crappy $15 K-mart cart (those work the best imo) and all set.

edit: and yes, as said, a great idea to get 2 separate 1x12s at 8Ohm each. Bring only one if that's all you need.

 

[butcher]

As long as we are doing confessions...

I loved my fEARful 15/6 and 15sub (DIY where the Y was me). I'm not going to say that was the best cab ever and it kills this or that other brand cab... but it was an amazing cab. I sold mine to fund parts to build the 12/6 and 12sub version.

If you have an opportunity to hear/play any of the fEARful or fEARless cabs don't hesitate to do so. However, if you can only go by opinions etc. that is as big a risk as any other cab that will be recommended to you that you can't hear. It was a big risk for me - I don't have a ton of $$ to spend on gear and I was quite nervous but after studying all the plans, the specs on the components, modeling the system in WinIsd myself etc. it seemed like it was worth the risk and it ended up being a really great cab. Always got compliments on my tone and the presence of the bass in various parts of the venue (even outdoors). I can say objectively that there is no snake oil in that line of cabs (have said it before). The cabs use great, modern drivers and place them in appropriately sized, tuned, braced and damped boxes and custom design crossovers to optimize the interaction between the drivers.

On the other hand, in the meantime I have been very much enjoying my old home built cab with an old Eminence CB158 which I believe to be one of the best old school 15" bass drivers for the money.

In other news, I have a great little local music store that is bass friendly (carry Lakland, Eden, DNA, GK, Ibanez). I wanted to like the GK Neo cabs when they first came out but to me the just lacked "something". I stopped by recently to say hi and they had one of the new GK 212 combos (MB212-ii I think) and played a beautiful Ibanez prestige with Nord big singles in it. I have to say, that was a nice sounding combo. Whatever was missing before seems to be there now. Not sure if I would lay out $800 for it, but I did like it.

I have never been one for the Eden tone, but tons of people love their gear - you might as well.

The DNA cabs are nice too, but can be pretty hard to find.

So if you play flats with a pick I'm guessing you may be interested in that warm, old-school tone? I'm not sure if any of the lightweight stuff will get you there, but from the stuff I have heard some are closer than others.

Good luck on your quest! Please post whatever you end up trying and your thoughts on it.

 

[Jason Hollar]

@ HeffeDrunk - I'd agree that the walkabout scout is an awesome combo. I briefly owned a 1x12 combo - but found it way too heavy for any kind of grab & go gig amp.
I'd put the discontinued Ampeg Rocket bass combos in the same category.

 

[Jason Hollar]

I did just revisit the markbass 112 combo and found it quite appealing --- volume & tone & weight-wise.
I'd seriously consider one of those with the NYC extension cab for bigger gigs.

 

[edencab]

I myself have and Eden D115 (a bit heavy), but just picked up a Traynor Small block 200W head (it is really new, not even on their website yet!)...sounds awesome....under 2lbs...
although Gassing for the Tonehammer 350 or a Markbass 250 Blackline and possibly Ampeg PF350

 

[MostlyBass]

The GK combos are impressive. We have a MB112 at work it's LOUD and LIGHT.

On the other end of the spectrum... I bought my first Greenboy designed cabinet recently - a Bassic 15 - and it's unreal.

So if you've got 2k I'd go for a fearful / fearless / with the head of your choice.

 

[MostlyBass]

Oh... I had a MarkBass 12" combo and it was nice but couldn't handle the low notes well enough. I currently have a MarkBass Jeff Berlin combo and it's a nice amp and all but can't compare to my Carvin BX500 and Bassic 15.

And....My Bassic is just 32lbs!!!

 

[StuartV]

I think the Promethean P5110 (made by Ibanez) qualifies as an "Ultimate Combo". Too bad they stopped making them. But, you can find them used.

It's a 1x10 cab with a detachable head. With the head attached (thumb screws - no tools required), it makes a perfect cube. In its case, it weighs 37 pounds. The head outputs 500W into 4 ohms. The cab is 8 ohms, so by itself, the combo is 250W. But, the amp has a jack for an extension cab, so you can use the combo with a 1x10 extension cab and have 2x10 w/500W. Or, if 1 or 2 10s isn't enough, you can just detach the head and use it with a completely different cab.

I have found mine to be loud enough for most band rehearsal situations. I've only felt like I needed more once, when I was auditioning with a metal band with the LOUDEST drummer I've ever heard. Even then, I think if I'd had a 1x10 extension cab I would have been fine.

It has an Aux In and a headphone out, so it's great for plugging an MP3 player in and practicing with. And it has a DI out.

I've gigged mine several times and blown other musicians (including bass players) away with how good it sounds and how much volume it puts out.

I looked at all the small combos out there before I bought mine and I still think there is nothing that is better. At least, not better for me.

 

[::::BASSIST::::]

Whatever you do get one of these... It will make any light-ish cab/combo you get a breeze to move.

I also second the greenboy and thunderchild cabs. They are the real deal.

 

[jonnybass1]

If you like the tone of your old rig I think the closest you will get using a micro head is the Orange Bass Terror. It has that tube warmth of the old tube heads in a small light weight package. And tons of power as well 500 or 1000 watts. I haven't tried the Orange SP cabs so I can't say anything about them but I tried the Bass Terror with a Traynor 210 Neo cab and it sounded great. It had a similar tone to the Ampeg SVT and the Traynor YBA200. (I said similar not the same)
One big difference whether you like it or not is up to you, the Bass Terror gets dirty...very dirty if you crank the gain

But you can listen to us all day and we all have our own opinions. But the best suggestion which has been mentioned is to go and try some out. But try as many as possible until one setup works for you and says buy me. Don't settle for something cuz that is all the store has, I have done that way to many times to count!

Have Fun in your search.

 

[Rockin Mike]

A pair of Markbass Traveler 102p 2x10 cabs (8 ohm version) and whatever lightweight class D micro-head you like in the 500 to 800 watt range.
Here's what I like about such a rig:
The cabs are light at 33 lbs each, the shape is tall and thin so it has a small stage footprint and fits easily in the smallest sportscar. You can take 1 cab for small gigs and the 8 ohm load scales your amp output to something appropriate, or you can take both cabs and the 4 ohm load will pull more power from your amp.
If you stack them vertically you will get excellent off-axis dispersion and it puts the top speaker up closer to your ear so you can really hear them.
They are mid-bumpy like (much heavier) Eden cabs which some people don't like but I'm oldschool so I think they sound great.

IMHO, YMMV

 

[pgolliher]

Another fan of the GK MB line. I have the 2-10" combo, love it. I have the 2'10" extension cab, but rarely have needed the extra volume. (they just look kick ass stacked though...)