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Need to choose 1x10 Combo amp

#21
As i also looking for a small 1x10" practing combo.
But how about the hartke kickback 10?
How it compare with line6 one?
I love the size of Line6, it really small.
But the mode on the amp isn't too much different and useful for me i think.

SWR LA series I have bad experience on it. It easy to get overdrive when the volume turn more than half.

Or is it better to wait the micro cube RX ?
 
#23
If there is a GC nearby, go and see if they have any Acoustic AE50 amps. When I was looking for small bass amps a year ago, I played a bunch and concluded the Roland Bass Cube 30 was the best sounding. Then I bought a GK MB150 and eventually sold the Roland. Great little amp and became my main amp for a while but it's eq'd like a GK so if you like that sound, awesome. Of course even used, it'll set you back $400.

I played and immediately bought the Acoustic AE50 after reading about it here. These are only sold thru GC but for under $200 (I actually paid $140 for mine) these amps are a steal IMHO. Has a 10" ported with tweeter and simple but effect EQ. Voiced very nicely even with everything flat. Perfect for practice and low volume playing. I'm about to play a house party gig so will see how it holds up at moderate volume levels.
 
#24
bmc said:
i Last fall, I was looking to replace my Behringer 30 watt practice amp with something of higher quality. I looked at all three of the amps you're looking at. I had a chance to try out the Roland Cube100 and came to the conclusion that for roughly the same size as the old Behringer, I could have an amp I might (just might), be able to use for small gigs. I opted for the 100 and haven't looked back. Very portable combo and the 12 delivers better bottom than the 10. I've used it for five gigs and haven't pulled my big rig out in five months.

So...for just a bit more money, you can get an amp of roughly the same size, that is ideal for practicing and it's gig worthy. Check it out. It's more than you say you're looking for, but you're getting more flexibility.

My $.02 Swiss Francs.
Click to expand...

I've been playing through a Peavey Basic 112 (50 watts). For jamming, it's been just fine, but I played my first gig last weekend and although it sounded ok, it was a definitely stretched. We have a few gigs lines up right now in the same bar which holds about 100 people, so it's time to upgrade.

I've tried the Roland Cube 100 yesterday and really liked it. It's surprisingly loud, but that was in the store and not up against a drummer and two guitar players. The price is right ($500 cdn) as opposed to the Little Mark II with a 112 Bergano cab I tried out for about $1300 cdn.

Think the Roland will suffice?

Lawrie
 
#25
My main trio has a loud drummer. We did one gig where I brought the Roland and got by. I should have brought the bigger rig, but, the Roland worked.

It can sound compressed on its own. It drive me nuts sometimes, but it's what they have done to enable them to optimize cabinet, speaker and power to deliver it in a small package.

The other gig I play is with a quieter drummer and a guitarist using a 30 watt Peavey tube amp. It is just fine. Anything thing bigger is overkill. It's a room for 100 people, but the band is not the feature of the whole bar. We do get surprisingly loud and the Roland doesn't break up.

I was very skeptical about its abilities in a gigging situation. I didn't buy it to gig with. I bought it as a stay home practice amp. I am very pleased with what it does. But, always keep in mind it only has 1-12". But, back thirty years ago 100 watts of Acoustic amps or Sunn amps were more than capable. Fast forward to computer design and gained knowledge and you now have these remarkable lightweight solutions for bass players.

I wish, as I'm sure you do, that you could road test it with your band. I didn't because it wasn't my main purchase driver.

I'm at an age where I want to do one trip in and one trip out to get the job done. I am happy with what I have right now.

Hope that helped.
 
#26
bmc said:
My main trio has a loud drummer. We did one gig where I brought the Roland and got by. I should have brought the bigger rig, but, the Roland worked.

It can sound compressed on its own. It drive me nuts sometimes, but it's what they have done to enable them to optimize cabinet, speaker and power to deliver it in a small package.

The other gig I play is with a quieter drummer and a guitarist using a 30 watt Peavey tube amp. It is just fine. Anything thing bigger is overkill. It's a room for 100 people, but the band is not the feature of the whole bar. We do get surprisingly loud and the Roland doesn't break up.

I was very skeptical about its abilities in a gigging situation. I didn't buy it to gig with. I bought it as a stay home practice amp. I am very pleased with what it does. But, always keep in mind it only has 1-12". But, back thirty years ago 100 watts of Acoustic amps or Sunn amps were more than capable. Fast forward to computer design and gained knowledge and you now have these remarkable lightweight solutions for bass players.

I wish, as I'm sure you do, that you could road test it with your band. I didn't because it wasn't my main purchase driver.

I'm at an age where I want to do one trip in and one trip out to get the job done. I am happy with what I have right now.

Hope that helped.
Click to expand...

That's great information and it definitely helps. It seems the Roland would me more than suitable when I'm playing jazz with my current lineup of players. Much quieter. It looks like it may be marginal for the blues stuff. I'm 51 and like you, the days of dragging around heavy equiment is over. I like the weight of the Roland, but the weight of the Little Mark II is only 6 lbs and the cab is 30 lbs, so it's not that bad either.

Thanks,

Lawrie
 
#28
bmc said:
Great. Two old (me 50) Canadian lads lookin for lightweight.

The guitarist that uses the Peavey is from Toronto. Good friends with Skeets who works at Shlong and McQuade downtown.

What store did you see it at?
Click to expand...

The LMII and Berg Cab was at Club Bass. It was my first visit to the store. I tried the Roland out at Steve's. I go into L&M once in a while, but rarely puchase anything from them.

Ya....lightweight rules :)
 
#29
Britbonic said:
If there is a GC nearby, go and see if they have any Acoustic AE50 amps. When I was looking for small bass amps a year ago, I played a bunch and concluded the Roland Bass Cube 30 was the best sounding. Then I bought a GK MB150 and eventually sold the Roland. Great little amp and became my main amp for a while but it's eq'd like a GK so if you like that sound, awesome. Of course even used, it'll set you back $400.

I played and immediately bought the Acoustic AE50 after reading about it here. These are only sold thru GC but for under $200 (I actually paid $140 for mine) these amps are a steal IMHO. Has a 10" ported with tweeter and simple but effect EQ. Voiced very nicely even with everything flat. Perfect for practice and low volume playing. I'm about to play a house party gig so will see how it holds up at moderate volume levels.
Click to expand...


I got an AE50 and when it arrived it had an electronics buzz on one channel and noises that were the result of air pumping out of the unused jacks. By design the amplifier and speaker share a common cabinet space--no baffles. I sent it back for another hoping that perhaps whatever led to the electronics problem also led to the other problem. I was wrong. The second AB50 went back as well. Loved the design, size, shape, appearance, and sound of the amp. I just couldn't deal with that air noise at such moderate volumes.

Waiting on the Line6 Lowdown Studio 110 to arrive.

BTW--after sending the first one back I sent several e-mails to Acoustic that were never responded to. Finally I complained publicly here http://unofficialacousticcontrolcorpmessageboard.yuku.com/ and got a response on the forum. Interestingly enough, I left 2 reviews on the Guitar Center web page. Neither has shown up.
 
#30
Fajah said:
The LMII and Berg Cab was at Club Bass. It was my first visit to the store. I tried the Roland out at Steve's. I go into L&M once in a while, but rarely puchase anything from them.

Ya....lightweight rules :)
Click to expand...

As user of both Markbass and Roland, the Markbass wins hands down. But....there's a price difference as well.

But you're from Toronto (center of the universe). You're rich. Go back to Club Bass and grab. Snaga Sadowsky while you're there. :D:D
 
#31
bmc said:
As user of both Markbass and Roland, the Markbass wins hands down. But....there's a price difference as well.

But you're from Toronto (center of the universe). You're rich. Go back to Club Bass and grab. Snaga Sadowsky while you're there. :D:D
Click to expand...

LOL.....rich.....my wife and three daughters have all the dough. Toronto...born and raised....I don't know about center of the universe, but maybe close. I actually liked the Lakland I tried at Club Bass, but I'm not g.a.s.sing for basses at the moment. I'm very happy with what I have.

The Markbass was great with the Berg 112 cab. The ideal setup would be a cab at my drummers where we practice, a cab at home, and carry the head back and forth. I could then stack the two cabs for a gig. All for about $2200.

Guess I'll have to get a credit app from my wife and kids :)
 
#34
i have the roland 30and i reckon its ok for the bedroom but even quiet gigs without percussion leaves it breathless.the effects are ok but i think there are better options.i am now going for the gk mb200 with a small 10 inch cab.no effects though a bit more versatile and a headphone out when needed. good luck.
 

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