Double Bass new amp advice: under $1,000, light, etc

[unobasso]

What I'm looking for is:

- an amp that I'll be using with my upright for 80-90% of the time and the rest on my electric.

- something that can keep me up volume-wise with a small jazz group (w/drummer) or a medium-sized acoustic ensemble (w/o drummer).

- a rig that won't have me booking regular appointments with my physiotherapist.

- new for under $1,000 CDN.

So, I'm not asking for too much, am I? ;-)

Does this leave me with just looking at the Mark Mini 12"?

Anybody have any suggestions of something I've overlooked?

Runners-up are EA micro head/wizzy cab or the Eden CXC110, which both come in around $1,300.

From what I've heard/read, the GK micro 150 or Acoustic Image don't sound great with an electric, so they're out.

I know going used will open more choices but I'm hoping to avoid that for now.


ted harms

 

[Marc Piane]

The GKMB150 is what I use. It sound good with both basses IMHO.

 

[bolo]

The [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] looks intriguing. I have not seen or heard one in person yet.

One of the few reviews I have seen is here.

I like the EA Wizzy combos personally, but they are above your stated $1,000 ceiling, and weigh over 40 lbs. I have used the 200 watt version for about 3 years, mostly w/ upright, and I like it a whole lot.

 

[PB+J]

I've posted a bunch of times about the Markbass mini CMD 112 combo. It's fantastic with electric, fat, warm, loud, light, lots of range. It's very good with upright--my "reference rig" with double bass is an Avalon U5 into a power amp, into an epifani UL110. It's not quite as good as that, but it's 90% there with my bass and pickup combo, and I can carry the bass in one hand and the amp in the other, plug it in and go. The price is still pretty good here in the US too

 

[Dave Speranza]

FWIW my acoustic image set completely flat got a better tone out of an electric bass than any of my old electric rigs. It is a quality amplifier.

 

[tony moore]

the ea iamp micro 300, wizzy 10 and backpack bag shipped is just a hair over $1k. best doubling rig i've tried yet...

if you don't mind about 50 lbs and a bit of bulk, i've used a swr california red for years to double and love it. those can be had for around $400 too...

tony

 

[macmrkt]

This is a hot topic for me too. I like tiny light rigs that can double and pull small gigs without PA support. I've had all the small Markbass combos including the Markacoustics, the small PJB's, Acoustic Image and the new EA Wizzy 10 (my iAMP300 came DOA so no comment on that.) My favorite micro combo right now is the PJB Flightcase. Use it on the floor and close to a wall. It's $895 and in stock at Bass Central and The Perfect Bass I believe. My second choice is the Markbass Mini CMD121P. This has to be used up off the floor for DB and on the floor for BG. It's bigger and heavier than the PJB and will play louder. In fact, I thought it had a stronger sound than an SVT Pro 2/SVT 8x10 cabinet that was on the same stage one night! I really like the Wizzy10/iAMP300 backpack as you can carry it on your back. But it looks like the amps are not available for a month or more. I also give the edge to the PJB Flightcase in terms of tone - but I was using the Wizzy 10 with a Markbass LMII head. The Wizzy 10 might be better with the iAMP300.

 

[Slowgypsy]

Before you write-off the GK MB-150, cause that's what other people say doesn't sound great... may I humbly suggest you actually try one. It is, by any standard, a very well made pro-grade amp. I'm very happy with mine...

 

[RD]

There is the JazzAmp 12. Sounds like a real possibility in your price range. It's here:
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RD

 

[Ike Harris]

You can generally get an MB-200(older version of the 150) for around $300 if you can find one. They're a little warmer sounding I think and last a long time. I usually grab one every 10 years or so when I see one for sale.

Ike

 

[Jason Hollar]

I've been having good luck with my Mesa Walkabout Scout combo. I bought it because it sounds good with both upright & electric basses.

I put it side by side with two Mark Bass amps, the 12 and the 2x10 combo, and for me, the Mesa won hands down. The Mark Bass amps are quite good...the Mesa is better IMHO.

The sound is huge, in part because of the cool 4 Ohm cab/speaker design, and also because of the warm 300 watt head.

I bought it for $999 (USD) brand new at GC, otherwise I was saving up for an iamp rig...but that was going to be closer to $2000 for what I really wanted.

The Mesa looks cool too, kinda like a Polytone. I also use a milk crate to get 'er up about a foot off the floor.

The main drawback is that it's purdy darn heavy...50+ lbs? It also doesn't balance on a small handtruck all that well...due to the head placement on the back of the cab. I use a bungee or strap when going long distances to avoid mishaps.

It's a big improvement for me though, since my old SWR head plus 2x10 rig is more like 80 lbs and only 200 watts.