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Opinions, Recommendations, Advice & Grievances

#22
Ben Noblit said:
Of your choices I'd go Orange TB500 (terrific gritty tone, make sure you learn the tone stack) or PF500 ( make sure you get a newer one) with the GK Neo 212. Avoid Rumbles or other entry level combos. Lots of design compromises and cut corners.
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+1 on the Orange being very capable of grit

PF vs Rumble in terms of reliability? The V1 and V2 Rumbles had very solid reliability records..the PFs took a while to sort out. They are (imho) clearly competitors in price and positioning..by no means (again imo) would the PF series be 'higher' end gear than the Rumbles..tone preference, form etc very different, but along the GK MB combos, all in the same price=range/level with relative levels of compromise/cut corners (ime, imho, ymmv)
 
#23
My 2¢.
A good combo will get you a long way.
First I'd suggest a GK MB212 II. 500 watts, light at about 35/40 pounds. Can use the MBP cabinets potentially giving you more power than you'll ever need.
Second would be the Orange Terror 500 combo. Again 500 watts, 2x12, 45/50 pounds, can accept an external cab. They are pricey. BUT, I saw on the BassStrings Cyber Monday listing they are going to be about $950. An incredible price for that amp.

I have both setups.
A GK MB212 II with a MBP115 cabinet under it. Total of 700 watts. More than enough for most gigs.
An Orange Terror 500 combo. I sit mine on a QuikLok stand. Gets it up in the air and tilts it slightly.
Since I got the Orange I use that instead of the GK. Just love it's sound.
 
#24
pudgychef said:
+1 on the Orange being very capable of grit

PF vs Rumble in terms of reliability? The V1 and V2 Rumbles had very solid reliability records..the PFs took a while to sort out. They are (imho) clearly competitors in price and positioning..by no means (again imo) would the PF series be 'higher' end gear than the Rumbles..tone preference, form etc very different, but along the GK MB combos, all in the same price=range/level with relative levels of compromise/cut corners (ime, imho, ymmv)
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Emphasis on the combo bit. Entry level combos a la the Rumble or Acoustic B200 feature major design compromises that you typically won't find in a standalone cabinet. GK's a step above IMO.
 
#25
Amp/head. Step away from the combos.

Which ones you ask?
Cab: Avatar b210 or sb112
Head: GK mb200 or mb500

Have all 4, love all 4, and well within budget (get used where possible of course). Footprint is tiny, weight is minimal, tone is exceptional for the cost.
 
#26
Cruise eBay and craigslist for some of the SWR Workingman's combos or some of their better stuff if your set on a combo. They are affordable, reliable, and they sound good in any situation. If you find an SWR Super Redhead that is my holy grail of combos.
Of the ones you listed I really like the fender rumble series (my v2 head kicks major butt) and that gk212 combo will not do you wrong by any means.
If you are dead set on the combo route, I highly recommend getting one that is 8 ohms with an extension speaker out. that way you can hook it up to more cabinets if you need something bigger because cabinets tend to be cheaper to get than a new rig. I had an SWR workingman's 210 combo with the 15 from the same series and it was an amazing rig. When I had my SWR workingman's 210 combo it was 200 watts I think and I could hook it up to my 8 ohm 410 cab and essentially have a 610 with enough power to shake the venue.
I wish you luck and welcome back to bass my friend!
 
#27
I am in the same boat as you. I played for a living about a decade ago, then changed gears in life and dumped all my gear. I played rock and was a huge fan of gk, had a few 1001rb's with the rbh cabs and a samsamp di to add some grit. Cant justify that stuff for what I do now, but reccomend a 700rb 2x10 combo if you can find one. Go for about 350 used and will out power and out tone any other combo, imho. Also, I just picked up a used gk backline 600 and 410 brx carvin cab for 400 bucks. sounds really good for the price.
 
#28
No one has mentioned aguilar before, so i gotta do it. Amp and cab for 800 might be a tough one, but a used Tonehammer 350 and a 2x10 of another brand might get you there.
The tonehammers are very capable of grit, and they provide a rich, warm and mellow sound.

I'm +1 on the advice to buy a 2x10 with 8 ohms.
Pro's: If the speakers are aligned, you can put it up vertically for a super small footprint (and the Aguilar fits on top nicely) and if you need more oopmh! then you can easily add another 210 and stack them.
 
#29
untilshewokeme said:
Here is my situation, I am currently picking up bass again after a 10+ year hiatus. For the short term I am looking to refine my skills again and maybe jam with my brother-in-law or friends. Long term maybe join a band and play small gigs here and there.

Previously I played out a ****** 100w 15” Kustom combo as it was the cheapest/loudest thing I could afford my freshmen year of high school for the band I was in. I have gone through dozens of old threads and it seems that combos aren’t want people recommend. But is getting an amp/cab overkill or is it thinking ahead?

Size: Looking for a smaller footprint (in terms of width and depth, height isn’t a problem) as I live in a small house
Weight: Not an issue (although the lighter the better)
Tone: Dirty/gnarly (something with character) that is still present at low volume (again practicing in a small house)
Musician Stylings: hardcore, punk, post-punk, metal, stoner metal

Combo Budget: $400ish
What has peaked my interest so far: GK MB 212, Any of the Ampeg BA Series, Fender Rumble V3s

Amp/Cab Budget: $800ish
What has peaked my interest so far: Orange TB500, Ampeg PF-500, Ampeg STV-212av, Ampeg SVT-410HLF, GK 212 MBE, GK Neo 212

So I am asking the TB community for your opinion on the matter. Combo or amp/head and which makes/model do you recommend. Used and local is my mindset at the moment to get the most bang for my buck.
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This pretty much describes my exact story as well. I have returned to Bass and gigging after almost 10 years off (kids, real job, etc).
I still had my Basses but needed a good amp. I certainly was NOT going back to the old days of lugging around 65lb+ 4x10's, head, rack, etc. I went with the GK MB212, its very light weight, thunderously loud, sounds great and made in the USA.
 
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#31
Fantastic! I had my own 7-year-time-out and starting form scratch again was and is quite a lot of fun. As you mention grit at all noise/environment levels (living room to stage) I'd go in your budget with a GK microhead and enclosure, and factor in a good 'grit' pedal. Super-cheap-and-usable option: Joyo JF2 Vintage Drive. I never played it, but here on the forum people are quite taken with the Tech 21 VT bass .
 
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#34
untilshewokeme said:
Great knowledge so far, I am thinking the amp/cab is the way to go.

I might buy a low watt combo off CL for $50 or under while I hunt out a good deal on the amp and cab.
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Here's something to consider, untilshewokeme, is that you are always going to need a personal practice combo especially with headphones. So purchasing a good quality small combo makes sense. Rumble 40's aren't $50, but are excellent. Fender Bronco 40's are a bit more expensive, but are a ton of fun and perfect for recording too.
 
#36
FerruleCat said:
If you're going to throw practice headphones into the mix, I'd say bypass the amp altogether and get a Zoom B3 multi-effects amp sim unit. I don't have the B3, but I have the G3 for guitar, and it's easily the best money I spent this year.
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I have a ZOOM B3 and must concur that they are excellent. For $50 more (than the $200 Zoom B3) you can have the exceedingly fabulous Fender Bronco 40. All the digital sim greatness of the Zoom B3 plus an incredibly sexy 40 watt 1x10 combo to boot! Wish I had known this before I bought my B3.
 

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