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Lonnybass

Lonnybass

Jul 19, 2000
5,682
11,377
48
San Diego
Disclosures
Endorsing Artist: Pedulla Basses
#1
Hi everyone -

I'm in process of setting up an updated small practice rig in our new house - unfortunately my old SWR didn't survive the move, and my 3000 watt dual Alembic F-1X/Crest/Fearful stack is just too enormous. As such, I'm interested in delving into the world of compact bass heads and small cabinets. However, I'm not quite sure how things compare, and would love some advice about what to include in my consideration set. My ears are VERY spoiled by my big rig, with tons of warmth and depth, and clear gloriousness on the low B. Would love some suggestions, as I haven't looked at setups like this in at least 20 years and so much has changed with the ultralight heads and cabinets. Thanks in advance!
 
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#2
Wow, so many great choices today, it has never been a better time to buy a light, powerful and flexible rig.
You're going to get many suggestions, each one of us will recommend his favorite brand, but the most important is: what is your budget, what are your tonal goals (appart from warmth and depth and a clear low B)? What kind of music do you play, what kind of bands do you play with (loud drummer / guitarist?).

Many combination of class D 800W amps and 2x12 cabs would make it.

Class D amps are really light and powerful, some people think they don't have the same warmth or authority as tube amps but I don't think so. You may add a tube preamp to get that tube warmth without the weight. Look at the Mesa Subway series, they're all great, or Bergantino. And use and love the Quilter Bass Block 800 and I love it (warm and deep), but there are many other great class D amps.

Cabinets have also improved a lot in 20 years, especially the power/weight ratio. Again Mesa and Bergantino are great, also GR Bass have an impressive AT series (carbon fiber). I use and love a Barefaced cab, but again there are many other great available cabs.

Have fun!
 
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#3
gtirard said:
Wow, so many great choices today, it has never been a better time to buy a light, powerful and flexible rig.
You're going to get many suggestions, each one of us will recommend his favorite brand, but the most important is: what is your budget, what are your tonal goals (appart from warmth and depth and a clear low B)? What kind of music do you play, what kind of bands do you play with (loud drummer / guitarist?).

Many combination of class D 800W amps and 2x12 cabs would make it.

Class D amps are really light and powerful, some people think they don't have the same warmth or authority as tube amps but I don't think so. You may add a tube preamp to get that tube warmth without the weight. Look at the Mesa Subway series, they're all great, or Bergantino. And use and love the Quilter Bass Block 800 and I love it (warm and deep), but there are many other great class D amps.

Cabinets have also improved a lot in 20 years, especially the power/weight ratio. Again Mesa and Bergantino are great, also GR Bass have an impressive AT series (carbon fiber). I use and love a Barefaced cab, but again there are many other great available cabs.

Have fun!
Click to expand...

Sorry I didn't read the original post well, you don't need 800 W for a home pratice setup obviously.

There are smaller amps like the Trace Elliot Elf, the Warwick Gnome or the tc electronic BAM 200, but I don't know about their warmth, and how the low B sounds.

For the cab, I have a Barefaced One10, it's tiny, super light but it sounds really great. Never tried a 5 strings with it, but I read from other users it's fine.
 
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#4
Markbass has a bunch of good small combo's available under 1k 300 watts at 8ohm and 500 at 4. [also some nice head, cabinet options more $]

Also some nice choices from Mesa Boogie, Bergantino, GK, Darkglass, Aguliar, Trickfish, Genzler, GRBass both Head and Cabinets to name a few. If you looking for something similar in quality 'level' to what you have in 'Big Rig' In small and light setup

Most heads under 8lbs and Cab's 1x12 25-35lbs or 1x15 35-40lbs and 175-400watts at 8ohms

Barefaced Cabinets get lots of praise and have a nice selection FRFR Cabinets

PS; Markbass has LMV tube pre Head 500w at 4ohms and NY121P Cabinet on sale at 30-35% off Street prices about $1375 for head and 2 Cabinets street price $2000
 
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#6
gtirard said:
Wow, so many great choices today, it has never been a better time to buy a light, powerful and flexible rig.
You're going to get many suggestions, each one of us will recommend his favorite brand, but the most important is: what is your budget, what are your tonal goals (appart from warmth and depth and a clear low B)? What kind of music do you play, what kind of bands do you play with (loud drummer / guitarist?).

Many combination of class D 800W amps and 2x12 cabs would make it.

Class D amps are really light and powerful, some people think they don't have the same warmth or authority as tube amps but I don't think so. You may add a tube preamp to get that tube warmth without the weight. Look at the Mesa Subway series, they're all great, or Bergantino. And use and love the Quilter Bass Block 800 and I love it (warm and deep), but there are many other great class D amps.

Cabinets have also improved a lot in 20 years, especially the power/weight ratio. Again Mesa and Bergantino are great, also GR Bass have an impressive AT series (carbon fiber). I use and love a Barefaced cab, but again there are many other great available cabs.

Have fun!
Click to expand...
I use this and it gets it done for most gigs on its own. I add a 2nd cabinet if necessary.
The head is about 4 lbs, the cab 33 lbs. I used it tonight at a 125 person affair and was told to turn down.
Win Win
 

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#9
Lonnybass said:
Hi everyone -

I'm in process of setting up an updated small practice rig in our new house - unfortunately my old SWR didn't survive the move, and my 3000 watt dual Alembic F-1X/Crest/Fearful stack is just too enormous. As such, I'm interested in delving into the world of compact bass heads and small cabinets. However, I'm not quite sure how things compare, and would love some advice about what to include in my consideration set. My ears are VERY spoiled by my big rig, with tons of warmth and depth, and clear gloriousness on the low B. Would love some suggestions, as I haven't looked at setups like this in at least 20 years and so much has changed with the ultralight heads and cabinets. Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...

If I was putting a rig together, it would be a Mesa WD-800 (awesome EQ section) and Mesa 112 cab. Small footprint, good expansion capability to add additional cab if needed.

Unfortunately I’m not puting together a home rig because I have a lifetime supply of Eden gear. We’re in a race to see which one of us dies last..LOL!!!
 
#11
I've been really happy with my Markbass CMD 121P combo (already referenced in posts above). I don't play in really loud acts so it's been fine for all manner of gigging. It sounds great, lots of clean headroom, decent eq plus mid scoop (which I never use) and high frequency roll off (which is useful for places with crap AC and noise). The DI is quiet and can be set pre or post eq. If I'm doing something big or outdoors it serves at a great little bass monitor and feeds FOH. it's just under 30 lbs (a huge improvement over my old 4x10 with Hartke or GK head) and I've gigged it for many years without incident.
Polish_20200112_132204866.jpg
 
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#13
I got a Quilter Interbass45 specifically for "quiet" practice (wow, can it GET loud, if you want that!) and was so over-the-top sold on the Quilter sound/technology, it wasn't even 6 months until I purchased the 802 also...the larger amp does really great at low volume, the Interbass45 just has the very tubey "vintage" switch option. With any decent cab, it's a definite winner and many tonal options.
 
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#14
I use a good preamp (Mesa Subway+, also I have been experimenting with some good amp modeling multieffects pedals), headphones/IEMs, and I work up a great sound that way. Then, I make the sound engineer bring two 2x18 cabinets and tops, and several thousand watts of power. It's the best of both worlds.
 
#15
Depends how small, really. What is the situation with other people at home?

I started using a PJB Double Four for home practice. I play 5 and 4 and some really deep fretlesses, tone is important. If you want really small and family volume friendly with actual bass amp tone you can’t go wrong there. I often throw a tube preamp pedal in front to warm it up just a bit.
 
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#19
If you want the smallest cabinet that can take on everything you throw at it, look no further than the barefaced super midget. It's tiny, it's super light and it kicks like a mule if you provide the wattage.
Pair it with a head that has the reputation of a warm sound. If you want style points, order the SM with the cloth grille and put an Aguilar Tonehammer on top. Both the cab and the amp will then have black sides and a silver face.

If you want a good sound in an as small as possible package, you can look at the Phil Jones Double 4.
That's a shoe box sized amp. It is surprisingly loud for the package, but not loud.
It sounds great, though. Even the low B speaks with authority.
 
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