Still have my AG500SC 212 combo that I bought in 2008 or so. I pair it with a GS112NT. The combo itself is heavy, just north of 100 lbs. Strap and dolly helps. Sounds great. Have been hankering for something lighter and more portable that moves just as much air.
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Back In the Day, I had a Genz Benz cabinet with a rack mount built into it, to make your own combo.
Sounded good, looked good, stupid heavy. I'm pretty sure it was 70 pounds before putting anything in the rack.
I wanted one real bad but not this time in life. I did a Hartke LK8500 and HD 210 sounds really good and light. My goal is the Aguilar one day.I'm simply trying to put this out in the universe. I hope one day in the near future Aguilar makes a lightweight 112 combo. Maybe combine the SL 112 with the ToneHammer and/or with the AG700. I realize the SL series and the TH/AG series are super lightweight and portable. However, having a combo is easier to carry to gigs, easier to setup in a hurry, less stuff to bring and it's easier to setup/tear down your rig in a hurry. It's also easier to tilt the amp back and/or put up high to be able to hear it better. I've been gigging on bass for almost 30 years and Aguilar is hands down my favorite amp/cab company ever! I know, if Aguilar makes a combo it will sound just as good as the heads and cabinets do. Plenty of other company's that make combos that I'm sure are fine, but Aguilar builds quality amps and cabs. I don't worry with Aguilar gear like I've had to with other brands. So, in the words of Harvey Keitel(basically) " pretty please ... with sugar on top. Build a bass combo."
I remember a while ago Dave said “no no no” to two things on TalkBass. A combo, and a 6x10.
A combo is kind of a no win situation for Aguilar. They build X number of cabs and heads, and y number of combos, and ultimately they find some portion of either cannibalizes the other.
(I think) Their position is sound- they build professional products geared to actively gigging and prosumer musicians. The drive to market only separates encourages a mix n match feeling with their market. You buy a 5lb head and a single SL for practice a larger cab or 2 for stage or several for touring. You buy a sl 212 for your funk band then a 4x10 for your Rock gig... or both for that stadium be tour (not that any of this really happens or is needed for most of us)
combos can be seen as a compromise, the value proposition is limited, and locks the purchaser into “it’s all I need” mentality. Add to that the potential loss productivity of when you have to gear up and your production line, I can see why they are reluctant to do it (again)
we’re buying Aguilar gear hand over fist, I think they figured out a pretty good er... combo of products.
(I think) Their position is sound- they build professional products geared to actively gigging and prosumer musicians. The drive to market only separates encourages a mix n match feeling with their market. You buy a 5lb head and a single SL for practice a larger cab or 2 for stage or several for touring. You buy a sl 212 for your funk band then a 4x10 for your Rock gig... or both for that stadium be tour (not that any of this really happens or is needed for most of us)
combos can be seen as a compromise, the value proposition is limited, and locks the purchaser into “it’s all I need” mentality. Add to that the potential loss productivity of when you have to gear up and your production line, I can see why they are reluctant to do it (again)
we’re buying Aguilar gear hand over fist, I think they figured out a pretty good er... combo of products.
Do You realize how much that combo will cost, i am not shure that many people would want it. Buying Aguilar amp or cab separately is nothing wrong, it gives You a combination and variation possibilities and there is nothing wrong with transportation.I'm simply trying to put this out in the universe. I hope one day in the near future Aguilar makes a lightweight 112 combo. Maybe combine the SL 112 with the ToneHammer and/or with the AG700. I realize the SL series and the TH/AG series are super lightweight and portable. However, having a combo is easier to carry to gigs, easier to setup in a hurry, less stuff to bring and it's easier to setup/tear down your rig in a hurry. It's also easier to tilt the amp back and/or put up high to be able to hear it better. I've been gigging on bass for almost 30 years and Aguilar is hands down my favorite amp/cab company ever! I know, if Aguilar makes a combo it will sound just as good as the heads and cabinets do. Plenty of other company's that make combos that I'm sure are fine, but Aguilar builds quality amps and cabs. I don't worry with Aguilar gear like I've had to with other brands. So, in the words of Harvey Keitel(basically) " pretty please ... with sugar on top. Build a bass combo."
Erm... Yeah, that's no different than any other amp manufacturer.
The only way it would cannibalize sales is if the final price and margins are significantly lower than, say, a TH350 and an SL112.
The more likely explanation is that they don't think there is a big enough market for an Aguilar combo.
Meaning what, gigging bass players never use combos? I haven't taken a poll lately, but that seems a tad unlikely, given the ubiquity of PA systems and existing backlines, and the fact that bassists keep buying them. Most of the time, all you need is a monitor and some tone shaping.
Fortunately, there is a solution: Pick up a TH pedal, and connect it to the FX In on your favorite combo. That will get you 1/2 to 3/4 of the way there.
If Mesa came out with a new Walkabout combo, I think I would have to make an instant purchase on that. But I highly doubt that will ever be a thing. Right now, I think the Genzler 350/12 vertical is the best overall combo and I own one. My band has subs and the overall volume is down this year as we're doing more outdoor, acoustic-leaning types of gigs. So, that combo is covering my needs surprisingly well. One handed haul, and it was made into a combo with a bit of bent metal and some screws. Maybe this is the future of combos? Eich, I believe has something similar. It would keep costs down for the company and (mostly) satisfy those wanting a combo. Honestly, there isn't much advantage other than knowing that the head and cab are in the same place and I won't pull the head off the cab. I guess some double-sided industrial tape could do the same thing if you really want a combo.
CosmicRay
Supporting Member
I like the walkabout scout combo. The size seems right and I'm sure it sounds good but the weight was too much. I think the 112 mesa boogie combo was around 70lbs?
Seems like they may be looking into it now from the video that was posted on this thread yesterday.
I think the biggest hurdle for an Aguilar combo is the price. TH500 is around $750-800 and the SL Cab is around $800. Not sure people are going to buy a combo at that price. Maybe they use the TH350 to keep the cost down and not cut into the TH/AG 700 market. I would hope for at least the TH500 with the SL112 or a new head made only for the combo.
Passinwind
I know nothing.
- Dec 3, 2003
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- 46,041
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- Designer/Toaster Tech @ Passinwind Electronics
LDS has made cabs like that for quite a few years.
Yes, aren't they out of business? DR Bass does it too, but, well your air head cab may be just an air cab.
Passinwind
I know nothing.
- Dec 3, 2003
- 23,079
- 46,041
- Disclosures
- Designer/Toaster Tech @ Passinwind Electronics
Not sure, I've heard conficting reports on that ever since Don moved to WA. But my intent was commenting more on market viability than a specific vendor. Although I guess market viability should be a given since the biggest selling bass amps of all time are mostly combos.
Not as heavy as the GS212/AG500 combo! I bought one - well, I bought the combo cab and an AG500, only to find out the chassis for the combo’s AG500 had screws in different places. After a call to Aguilar, I found out a non-combo head wouldn’t mount in the combo, though it would fit.
But yes, that was a heavy combo, and I would remove the head to transport it - defeating the purpose.
I find head/cabs easy enough to set up. Keep the output cable and power cable hooked up to the amp, and stuffed in the back of a rack case.
I prefer rack tuners too, so a separate head/cab allows you to run a small rack.
Have LDS (Low Down Sound) build you a cab with a custom rack space to fit your amp. Mount your amp in the rack space. Instant combo.
