Powerful Small Combo?

[smo]

Hi all,

First up, about me;
I've been playing for 20 years. Mostly Rock & heavier music. My main basses are passives (Maton JB4 & Ricky 4003). I favour flatwounds & a big thick low mid tone. I play a double bass on occasion.

So I'm looking for a small combo capable of decent volume. Think rehearsals & modest volume gigs with a drummer and PA support. Small size and weight are high on my list. Ideally I'm looking for something relatively diminutive, as I already have big tube amps and large cabs.
Combo's I'm looking at;
GR Bass Cube 800, Markbass CMD 121P, Fender 500 v3, PJB Suitcase BG400.
Being able to plug in another cab is definitely something I want, and as all my cabs are 4 Ohm, the GR has my attention so far. The GR ticks a few boxes in fact... but I'm unable to try one out.
Anyone used these combo's? Has anyone tried more than one of these?

Help me TB!

Which combo would you choose, and why?

 

[jeff7bass]

GK Legacy combos.

Here's the 800-212. Scroll down for the 112 and 115 versions. Reviews included.
Gallien-Krueger Legacy 212 2x12" 800-watt Bass Combo Amp

 

[CallMeAl]

I love my CMD 121p! Nice low mid bump and very compact. A little heavier than my Rumble 100, but smaller, louder and clearer. I've heard a lot of folks like these for DB too, if that's a plus for you. I was gonna get a Rumble 500, before I stumbled into a deal. So glad I did!

 

[Nashrakh]

The CMD also gets my vote. Can get stupid loud for its size and weight, and sounds great. I play one that's lent to me and thought of buying one myself, but the Markbass prices... Yikes.

 

[smo]

Thanks foer all the replies!

GK Legacy combos.

Those look great, have all the features & power I could ask for.
....but they're $2000AUD over here in Oz, just for the 1x12 version. The 2x12 is $2400. A fair bit more than I wanna spend on a combo.

The CMD also gets my vote. Can get stupid loud for its size and weight, and sounds great.

I love my CMD 121p! Nice low mid bump and very compact. A little heavier than my Rumble 100, but smaller, louder and clearer. I've heard a lot of folks like these for DB too, if that's a plus for you. I was gonna get a Rumble 500, before I stumbled into a deal. So glad I did!

Thanks.
Ok, so what made it better than the Fender for you?

 

[CallMeAl]

Thanks.
Ok, so what made it better than the Fender for you?

I got to use the 121 for backline years ago. Then recently I got to use the 102 version. The clarity and tone of those things on stage is unreal!

I'm a fan of the Rumble tone, and I think they are an incredible value. But my bands aren't very loud these days, and the 1-12" seems like the perfect size for what I'm doing these days. (It doesnt hurt that my BL is a big Markbass fan either.) Plus the deal I found was hard to pass up- IDK if I'd pay new prices for a Markbass gear!

 

[lomo]

Many good options, but if volume in a rock band is the application, forget the Phil Jones suitcase-you'll get more volume with zero compromise in tone from brands like GK at a lower price point and often lower weight as well. The PJB fit, finish and quality of materials are great, but the tone is nothing particularly special and the volume per weight/size ratio is only advantageous in his tiniest offerings. I love the sound of the GK combos (the MB series-I haven't heard the Legacy series). The Rumbles sound different (less my thing, a matter of taste). Keep in mind that the Legacy and Markbass 112 combos have much more power than their internal speakers can handle. They are great amps, but if you don't add an extension speaker, you're still lookin' at a 112 combo in terms of volume, which may or may not be enough for your application.

 

[CallMeAl]

Those look great, have all the features & power I could ask for.
....but they're $2000AUD over here in Oz, just for the 1x12 version. The 2x12 is $2400. A fair bit more than I wanna spend on a combo.

Also, if you can find the MB series combos, they're worth considering. They were on my short list when I was searching, and more affordable than the Legacy line

 

[dan1952]

I prefer the Fender over the Mark Bass, which I can never hear, no matter the power. But I actually prefer any Ampeg or Peavey combo, especially when it comes to power and projection.

 

[Funkmabassup]

Id say the rumble 500 is more powerful than the ampeg ba210 combo, however the voicing on the ampeg is very punchy, cuts through alot, actually a damn good sounding combo as well(and i dont even like ampeg)

 

[Dana R Gregory]

The Peavey Max combos are surprisingly loud for their size. Worth a look.

 

[filmtex]

I prefer the Fender over the Mark Bass, which I can never hear, no matter the power. But I actually prefer any Ampeg or Peavey combo, especially when it comes to power and projection.

I have had great success with this one:

 

[Engineer_Josh]

I spent way too long (a couple of hours) ABCD comparing the Rumble 500, BA210, Rumble 200, and BA 115

All 4 sounded great to me.

I ultimately bought the Rumble 500, largely because it was both lighter and more compact than the BA210.

 

[JDLowEnd]

Rumble 500 user here. Replaced all my big rigs. Easy to transport, sounds great, and easy to navigate.

 

[smo]

Ok, here's some feedback for anyone curious.
Got the GR Bass Cube 800. Glad I did. It's seriously good.
I like that I can use 4ohm cabs into the extension speaker jack. I like that I can change the center position of the EQ knobs. Oh and it's bloody loud and has a great neutral tone.
GR Bass CUBE 800 Combo - Bass Gear Direct