Recommend a lightweight bass amp for a retiree

[Queue]

The Gallien Krueger MB112 200watts 12" 30lbs. No provision for extension cab, but you can use a GK powered speaker. Pretty much unavailable at the moment, but there might be some out there. There are a fair number of shops offering stock they haven't got, so be wary.

I have a chance to get one used for about $180 but it would be a long drive. However on used equipment I like to get it from some retailer with a return policy and this is from a private seller.

I'll second the GK MB112-ii (make sure it is the ii) actually 28 pounds. $180 is a GREAT price! I stalked all the used sites last fall for the 112MBP powered cab to go with mine. Now I've got 200W + another 200W when needed! It is a great rig! I played the single combo at several small gigs, and it kicks out a lot of power. When I play with a loud drummer, I set one on either side of his drum platform, and there's bass all over the place!

 

[Nuage420]

Yea I personally didnt find the GK sound to be up my alley (ot reminded me of my markbass) when I tired them but for that price I wouldn't hesitate to snag it up.

 

[wysiwyg248]

I own a Gallien Krueger M150 S/112 12" combo, it is great for practice and rehearsals. I've used is some jazz gigs in small bistros/cafes and was more than adequate. I am not sure the type of amp your guitar player uses, that could make a big difference in bass amp selection.

 

[daveyo]

You could try getting these:

TC Electronic BAM200 200-watt Compact Bass Head -$169 - 2 lbs
TC Electronic BAM200 200-watt Compact Bass Head

Hartke HyDrive HD112 300-watt 1x12" Bass Cabinet - $399 - 34 lbs
Hartke HyDrive HD112 300-watt 1x12" Bass Cabinet

Or this Combo

Ampeg Rocket Bass RB-115 1x15" 200-watt Bass Combo Amp - $549 - 34.2 lbs
Ampeg Rocket Bass RB-115 1x15" 200-watt Bass Combo Amp

Meets the budget and is lightweight.

You could try getting these:

TC Electronic BAM200 200-watt Compact Bass Head -$169 - 2 lbs
Invalid Link Removed

Hartke HyDrive HD112 300-watt 1x12" Bass Cabinet - $399 - 34 lbs
Invalid Link Removed

Or this Combo

Ampeg Rocket Bass RB-115 1x15" 200-watt Bass Combo Amp - $549 - 34.2 lbs
Invalid Link Removed

Meets the budget and is lightweight.

 

[daveyo]

I have the bam 200 TC electronic amp
And I have the heart Chi Hai drive 12 inch speaker cabinet
As suggested here
I’m loving it
Amp is poor portable enough to fit in my pocket
In the cabinet is a little over 30 pounds very light and it puts up very well

 

[Real Soon]

Already a lot of great amp suggestions in this thread. A lot's changed in even the last 10 years in the amp world for us low range rangers, and I suspect there's a glut of very fine gear that'll fit your budget.

Also, welcome back! I'm playing a gig Saturday with a band that usually features a gentleman of 81 years, but he's currently in south Florida partying and will be back in the spring. I hope to be thumpin' in my 70s and 80s myself.

 

[Julian G]

Weighing in at 12.5Kg/around 27lbs I would consider the Markbass Minimark 802. At 250 watts its plenty loud enough and I use one on a regular basis at a store where I go for jam sessions. Surprisingly good

 

[Babydave]

I'm severely limited in how much weight I can lift. At 22 lb, a Rumble 100 is something I can handle easily by myself, and I (and my band) am happy with its tone. I have two Rumble 100s that I daisy chain when I need the extra volume.

 

[zenrad]

Mesa D800+ > Mesa Subway 112

Costs a bit more but you won't be displeased IMO

 

[mcrawfordmusic]

Find a used Fender Rumble 500 combo. More than adequate for your needs.

 

[Kerem Koseoglu]

Aguilar SL112 + AG 700 (or ToneHammer) comes to mind. MarkBass and Fender Rumble series also have nice lightweight amps.

 

[Ronky]

Too many people skipping over the original post.

Budget is around $500-600, something lightweight, and looking for new or used. Also, possibly good enough to gig with.

 

[JC Nelson]

I love my BAM200. It lives on my pedalboard. Paired with the Sushibox Slampegg Bee, the tone is killer. Note the Bam is 130 watts at 8ohms. You will want a 4ohm cab for the full 200 and portability.
.

 

[Rooster009]

Check out the Hartke TX300 and the Hydrive 12. That would be a great little portable rig. Used, it would probably be in your budget. Maybe even new.

 

[logdrum]

I used to be a snob about Rumbles until I used them. Without factoring price, I actually like them tone wise. Go Rumble. Just get the 200 watt version. If @lug comments on his sensible non-disruptive mode, I usually take it seriously. You should too and avoid confusion later on

 

[themickster]

Hi, I haven't been here for a few years as I haven't been playing in a band for a few years before the Covid madness.

I'm 73 and I'm down to two basses. I have two amps, a Hartke Tiltback 10 and the first-generation TC Electronics BG 250, but for the moment I don't have access to them due to a conflict with the owner of the space I've been keeping them in for several years.

So I have no amp now and don't know when ... or if ... I will get access to those amps again.

However I do have the chance to do some jamming and attend some open mics. There is a tiny chance of getting back into a band and I've got feelers out, but who knows?

So what would you folks recommend?

I know one question is about power. For several years I played in your typical local cover band just using an Ampeg BA-115 with its 100 watts. However there were a couple of larger bars that the Ampeg just couldn't cut it. And I was generally playing at full volume so I assume the sound wasn't great but I did play gigs and didn't get much criticism.

One good thing about the BG250 is it weighed about 35 pounds and had that power. However I never liked its sound. I much preferred the sound of the Ampeg unit. (Which I still have but it doesn't work; I assume the power unit is blown. But like my other two amps I no longer have access to it.)

So any thoughts? I need an amp that is lightweight, with at least power for jams (I have no idea if the drummer will be loud or not) and maybe, just maybe, enough for a gig or seven. I like the cost, new or used, to be around $500 to $600.

I wouldn't be amiss at getting a head and a cab, too ... as long as I can afford them.

Sorry for being so wordy, folks.

Speak to the police. That owner is keeping you from what's rightfully yours.

 

[pepj]

Best rig on a budget, imv.
Used, SWR SM400, or 500 from same era.
Not later SWR amps! Not the same.
That is a 25yr old amp. about 20lbs and bridges max output into 4 ohms.
Epifani 310ul series 1. 750w at 5.something ohms.
48lbs

Set bass at 12 o clock, graphic pretty neutral and enhancer to suit.

Quite an old school heft to that rig. Blows my class D out of the water.

If your bass is set up well, that rig will sing and would have a quality that is very very hard to match imv with new gen stuff.

And I tried a lot of stuff before i came back to this.

Other choices although by no means a comparable recommendation would be MarkBass 102 combo.
But that combined weight would be around the weight of the epi cab above too.

Hard to describe what you are looking for in sound but when you find it, you just go ' oh yeah' .
This is 'oh yeah' imv

And the beauty is that this premium kit is considered done, hence the price is through the floor comparatively, but you can't have quality affected by trends.

 

[Mark Ambler]

I have a chance to get one used for about $180 but it would be a long drive. However on used equipment I like to get it from some retailer with a return policy and this is from a private seller.

I also tend to steer clear of buying used amps, but providing its had very little use, ok.
The Warwick Gnome range should be in your price range and weight range.
As we're not getting any younger, I'm trying to have a maximum weight of 25lbs for my combo or cab.

 

[AV8R]

Trace Elliot ELF Series of amps are extremely portable and lightweight - and even the 1x8 and 1x10 combos (weighing in at 17lbs and 18lbs respectively) are well-made and just within your price range. Definitely worth a look/listen. Trace Elliot

 

[MarkM13]

I don't know how available they are in the USA, but you should add these ones to the list to try:

200W, 25 lbs
Traynor SB112

200W, 31 lbs
Traynor SB115

These are excellant amps that sound fantastic and are light weight. I use the SB110 for my jazz quartet. At 120w I never run out of volume and it's super light. I'd imagine the ones listed above would work well for you.