Recommend a lightweight bass amp for a retiree

[Nuage420]

. But the newer Ampeg 210 was haunted,

The rocket? I tried them when they came out since I loved my BA210 so much and had similar feelings about it. Just didn't seem as sweet and musical sounding.

 

[Ronky]

Not mentioned yet- TC 208 head+cab:
TC Electronic BC208 2x8" 200-watt Bass Cabinet
TC Electronic BAM200 200-watt Compact Bass Head
People swear by this setup, it's under $400, lightweight and expandable as needed.
Thomann ships fast if US distros don't have the gear (SW has the cab but not the head at the moment, the head is available domestically from a few places it seems).

I mentioned the BAM200 on the 1st page, included link and weight of amp head.

I also suggested the Hartke HD112, this cab is switchable from 4 and 8 Ohms. I believe it would be louder than the BC208 and would be able to use the full power the head has to offer.

 

[Sam Dingle]

some of the fender rumbles are super light for combos

 

[xsnrg27]

A used TC Electronics Staccato '51 - and amazingly I'm selling one right now.

 

[Analogeezer]

Mesa D800+ > Mesa Subway 112

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

Already been suggested in a way (with the single 15"). Close to $2,000 (probably more with tax) and the OP's budget is $600.

Also the Subway cabs are back ordered until at least April, possibly into the Summer.

Like I said earlier there seems to be a lotta Mesa Flexin on TB LOL

Analogeezer

 

[EatS1stBassist]

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.

I would buy another Hartke! HD Series.

 

[aggrokragg]

I recently purchased a Rumble 40. It was under $250, loud enough for small gigs (not loud rock or loud drummer) and weighs about 18 lbs? I enjoy the tone, and it's much easier to lug around than my old GK/Hartke stack. For your needs I'd try a Rumble 100 or the 200 as others have suggested.

 

[EatS1stBassist]

Btw folks I am amazed and delighted by your responses. You have listed several very good amps all within my price range. I would, of course, like to test drive some of them but where I live there are two retailers and very little supply.

Oh, btw, my first two bass amps were (you guessed it), Peavys. But HEAVY ... I hurt my back once trying to lift one. Does Peavey make any lightweight amps you could recommend?

Go with Hartke HD SERIES!

 

[Analogeezer]

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.

Wow why did you point that out? I was getting ready to suggest a $3,000 Mesa rig LOL

Analogeezer

p.s. I constantly see the Mesa guys here recommending the Subway cabs, the ones they ALREADY OWN. Well you can't get one at the moment, not until April at the earliest, possibly the Summer. So unless someone posts "I want to buy a bass rig in 8 months", suggested a back ordered product is not very helpful

 

[Analogeezer]

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

But nobody buys that amp because the 500 watt one is only $70 and only weighs 2 pounds more. Unless you are wedded to the idea of you have to have a single 15" in your combo I don't understand at all why someone would not put up the extra $70 to get the Rumble 500.

Analogeezer

 

[74hc]

To my ears, Rumbles don't sound like Ampegs.

Ampeg doesn't seem to be one of the early adapters of lightweight gear. Your choices are not going to be broad. So, if you want to stay with the Ampeg sound, I'd look at:

- the SVT-210AV, 200 watt head with 2x10 for 36lbs.
- The Rocket RB-115 combo, 200 watts with 1x15 at 34lbs.

To get the full 200 watts out of the SVT-210AV, you need an additional cab for 4ohms. I think this also applies to the Rocket as well. I'd figure adding another 26lbs or so to those above to get the full wattage.

If you want a Ampeg 500 watt amp, I think the lightest you can get is the PF-500 with a PF115HE cab at 56lbs.

 

[Mark Ambler]

Check out Trace Elliot. They have some great ultra-light combos. You can get a Invalid Link Removed

I use a 400w Trace Elliot 2x8" cab that's 27lbs and a used GK MB500 head. With as small as my Steinberger is, I can put the whole kit in the trunk of my Miata

I really like the Cabs, but the amp has a noisy fan that stays on all the time and the amp has undeafeatable built in compression as you get louder. Still, sounds good, I might well go for the cabs and a different head.

 

[Analogeezer]

To my ears, Rumbles don't sound like Ampegs.

Ampeg doesn't seem to be one of the early adapters of lightweight gear. Your choices are not going to be broad. So, if you want to stay with the Ampeg sound, I'd look at:

- the SVT-210AV, 200 watts with 2x10 for 36lbs.
- The Rocket RB-115 combo, 200 watts with 1x15 at 34lbs.

To get the full 200 watts out of the SVT-210AV, you need an additional cab for 4ohms. I think this also applies to the Rocket as well.

If you want a Ampeg 500 watt amp, I think the lightest you can get is the PF-500 with a PF115HE cab at 56lbs.

Well Ampeg in the early 2000's came out with the Portaflex series, 250 and 800 watt Class D heads, various cabinets with Neo speakers and even a 2 x 8" 200 watt combo.

Now granted they did not sound like Ampegs and the sound is kinda meh but your statement is not entirely correct.

Analogeezer

 

[74hc]

He's coming from a BA-115 so I think the PF-500 is going to sound like an Ampeg to him. It does to me. If he was going from an Ampeg tube amp, I can see your point.

Of course, any thing that is made by Ampeg is going to sound like an Ampeg. It's just that which one it will sound like.

 

[Aussie Player]

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.

If you are used to the Hartke tone and tilt back design then I recommend the KB15. The amp is very good though not 500 watts and more like 200-250 if using the meaningful RMS method into a single 15" speaker than can handle 4 and 5 strings basses equally well. When the amp gets turned to 5 or 6 which is about max, it has a very good growl to it and offers great sustain when playing at that level. If it is too loud you can back off on the guitar.
Highly recommended for a small amp easy enough to carry in 1 load in and out.

 

[jeff7bass]

Hartke's sound great and have good value but they're not really light. Even the HD-112 cab is 34 pounds by itself.

 

[logdrum]

But nobody buys that amp because the 500 watt one is only $70 and only weighs 2 pounds more. Unless you are wedded to the idea of you have to have a single 15" in your combo I don't understand at all why someone would not put up the extra $70 to get the Rumble 500.

Analogeezer

Where can I get a Rumble 500 combo for $70? I will get 5 today

For some $70 matters. Specially if you are on living off social security which is a pittance here in the US.

Or they just don't care to get a bigger amp. That's what the OP indicated. Just respect that and no need to understand anything.

 

[Analogeezer]

Where can I get a Rumble 500 combo for $70? I will get 5 today

For some $70 matters. Specially if you are on living off social security which is a pittance here in the US.

Or they just don't care to get a bigger amp. That's what the OP indicated. Just respect that and no need to understand anything.

If you are living off only SS you should not be buying new bass amps; plenty of good choices used out there if saving money is the object.

The two amps are IDENTICAL IN SIZE, the 500 weighs a mere two pounds more.

If by "bigger" you mean more watts, well you have the volume control to take care of that if the 500 is too loud.

So again, I don't understand why someone in the market for a new amp would blanch at the extra $70; that's a mere 12% more for a lot more amp that is the same size that doesn't weigh significantly more (5.7% more weight if you really want to get specific about it).

IF you like the sound of the 15" better, well that's different but that's the ONLY valid reason I can see for wanting the 200 over the 500.

Analogeezer

 

[Analogeezer]

Hartke's sound great and have good value but they're not really light. Even the HD-112 cab is 34 pounds by itself.

The KB-12 and KB-15 some of us have recommended weigh less than that.

Hell the KB-12 only weighs 2 pounds more than the A25 Kickback combo I have and that amp is a 25 watt amp with an 8" speaker.

If weight is of primary importance I would steer someone towards RevSound. Excellent products and the pricing is great, plus you get to customize the tolex, handles and other features. Not cheap but often the same as the higher end established brands and significantly cheaper than some of the other brands people seem to love here.

His RS12T (with a tweeter) clocks in at 25 pounds.

Analogeezer

 

[logdrum]

If you are living off only SS you should not be buying new bass amps; plenty of good choices used out there if saving money is the object.

The two amps are IDENTICAL IN SIZE, the 500 weighs a mere two pounds more.

If by "bigger" you mean more watts, well you have the volume control to take care of that if the 500 is too loud.

So again, I don't understand why someone in the market for a new amp would blanch at the extra $70; that's a mere 12% more for a lot more amp that is the same size that doesn't weigh significantly more (5.7% more weight if you really want to get specific about it).

IF you like the sound of the 15" better, well that's different but that's the ONLY valid reason I can see for wanting the 200 over the 500.

Analogeezer

Ask him not me. And besides why are you being combative at me. The original post was more for user lug, as an inside joke based on his style of outrageous and disruptive post which is his style of humor. It looks like you do not understand the context and just argue unnecessarily

Again not your $70.

 

[Jaco who?]

If weight is of primary importance I would steer someone towards RevSound. Excellent products and the pricing is great, plus you get to customize the tolex, handles and other features. Not cheap but often the same as the higher end established brands and significantly cheaper than some of the other brands people seem to love here.

His RS12T (with a tweeter) clocks in at 25 pounds.

Analogeezer

RS112T Bass Cabinet | RevSound

Great suggestion, except it leaves 15 bucks for an amp head. If you're going to poo poo Mesa for being too pricey, that's fine, but you kinda walked into that one.

I'd suggest a GK mb200 and a used 112 neo; since the new fourth generation neos came out, they aren't the latest and greatest, so they should be a little less expensive. Still great cabs for the money.