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Recommend a lightweight bass amp for a retiree
- Thread starter Ralph124C41
- Start date
I just gave them the same test I give all bass amps, by setting everything to noon. Now, yes, I know some amps have a sweet spot that require some tweaking but I use this setting to try to even the field for the sound spectrum. I thought the MarkBass amps I played were good ... but cheaper amps (Rumble, GK) sounded pretty much the same for half the cost.
Well the listing price was $220 but I emailed the guy and he said strangely "could you do better than $180?" so I took that to mean he would sell it to me for $180. It has been listed for five weeks so maybe he wants the cash. However this is the 15-inch version, not the 12-incher, and I am pretty certain it is not the MB115-ii because it has a chrome control panel and back plate not the darker ones in the newer version.
I have a nice dolly. In fact I used to have an old G-K full rig for it. The two cabs together weighed more than 150 pounds. The problem is I live on the second floor and now I don't have a place to keep it, unless in my car. I did manage to lug my 62-pound Ampeg BA-115 up those steps but it was a nightmare that I really want to avoid.
I've also come across a SWR Working Pro 200-watt unit with a 15-inch speaker and a tweeter (I think). It has the power I need ... but it violates my so-called weight limit as it clocks in at 68 pounds, six pounds heavier than my BA-115. It comes with casters, too, which is a nice touch. However, like the Ampeg unit, it only has a top clasp and I really wish it had side clasps.
But the price? It would be about $175 delivered to my door. So there's that. I've read reviews here and they seem a little mixed.
But the price? It would be about $175 delivered to my door. So there's that. I've read reviews here and they seem a little mixed.
Same for the Ampeg RB-115. Otherwise, it has only 100 watts, same as the stock RB-112, which costs about $399. Both of them have an XLR out, so you can send to the PA for extra help, if needed.
The RB-115 has 200 watts only if you attach an 8Ω cab. That’s why I bought an RB-112: I was not going to add a cab, and the price difference was considerable. Otherwise, features are similar. And it’s pinky-lift light.
Here’s an excerpt from the user manual (I fixed the typo):
The RB-112 has a single 4Ω speaker; the RB-115 has a single 8Ω speaker (add another to get 4Ω and 200 watts).
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Oh my word, I didn't know that. But I understand the marketing. Years ago I had a Peavey combo (more than 90- pounds) and it was billed as a 300-watt amp but actually that was with an external speaker, which I never bought. Otherwise with the stock speaker it was 160 watts.
that is so good to know as that was probably my #2 choice.
Does the Rumble offer 200 watts without adding a speaker?
Well I looked at the manual and it doesn't. It offers 140 watts with the stock 8-ohm speaker but 200 IF I add another 8-ohm speaker so to draw a full 200 watts. Hmmmm (sound of me thinking)
Actually the new version of my BA-115 offers 150 watts with the 8-ohm onboard speaker, so actually that would offer a little more power than either the Rumble 200 or the RB-115 if I didn't add another speaker.
that is so good to know as that was probably my #2 choice.
Does the Rumble offer 200 watts without adding a speaker?
Well I looked at the manual and it doesn't. It offers 140 watts with the stock 8-ohm speaker but 200 IF I add another 8-ohm speaker so to draw a full 200 watts. Hmmmm (sound of me thinking)
Actually the new version of my BA-115 offers 150 watts with the 8-ohm onboard speaker, so actually that would offer a little more power than either the Rumble 200 or the RB-115 if I didn't add another speaker.
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exactly. Well that makes that older GK MB-115 at around $180 a good deal in a way as it offers a full 200 watts through the stock speaker which is rated at 200 watts I think. Sadly ... or not so sadly ... there is no speaker out.
This has been a fascinating post for me and a long one ... now in a seventh page.
Here is a pretty useful comparison of some available lightweight combos. She tests them out with a drummer going medium hard. You can hear how well they keep up (or not) with the drum kit in a room. The video also shows the control levels, although that doesn't mean much, depending on the kind of taper the pot has.
This kind of video gave me the confidence to go with the Rumble 100 for what I need it to do. My favorite sound on the video though, is the Hartke.
Note that the specs she gives are not quite accurate...like 500 watts for the Hartke. That's a peak power rating, you want to look at the RMS rating, which is 250 watts.
You may not want any of these, but maybe a bigger brother amp. Anyway, I found it useful.
Use headphones.
This kind of video gave me the confidence to go with the Rumble 100 for what I need it to do. My favorite sound on the video though, is the Hartke.
Note that the specs she gives are not quite accurate...like 500 watts for the Hartke. That's a peak power rating, you want to look at the RMS rating, which is 250 watts.
You may not want any of these, but maybe a bigger brother amp. Anyway, I found it useful.
Use headphones.
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..and that was your problem. The VLE and VPF filters should be completely counter clockwise if you're looking for a relatively flat signal. Noon is an aggressive setting for both filters.
I don't know about the 115s, but V1 of the 112 is 34 pounds vs 28 pounds for the MB112-II. The 115ii is 35. Pounds.
That could very well be. I was very happy with my Kickback 10 and frankly don't understand why it was discontinued.
You may be right but as I said I set all the controls on all of the amps the same way. Besides, I can't afford a MarkBass so any discussion is meaningless for me.
May I suggest a GK400RB as an amp, which you should be able to get for $200-250 and almost any decent used 112 or 115 cab?
