Recommendation for good, light, and loud practice amp

[WarwickDolphin]

I was looking to buy a light, small practice amp that would still be loud enough in a band rehearsal situation. So I was looking at MarkBass amps:

https://www.guitarcenter.com/Markba...p-1274319726172.gc?rNtt=markbass amps&index=2

https://www.guitarcenter.com/Markba...-1274319726145.gc?rNtt=markbass amps&index=10

I have read in some reviews that Markbass combo amps might have a design flaw and some people have to get them shipped for repairs? I am not married to Markbass, but I know they make light amps that are loud. Do you have a recommendation? Doesn't have to be Markbass, but I am hoping for a light combo amp that is at least 500W.
Thank you.

 

[Old Fart]

I adore my Walkabout/Scout combo, but I would not characterize it as "light."

 

[SJan3]

I was looking to buy a light, small practice amp that would still be loud enough in a band rehearsal situation. So I was looking at MarkBass amps:

https://www.guitarcenter.com/Markbass/Mini-CMD-121P-1x12-Bass-Combo-Amp-1274319726172.gc?rNtt=markbass amps&index=2

https://www.guitarcenter.com/Markbass/Mini-CMD-151P-300-500W-1x15-Bass-Combo-Amp-1274319726145.gc?rNtt=markbass amps&index=10

I have read in some reviews that Markbass combo amps might have a design flaw and some people have to get them shipped for repairs? I am not married to Markbass, but I know they make light amps that are loud. Do you have a recommendation? Doesn't have to be Markbass, but I am hoping for a light combo amp that is at least 500W.
Thank you.

Markbass are great amps! Don't listen to the trolls. Their CMD combos are some of the best, especially for your needs/desires

 

[groove pump]

I'd say if you're shooting for 500 watts, your options will be pretty limited if you want a combo.

I picked up a GK MB 500 head last winter and my gig rig includes a pair of 2x10 speakers. So when I got this little head, my practice rig became the GK and just one of the cabs. If you want a potent practice rig, this could be the way to go. Maybe a nice 1x12 cab if you don't want a 2x10 and there are plenty of heads out there including the Genz Benz Shuttles and Streamliners, Aguilar Tonehammers, MarkBass heads, and several others including GK

 

[Riff Ranger]

I finally took the plunge into Class D/neo/lightweight with a Traynor SB112 a few weeks ago and haven’t turned the gain knob past 9 o’clock. Light and loud—hard to believe it’s only 200 watts through 1x12 and a one-hand lift. They make them bigger and smaller but this hits a sweet spot. Worth a look. Good luck.

(Hanging with the big boys!)

 

[droo46]

I'm a fan of the Fender Rumble. I've been really happy with the 500 as my gigging rig. It's light enough I can load in my entire rig in a single trip, and it has plenty of power for any venue I've been in.

 

[biguglyman]

GK MB212-ii - 500 watts, 2X12" speakers, 40 pounds. I use a MarkBass combo at practice and struggle to get a good, usable sound out of it. You'll also need an extension speaker to get the full 500 watts out of it.

 

[Basically Bob]

Or Traynor’s new BB115. 45 lbs. 400 Watts as is or 800 watts with an expansion speaker. Listed at Long & McQuade for $999.00 CDN. Delivery scheduled for the end of January.

BB115 – Traynor Amps

 

[BrusselsBass]

I initially had a Little Mark 250 + Hartke XL210 but I found the cabinet too heavy to carry. Since 2 years I've the CMD121 and extended last year with an extra NY121.
Love it, lots of headroom, clean tone, the CMD is as heavy (11kg) as my bass + case !! No regrets for this purchase, no repairs.

 

[Al Kraft]

I'm not a Markbass gear owner, but have played many of their products on gigs. IME they are as capable as any other product and while some folks have reported an occasional problem, that's true for every brand. I like the Markbass EQ tone stack and voicing filters a lot.

Both of the products you posted links to are much more than simple practice amps IMO. The only downside for me would be the piezo tweeter, but that's a driver/transducer preference, not a deal breaker.

 

[SJan3]

I'm not a Markbass gear owner, but have played many of their products on gigs. IME they are as capable as any other product and while some folks have reported an occasional problem, that's true for every brand. I like the Markbass EQ tone stack and voicing filters a lot.

Both of the products you posted links to are much more than simple practice amps IMO. The only downside for me would be the piezo tweeter, but that's a driver/transducer preference, not a deal breaker.

The tweeter is easily controlled with the VLE feature. I do prefer the outboard tweeter control on Markbass cabinets.

 

[Al Kraft]

The tweeter is easily controlled with the VLE feature. I do prefer the outboard tweeter control on Markbass cabinets.

Great point!! I also think this highlights yet another strength of the well thought out tone shaping abilities on Markbass heads that I find so appealing.

 

[BrusselsBass]

The tweeter of the extension can be dimmed, the one in the combo not.
I've been to (jazz)concerts with an audience of about 100 where the bass played the combo only (=300W) and you could hear him loud and clear; with the extension you get 500W, sufficient for any small-mid size venue. Wanna play major outdoor like Glastonbury, take the DI-out and send to the mixer.
For me the biggest plus is the super low weight.

 

[Basically Bob]

I have never played through one but one of the cool features that Traynor’s BB115 has is that there is a switch to engage or disengage the tweeter.