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Recommendations: 100 watt (or so) combo.

mjcarp79

mjcarp79

May 3, 2017
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#1
My trusty little combo amp seems to be dying, and I am look into possible replacement options. It has been so long since I have shopped for amps that I don't really have good feel what is out there now.

My current amp a is Carvin, 100 watt combo, with one 10" speaker. I have had this thing since around the turn of the century (2000 AD, I mean, not 1900 AD. I may be old, but I'm not quite that old. Haha.)

This has been my main amp, since 98% percent or so of playing is just jamming at home (playing along with music I like, such as the Smithereens......)

I will also (a few times a year) jam with with some musical buddies (a drummer, an electric guitar player, now two guitar players.)

What I am looking for in amp is:

Low cost
Light weight
Just enough power to comfortably keep up with a drummer and electric guitar or two (in a jam/rehearsal setting).
I would also like it to "sound good" (for whatever that is worth, totally subjective I know...)

I would appreciate some feedback on some good options, so I can know where to start looking. Thanks much!
 
#3
It depends on what your definition of lightweight is and your budget. I recently got a Markbass MB58R Mini CMD 121 Pure(whew!) combo. It's rated 500W @ 8 ohm/300 watts @ 4 ohms, has 1 12" neo speaker and a 1" tweeter, and weighs only 22 lbs!!! It's SUPER LIGHT but sounds really good. IT'S NOT CHEAP but worth the money in my opinion! I got mine from Musician's Friend for a little over $900 because of a promotion they were having. There are several other super-lightweight combos but they're not cheap either. GR Bass has some carbon fiber cabinet combos weighing from 16-20 lbs. Trace Elliot has 2 Elf combos, a 1x8"(17 lbs) for $600 and a 1x10" (18 lbs) for $600. Plenty of options depending on your budget and weight requirements.
 
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#6
Traynor makes a few. SB110 (120 watts) SB120 (200 watts) and SB150 (200 watts). I have a SB110 that I use for rehearsals and I quite like it. I don't think I'd gig with this. I've had it for several years now. I've used a SB120 for awhile a few years ago and it was very nice. I'd use this to gig for smaller venues.

I see them used often and they are reasonably priced. They are light, powerful, reliable and sound great.
 
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#9
So a big proponent of massive overkill when it comes to amps. I'm the doofus that brings a 500-800w amp and two cabs to a tiny li'l bar gig. Cuz MOAR IZ BETTER! Right?!

Well... I couldn't pass up the deal on an Ampeg RB110 combo amp awhile back. This thing has really blow me away, and changed my perceptions of what is "necessary" in regards to amps. I have been taking this lil 502, 10" speaker combo to our band practices, and we have a LOUD drummer (poor guy simply doesn't know how to dial it back at all) and that li'l Ampeg just hangs right with it! We also have two guitar players running Marshall tube half stacks. Zero issue keeping up.

I will add the caveat that something else in my signal chain makes a HUGE difference... I have a Broughton HPF/LPF at the beginning of my pedal board, and a UA1176 compressor pedal that's always on. The HPF is set around 40hz, cutting out the fat/mud and power-sucking ultra-low bass tones - leaving the amp and driver free to exert their energy on the "good stuff." Next, the compressor is doing a great job of bringing up the volume of all the quieter bits in my playing, while reigning in peaks... again, allowing the power section and driver/speaker to work in the "sweet spot" if you will, without having to break too much of a sweat. Now don't misunderstand... it also sounds REALLY good! The only thing it's missing is the really deep, floor-shaking stuff that you can only get with lots of drivers moving a lot of air. But that great, chest thumping burpy stuff and that whack between your shoulders when you get going with some funky ghost note stuff? Bro. All there! Color me impressed.

I am normally playing a Tone Hammer 500 amp and 2x GK or Mesa cabs on a gig. While the li'l Ampeg is no replacement for them on stage, I am very happy with its overall sound and response at practice.

I would posit that the Fender Rumble line is the most popular family of bass combo amps on earth. I would guess that second place would be the Ampegs. I think the Fenders are great performers for the price, slightly undercutting the Ampeg RB line cost-wise. Personally, I don't dig the Rumble sound overall. I had one for just a bit and passed it on to a friend. Nothing wrong with it, I just didn't jive with it. There are plenty of people making great music with their Rumbles and loving life! If value is the main thing and you like their sound, I think you'll have an easier time finding a great deal on a used Fender.

I also really like the previous suggestions for the GK MB112. I have been eyeing those myself, as I really dig my other GK stuff. Just not ready to spend more money on another combo when this li'l Ampeg is doing such a fine job. :)

If I were buying a new combo today, I'd shoot for something in the 12" speaker/100w family. I do feel like I'm right near the ragged edge of this RB110's capabilities. I was actually looking for used RB112s when this deal for an essentially brand new RB110 for $100 popped up 10 minutes form my house! I know I can get my money back out of it... and maybe even make some... if I decide to upgrade. But honestly the li'l booger has kinda stolen my heart, lol!

Good luck!
 
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#10
mjcarp79 said:
My trusty little combo amp seems to be dying, and I am look into possible replacement options. It has been so long since I have shopped for amps that I don't really have good feel what is out there now.

My current amp a is Carvin, 100 watt combo, with one 10" speaker. I have had this thing since around the turn of the century (2000 AD, I mean, not 1900 AD. I may be old, but I'm not quite that old. Haha.)

This has been my main amp, since 98% percent or so of playing is just jamming at home (playing along with music I like, such as the Smithereens......)

I will also (a few times a year) jam with with some musical buddies (a drummer, an electric guitar player, now two guitar players.)

What I am looking for in amp is:

Low cost
Light weight
Just enough power to comfortably keep up with a drummer and electric guitar or two (in a jam/rehearsal setting).
I would also like it to "sound good" (for whatever that is worth, totally subjective I know...)

I would appreciate some feedback on some good options, so I can know where to start looking. Thanks much!
Click to expand...





OP,

Don't know where your located, but if you're in the States, I'd recommend your going to your nearest Guitar Center, Sam Ash, ect.

"Most", GC's will have Ampeg RB combos, Fender Rumble combos, GC's Acoustic combos, and for their highend offerings, Markbass combos.

Sam Ash's brick and mortar stores will usually have Ampeg RB's, Hartke and G.K. combos.

Take your own bass, play everything they have.
Pay no attention to the brand or the cosmetics.
Find the one that "your ears" likes best!
 
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#11
Thanks to all for the suggestions. I now have some good options to consider, and compare. I will have to sell a few things in order to pick up an amp, so I have a little time to decide. Thanks again for the input!
 

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