Simple question are we moving back to combo amps?

[Jared Houseman]

I think most people prefer to get their favorite amp the pair it with however many cabs they need for the gig. That way your getting the tone you love that can scale up and down by bringing one or multiple cabs

 

[devnulljp]

Mostly I use a little Acoustic Image hatbox, add an external cab if it's a big room.
Haven't really had much use out of the Aguilar AG700 + pair of 1x12s in a while. All my big iron -- vintage Traynor and Trace Elliot heads, 2x15 and 8x10 cabs -- are long gone.
I loved them, but man they were heavy and a hassle to move. I've done gigs with a just a JDI or a sansamp or bassbone and monitors. Much easier.
But yes, combos for me.

 

[wmhill]

I have a combo for practice at home- but wouldn't consider one for gigging. I like the option of different cabs to match the gig. Sometimes it's a single 12" cab, sometimes it calls for a pair of 2X12 cabs.

 

[GreyBeard]

As soon as Mesa Boogie makes a SubwayD815 I'll gladly move to a combo.

As you can see, I use a Subway preAmp DI. Next best thing.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

With Class D all the rage and extremely light cabinets, is the bass community opting for combo amps instead of the amp head and separate cabinet?
I have been giving it some serious thought, you'd only need to bring one thing instead of the head and extra cabs not to mention additional cables.
If you were to switch back what would be your rig of choice for gigs?

Well, I have two combos rated at 320 watts each. Not class D or have neos, but these guys rock. But compared to world tour Eden gear to the right, they are a close 2nd, but slaved, they are killer.

 

[G On Bass]

I ended up with a modular Ampeg rig that is scalable.
- MicroVR head
- V-4B head
2x210AV cabs
2x112AV cabs

I didn't plan it that way, but I have found the versatility of mix-n-match to be fantastic. I think I've rehearsed and/or gigged with most configs of it.
Unless it is a model that allows for an extension cab, a combo would actually be a limitation.

 

[brianrost]

I'm still a head and cab guy and can't see myself ever going back to a combo. I need the flexibility of mixing and matching cabinets to the requirements of the gig.

 

[jnewmark]

I don't see combo's in use at any of my local gigs.

Funny, I was just about to post the opposite when I saw this. I used a combo about 20 years ago, a Roland, and then made the switch to neo cabs and 5 lb heads, when they started to come in vogue. But, lately, I've been noticing more combos popping up on the local scene, mostly GK models, then say, 5 or 6 years ago. With very lightweight heads and cabs, I don't know why combos should be coming back around again, unless you are just in love with the sound of one.

 

[Max Bogosity]

I thought Genz Benz had a great solution in the Shuttle amps where the head clamped to a bracket on the top of the cab. It could be either a combo or a head depending on what you need.

 

[HotelX]

I don't see combo's in use at any of my local gigs.

I do. I know some schooled players using markbass, Ampeg, and trace Elliot combos.

 

[Buster Brown]

I don't have any working combos any more, so this is it...
View attachment 4297011

Or this...
View attachment 4297014

Damn!! It's been years since I saw Rat Fink!!! Bravo!!

 

[lermgalieu]

Nope

 

[marchone]

Small combos are great for practice at moderate volumes. Many are super for Jazz outfits in small clubs. I can’t imagine one with a power trio.

 

[BBassBassington]

Both options have their place.

Until I can get a 250w combo at under $1000 CAD and 25lbs that's got enough beef to hang with the band I'm sticking with separates.

In fact after 3 years of owning a Rumble 500H and matching 210 I may be finally bringing home a new head on Friday. We shall see though.

 

[bebass]

We see combos more for the smaller practice/acoustic gig type applications and more separates for larger applications.
I use separates even for the small practice/acoustic gig application - lighter weight than equivalent combo. And have a very small battery powered combo for when it is applicable.

 

[ELG60]

I prefer the versatility and my perception of higher available quality offered by separate components.

 

[CryingBass]

250W combo. Just sayin. And if you are not in huge venue's ( be honest ) and no IEM's or Wedge's, the 2 upward-firing drivers are kinda nice ). Cheap? E = MCsomething

 

[HolmeBass]

Head an cab(s) for all but the quietest gigs.

 

[Killing Floor]

I use a PJB combo for practicing at home most of the time.
I use a combo of a Mesa head and a couple 12" the rest of the time.

I use a combo all the time for guitar.

 

[beaglesandbass]

I went back to using combos in 2017 and I’m not going back to the head/cab setup.