How about one of these?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_MiimcHKGQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tp8whYwmm6Y
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_MiimcHKGQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tp8whYwmm6Y
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Small Combo Recommendations
- Thread starter AstroSonic
- Start date
I would have gotten the Max 110 instead of the 112 if it had a DI, but they left it off for some silly reason.
The 112 II is a great little all-in-one rig with DI, built-in tuner, 1Mohm passive input, tons of power, nice EQ, headphone & aux connections, etc. I use it with an NS NXT5 electric upright and it's always been able to hang, even with drums. My biggest complaints are that it's about 10 lbs heavier than it should be, and that it looks like the DI can't take phantom power (the DI on mine started humming & that's what the tech thinks happened.) I really love the box but I can't have gear that I need to sweat stuff like phantom power, so I may swap to the Carvin MB stuff down the line.
With regards to what the OP is looking for, something like a Markbass combo with a 12" driver would be sensible. Alternatives are Genz Benz, Carvin, TC Electronic or perhaps one of the new Fender Rumbles with similar driver orientation.
This is my recommendation because of the necessary clean headroom for gigging. Even w/o a drummer, if you want to be able to eq in a decent amount of lows, it will require decent power. IMO 200-300 watts running without the need for an extension speaker is a safe bet. It's always easier to turn down than have to turn up and end up running out of juice.
Even though i use a PJB Bass Cub, there are obvious limitations to such micro designs. It's not gonna go as low or throw as far or clean as something with more reasonable power. It's a tiny 100 watter after all. Great power to weight ratio but there are limitations.
OP your impression is pretty spot on about the Cub 'trading SPL for tone/clarity/compactness at it's given price point'. With all the other more powerful PJB options, the price point does shift upwards a fair bit putting it in range of competitors possibly offering double the watts. Really comes down to preference of design. Back to these choices - compact size, low price, high spl - choose any 2.
This is my recommendation because of the necessary clean headroom for gigging. Even w/o a drummer, if you want to be able to eq in a decent amount of lows, it will require decent power. IMO 200-300 watts running without the need for an extension speaker is a safe bet. It's always easier to turn down than have to turn up and end up running out of juice.
Even though i use a PJB Bass Cub, there are obvious limitations to such micro designs. It's not gonna go as low or throw as far or clean as something with more reasonable power. It's a tiny 100 watter after all. Great power to weight ratio but there are limitations.
OP your impression is pretty spot on about the Cub 'trading SPL for tone/clarity/compactness at it's given price point'. With all the other more powerful PJB options, the price point does shift upwards a fair bit putting it in range of competitors possibly offering double the watts. Really comes down to preference of design. Back to these choices - compact size, low price, high spl - choose any 2.
+1 Yeah.
OP: I have the feeling you may be asking for to much from the new super tiny little lightweight compact bass combos - don't get me wrong, they sound sweet, but there is a volume limit - I think you may need a bigger one. Oh and JFYI, all bass cabs have a so called baked in sound.
OP: I have the feeling you may be asking for to much from the new super tiny little lightweight compact bass combos - don't get me wrong, they sound sweet, but there is a volume limit - I think you may need a bigger one. Oh and JFYI, all bass cabs have a so called baked in sound.
I would advise against anything Markbass if you're trying to avoid a baked in sound. IME, they have a low mid bump that can not be eq'd out! Nothing against Markbass - great gear, great company but I went through several cabs before realizing the problem was the amp.
The Markbass is looking pretty interesting. I've been pretty curious about the new V3 Fender Rumbles. My hope is that they will retain most of the full low end of the previous generation but will have more definition, and add more clarity and articulation. Looking forward to reading the first reports.
"compact size, low price, high spl - choose any 2": another 'Iron Law'. Low price is probably out the window in my case.
Do you mean the amp, speakers or both? You were not able to EQ it out to your satisfaction? This is certainly what I am trying to avoid.
The Peavey (and Ampeg) combos would be under consideration if they didn't weigh so much. Compact AND heavy is ok provided that the weight is in driver magnets and quality amplification.
- Nov 24, 2008
- 4,343
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- Disclosures
- Owner & designer, AudioKinesis; Auth. mfg, Big E (Home Audio only)
I've had people ask me to do a 110 cab, and after searching far and wide for the best 10" woofer, I've finally found it: The Kappalite 3012LF. No that's not a typo. The 3012LF can be shoehorned into the same size box as most 10's, and eats them for lunch. So my "110 killer" uses the 3012LF in about 1.2 cubic feet tuned to 44 Hz, and it's -3 dB at the first overtone of low-B and virtually un-fartout-able.
+1
The 3012LF would be easier to cross over, is more efficient (than the 3010LF) and is nearly 'un-fartout-able' (If Duke used it, I'm sure it's a real word.). :>)
The further I've gotten into this quest, the more I've realized that building my own cab and using it with a reasonably powerful and transparent micro (like my GK MB500) is probably the best route to getting what I am after: compact, neutral but EQ-able tone, full bass to 60 Hz, reasonable weight, and with gig worthy spls for small venues. A PJB Bass Cub sure would be fun though.
You might look at the Orange Crush 100. Light, easy to move. Good tone and 100 watts. I think it would easily fit into what you're looking for.
I have the Crush 50 that I use in my bedroom. Jammed with it, but it just doesn't have enough for basement jams. Wish I'd bought the 100 instead of the 50.
Also have to agree with the recommendations for any of the GK MB II series. Have a MB212 II and a MBP115 II cab. Overkill for what I need, but I like it.
Well, the weight is definitely in the driver. Seems like a waste to go class D but pair it with a heavy ceramic magnet and a REALLY heavy cabinet but I get it from a cost perspective.
I have only played it on two gigs so far, but I'm so happy with my Markbass CMD121p. Best sound I've ever had!
I wonder if anyone can help me?
I currently use a small bass combo, the Roland Cube 30, for all of my gigs. The sound is just right. I generally play using an upright stick bass (an old Stagg) with a drummer and acoustic guitar (in various bands) in fairly small pub venues. It has only struggled a little a couple of times over the last 5 years having done approximately 150 gigs. Recently I have been playing with an electric guitar player as well that has tended to increase the volume rather! The Roland can just about cope but it is at almost full volume by the end of the night and I think I need to use a slightly more powerful combo. I have the chance of getting a Gallien Krueger 112 would this be suitable upgrade from my Roland which has an excellent sound? I know they have a great reputation but I dont want to end up with another combo that is not powerful enough!
I currently use a small bass combo, the Roland Cube 30, for all of my gigs. The sound is just right. I generally play using an upright stick bass (an old Stagg) with a drummer and acoustic guitar (in various bands) in fairly small pub venues. It has only struggled a little a couple of times over the last 5 years having done approximately 150 gigs. Recently I have been playing with an electric guitar player as well that has tended to increase the volume rather! The Roland can just about cope but it is at almost full volume by the end of the night and I think I need to use a slightly more powerful combo. I have the chance of getting a Gallien Krueger 112 would this be suitable upgrade from my Roland which has an excellent sound? I know they have a great reputation but I dont want to end up with another combo that is not powerful enough!
So preferably you'd like a combo that can go twice as loud and stay clean? Sounds like u need a compact 200-300 watt combo. Just going by the rule of requiring 10x the power to be twice as loud.
I've used the PJB suitcase (200 watts, 4x5") and it would be fine. Clear tone and can handle the B. It's about $1250 and weighs around 50#. If you have any sloppy fingering everyone will know it though!
I've used a Berringer combo (45 watts, 1x10") in a two acoustic guitar setting in a small room by setting the bass and treble on max and all other faders all the way down. Negatives are it's only efficient with a passive bass and the particle board will only last about two years. Around $175 and weighs around 35#.
I've used a Berringer combo (45 watts, 1x10") in a two acoustic guitar setting in a small room by setting the bass and treble on max and all other faders all the way down. Negatives are it's only efficient with a passive bass and the particle board will only last about two years. Around $175 and weighs around 35#.
