Here's what's going on with me: I currently own and use a Genz Benz GBE 750 head and an Epifani PS410 cabinet. Sounds great, looks awesome... I love the amp and won't get rid of it.
However, I just started gigging again and have come to the realization that it's too much for my current needs, too heavy to lug around by myself. The cabinet is too big to get into the trunk of my car, and I can't unload it from the car up the steps to my house by myself... so it's staying parked in my back seat.
So, I'm shopping for a good combo amp. Something small and relatively lightweight that I can take to these gigs and get a comparable sound to the one that I like so much from my Genz Benz. Currently playing in a rock/americana group (6-piece) and just started up a little latin jazz 3-piece combo as well. Oh, and I'll be predominantly using my Pedulla Rapture 5-string and Tacoma Thunderhawk acoustic baritone. Also, if I can get a fret job done to my '73 P-bass I might use it as well.
Here's what I've been looking at:
G-K MB150E or MB150S - I used to use a 400RB head and liked the way it sounded, and I've heard that these little fellers are workhorses.
SWR Baby Blue - I've had a hardon for SWR amps for a while now, but haven't owned any. A Redhead would be counterproductive because it also wouldn't fit in my trunk. Not sure about the Natural Blonde, but it sure do look pretty.
Eden E212C - I've never heard one, but it looks like quality.
Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0-210t - I'm thinking this one might be a good candidate.
Oh, and the Phil Jones Briefcase.
I'm also intrigued by the new Carvin micro combos that would be comparable to these, and would be interested in learning how Peavey, Hartke, and Ampeg combos compare.
Cost isn't as much of a factor as sound quality and output, and I don't have many local shops around where I can go and try out much. Most of the venues I'll be playing are small/medium clubs, though we have an outdoor gig in June and a festival up in Johnstown, PA in August... but the bigger amp can be used for the bigger gigs, of course. I do know that I won't always have the option to run direct, though.
I'm also open to the idea of using a smaller and/or lighter cabinet with my current amp.
What would you guys suggest?
However, I just started gigging again and have come to the realization that it's too much for my current needs, too heavy to lug around by myself. The cabinet is too big to get into the trunk of my car, and I can't unload it from the car up the steps to my house by myself... so it's staying parked in my back seat.
So, I'm shopping for a good combo amp. Something small and relatively lightweight that I can take to these gigs and get a comparable sound to the one that I like so much from my Genz Benz. Currently playing in a rock/americana group (6-piece) and just started up a little latin jazz 3-piece combo as well. Oh, and I'll be predominantly using my Pedulla Rapture 5-string and Tacoma Thunderhawk acoustic baritone. Also, if I can get a fret job done to my '73 P-bass I might use it as well.
Here's what I've been looking at:
G-K MB150E or MB150S - I used to use a 400RB head and liked the way it sounded, and I've heard that these little fellers are workhorses.
SWR Baby Blue - I've had a hardon for SWR amps for a while now, but haven't owned any. A Redhead would be counterproductive because it also wouldn't fit in my trunk. Not sure about the Natural Blonde, but it sure do look pretty.
Eden E212C - I've never heard one, but it looks like quality.
Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0-210t - I'm thinking this one might be a good candidate.
Oh, and the Phil Jones Briefcase.
I'm also intrigued by the new Carvin micro combos that would be comparable to these, and would be interested in learning how Peavey, Hartke, and Ampeg combos compare.
Cost isn't as much of a factor as sound quality and output, and I don't have many local shops around where I can go and try out much. Most of the venues I'll be playing are small/medium clubs, though we have an outdoor gig in June and a festival up in Johnstown, PA in August... but the bigger amp can be used for the bigger gigs, of course. I do know that I won't always have the option to run direct, though.
I'm also open to the idea of using a smaller and/or lighter cabinet with my current amp.
What would you guys suggest?
