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small powerfull combo?

Yvon

Yvon

Nov 2, 2000
4,462
234
54
Montreal, Canada
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#1
I'm looking for small practice amp. At the same time, I would like it to be powerfull enough (if I had an extension cab) to play with a band. Not a very loud band though.
I was looking for the phil jones suitcase, it would be perfect. But it would be over 2000$ here after taxes, shipping, borders fee etc...
I think that ampeg has a 2X8 combo that is quite powerfull that could do the job.
Anything else?
Under 1000 USD if possible?
 
#2
#3
If weight matters, think GK 112MB. Italmelodie also carries Markbass, also not cheap. If you want great tone and enough power to drive an extension, you'll be hard-pressed to get in under 1K US. For a touch more, however, you can get a Mesa Walkabout Scout or an Eden small combo you'll love forever and not need to upgrade anytime in the forseeable future.
 
#4
thanks lomo, last time I went at ital they didn't have those mark combo. I should receive my new bass in a near futur and I will go there and try some of these amps.
But here in montreal we don't have many choices...

Weight matters a little, but I want the combo to be as small as possible. I don't have much place at home where I practice my bass. A 2X10 would be too big. maybe a 1X10 or a 1X12 with and extension cab when I need it would be nice.
 
#6
Markbass may be the best choice. I live 90 min from Mtl in upstate NY but have a place in NDG and could help you with transport of other brands, but then you'd be buying without trying. Si t'aimerais faire ca, appele moi un soir a 5184838188.
cheers
 
#10
Yvon said:
Weight matters a little, but I want the combo to be as small as possible. I don't have much place at home where I practice my bass. A 2X10 would be too big. maybe a 1X10 or a 1X12 with and extension cab when I need it would be nice.
Click to expand...

What might be just up your alley then is the Epifani 112UL combo. You can add a 110UL or another 112UL ext. to it.
Even the SWR Baby Baby Blue with 2x8" spkr's.
 
#15
Todd Stanley said:
Use whatever head you want and get two 1x12 cabs of your choice, that's can be as small or as big as you'll ever need pretty much.
Click to expand...
+1. Whenever my combo dies on me, I'm going this direction - I'll pick up some flavor of powerful tube amp head, and then I'll have 2x12 and 4x10 cabs for the "big" rig, and a nice 1x10 cab for those smaller gigs.

As far as small amps with kick go...

Another vote for the SWR Workingman's 10. Loudest little tiny SOB I've heard. I cranked it up with a 5 string in the store, and it rattled the guitars on the wall. No problems.

Also, consider the Orange "Crush" series of bass amps. The 10 probably won't have the oomph you want out of it, but the 12 is very light and has some amazing punch. It can also drive an extension speaker.

The new Fender Bassman is the second hottest 10" combo I've heard... quite possibly THE hottest, since I've never tried it and the SWR side by side.

Hmmm... there was this one Behringer 10" combo that totally and completely rocked, but every other one I've tried has sucked.
 
#16
hi ,if you want a relly chap and good bass combo ,check out behringers 12 and 15s ,i was using a bx1200 all around ny ,with the xlr going to the pa you can handle anything and i never had a problem with it ,i still have it! now days i am using an essex bass combo by vox ,but it is hotroded with a peavey bw and with a peavey combo 300 amp ,all neatly put away into the essex ,all controls are on top of the cab ,it looks like a regular essex . chf3354
 
#18
Eden CXC combos are also KILLER, using coaxial drivers which I think sound fantastic. I LOVE the CXC-110, and you can even pop the head out with 4 screws and use it standalone, since it's their standard head just bolted in.

Also, the Roland Cube 100 is great.
 
#19
Todd Stanley said:
Use whatever head you want and get two 1x12 cabs of your choice, that's can be as small or as big as you'll ever need pretty much.
Click to expand...

+1

I've tried the combo thing so many times and always arrive back at an amp head and various cabinets. A nice portable head and various cabinets give you so much more versatility. My current ultimate small & portable rig is an Eden WT-550 and a Berg HT-112. What an awesome sound!
My Roscoe straped to my back, the Eden in a gig bag in one hand and the Berg HT-112 (38 lbs) in the other hand.

It doesn't get any better than that!;)
 
#20
Choice of Combo involves trade-offs considering:
Tone
Volume of Air movement
Weight
Cost
Durability
Extendability
Set up complexity
Footprint

There is no single perfect combo. When someone makes something the size of the GK MB150 combo that cranks like an SVT, we'll all line up and buy it. Until then, we'll keep having these discussions.

For my needs at the moment, the Nemesis NC-410 seems to be the best balance.
 

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