Talk Bass Newbie needs amp reco.

I think a 300-500 head and two 2x10" or 1x12" cabinets would be an affordable and versatile rig for the gigs you describe. (You could use 1 or 2 cabs depending on the size of the room.)

I personally do not think brand makes a big difference so long as you have enough power. Know that lighter options often cost a little extra $$ due to the design/materials. The cheap stuff like Peavey tends to be heavy. You don't mention budget which makes it difficult to recommend anything specific.

 

2x10" cabs average maybe 50lbs or less, and you can add a matching cab for big gigs. If you buy used you will save a lot of $$$.

 

The older Eden cabs = heavy but this is a great time to be a bass player for you. Tons of lightweight amps, and better speakers that let you use a 12 in a 2 cubic foot box for what used to require a 15 in a 4 cubic foot heavy box 15 years ago.

You'll get plenty of good recommendations. What's close to you in stores/whatever that you can go plug your bass into a few different things and see what you think?

 

It sounds like you do not want a bass amp/cab situation. GK makes a 115 combo that's light and gets pretty loud. Carvin has a small 115 combo is is expandable. Ibanez has a combo with a removable head called the Promethean. The head can be pulled out of the case and used with larger cabinets, and develops 500 watts with 2 cabs. I've read here that the Promethean combo with 110 cabinet gets very loud, and is very quality made.
Genz Benz has an excellent combo that comes apart too. You will hear people recommend the Markbass 112 combo, but it is spendy compared to other combos, but it has a nice loud output and many players favor its tone.
Might want to go to GC and try some of these out.

 

G-K MB210 or MB212 is my best suggestion.

 

The MB212 would be a great way to go. Remember, TalkBass is the worlds largest store for used gear. If what you are looking for isn't here today, don't worry, it will turn up shortly. Check a person's feedback and buy with confidence. The beauty of it all, is that there are many gear heads here that are truly addicted to finding their perfect tone. You can find most items that show little if any wear at all. I've purchased several that could have been mistaken for new. Good luck in the search!

 

Another +1 for the GK mb 2x12. I love GK everything and the volume and tone this cab puts out with such a small weight and foot print is remarkable. Plus you can always get another 2x12 just incase you end up playing a big venue. My GK neo 4x12 is my go to cab for every gig i've played since I got it. GK is making amazing stuff, specially for the weight.

 

Quote "Have played a Hartke 3500 combo--great sound but-->100lbs. Really want something that I can load/unload myself."

--Hartke Hydrive combos, or HA3500 head with lightweight cabs...since you liked the Hartke.
Or: GK, Markbass, and Carvin all make lightweight combos. If you go the combo route, get one that can take an extension cab. Carvin has a combo with 3 speakers in a lightweight & compact design that looks awesome.

 

Markbass Little Mark III head (6+ lbs.) and Markbass Club 151 cab (33 lbs. with one 15"). Or the Randy Jackson cab at 37 lbs. might sound better. I got two Traveler 151 P cabs because they were supposed to weigh 37 lbs., too, but turns out they weigh 45.75 lbs. each (Markbass had never changed the weight listing from when they did a design change back in 2007). Still not too bad to lug around, though. The sound is just awesome. I like the Markbass sound because it doesn't get lost in the mix. I also happen to like the yellow and black color scheme.

The Markbass Jeff Berlin is a killer combo also, but weighs more due to being a combo (about 46 lbs., if I remember correctly).

 

I should think a Mesa walkabout would do the trick. Very fat and warm vintage sound, even in the 12" speaker config. Also the markbass tube 800 does a good job with both modern and vintage stuff. I've never been a fan but I was test driving a new ampeg hybrid and complaining about how much it sucked, when the clerk pointed me to the markbass head. I really liked it, but it wasnt what i needed at the time and wound up with a mesa m6. I'm pretty the markbass is available as a combo though. My go to combo for traveling is the Genz Benz shuttle 6.0. Probably more modern sound than what you want, but as lightweight and powerful as I could ask for a 600 watt combo that i can pick up with my pinky finger.

 

Ampeg rocket b100r used. Check out eBay.

 

For a head try these on the TB classifieds:

GenzBenz ShuttleMax 9.2 $625
GenzBenz Shuttle 9.0 w Bag $485
GK MB Fusion $500
MkBass LMII $375

or new:Carvin Bass Amps

For cabs consider Carvin as well. Or check the classifieds. I suggest as some others have either 2 210s or 2 112s at 8 ohms each.. or 115 (with an eye to getting another one down the line perhaps). A modular rig is more versatile. With PA support you may not need more than 410s anywhere (210x2) .. There are some great lightweight cabs out.. check the classifieds regularly.