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The smallest baddest little amp?
- Thread starter martybernal
- Start date
I recently purchased a Roland Cube 100 in an effort to lighten the load for those gigs where an in ear monitor mix was not available. I had been carrying a Hartke Kickback 12, which is a few pounds heavier than the Roland, but its shape makes it awkward to carry. The Cube is just what I needed. It's easier to carry. It sounded great with the EQ flat, right out of the box. It can get very loud, for a 100 watt and it remains clean and clear at high volumes. I used it last night accompanying a piano in a large Church and it covered the room well. I think it will work well for practice in my rock trio as long as the guitarist keeps his volume in check. For around $350, slightly used, I am thrilled with the Roland Cube 100.
BUMP! What IS the smallest most powerful HEAD out there?
Bugera Veyron T BV1001T 2000W Bass Amp with Tube Preamp?
Peavey MiniMEGA 1000-Watt Lightweight Bass Head?
Darkglass Microtubes 900 - 900W Bass Head?
Bugera Veyron T BV1001T 2000W Bass Amp with Tube Preamp?
Peavey MiniMEGA 1000-Watt Lightweight Bass Head?
Darkglass Microtubes 900 - 900W Bass Head?
For bad, I believe you may need some more power.
A used Markbass CMD121P or CMD151P combos are small, light, loud and under $700. I have the 12" and it really impresses me every time I use it.
A used Markbass CMD121P or CMD151P combos are small, light, loud and under $700. I have the 12" and it really impresses me every time I use it.
I'd say a Carvin BX700 and a MB cab 115. The cab only weighs 30lbs and it's small and easy to carry in anywhere. Rated at 400wts.
OP has been through three rig upgrades since 2006.
That's your story. You should stick to it.
I believe he went to the dark side and started playing keyboards in a naked mariachi band in Sweden.
I'm on board with this being in the running for sure as far as cabs /combos go. I currently have the MB 121 it's about 33 lbs a good size and thumps really well (currently under power of a MB nano)
Interesting.... the Carvin, thanks! I didn't find these specs on the GK.... I found some 15's by GK, but all 36lbs or more and only one at 400 watts (the RBH that's like 66lbs!!! I'd have bad dreams!
) Again, no worries not a head.... SO FAR.... Still no clue but another on in the running...
I think we should add the MB Ninja to the list. Under 10lbs and 1000watts.
TC Electronic BG250 needs to be added to the list. Cant Help myself because I am blown away by this little beauty. No idea what it weighs in pounds (only talk about punds for fish if your an old man in OZ) but it is light as a feather and shakes the rafters delivered incredibly smoothly.
80% of my playing is done through a Gallien Krueger MB210-II. I can't say enough good things about it, it's crazy loud for its size and weight (38 pounds, if I'm not mistaken), has a great deal of usable tone-shaping, and is ultra-portable. It sounds like a GK, pretty clean but with a lot of balls if you want to dial it in. It has a defeatable tweeter (I prefer it off, and I like a punchy, fairly bright tone), and I think it puts 350 watts through the internal speakers (don't quote me, I could be wrong) and definitely puts out 500 if you have an extension cabinet. It's been more than I've needed in any jam/gig situation thus far, and I think I gave 600 bucks for it new. They also make a 1x15" variant if that's your thing, and a 2x12" that delivers all 500 without an extension. I think you should give one a listen, they sound like what you're after.
I played a friend of mine's fretless acoustic through a Phil Jones briefcase once with my oldtime string band (my upright didn't actually belong to me and was in use elsewhere), if it hadn't been for that I would've had to play mandolin/foot stomp, and my harmony singing would've gone right out the window. Those things are the trooph, and battery powered and everything, but (if I'm not mistaken) a bit out of the OP's designated price range.
Oops, didn't notice this was an old, abandoned thread. While I stand by my statements, I didn't realize they'd fall on deaf ears, so to speak.
It's kinda interesting to see how far things have evolved since the 2006 though. My answer back then probably would have been a GK MB150 or a Mesa Walkabout. Then the Genz Benz Shuttle series came along. Hands down for me now it's the Markbass Mini CMD 121P and Traynor is moving an interesting direction with the super micro SB106.
I agree! Last year I bought a complete Mesa Subway rig, and it hasn't left the house since I bought the MB210-II. Loud as heck! Sometimes I worry that the handle is going to break off, but no signs of it happening yet.
I have no doubt there are considerably better options than my GK, but I love it and have stopped looking. I do lust after a Mesa Walkabout for warmer, dirtier 'vintagey' rock stuff with a passive bass, and will hopefully own one someday. I'm not much of an amp snob, as with most things, if I find something that works for me, I'm satisfied.
