I'm 71 and still gigging 15 times a month or so. What combo gives me a good sound and light weight? The Fender Rumble 200 and 500 come to mind, but I'm not hesitant to spend some money if need be.
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What is a great bass combo under 40 lbs?
- Thread starter tom ginkel
- Start date
Markbass' CMD 102P scrapes in at 38lbs. Nice design as it tips back like a stage monitor. VERY punchy, very loud. I'd already bought one of their heavier combos when I tried it so I got the corresponding extension cab.
It would probably help to know what you are you using now, and do you like how it sounds? There are a number of decent combos under that weight, but they each have there own sound profile. And not to gum up the works, but depending on what "some money" means to you, there are some really fantastic, light-weight cabinets from companies like AudioKinesis, Barefaced (and others) that, combined with a small, class D head, will blow the socks off of any combo. (And in full disclosure, I'm just a few years younger than you, and that's the route I have taken.)
Jim Carr
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What is your budget? Electric, upright, or both?
Right now I'm using a Markbass 500w head with an Avatar 4 by 10 eo and it's great. I play country and classic rock. Don't need a lot of volume, but a nice, deep pop is necessary. Just too heavy for this old guy.
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I play similar music, and until quite recently I'd been gigging for the last decade mostly through an Epifani UL410. And while I still use it in some larger outdoor situations, I now almost always run through a single AudioKinesis C112T (30 pounds of sheer joy!). And beyond being a fantastic sounding and adjustable cab, it also goes as loud and as deep as I ever need it to, even in a room with a couple hundred people. While I usually run it through a Subway 800+, I've also tried it with my MB LMII, and it sounds great with that amp as well. Since you've already got a head you like, maybe just a new cab is a reasonable alternative for you.
Rumble 200 = 35 lbs. I prefer it to the 500 as it's plenty powerful and I think you get more bass response with a 15 rather than 2 10's (YMMV). Either way, you're still under 40 lbs.
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The GK MB212 combo comes in at 41 lbs. I guess that takes it out of the running.
Baby blue from SWR. 29 lbs. Hard to find though. Needs a good sound man for louder gigs.
That and the new Fender Rumble Stage 800 if you're into high tech.
I would go with the GK MB115 at 35lbs. 
I've got a Rumble 100 and it is great. 100 watt 1x12.
20 lbs, great tone, $300 brand new. I use it for light duty; rehearsals, trio gigs in cafe's and restaurants.
Best part is how light it is at the end of the night.
=JR=
20 lbs, great tone, $300 brand new. I use it for light duty; rehearsals, trio gigs in cafe's and restaurants.
Best part is how light it is at the end of the night.
=JR=
I love my Rumble 200. It's all I need to play anything anywhere.
Another vote for the Rumble 200 a great combo, bass & amp combo together around 43.5 lbs
I've been satisfied with my TC 250 15 for a couple of years. Probable have 150 gigs thru it. Easy in and out of the subaru for this old dude. But if I had to do it again I would check out the Fender's and the GK. Also the class D amp w/cabinet. Too many people on this site praising these options to ignore it.
