Despite my gigging for 30+ years I know little or nothing about all the new amps out there. I've been too busy playing and singing for all these years and have never been a tech junkie when it comes to amps. I'm in the market for something lighter, my TNT 115 is a beast for a 54 year old to lug around any more. Any ideas on new amps, light weight? I'm a blues player who has always preferred 15 inch speakers. Can't afford anything too expensive.
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What is the best LIGHTWEIGHT amp?
- Thread starter fishermanbob
- Start date
+1. Gallien-Krueger MB115-II combo - and its only $399.
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The TC Electronic BG250 is another great one. Cheap, loud, feels like a tube amp, has a built-in tuner and effects, and only weighs 35 lbs or so.
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/det...ampaign=none&gclid=CKHau8bR37ACFUyb7Qod-BZr2A
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/det...ampaign=none&gclid=CKHau8bR37ACFUyb7Qod-BZr2A
Depends on your expectation of "lightweight", and your definition of "not too expensive". The aforementioned Ampeg PF500 with a Fliptop cab or 2 would be good, but a Mesa Walkabout Scout 12 would be "better".
If you have a head.....
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/ampl...x10-ultralight-bass-speaker-cabinet-with-horn
I have one of these. I like it better than the 115. Light as well.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/ampl...x10-ultralight-bass-speaker-cabinet-with-horn
I have one of these. I like it better than the 115. Light as well.
Happy hunting, lots of lightweights around. In the interim, may I suggest using a collapsible dolly cart? One brand is Magna-Cart, which is a 2-wheeler and can hold 150 lbs., IIRC. They run about $30-40. Then get yourself a couple of bungee cords, minimum 40" long un-stretched. Bungees to keep the amp secured to the cart, and then wheel that sucker 'round.
Genz Benz - Shuttlemax 9.2 with a NEO 212 cabinet. I know it's not a 15" , but it will rock your socks off! Very versatile tone with a tube and FET channel that you can set to cover different tones and control with a foot pedal. You can also combine the channels for the best of both worlds. Just my opinion on the ultimate lightweight rig. I've heard good things about the lightweight GK stuff , but never tried them.
You can go to a store and try the bass amps.
You can pick them up and only try only the lightest of the bunch.
Or you can play them all, pick the best sounding,
and then pick them up.
You'll find weight has nothing to do with the tone you get from an amp. Neither does speaker size.
Buy from a store that lets you try it out for a month at rehearsals and on gigs. And return it if it doesn't work out. Many times what sounds good in a store doesn't sound as good in a mix.
Good luck finding the best, because you'll also find that they are all very good these days. Things have changed quite a bit in 30 years.
You can pick them up and only try only the lightest of the bunch.
Or you can play them all, pick the best sounding,
and then pick them up.
You'll find weight has nothing to do with the tone you get from an amp. Neither does speaker size.
Buy from a store that lets you try it out for a month at rehearsals and on gigs. And return it if it doesn't work out. Many times what sounds good in a store doesn't sound as good in a mix.
Good luck finding the best, because you'll also find that they are all very good these days. Things have changed quite a bit in 30 years.
Having lightweight as possible gear is worth $$ to me. I'll pay the price for it to also be really good equipment. If I can't afford it, then I'll save for it. That's what I did for my Markbass rig(s). Now to save for a Barefaced Compact to go with my LMIII (because it's lighter than my two Traveler 151Ps).
- Jan 12, 2011
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I am going down the road less travelled and in my circle I'll be one of the few running my rig. I just bought a PUMA 500. 500 watts at 4ohms, 3 lbs. My next move is a bass cab that weighs only 31lbs. 1200 watts RMS 2x12 with horn. The price is not cheap but load in/out will be painless for an old man like myself. The bass cab is a Glasstone Lil G. One of the 12's fires downward. Total price for this rig $1750. But I'm worth it 
Do you/can you run through the PA? If so, you can get a small combo amp and use it as a stage monitor.
Since you've been using a TNT, I'll assume you are good with the volume levels you get out of the amp. Consider this when you are looking at a new amp. You could get a nice G-K combo, or an Ampeg mini stack that would be super easy to lug around. I heard a band play a smaller bar with the bass player using the small Ampeg VR 200 watt/2 x10 cab, and it really filled the room.
Since you've been using a TNT, I'll assume you are good with the volume levels you get out of the amp. Consider this when you are looking at a new amp. You could get a nice G-K combo, or an Ampeg mini stack that would be super easy to lug around. I heard a band play a smaller bar with the bass player using the small Ampeg VR 200 watt/2 x10 cab, and it really filled the room.
