I'm still up in the air about getting a amp. I could either go with two 1x12 cabinets and a head, or a grab and go GK legacy or similar 1x12 combo and add another 1x12 bottom. I suppose there are pros and cons on each.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
whats better combo or separate.
- Thread starter magic8161
- Start date
Performance, Cost, ease of transport, flexibility.
Yup, pros and cons to each.
Though, these days that line is getting blurred a lot.
Though, these days that line is getting blurred a lot.
I used separates for a long time, 2x15 and head, 4x10 and head or power amp. Then 1x12 and power amp or micro head. Now I am using a Rumble 100 and letting the PA fill the room. When you do a lot of gigs and some on small stages and want a quick setup and breakdown a combo is handy. If you want a bigger sound on stage or have a vocals only PA, separates may be the way to go.
If you're a gear head who likes to switch things out, mix and match, get new pieces every now and then, then separates are fun.
If you're not a gearhead and gig similar venues, a combo has advantages.
If you're not a gearhead and gig similar venues, a combo has advantages.
Not a lot of things to go wrong with a combo. Easy to manage. 1 item.
Separates are the way to a scalable rig. Bring what you need, leave the rest at home.
Al Kraft
Supporting Member
- May 2, 2016
- 10,770
- 40,447
- Disclosures
- Mesa Boogie beta product tester and player support
The thoughts and reasoning shared so far IMO/IME are all excellent points and like so many "optimum gear choice" decisions really boil down to personal preference for an individual's use case. I only own one combo but lots of cabs and heads. The combo (Mesa WA Scout 112) is a simple, convenient rig...one thing to carry and super easy plug and play. However, lightweight cabs and small, light heads (that are easy to set up quickly) have almost made the combo convenience factor not worth the flexibility I give up.
I used to use combos a lot. But now I prefer separates. Mix and and match, and the weight of any given component is less.
There are some situations where I’ll still use a combo, but they are the least demanding and my combo is ridiculously tiny. My old Eden Metro never leaves the jam room now.
There are some situations where I’ll still use a combo, but they are the least demanding and my combo is ridiculously tiny. My old Eden Metro never leaves the jam room now.
A decent combo (210, 112, 115) will handle most weekend warrior gigs.
I have a small Ampeg for practice and coffee house gigs, a Rumble 100 for medium gigs, and a custom 210 cabinet for larger gigs. I can also stack the Rumble on top of the 210, running the send from the rumble into the return of my Eden (powering the 210) for a big 'ol rumble sound. So, you can always start with a combo.
I practice with a small combo and wouldn’t hesitate to use it at a small gig or duo. But a proper amp and cab can be louder and that is indisputably better. Both can sound very good. But loud is cool and quiet is lame. This passes fact checks.
My new band (I'm finally gigging again) isn't loud, but I still want a substantial rig- minimum, full-size SS head and 2x15 cab.
I'm the PA guy and (with help) unload/load a trailer full of gear; what's a couple more pieces.
Head and cabinet(s), hands down. They're easier to move... easier to expand... easier to sell... overall way more flexible... and not always but usually, separate heads and cabs are of higher quality than combos.
Combos can be more attractive because they're often more affordable and they show up a bunch on the used market.
I currently own a head/cabinets rig as well as a combo... but by far, my go-to is the head/cabinet and that's what I'll always recommend when the separates vs. combos question comes up.
Combos can be more attractive because they're often more affordable and they show up a bunch on the used market.
I currently own a head/cabinets rig as well as a combo... but by far, my go-to is the head/cabinet and that's what I'll always recommend when the separates vs. combos question comes up.
Both have their uses. I'd get a combo if I wasn't a DIY speaker snob. 
I've played all of my gigs since the pandemic with a GK MB200 head and a DIY 1x8 speaker. I hope I don't need more sound than that going forward, since I'm trying to avoid playing really loud stuff. My "big" speaker, the 1x12, is gathering dust.
On the other hand, a separate head isn't all that inconvenient. I have to carry a bag anyway, for cables, stand light, charts, etc. So if I throw the amp head in the same bag, it's still 2 packages to load in. For this reason, the convenience factor is pretty slim.
I've played all of my gigs since the pandemic with a GK MB200 head and a DIY 1x8 speaker. I hope I don't need more sound than that going forward, since I'm trying to avoid playing really loud stuff. My "big" speaker, the 1x12, is gathering dust.On the other hand, a separate head isn't all that inconvenient. I have to carry a bag anyway, for cables, stand light, charts, etc. So if I throw the amp head in the same bag, it's still 2 packages to load in. For this reason, the convenience factor is pretty slim.
Rumble 500 combo does about anything we play. There's one venue we play with a big stage where I stick a 15 under it.
I only use a combo or no amp at all.
Every place I’ve played in the last like 15 years has had ample PA support so there’s no need for anything more than 350-500 watts at any conceivable location and even then, my amp is rarely ever over 3-4 on the master, as the amp is basically just a dedicated monitor.
For my use, I can’t think of any good reason to have separates over a combo amp. Comparatively, separates means more stuff to lug around and more expense for zero real return
Every place I’ve played in the last like 15 years has had ample PA support so there’s no need for anything more than 350-500 watts at any conceivable location and even then, my amp is rarely ever over 3-4 on the master, as the amp is basically just a dedicated monitor.
For my use, I can’t think of any good reason to have separates over a combo amp. Comparatively, separates means more stuff to lug around and more expense for zero real return
I've most always have had both. Over the years, a long list of both. Combos have gotten a lot better in recent years IMO.
No answer is 100% right or wrong. The better option is only better for you in your current situation or whatever sort of settings you expect to be playing rather soon. Your needs may or may not change, but you can eventually get something else if things evolve further down the road.
I get great results using one of my two heads - both are small and light with enough power (500-600 watts) to take care of me at gigs where I don't have PA support. Those heads run a pair of 2x10 cabs that make plenty of volume when running together and I can also practice through only one of them at home, etc.
Because you seem to be going for some version of a pair of 1x12's, it could actually be easier to get what you're after by getting a combo and an extension cab. I'd say just make sure that the combo makes really good sound and does everything you want aside from big volume. The extension cab ought to take care of that.
