What's up with the Combo negativity?

[nortonrider]

In every "what amp should I buy" thread, there are always the guys commenting to not buy a Combo but a separate head and cab (mix and match, interchangeability, etc...) and pretty much hating on the combos.

I happen to think that if they were really not that user friendly, manufacturers wouldn't still be making / selling them.
Somebody is buying them and it can't be just "noobs" who don't know any better.

I also believe that these comments dismissing Combos are just a bunch of people regurgitating stuff they have heard others say.

Personally, I like combos.
My main amp is an old Genz Benz combo, it has a DI and the ability to add an extension cab should I care to.

My Peavey tube amp / SWR rig is packed away in the closet.

Anybody else dig their Combos?

 

[Downunderwonder]

Simple, amp/cab guys vastly out number combo guys.

 

[Mushroo]

Nothing wrong with combos. I always recommend a separate head and cab when the topic comes up, but I don't think that qualifies as "hating on combos."

 

[kellyrojo]

I have a seperate head and cab---wish I had a combo!

 

[Bassbubble11]

I have Ashdown combo I have much love for. Haters gon' hate.
I actually get more annoyed when MEGA WATT amps are recommended
for folks who simply don't need 'em.

 

[JimmyM]

Yer darn tootin' I dig my combos:

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[bassmeknik]

I have both but the combo can't keep up with the louder gigs so it stays home a lot recently. I have seen very few combos with a extension speaker jack these days and that reduces versatility IMO

 

[hdracer]

When someone puts a 200+ watt tube head in a 215 cab I'll buy it.
Until then I will stick with what I have.

 

[B-string]

I for one don't recommend separates when someone asks about combos unless they are expecting too much from one. Nothing bad or wrong about a good combo!

 

[1SmartJosh]

I play a SWR Silverado Special with ext cab. I bought it for a reason and don't plan on changing it. You just have to take recommendations with a grain of salt. I have known many people to own basses beyond their skill level. Amps are no different.

 

[Adam Bomb]

700 watts into four 10s, with the capacity for 1000 watts total and two more 8-ohm extension cabs. Tone for days and can hang with any drummer. And teh chix think I'm strong like bull when they see me carrying them both to the car at the end of the night.

No complaints.

--Bomb

 

[cosmicpimp2]

When someone puts a 200+ watt tube head in a 215 cab I'll buy it.
Until then I will stick with what I have.

that'd be awesome but prob weigh about 200+ lbs!

 

[hdracer]

that'd be awesome but prob weigh about 200+ lbs!

My rig now weighs 136 pounds total

 

[gjbassist]

Yer darn tootin' I dig my combos:

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Very cool, but technically only one of those is a combo!

 

[DougD]

A combo is great, if that's what floats your boat The only negative thing I can say about combos are against the ones that are either way over hyped and under perform, or those that are way over priced and don't perform. But thankfully these days the rip off are disappearing fast. IMHO, there is absolutely nothing wrong with combos.

 

[stratovani]

I have a GK MB115 combo, and I love it! Nice and loud, with a built-in DI, I only wish I could hook up an extension cabinet. I'm thinking of getting the MB210 eventually just so I can do that.

 

[LiquidCaravan]

Consider the Mesa Boogie Walkabout Scout combo. Wonderful tone. Removable 300watt head. Can operate at 2 ohms.

 

[ksandvik]

A lot of the entry gear and practice amps are combos -- one reason we don't recommend them is that the marketing message is to sell under-powered cheap combos to beginners. Then the first time they rehearse with two guitar players, especially metalheads, they realize the limits with a 100W 12" combo amp...

So nothing wrong with combos, but you need to learn the limitation with the low-range ones. I like the 300-500W ones with an option for an 8ohm extension cabinet, those are excellent.

 

[Ricky Daion]

GK 1001rb II 2x12 combo. 460 watts @ 8ohms, 750 watts @ 4ohms. Extension handle and wheels. Works for me

 

[GBassNorth]

There is nothing wrong with a good combo. Of course a good combo in my book has some very specific features....
must be light (or else I'll just go with separates)
must be easily moved (or else I'll just go with separates)
must have decent power 200 to 500 watts (or else I just go with separates)
must have decent volume (or else I'll just go with separates)
must have XLR out (or else I'll just go with separates)
must have extension cab connection (for when I need separates)
must be reliable and sturdy (or else I'll just go with separates that are)
must cost less than separates (or else I'll just buy separates)

The one combo that fit that bill for me was the GK MB210. As a combo, it's a mere 30pounds, is designed to be carried by one hand, puts out 500watts, has 2 - 10" speakers that really kick nice and play plenty loud for normal to small bar gigs, has XLR out if I ever want to go bigger and badder but dont want to haul more gear, has an extension cab connection for a 410 or 115 cab making it a monster if I do feel like hauling more gear, has been very reliable and is built like a tank without all the insane weight. Purchased mine new at GC for $450, try doing that with separates.

I do have an SVT-VR and Berg NV610 rig that I love but this little GK has given me so many reasons to use it vs the separates, I'm finding excuses to not gig with the big rig nearly as much. Before I got the GK, my separates rig used hit the road about 80% of the time, now it's down to about 30% of the time and could honestly go to 10% of the time if I wanted push the envelope.

Lesson learned - things change, products evolve and improve to fit specific market demands, and age makes one less tolerant of the hassels in making multiple trips to and from a car or van, up flights of stairs in the dark (sometimes in a not so good neighborhood) to pack in and then doing it all over again to pack out. With my GK it's guitar in one hand, cab in the other and cables looped around my shoulder, every thing in one trip.

I can't tell you how many times I've carried my $2000 SVT out to the SUV at 2:00am in a dark parking lot full of half drunk riff raff all watching me pack out and then wondering if it's still going to be in the car when I come back with the $1000 610 cab then wondering if either of them will still be in the car when I get back with another $1000 in basses. Not a comforting thought.