What's up with the Combo negativity?

[CL400Peavey]

It is listed at that weight , but I don't think it is accurate. It is also listed at 270 watts, but my tech tells me it is actually 300+ watts. But, as with many SVT fans, I love the tone I get from it - it is perfect for this particular gig. Fits perfectly in my hatchback, so I put up with the weight. And, I have tried different, lighter rigs for this particular gig, and the Roland gives me more satisfaction, tonewise. I use a lightweight rig, an LDS 212/horn cab loaded with 3012HO's and an 18 Sound tweet with a Carvin BX1500 head with my big wedding band, so I am not oppossed to lighter, more powerful rigs. Different rigs for different gigs is the way I roll.

+1

If I could get exactly the sound I do from my Classic 400, out of a lighter rig I would use that. I cant, so I tote a 100 pound head. In lieu of the heavy head, I see no reason to not bring my big cab. If I want good sound in a more portable package I have that as well.

 

[Munjibunga]

There are good reasons to use a combo and good reasons to use separates. Just because combos don't work for me doesn't mean I hate them. But I don't recommend them. There aren't that many great combos out there anyway.

 

[CL400Peavey]

There are good reasons to use a combo and good reasons to use separates. Just because combos don't work for me doesn't mean I hate them.

+1

But I don't recommend them. There aren't that many great combos out there anyway.

+2

 

[nortonrider]

There are good reasons to use a combo and good reasons to use separates. Just because combos don't work for me doesn't mean I hate them. But I don't recommend them. There aren't that many great combos out there anyway.

What are some of those reasons?

Why doesn't a combo work for you?

Why don't you recommend them?

 

[dogofgod]

Eden Metro, weighs a ton, but wow, what a combo. I cant believe the tone that is capable from that beast.

 

[jnewmark]

The new GB Contour combo looks interesting. What head is in it ?

 

[NWB]

I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned the Genz Shuttle which functions as either a combo or a separate.

The Shuttle 6.2 with the new cabs is reportedly quite nice. Very light, portable, powerful, expandable, and could cover a lot of sonic territory.

 

[monkeyfinger]

IMO, the purpose of a combo is to have an amplification solution in a single unit that makes transport, setup and breakdown easier than is required by a component system. In addition, the combo must meet the required performance level for the event. Many small and light combos meet the first criteria easily. The problem is that that small and light combos often don't meet the second objective, especially for louder popular music forms. So ethier the combos grow in size and weight to meet the second objective, or the player buys a more expensive unit that achieve objective 2 and still does not compromise objective 1 too much. The upshot of this is that the player still does not get the value, (performance, flexibility, portability, etc,) out of a combo that they would from a component system for the money spent.

Question: How often do you an extension speaker with a combo? Doesn't using an extension speaker significantly compromise the fist objective?

I have an GK 200MB and an Acoustic AB-50. I bought the GK used for $270. This seems like a reasonable price for a compact, lightweight moderately loud amp. I use this when I want something portable and easily set up and I am playing by myself or with others in a relatively quiet setting. The AB-50 is also useful in similar situations. This was purchased before I bought the GK and may go up for sale soon. Neither of them approach the performance level of my component system. Not even close. But, on some occasions I am willing to make that compromise. I don't think I would ever spend more that a few hundred on any combo though.

exactly what is the compromise ?

I own a couple of small combos. I think they are fine if you are willing to accept the compromise they represent. If I just had one amp, it would definitely be a separate head and cab.

 

[CL400Peavey]

What are some of those reasons?

Why doesn't a combo work for you?

Why don't you recommend them?

A big one fore me.

There does not exist in my knowledge a combo that gives me the low end response of a cab properly designed around a 30xxLF woofer at a usable volume.

 

[Bromosapian]

combos are more user friendly but they dont scale as well. Id rahter have a single head and different cabinets for different uses. Especially if you like tube heads like the ampeg v4's that work well with guitar and bass.

 

[nortonrider]

combos are more user friendly but they dont scale as well. Id rahter have a single head and different cabinets for different uses. Especially if you like tube heads like the ampeg v4's that work well with guitar and bass.

According to your profile, you've got a GK410.
How many different cabinets do you have?
What different uses do you use them all for?

 

[bassguitarthund]

I really like my acoustic b450 combo. about 400 watts 2-10. I can add an ext cab. I plan on getting a 410 cab down the road, this should put me close to the 600 watt potential. Plus I can use the 410 for my vintage acoustic 140 head. Win on both ends.

 

[GBassNorth]

I find the "separates is better because if something breaks your whole rig isn't down" argument a bit of a red herring. If you have a 410 cab a 500watt head and one of them breaks - you don't have a rig, one without the other is useless and if you need an immediate replacement you'll need a redundant head and cab in order to cover which ever one might break at an inopportune moment. You could do the exact same thing with two combos, if one breaks use the other and it probably would cost less. And if your combo has an XLR out and your speaker bites the dust, switch over to the XLR and move on.
Again, I use both rigs and combos, each has their advantages but the unplanned equipment failure argument is neither a pro or a con in my book. Unless you consider the cost of redundant gear, in which case the combo is more likely to cost less. Also, I don't find any significant reliability differences between quality (not Berihenger ) combos and seperates even though the combo is frequently cheaper.

 

[coyote1]

Look at it this way: If you have a combo, then for any gig where it is all that is required you will never be in danger of forgetting to pack a speaker cable.

 

[Jim Carr]

I like to mix and match. I have two 210s and a 410, a lead sled rack, shuttle 6, gk mb800, and a Carbine M9. That's 4 heads, two of which can handle a 4 ohm 410 or two 8 ohm 210 cabs, one can handle a two ohm load, and one can handle two 2 ohm loads.

I can carry a complete rig with a 33 lb 210 in one hand, a 4 lb 600 or 800 watt amp in a bag over my shoulder, bass gig bag on my back, and one hand free to open the door. Or I can go loaded for bear. For me, it's about flexibility for the situation, in terms of both volume and tone. If your combo sounds how you want it to, you are good to go.

Since new amps and cabs are not cheap, I almost always buy used. Thus, I have several parts to choose from before going out the door. I have found this widens my awareness of what is possible—and is helpful musically, while staying on a budget.

 

[CL400Peavey]

According to your profile, you've got a GK410.
How many different cabinets do you have?
What different uses do you use them all for?

How many basses do you have? Do you find different uses for any of them?

I have three basses, three heads, currently two cabs but at one point had 5.

The basses fulfill different tonal goals, each feels different and plays different as well. P-bass, J-bass, Stingray V.

I have three heads, They all sound very different and give me different options. The tube head is thunderous, in ways you can not understand unless you have stood in front of a big cab with a high powered tube head. My Mark VIII is a SS lead slead. Very clean, lots of EQ control, its a work horse. The PF-500 is light weight and powerful, it gives me the most "Old school" tone. At 4 Ohms it is technically my most powerful head. That said it doesnt replace either of my other heads depending on what I am playing.

The cabs I used to own: the 410 had decent lows, was fairly punchy, but lacked something in the upper mids when I wanted a bit of grind. The 115 was full and round, old school more than new age tone, did not have enough volume with out good PA support. 810 was huge, big lows, big volume, but still suffered a bit in the same areas as the 410.

Cabs I currently own: 15/6 has all the lows mids and highs I could want. Takes EQ very well, and is 35 pounds to boot. The low end is bigger on this cab than any of my previous ones. The 15/6 out performs my 410 in volume as well. My 1515/66 sounds just like my 15/6, but there is more volume and power handling.

Now if all I had was a combo that weighed under 46 pounds (what my lightest setup weighs) my options would be much more limited.

 

[Orpheus55]

I have both, but tend to use my main combo--an SWR Workingman 12--in tight stage situations or when (almost always) I have PA support; I have played that little combo at outside gigs, but use it mainly as a monitor. I use an Ambeg BA60 for practice. I agree that separates give more flexibility, but it's nice to have a combo or two as a backup.

 

[nortonrider]

CL400Peavey:
You trying to start an argument?

I'm just asking questions here.
People are making claims, I'm asking them why.

That was the whole intent of this thread.

BTW / FWIW:
I have 2 basses but really only play 1.
I have 4 different amps but really only play 1.
I have 5 cables but really only use 1.
I have 1 multi-effects unit and use it all of the time.

 

[swspiers]

I find the "separates is better because if something breaks your whole rig isn't down" argument a bit of a red herring.

Nope. Not a red herring. Just ONE gig with a head that fails due to low voltage, operator error or gremlins is enough.

I have so much redundancy it's truly ridiculous- and I certainly don't expect anyone (sane) to duplicate this.

Crown XLS1500 bridged into a fEARful 1212. I use a Genz Benz Shuttlemax 12 as a pre (overkill, I know) That head has 2 600 watt channels, so in essence I have 3 channels of amplification available. (ok, 4 if I don't bridge the 1500)

For back-up on the preamp, I have a Sansamp BDDI, and a Hartke Bass Attack just in case, all of which have DI out.

soon I'll have another light-weight 12 or 15" cab in reserve as well.

Everything together weighs roughly 70 pounds or so, and fits in the back of my Prius with room to spare...

 

[Joe Louvar]

I like hot chicks, 15s rule and I use a combo, sometimes two combos, sometimes a stacked rig, sometimes just a DI box and in-ear-monitors, and other times unplugged acoustic, I also like bacon, pie, ice cream and popcorn too.