What's your small combo experience?

[steveb98]

I got an SWR Redhead before Fender bought SWR and it is a great sounding combo, but is kind of big and heavy. It is a pain because it won't fit in the trunk of my car. When MF was blowing out SWR Workingman Pro combos because the new Fender-ized models came out I got one of the 12" combos. It is a real nice combo perfect for practice, rehearsals, and small gigs.

 

[seanm]

I own an iAMP500C. For small gigs it is perfect. Lots of power and under 50 pounds. I do try to put in on a chair though to get the speaker up higher.

For larger gigs I add an extension wizzy. This can take me up to earplugs required volumes!

I have played small low volume outdoor gigs (<200 people but spread out) with no PA support just fine. YMMV, dealer may sell for less.

 

[ihateusernames]

For the small coffee house gigs I play that bring in less than 50 people, I just use my yorkville xs400tc combo (400 watt 2x10) but if its a gig such as having crowds over 150 ill add the bottom 15 just incase.

I'm in the same position as the OP at the moment. This thing has all of the features I'm looking for....but man....it's HEAVY at about 90 pounds.

 

[Shindig]

With all the lightweight heads available, I'd suggest going the separate head and cabinet route. A good quality 1x12 (Epi?) and then the bass head of choice would give you a small portable rig that could be made into a bigger rig by adding a second cabinet. Instead of splitting your money between two rigs (small and large) you can pump all that $$ into one of better quality. As always, your results may vary. Good luck

 

[BassyBill]

With all the lightweight heads available, I'd suggest going the separate head and cabinet route. A good quality 1x12 (Epi?) and then the bass head of choice would give you a small portable rig that could be made into a bigger rig by adding a second cabinet. Instead of splitting your money between two rigs (small and large) you can pump all that $$ into one of better quality. As always, your results may vary. Good luck

Or buy a combo, and add a second cabinet.

 

[Paddy]

Mesa Boogie Scout 112 Combo. Stunning performer. And sometimes if I need a bigger, punchier sound, I'll add a Bergantino EX112 underneath it and make a mini-stack. Quite nice. But mostly, the Scout 112 Combo is extremely well build, has a sweet tube sheen and has some of the best Mids I've heard. Gary

Careful - you'll have CrUiSeR after you, not quite under the $1000 I think.

Mind you I'm also a very happy scout 1x12 owner - awesome stuff

 

[jasonbraatz]

In fact the ONLY reason you should not be using a combo, is if you're playing hard rock everynight in LARGE venues like arenas, etc.

 

[pf!]

I know this isn't 1 or 2 12's but...

Back in the early 90's I bought a SWR Basic Black (15" and a switchable tweeter). 50 #'s and a little oversized but still works great, DI's to the board well and has the cab that can handle the low B string and deliver. I know they're no longer made but pre buyout SWR can still be found used.

 

[flint]

I just bought an Ashdown 2x10 combo that should fill the bill you are describing nicely. Their MAG series falls well within your budget. While I went with the ABM series, I have heard good things about the MAGs.

 

[Mystic Michael]

Have you purchased a small combo like this and wished you would've gone with a larger combo with 4-10 or 2-12? ....or maybe you wished you would have gone with a seperate amp and cab rig?

Au contraire. I bought an Eden Nemesis NC-410 (4x10 combo) in 1997. If I'd realized at the time how much more practical the NC-210 (2x10) would be for me, I would have purchased that one instead - and saved myself a couple hundred dollars as well.

So, I'm currently looking for a straight trade - the NC-410 for an NC-210. Ya live and learn...

MM

 

[pfschim]

I'll second Roscoe5's reply on the Mesa Walkabout Scout Combo. New it will run you a bit more than the $1k upper limit you posted but its a very versatile rig indeed. And, they can be found used for $8-900. With Mesa's 5 year warranty used is not a bad deal at all.

In combo mode it runs the Walkabout 12 with a really sweet full tone. It has a 10" passive radiator on the bottom and that really puts out incredible lows. Other players can't believe that I am "only using 1 12" to get that much sound. A really cool feature allows you to pull the Walkabout amp out and use it as a head piggybacked on another cab if you want say a 4x10 set up. This set-up has been described by several TB'ers .. search and ye shall find.

I use my Walkabout with an additional Mesa 1x12 Powerhouse cab for more push when that is called for in larger venues.

I can't say enough about this rig for its flexibility, tone and .. yes , total cost.

 

[carved czech]

Love portability of my old microcombo GK 200MB (discontinued for years) 22lbs, plus extension cab GK MBX112, 12 lbs = 2x12" = enough to play big band, on big stage with some PA support...

 

[justBrian]

I like this:

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100 watts, all tubes, < 60 lbs and < $500 new.

 

[naja]

With all the lightweight heads available, I'd suggest going the separate head and cabinet route. A good quality 1x12 (Epi?) and then the bass head of choice would give you a small portable rig that could be made into a bigger rig by adding a second cabinet. Instead of splitting your money between two rigs (small and large) you can pump all that $$ into one of better quality. As always, your results may vary. Good luck

I agree with Shindig. I use a 60 watt fender bassman 1x12 combo which sounds great as a stage monitor. The only problem I have with combos is that they are usually a little larger/heavier than the head/cab option. I'm now looking into getting a seperate head (prob GK 700) and a seperate cab (prob avatar 1x12) and doing the same thing as my current combo. Should be eaiser to get in the trunk, and even though it'll take one extra trip to get that extra piece of gear inside, it'll be easier to handle. For me anyway.....

 

[Aarix]

I don't think you'll get by with a single 12" combo in a rock band with no PA support. So plan on an extension cab for those gigs.

One option you might want to look at is the Carvin BRX112 & BRX212. Both are in your price range & the 112 is in your weight range too. I've been playing with the 112 for a couple of weeks and I'm very happy. Tilts way back & works great as a monitor & can be paired with several extension cabs (down to 2 Ohms) to work as a "big rig".

To answer your original question, after I got this combo I was happy enough that I sold my head & a heavy 210 cabinet, and I have my old practice combo listed as well. It's my "one amp to rule them all and in the darkness bind them".

 

[Aussiephoenix]

Not exactly cheap, but my EBS Gorm combo blows a lot of rigs out of the water... 350w RMS packed tight in a small 2x10 case. perfect.

 

[bucephylus]

I've been gigging with a Nemesis NC-410 for about 3 months now. It will hold down any room you play, has excellent tone, is plug and play, and weighs in at 60lbs. I have not found a more practical amp.

 

[Joe Beets]

You may want to check these out:

"The Pros and Cons of Stinking Combo Amps"
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=163735

"How to Calculate the Fartage Ratio of a Combo Amp"
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showpost.php?p=3168592&postcount=131

 

[guy n. cognito]

I don't think you'll get by with a single 12" combo in a rock band with no PA support. So plan on an extension cab for those gigs.

Depends on the combo. My 1-12 combo does quite well in small to medium sized venues with no PA support.

 

[Joe Beets]

I guess it depends on what kind of sound you're going for. If I'm in a "Grand Funk Railroad" tribute band, the constant TOF of a combo amp would really hit the spot. It's a lot easier to get that distinctive Mel Schacher sound with a combo amp than it is by trying to overdrive four 8x10 cabinets. And in this case, the smaller the better. Most of those little combo amps can get the desired fartage by just turning up the volume knob half way.