Which combo

[mmbongo]

Staying under your $500 budget and buying new, it's gonna be hard to beat an Ampeg.

Ampeg BA-210v2 - 2x10" 450-Watt Bass Combo with Scrambler


Or a GK if you can go $25 more.

Gallien-Krueger MB115-II 1x15" 200-Watt Bass Combo

 

[Jim Carr]

You got some rigs, Dr. J!

Reggae, Rockabilly and Gospel, not in the PA much of the time, sometimes by choice.
Just ask @BurningSkies about PAs and reggae rigs.

 

[Jim Carr]

The combo "trap" has been addressed by a number of companies. The Genzler 350 is one way of addressing it. It has a head that slides into a removable cradle on the cab, giving you the best of both worlds... In this photo, I had actually removed the cradle, but it attaches to the cab with six machine screws and holds the head, creating a "combo"

View attachment 3172821

These are wonderful, and kinda temp me...but I already have too much gear. BTW, don't all Genzler's have piezo friendly high impedance input?

 

[Wasnex]

These are wonderful, and kinda temp me...but I already have too much gear. BTW, don't all Genzler's have piezo friendly high impedance input?

MG350 and MG800 have 1Meg inputs and a semi-parametric mid range which is variable from 150Hz to 3kHz.

The MG350 runs $460 which is a bit out of the OP's price range.

 

[Djadja]

MG350 and MG800 have 1Meg inputs and a semi-parametric mid range which is variable from 150Hz to 3kHz.

The MG350 runs $460 which is a bit out of the OP's price range.

Yeah, well out of the OP’s range. The entire combo is over $900.

The preamp on the 350 is basically the same as the one on the 800 minus the overdrive channel. I own both and they are both killer amps. I don’t have an instrument with a piezo so I can’t comment on how friendly it is.

 

[Wasnex]

Yeah, well out of the OP’s range. The entire combo is over $900.

The preamp on the 350 is basically the same as the one on the 800 minus the overdrive channel. I own both and they are both killer amps. I don’t have an instrument with a piezo so I can’t comment on how friendly it is.

1 Meg works well with a piezo in my experience.

 

[iagtrplyr]

Looking and going nuts with all the options .Bass combo 25 to 150 watts like playing blues, jazz, soul, gospel and reggae at home only but which would give me this range ?

You should consider taking this question and posting it in the Combo Club thread. Experts from around the globe are ready and waiting to offer you advice, free of charge. Then when you make your decision, you can add yourself to its illustrious roster.

BTW, combos were as suspect as done are attempting to lead you to believe, than why are they so popular? But what you want, but don't discount an entire genre because someone said separates are the only way to go, and I own separates too!

Take a look at the Fender Studio 40 ($350) that'll give you a large number of different amp tones, effects too, and a selection of inputs and outputs.

See us at the Club!

 

[BurningSkies]

Reggae, Rockabilly and Gospel, not in the PA much of the time, sometimes by choice.
Just ask @BurningSkies about PAs and reggae rigs.

My mind doesn't work in these kind of wattage terms when it comes to reggae bass, but then I don't think it really does with other kinds of music too. What I get here is that you're looking for something that could be a reasonable survivable gigging rig that's compact and/or loud enough for stage work.

It seems that with what I'd consider a conservative cash situation, I'd be looking at finding a decent quality 112 like a Aguilar GS112 or something like a Genz Uber 210, modern and well designed will cover a fair amount of tonal ground effectively and stay clean. You should be able to get in used on one of these (in fact, you'll have to, since they're both out of production), but if you're looking at under $1k expenditure, I'd be only considering used anyway to maximize your gear to your spend.

Heads? I'd be looking at 500-800w heads that are good condition used. I'd look at the Genz range (Streamliners, Shuttles), Aguilar TH500, Markbass LittleMark800. If you can stretch, a Mesa Subway series would do you well.

This strategy would still keep you compact & fairly light and tote-able, so similar to living in the combo world, but with better end result.

If you're looking to provide some FOH support for bass in more than 'corner of the bar/small room' type gigs, I honestly think you'd need to stretch your budgie a good chunk to be effective. You'd be looking at one or two modern 'super-cabs' and a power sitch that's more like 1000-2000w.