Why a Combo?

[M-Mittlesteadt]

This isn't a thread/discussion/debate of choosing combos over separates or visa versa. Both ways are cool and legit ways to get where we want to go so it's personal preference to be sure.

This thread is just for those who prefer combos and why.

Why did you choose your combo (include pics)?

I've been playing for over 45 years and owned many different amp/cabs and combos. I even designed and built my own cabs. Some were tilt back speaker cabs with a built in rack for using different heads with it so I could experiment with my combo design. After a hiatus from music I decided to go with two Fender Rumble 100's (V3). One is more than enough for most gigs and I use both chained together for bigger gigs. I totally appreciate separates, but I just want simple and light.

I wasn't even looking for an amp/cab or combo. I was at my local music store waiting for the sales guy who repaired my Roland Electric piano to come back from his lunch, so I was goofing around the lineup of all the new (V3) Rumbles. I really liked the tone...and then when I picked up the 100, I couldn't believe how much volume and tone was coming from this little, lightweight combo!

My preference for combos is for the sake of simplicity and weight. My Rumble combos only weigh 22 lbs. each. I like the volume and tone I can get out of a 100 watt, 112 combo (or essentially a modular 200 watt 212). I have no need for tons of power or speakers any longer, and I want as few lightweight trips as possible. so I just prefer lightweight combos these days.

Most of my tone comes from my Zoom B1X FOUR with heavily modded and saved Presets anyway. I always use this into my Rumbles (or monitors/FOH, other backline amps, etc.). Fits into a small gig bag and fits perfectly on top of my Rumble 100 where I can still access the controls on top...

Very small and light! To show size/scale...

 

[turf3]

It's all in one. I am all about minimizing setup time, setup complexity, and ways for things to go wrong. I have no need for earthshaking volume.

 

[SteveC]

I rarely have need of an amp. Mostly DI/IEM/Silent Stage for me. When I do need an amp, I use a Genzler 350 MG12T-V combo. It's 175 watts into a single 12. Head is held on with a little bracket. About 27 pounds all together and an easy one hand grab. PLENTY loud enough for the gigs I do.
From the Genzler site. The bass gives it a little perspective.

 

[JonathanPDX]

Back in the day it was hard to find a quality combo that could match the tone and features of a good head. Either the speaker sucked or the amplifier stapled onto the top was lacking.

I finally got my hands on a Markbass combo and it was everything I'd ever wanted, in one package, and light enough I can carry it down the stairs even with health issues. The older I get, the more appealing it is to have a simple rig with a simple setup and the minimum amount of things to haul around and weight to carry.

Of course, I make up for the combo simplicity by bringing along a big stupid pedalboard.

 

[pingvuiini]

My GR Bass Aerotech 212 Slim combo is on the large side, but the ultra light weight makes it easy to hand carry everything in one trip (as long as it's not too far). I can set up and tear down in less than a minute and the sound is clean and HUGE.

 

[57pbass]

I have a combo in the rotation. It started with the Peavey TNT and I moved onto the MESA Scout which I used often.
Always had a larger amp available when needed.
It was all about knowing the venue dimensions and PA situation in advance and that would determine what I needed.
I have a Traynor BB115 now and use it occasionally. It’s well made and sounds great.

 

[sonic boogaloo]

in the past, i always had separates, most notably a hiwatt 300 and a 2x15 cab which both weighed a ton and were a pain to lug around. they took up a lot of space at home too. i realise that amps are now much lighter and more compact, but i prefer the sound of a tube amp.

i recently got an AC50 combo and it's so much easier to transport and doesn't take up much space. it's loud too. i never go above 11 o'clock in rehearsals. the all-in-one form factor is more convenient too. i've also added casters so the only lifting involved is getting it in and out of the car.

horses for courses.

 

[M-Mittlesteadt]

I have a combo in the rotation. It started with the Peavey TNT and I moved onto the MESA Scout which I used often.
Always had a larger amp available when needed.
It was all about knowing the venue dimensions and PA situation in advance and that would determine what I needed.
I have a Traynor BB115 now and use it occasionally. It’s well made and sounds great.

I've owned or played through various combos...MarkBass (never did much for me), Peavey in various speaker combos, (but my favorite was the BAM210), GK combos, Hartke, Carvin 210 Redline Series combo, older Rumbles (now owning two newer V3 Rumble 100's), Ampeg, etc.

 

[J Wilson]

Because in the back of my mind, I always see a single Mk Boogie 12" guitar combo sitting on top of a matching single 12, and think 'WHY can't I have that for bass?'. And if you-know-who would think about that, while he's at it, a revisited Redhead format in 2-12" could be a bass Twin Reverb.

I was always so JEALOUS back in the day when I'd have to lug in some monstrosity of a bass rig (2-15's, a folded 18, sheesh . . . ) and get BLOWN AWAY by a guitar player with a 50w single 12 he carried in with one hand. I realize the physics are entirely different, but, hey, we've come a long way . . . . and I will always have this in the back of my mind.

 

[Wasnex]

I have combos and separates.

Justifications for combo (IMHO):
1. All in one integrated solution--less crap to worry about.
2. Not necessarily cheaper, but may represent a better cost VS performance value. Might be cheaper to.

When I was a pro bassist, I typically use small grab N go combos for jazz background music. For louder rigs I used separates. Last touring rig was a 16-sp rolling rack with a 260Wpc power amp, tuner, mixer, rack drawer etc. Speakers were my choice of Eden D210XLT and/or D410XLT. I typically use the 210 and one side of the power amp.

I was a military musician and gear for official gigs was provided. I needed personal gear for civilian gigs. I bought a GK 700RB/112 combo. This is a fairly large and heavy combo amp but it fit in the trunk of my Dodge Neon and it has a telescoping handle and tilts back and rolls like airport luggage. It worked well for downtown gigs where parking might be a considerable distance from the gig site. One trip from the car.

The 700RB was rated 225W with the internal 12" and 380W if I added an 8 ohm extension. I barely got the job done on louder gigs, so when reasonable I started using an extension cab.

I wound up asking my military unit to buy the same 700RB/112 combo for me. I used it mainly as my rehearsal rig and for local jazz combo gigs. Previously I had used much smaller rigs for jazz combo.

 

[M-Mittlesteadt]

Because in the back of my mind, I always see a single Mk Boogie 12" guitar combo sitting on top of a matching single 12, and think 'WHY can't I have that for bass?'. And if you-know-who would think about that, while he's at it, a revisited Redhead format in 2-12" could be a bass Twin Reverb.

I was always so JEALOUS back in the day when I'd have to lug in some monstrosity of a bass rig (2-15's, a folded 18, sheesh . . . ) and get BLOWN AWAY by a guitar player with a 50w single 12 he carried in with one hand. I realize the physics are entirely different, but, hey, we've come a long way . . . . and I will always have this in the back of my mind.

I know exactly what you mean. I'm so grateful to have so many worthwhile choices available to us now.

 

[MonetBass]

Back when I bought my first electric bass, I only needed something solid I could play in my apartment. The local shop had a Fender M-80 in stock, and it sounded good. I had them put on a set of casters. Later I found that handy since I was playing in the basketball spirit band in college, and I could haul it in my car and roll it into the arena easily. I still have it and it sounds great.

 

[Micha84]

I have played separates my entire life. Playing mainly in rock bands, I always felt I needed that speaker size. But man, the last time I switched amps I really wanted to get a combo and I almost bought an Ampeg Rocket Bass. No more bags and cables... But then the store offered me an amazing deal on a ToneHammer 500 and two 1x12" Orange speakers and here I am again.
Thinking about buying a small one for home practice, though.

 

[57pbass]

in the past, i always had separates, most notably a hiwatt 300 and a 2x15 cab which both weighed a ton and were a pain to lug around. they took up a lot of space at home too. i realise that amps are now much lighter and more compact, but i prefer the sound of a tube amp.

i recently got an AC50 combo and it's so much easier to transport and doesn't take up much space. it's loud too. i never go above 11 o'clock in rehearsals. the all-in-one form factor is more convenient too. i've also added casters so the only lifting involved is getting it in and out of the car.

horses for courses.

View attachment 7356240

I’m intrigued by this combo. Nice features and a 15” speaker.

 

[Mastermold]

I have two combos, use both for small gigs and rehearsals. I have bigger rigs for when I need them. Different tools for different jobs.

 

[Peteyboy]

I've always hauled around separate components, but about a month ago I got a really good deal on an ampeg ba-210 v2. Simplicity of the haul & setup. Sounds like an Ampeg should. Angles back if I'm on a tight stage. 48 lbs is not considered light around here anymore, but to me it comparatively is. I don't love the Scrambler or the DI out but I can just send from my preamp pedal if I need to. Main thing I dislike about the GKs & Rumbles is the panel located on the roof. Tilt that back and you can't see/reach knobs or ports.

I'm at work so no photo - but you guys know what that amp looks like.

 

[fdeck]

I'd gig a combo, but I like my DIY speaker. So I've got my amp semi-permanently strapped to the speaker, with a handle going over the top of both.

The convenience is pretty minor in the grand scheme of things, but on the other hand, I don't have much of a use for separate components either. Especially for rehearsals or pick-up gigs, I can go out the door with just two things -- bass and amp, and a tablet in the pocket of my gig bag. Three things. And I don't have to grovel on the floor assembling everything together. But really, it's a first world problem, which is why I haven't tried anything like turning my speaker into a head case.

 

[CascadeBass]

It did not occur to me until I saw this thread, but I have only owned one combo, way back when-- a Carvin ProBass. Don't recall the model.

Kinda weird when I think about it. My first rig was a huge Peavey Mark IV head with an 18" Black Widow cab, and other than the Carvin combo, I've always bought heads and cabs.

I do want a combo for ultimate portability and simplicity. I really like the looks of the Markbass Minimark 802 N 300. A lot. Otherwise maybe a Traynor SB112. I have always been curious of the PJB combos too but I'm afraid the Double Four and Bass Cub Pro would not deliver enough in a band setting.

For now it's separates for me, until I do this:

 

[bassbrad]

I appreciate the simplicity of using a combo amp but generally will go head and cab to better get the right mix for the given situation. After owning a bunch of Peavey, Fender, Randall combos I did find my dream combo a Polytone MiniBrute III, 100 watts into a sealed 15, perfect for a lot of gigs. It is a veteran of hundreds of gigs in jazz and unplugged bands as well as situations where the house preferred to mic over going direct. Since Polly is getting old and is difficult to repair she only gets used on special occasions. Instead I use a TC BAM200 + 1x15 or an Alto TX310 depending.

 

[ProbablyTooLoud]

My 500 watt GKMB212 is light and loud and gives me every sound I need. It’s a low-key unassuming assassin. It's currently at a practice space but here's 700 watts of extension cab in my laundry room.