Why Combos?

[rpsands]

One less thing to plug in. Meh.

 

[SteveC]

It's far more than one less thing to plug in...at least for me.

 

[rpsands]

One fewer thing to plug in and one fewer thing to carry too

 

[MRDOOM]

Not everyone requires the use of or can afford a rig with separate amplifier and cabinet.

 

[1n3]

In a word, convenience.

 

[was3funk]

I gotta say, I don't think it's worth it.

I carry around a Bergantino HT112ER & Markbass F500 in a soft case and it just kills for most smaller gigs & rehearsals. Small enough to carry easily with a big sound and flexibility to run another cabinet or different head if I want.

I'd rather plug in one extra cable (speakon) and have tone plus options.

 

[NKUSigEp]

I'm not talking about your 30 watt bedroom amps but those 100+ watters. What is the point? Benefit? Their certainly not lighter than an amp and separate cab, you lose the flexibility of using different cabs. Probably more cumbersome to move.


Enlighten me TB.

Certainly not lighter? Depends on what all you're comparing. When you've got a 300 watt combo packing a 1x12 or 1x15 that's still under 50 or 60 pounds and covers whatever you need it to do...that's what combos are for.

 

[DanNowhere]

Here's a good question: what is easier to resell? Are combos desirable enough to be resold rather easily?

 

[pgolliher]

My GK MB210 combo is cheaper than the MB500 head and MBE210 combo cabinet. And its light. And its easy to setup. And it takes up less space.

Combo's arent for everyone. But the notion that combos arent lighter than an amp and seperate cab isnt true.

My MB210 is lighter than probably 95% of the rigs on the market. And its 350 watts.

It also depends where you play. Im in a cover band in DC playing with a 5 piece group. Stage area is at a premium and most places are small. 350 watts is more than enough for my stage volume and for the bigger places, I do DI into the PA for support. Plus I can carry my entire rig in one trip..... AND still have a free hand to open doors!

MB210 in one hand. Bass, cables, and pedalboard on back, and a free hand to open any door on the way.

Combo's arent for everyone, but your notions are a little off base.

+1. Hmm Yeah, what he said.

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

I've owned two combos - an old Acoustic 1x15" thing and an SWR Redhead. I found both useful for practice at home and SMALL gigs... but useless for anything else.

 

[hover]

I've owned two combos - an old Acoustic 1x15" thing and an SWR Redhead. I found both useful for practice at home and SMALL gigs... but useless for anything else.

you found a 350 watt redhead combo useless for anything but SMALL gigs? I've played to pretty big places with that and didn't even have it dimed. Was your drummer going through a Marshall stack?

 

[fdeck]

I think that micro heads and lightweight speakers make the advantages of a combo less compelling, but I still prefer a combo, all things being equal. Sure, it's just convenience, and fewer things to misplace or forget. Big deal? No. I'm playing separates right now because I couldn't find a satisfactory small combo with both a switchmode amp and lightweight speaker. That was a few years ago. Things have probably changed.

In reality, it's just about having choices. If there were nothing but separate amps and speakers in the world, somebody would have to invent a combo amp, and vice versa.

 

[fourfinger]

My Mesa M-Pulse Venture 600 2x10 is not about convenience.

It weighs over 100 lbs. I chose it solely because I loved the way it sounded.

After buying it, I found there was more to like than just sound:

It rides rugged. It is sturdy and all in one box, nothing to worry about when it is loaded.

It sets up and tears down extremely fast.

It has more than enough power for most rooms.

To me, lightweight gear seems like the methadone of tone.

 

[mcapote]

I'm not talking about your 30 watt bedroom amps but those 100+ watters. What is the point? Benefit? Their certainly not lighter than an amp and separate cab, you lose the flexibility of using different cabs. Probably more cumbersome to move.


Enlighten me TB.

well lets see my MB210 weighs 33lbs, fits in the trunk of my civic, and is 350 watts as is, loud enough to use as a monitor in a bar situation, seems to me the advantages speak for themselves ohh and I got it for a like $500 plus if i need more I put an extension cab and go to 500 watts. My question is why dont you use one?

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

you found a 350 watt redhead combo useless for anything but SMALL gigs? I've played to pretty big places with that and didn't even have it dimed. Was your drummer going through a Marshall stack?

I'm telling ya - it was too quiet. Nice tone, nice little amp - but even with an extension cab it just didn't keep up... Of course, that WAS a loud band back then... For small / coffee house type gigs it would have been perfect... but I rather blamed the SWR cab design on the lack of output - - my epi 2x10s seem *much* louder. But it *has* been a long time...

 

[iabssplyr]

Or do like I did and add the GK MBE 210 to my MB 210 combo and have the 500 watt stack available for larger stages, but still have the flexibility to use just the combo for smaller gigs and practice. Together they're only 60 lbs and both fit in the family wagon. Sound great too!

 

[puremusic]

I had ampeg 410he 410hlf powered by an B2r , Hartke 410 Xl with the 3500 head, SWR Silverado 2x12 custom combo along with a triad. They all had great tone and HEAVY WEIGHT in common which is why I let them all go after I bought my little GK 210MB along with my 115MBE 500watts total. I will buy separates again but it must be light weight and have good tone, maybe a GK 700rbII along with a 410neo cab.

 

[bassbully]

Some people really need some reading comprehension lessons. I am not asking why use a small rig vs. a monster stack. My question was why a 200 watt 210 combo instead of a 200 watt head and separate 210 cab.

Ummmmm..thought we already said it? Combo's are easy, 1 piece, no patch cables, take up less room, 1 trip , kick back...dig?

 

[puremusic]

Ummmmm..thought we already said it? Combo's are easy 1 piece,no patch cables,take up less room, 1 trip ,kick back...dig?

Ditto

 

[bassbully]

I believe combos are slowly becoming a thing of the past.

Where are you from? I find it 100% the opposite of your statement.