Advice for small combo

[bluesdoc]

The bass player in one of my bands is a small woman (about 5-2, <100#) who plays an old acoustic amp head and has a huge 15" cab that she cannot lift and doesn't sound very good. She's in the market for a smaller combo that doesn't weigh a ton. Probably ~100W, 12" speaker, decent tones without the need to blow the curtains at a gig. Mostly it'd be used in a small practice space and if gigged, will be mic'd or if there's an xlr out, that can be used. She'd like to keep it in the $500 range. Anyone got any good suggestions? Thanks.

I should add that it'd be nice if she could get it from MF, just so returning it, if it's not right for her, would be easy.

jon

[DSmith]

I really like the Eden Nemesis Silver Series. It's inexpensive and represents the Eden tone well (I've owned the expensive Eden stuff at one point). I have the 10" version and play a 5 string Lakland electric bass at home and church (live drums behind plexiglass), and it's enough for me....

[fakeox]

Whatever you get put neo speakers in it. She'll thank you.

[dillonfiore]

Eden has some good stuff. Ashdown also has some pretty good stuff that is cheap and very lightweight. They make a good 2x10 combo.

[Zuper]

I really like the Eden Nemesis Silver Series. It's inexpensive and represents the Eden tone well (I've owned the expensive Eden stuff at one point). I have the 10" version and play a 5 string Lakland electric bass at home and church (live drums behind plexiglass), and it's enough for me....

+1 on that.

The newer Fender Bassman stuff is also surprisingly good at the pricepoint. My 250/115 is just about the perfect bass combo for me, but would probably be a bit heavy for her to move alone. Neo speakers would certainly help, if she can afford them.

[jackevorkian]

Mesa Boogie Walkabout. It's very small and sounds fantastic.

[jyee]

eden makes really nice stuff, especially their 2x8 (yeah, that's right 2 x 8"!).
The phil jones briefcase is a good portable solution, but fairly pricey. warwick makes a nice 1x12 (the "blue" something... can't remember the name)

personally i've got a yorkville xb series combo that sounds great, but i don't think they make them anymore. they didn't seem to make a whole lot, so if you find one used somewhere, it's worth getting.

[tedzepplin]

Probably too expensive. The small speakers surprisingly sound big.
Phil Jones bass amps
http://www.philjonesbass.com/Products%20page.htm

[mainsale]

I've been exceedingly pleased with my Ampeg B-100R. It's got "old School" tone, very similar to an old tube B-15-N, retro looks and mine has been bomb proof. They can be found used and in excellent condition for under $400. They are certainly worth a look as they are an outstanding value.

:BluesBros

[Brion]

I just picked up an Ashdown Electric Blue Combo. 180 Watts, 5 band EQ, Input and Master volumes with an input analog lighted meter, 15" speaker (available in 12") A bright and deep selector, D.I., Tuner out and another switch that adds some cool overtones when engaged. All for $349. It's less than 50 lbs sounds good and cheap. I can't speak to the reliability of it as I just got it, but I'm digging it.

[bluesdoc]

Great suggestions, guys. Much appreciated. I just had another thought... uh oh...... how about using a Powerblock into a bass cab?? Why not?? mmmm Are bass amps, the amp itself, inherently different than guitar amps? SS in particular??

jon

[tedzepplin]

how about using a Powerblock into a bass cab?? Why not?? mmmm Are bass amps, the amp itself, inherently different than guitar amps? SS in particular??

jon

I'll try it tonight and let you know. I expect it may not have enough clean volume. it seems that solid state watts aren't always as loud as the same amount of tube watts.

My bassist has an old ampeg V4b - 100 watts and it's plenty loud. but it's a huge, heavy head.

I'll let you know how the powerblock sounds with bass.

[limester816]

I totally dig my Hartke Kickback, I have the 10" model, which I like for its size and punchyness, but they come in different sizes. It's 120 watts and its loud. Also, it has an xlr out that sounds awesome. Amp works great with double basses as well.

[kipknee]

I'm currently playing an SWR Baby Blue 2x8 and a RedHead 2x10 combo. I've heard that SWR quality has gone down in recent years, but not these two amps. They're workhorses that just keep going and going.

I've never played the Eden combos. However, for a long time, my main rig was an Eden Highwayman and a pair of 210XLT cabinets. That rig sounded fantastic, but weight became an issue and it had to go. I can only assume that the smaller Eden gear sounds just as good.

[tedzepplin]

Well, I was surprised. The crate powerblock sounded o.k. with bass :AOK It might actually have enough watts for what you described. Compared to a great tube amp it won't sound as great, but it sure is small. Your bass player could try the powerblock out with different speakers and cabs and maybe will find a combination that works well together.

[Baconator]

Traynor bass combos are relatively cheap and sound ok - they might fit the bill.

[DallasD]

The newer Fender Bassman stuff is also surprisingly good at the pricepoint.

+1. I went searching for a mid to low price combo a few years ago and the Bassman 60 beat everything I tried.

[jokerjkny]

how much would she like to spend?

higher end, she could get an epifani UL series cab. i have a pair of ul112 1x12 cabs, they weigh 30 lbs. each. add in a 800 watt Acoustic Image Focus amp, which weighs 8 lbs., and you'll be spending up to $2k for that rig.

lower scale, you could try an Avatar speaker cab. get the one loaded w/ "neodymium" speakers. they're very light weight, compared other cabs in their class and yet a larger 2x12 cab hovers around $275.

head wise, there are many strides for cheap affordable lightweight heads that have at least 300 watts @ 8 ohms, yet weigh in the teens. mark bass which can be found readily in your local GC has a nice amp in this ballpark.

www.epifani.com
www.acousticimg.com
www.avatarspeakers.com
www.markbass.it

[michael30]

I've been using a Hartke Kickback (12" version) combo for rehearsals and smaller gigs. Sounds great, is very portable and doesn't cost very much.

[Zim]

Hartke combos rock! I keep a Pwerblock as a backup for my bass rig (never needed it) Not as clean as my head, but I could get by. I also use/have a DI box too.
I had a little kick back Fender Bassman amp for practice and small gigs. It was 15watts w/ a 10" speaker, wieghed nothing, and was loud as hell. I ended selling to a good friend of mine who owns a music store, and he uses it for lessions to teach bass or to play along with the drum students. He uses it on gigs too. I had picked it up out of a pawn shop for around a $100 i think, maybe less. It was a smoking amp and they make some w/ more wattage too.

[GuitarsFromMars]

The powerblock might do well with the lowest priced 2x10 Hartke Transporter.Small enough,as well.

[jeak]

The phil jones briefcase is a good portable solution, but fairly pricey.
The Phil Jones Bass Briefcase is awesome! I used to own one. I disagree that it's expensive. It is an audiophile-quality solid-state amp. Not many features, but it's all pure sound reproduction.

By itself, it won't cut it in a band, but it has a balanced direct out for PA use. A small child could carry one. It even has space underneath for a battery in case you want to play a gig in the woods or on the beach. Volumewise, it will do coffee shops with an acoustic ensemble. It won't keep up with a drum kit. The two 5" speakers look like a joke, but they really do make some sound.

There's also the Suitcase model, which is like two Briefcases in one cabinet. It's more than twice the price and weight, so it's not as handy as the Briefcase.

The BC is $600 new. I've seem them used in the $450 range. You might also look at the Acoustic Image combos.

P.S. Last I heard, Phil Jones gives you a week trial period. If you don't like the amp, send it back.

[6stringer]

I am not a bass player, but have done some research on the subject for bandmates. It has been suggested that you need about 300+ watts in a bass to effectively push the bass speakers. As far as speakers are concerned, I think the majority of bass players feel 10 inch speakers are the norm. There are several combos out there as well as great head/cab configurations. A lot of pro bass players stay away from 15 inch speakers.

[jeak]

I am not a bass player, but have done some research on the subject for bandmates. It has been suggested that you need about 300+ watts in a bass to effectively push the bass speakers. As far as speakers are concerned, I think the majority of bass players feel 10 inch speakers are the norm. There are several combos out there as well as great head/cab configurations. A lot of pro bass players stay away from 15 inch speakers.
I do play bass (on the Stick), and I love 15s. I use a 15 and a 10. Sure, 10s are popular for their punch, but there's no reason to avoid 15s (or any other speaker) if you like the sound. I don't think there's any more of a "norm" for bass than there is for guitar. All subjective.

Also, Jon's original post was about a small combo for practice and some onstage use with a mic/DI. You don't need 300 watts for this. If you do, you might as well get out of combo territory and go with head and cab. Acoustic Image does make some tiny, lightweight combos with lots of power, but they do not sound as big as their wattage. You need speakers for that.

[bluesdoc]

Well, I shared this thread with her and she decided to go for the Fender Bassman 100W/10" combo. I think it'll be plenty for her and with an xlr out, she can access the PA if/when needed. We shall see......

jon

[Gordon_Gecko]

My 1st bass amp was a Tech 21 Landmark. For a 60watt combo amp it is fantastically versitile.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Tech-21-Landmark-60-1x12-60W-Bass-Combo?sku=480221

[6stringer]

I do play bass (on the Stick), and I love 15s. I use a 15 and a 10. Sure, 10s are popular for their punch, but there's no reason to avoid 15s (or any other speaker) if you like the sound. I don't think there's any more of a "norm" for bass than there is for guitar. All subjective.

Also, Jon's original post was about a small combo for practice and some onstage use with a mic/DI. You don't need 300 watts for this. If you do, you might as well get out of combo territory and go with head and cab. Acoustic Image does make some tiny, lightweight combos with lots of power, but they do not sound as big as their wattage. You need speakers for that.

In reference to your comment regarding a NORM....I am not putting guitars and basses in the same category. AND I am not looking at the BASS issue from just a guitar player's perspective. I have done quite a bit of research on the bass and bass amps.

For a small combo - I agree, you might not need 300W for a small combo, I guess I should have clarified this point and directed my comments to the original post. From what I gather from another post in this thread, the person purchased a 100W combo w/ a 10. I hope this person gets many great years of use from their purchase.

However -- I am not a fan of small bass combos pushing a 15 inch speaker. IME a 100 watt combo does not do a great job pushing a 15. It might have sounded ok thru a DI or MIC, but stand alone this configuration leaves something to be desired. I agree that sound/tone is subjective, so this is just my opinion on this matter. As you know many factors go into how and why certain amps sound better than others. Quality design, construction, components, speakers, etc.... 15s would not be my first choice in a bass combo or cab, but if it works for you and you are happy, who am I to argue........

[Fenderosa]

I have an Ampeg BA-110 which is amazing. They don't make it any more, but Ampeg also has a BA-112 (50 watts) which is similar.

[Geetarpicker]

I think the Gallien-Krueger MB150 series amps are one of the compact standards of all time for bass. They make two models with different EQ setups. Many pros use them to monitor uprights, and with an electric you can probably cover a lower volume rock gig. They are very light at 26 lbs, and just big enough to house the 1x12 speaker. I added a tweeter to mine just behind the grill and put the crossover inside. That helped with the clarity with my Rob Allen fretless, but for most uses you probably won't need a tweeter. It has a built in DI out, and extension speaker jacks. Not cheap, but they have been out long enough that you can probably find an old used one for way less than new.

http://www.gallien-krueger.com/products_mb_co_150s.html

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[Mikebass]

I've been using a Hartke Kickback (12" version) combo for rehearsals and smaller gigs. Sounds great, is very portable and doesn't cost very much.

The baddest little combo I've played through.

I was stunned how good the thing sounded.
I actually "re-discovered" Hartke as of late, but I loved that little amp FAR before any of the re-discovery.

And I've owned some of the best of the best in light weight, small amps & cabs- Epifani UL112's with Acoustic Image Focus for example, and I was always stunned how well that little Hartke sounded and how freakin' loud it can get.

I live within walking distance of Low Down Sound (www.lowdownsound.com) an all bass store here in the Detroit area, and we put together little "shootouts" all the time.
We did a small combo shoot out before with combo's from full Eden and their Nemesis line, Ashdown, Genz Benz, Hartke, Crate and something els that escapes me at the moment.

The "acid" test was a five string, plugged in (either one of the shops Laklands or at the time, my Sadowsky 5) with the amp set flat.
We then just played plucked and slapped open "B"'s while turning up the amp to see which would loose it.
Overall volume went to the Hartke everytime by a prett good margin. And overall tone was the Nemesis and again, Hartke.

Here's the weird thing though, kick it back and it just looses everything that makes it cool.
Volume is the same, but the tone get sucked out FAST.
It can handle a B string fine still, but it looses it's fullness.
So we just didn't kick it back and it rocked!

I would go Hartke Kickback 12.

[]-[ @ n $ 0 |v| a T ! ©]

The Phil Jones Bass Briefcase is awesome!
+1 -- I was a skeptic till I played one. I demand saturated tube tone with full punchy lows and the Phil Jones blew me away. My only beef was that when I cranked the preamp gain, it got brittle - so as long as you don't need an edgy tube overdrive, it was fantastic. The best part? It is teeny-tiny.

[mgarrison99]

I watched a guy play one of these (and go through a direct box at the same time), and it sounded great. They have smaller/cheaper models if this is pushing the limit on price.
http://www.zzounds.com/item--HTKKB15

[bluesdoc]

Thanks, but she picked up a small fender about 5 months ago and is very happy with it.

jon

[BluesHarp]

I have one of these 1/12 hartke kickbacks. Is there a good speaker upgrade for it, or is the metal speaker that comes in it the best?

The baddest little combo I've played through.

I was stunned how good the thing sounded.
I actually "re-discovered" Hartke as of late, but I loved that little amp FAR before any of the re-discovery.

And I've owned some of the best of the best in light weight, small amps & cabs- Epifani UL112's with Acoustic Image Focus for example, and I was always stunned how well that little Hartke sounded and how freakin' loud it can get.

I live within walking distance of Low Down Sound (www.lowdownsound.com (http://www.lowdownsound.com)) an all bass store here in the Detroit area, and we put together little "shootouts" all the time.
We did a small combo shoot out before with combo's from full Eden and their Nemesis line, Ashdown, Genz Benz, Hartke, Crate and something els that escapes me at the moment.

The "acid" test was a five string, plugged in (either one of the shops Laklands or at the time, my Sadowsky 5) with the amp set flat.
We then just played plucked and slapped open "B"'s while turning up the amp to see which would loose it.
Overall volume went to the Hartke everytime by a prett good margin. And overall tone was the Nemesis and again, Hartke.

Here's the weird thing though, kick it back and it just looses everything that makes it cool.
Volume is the same, but the tone get sucked out FAST.
It can handle a B string fine still, but it looses it's fullness.
So we just didn't kick it back and it rocked!

I would go Hartke Kickback 12.