I need a new amp

[ckdhaven]

I play in a small band but we play some pretty big shows sometimes. We are really good at keeping stage volume down but the Ampeg BA115 I have just doesn't have the "punch" I am looking for... It gets lost and "muddy."

I was looking at the Ampeg SVT-7PRO with a 4-10 cabinet...
Or possibly a Markbass of somekind.

I would like to stay fairly compact..

Suggestions?

[Claytone]

Look at Aguilar. I just picked up a Tone Hammer 500 head (weights 4 lbs.) and an SL112 speaker cab (1x12") and it sounds fantastic. Plenty of headroom at 500 watts and if you want to double the size add a second speaker cab. Easier to lug around than a 4x10" or 2x12". Aguilar makes great looking and sounding gear.

[JohnSS]

Originally Posted by Claytone

Look at Aguilar. I just picked up a Tone Hammer 500 head (weights 4 lbs.) and an SL112 speaker cab (1x12") and it sounds fantastic. Plenty of headroom at 500 watts and if you want to double the size add a second speaker cab. Easier to lug around than a 4x10" or 2x12". Aguilar makes great looking and sounding gear.

+1 on Aguilar but they are on the pricey side. Peavey stuff is very reasonably priced, built very solidly, and great sound, but on the heavy side. GK has a tiny 200 W head that weighs about 4 lbs, which sounds great with a 4x10" cab that runs for under $400.

[Rick N Boogie]

Anything you buy that ends up having more speakers than the 1 15 you use currently will be a big step up. Try before you buy, but otherwise, just use your ears.

[iualum]

It isn't necessarily about the number of speakers. It's more about speaker voice coil overhang(Xmax), displacement(Vd), & sensitivity(dB SPL).

ckdhaven, are you talking new or used gear? What's your ballpark budget?

[harpinon]

That SVT would do the trick for sure. One think I know is that you need to start at 300 watts.
Anything below that, youll have to push it at its limit too often.
My band has a GK 200 watt amp in our rehersal area and it just blew up last Tuesday. I had to run it at full tilt and it just could not keep up.

[ckdhaven]

I would like to keep it around $1K..

What about the Ampeg PF-500 and 2-10 cabinet?

It seems there is a "gaping hole" in products and price from combo to some sort of small stack...

[Mark 63]

Since Genz Benz upgraded its Shuttle series (6.2 and 9.2) closeout pricing can be found on the first generation. That should leave you room for a good 2x12 speaker.

[Endr_rpm]

Originally Posted by ckdhaven

It seems there is a "gaping hole" in products and price from combo to some sort of small stack...

You are correct. Once upon a time it was almost impossible to get giggable power AND enough speakers into one box without it being stoopid heavy. Now I can sling a Markbass LM2 and Avatar Neo 2x10 in one hand at ~40 pounds and gig just about anything short of a metal band. And have

Originally Posted by ckdhaven

I would like to keep it around $1K..

What about the Ampeg PF-500 and 2-10 cabinet?

I prefer a 1x15 these days, but that rig would work. The new GK MB series are also quite good, and super light weight. I tend to prefer head/cab set ups as you can experiment more, bring only what you need to gigs, rehearsals, etc. I have a neo 210, neo 1x15, conventional 2x15, and a conventional 4x10 on order, with the Markbass mentioned above and another all tube jobby (also on order). In general, more speakers will get you more volume with the same power, to a point, but you still need some horsepower to keep the low end tight at volume.