A Friendly Bass Combo Discussion

Riss

Riss

Mar 9, 2019
19
2
4,606
Europe
#1
Hey Hello,

I am currently looking for my first bass combo for practising, recording and smaller gigs. The price is also some factor, but I tend to pay the price if the product is really worth it. I have done some research, as well as testing, and my opinions are quite clear.

From the top, I liked the most the Hartke sound. Either it is the Kickback 12/15 or HD150. My problem here is that I don't really understand the purpose for Kickback Series since they have no outputs and really plain overall and still have the 500W. Would like to hear if, in your opinion, there is any reason to choose it over HD Series, apart from the weight.

The other choice (so far), would be EBS Classic Session 120 MK2. I really like the sound of that. I can't see much people playing on those though... Anyone got some experiences?

One more honourable mention is TC Electronic BG250 with 12" speaker. It's got great features and looks solid sounding but it is so hard to find. They apparently stopped producing it. Ideas?

My short opinions on the other competitors are:
Ampeg BA-112/115 V2 - they are good quality but I think not for my style of sound;
Warwick BC150 - quite nice and modern sounding, you get all the clarity you need but the sound is somewhat skinny; doesn't really sound like bass combo
Fender Rumble 100/200 - no clarity at all, it is too boomy; out of the question

I would love to hear anything about any bass combo that I mentioned. You can prove me wrong without any hesitation. I am open to all opinions.

Also, I heard a lot of good things about the Trace Elliot stuff but I cannot find much about the newest options.

The bass is 2016 Fender MIJ Jazz used for funk, slap and jazz.
 
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#2
I do not favour the TC at all. It sounds dark to me and the TC power ratings are artificially inflated. The Hartke cannot make even close to full use of its' 500 watts with only its' internal speaker, but that doesn't matter much. Of the choices you listed, I favour the EBS or the Hartke. Either should be fine for the purposes you describe. The Hartke 15 will easily fill a fairly large room, but will not offer as easy a "grab 'n' go" portability......depends on your specific wants. That said, if you get a 112 combo, you will very likely eventually want something with more volume capability. For this reason I always prefer a separate head and cabs......which offer scalability.....take a small cab when it's enough....add a 2nd cab when needed. Also, when something breaks, only the broken piece is out of action. With a combo, if there's a problem with the amp, you're also without a speaker, and vice- versa.
 
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#3
lomo said:
I do not favour the TC at all. It sounds dark to me and the TC power ratings are artificially inflated. The Hartke cannot make even close to full use of its' 500 watts with only its' internal speaker, but that doesn't matter much. Of the choices you listed, I favour the EBS or the Hartke. Either should be fine for the purposes you describe. The Hartke 15 will easily fill a fairly large room, but will not offer as easy a "grab 'n' go" portability......depends on your specific wants. That said, if you get a 112 combo, you will very likely eventually want something with more volume capability. For this reason I always prefer a separate head and cabs......which offer scalability.....take a small cab when it's enough....add a 2nd cab when needed. Also, when something breaks, only the broken piece is out of action. With a combo, if there's a problem with the amp, you're also without a speaker, and vice- versa.
Click to expand...

You made some very good points. Thanks!
One thing that I started considering was the Trace Elliot ELF Basshead in combination with some budget cabinet. Maybe this is the best option...
 
#4
Riss said:
You made some very good points. Thanks!
One thing that I started considering was the Trace Elliot ELF Basshead in combination with some budget cabinet. Maybe this is the best option...
Click to expand...

There's really no "best" in the absolute sense....depends on your needs. If you are not tight for $$, then having a small grab and go combo is always great, assuming you'll keep and still use it even after you get something larger. If money or space are significant concerns, then the modular approach is more flexible and cheaper in the long run. If I was starting over, I'd get a head and 112 cab. Depending on where you are, used bass gear is plentiful.......the TB classifieds are a good starting point and offer a lot of great deals. Good luck and happy thumping :-)
 
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#6
EBS Classic Session 120 - no direct experience, but a fellow basist had and said it's best sounding combo he ever had. Unfortunately, he sold it because it couldn't cover his live small cafe gigs - not loud enough. He said only 12" combo loud enough he could gig was GK MB112.
Ampeg BA-115 - played it once, sounded very nice, but was barely loud as a monitor for a 8-piece soul band. I wasn't pushing it hard, but headroom seemed low to me. It was also heavier than I would like, and cumbersome (kickback version).
TC BG250 12" - wasn't impressed by it, had it for a short time and sold it. I found it very headroom lacking, if I set gain properly, at master volume 6 the sound quality degraded and if I dig in - amp cut out for a few seconds.I think master volume numbers are misleading, and anything over 5, the amp is working hard.
Riss said:
The bass is 2016 Fender MIJ Jazz used for funk, slap and jazz.
Click to expand...
I play Fender AVRI 75 Jazz and mostly funk and soul, and am very happy with GK MB115 MK1 combo, got it used and had it for 6 years. Has lots of headroom and is loud enough for me, sounds and looks good, lightweight, reliable.
 
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#7
basscooker said:
When using separates, be careful not to fall into the "cheap cab" trap. If anything you want a cheap amp. A crap cab will never sound good, even with a great amp. A crap amp can be pretty workable through a good cab.
Click to expand...
Here shows my newbieness haha
I didn't know that but if the sound quality is more important when recording (by DI out) and not gigging, then I guess I would choose a better amp. Does that make sense?
 
#8
True, but if recording takes precedent over rehearsal and gigs, why not get a good preamp, channel strip or DI? Sure good amps have DI outs, but few are as good as a dedicated purpose built device. Heck, the little $50 tube microphone preamps sound better than a lot of the amp DI outs I've tried.

Edit to clarify:
I don't DI all that much, but about a year ago I tried all of my amps' DI outs before falling in love with the vocalist's little Art thingie. And they are really inexpensive.
 
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#10
When too boomy, delete some lows. Increase mids till sweet spot. I believe all those amps can be made to sound good. BTW, my favorite is Traynor small block series. Very refined.

sb112.jpg
 
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#11
I had the TC and hated it. Horrible tone. Lightweight
I have a Rumble 100 and find it boxy although recently discovered that it is really sensitive to the room and isn't always boomy. Very lightweight
Just borrowed the Ampeg BA112. It sounds like an Ampeg which is something I like. Not a ton of output but enough for a quiet band. Medium heavy.
Just bought an ancient Peavey 1x15 combo for $50. This one has a fully parametric mid control. Very good tone and the loudest of the bunch. Ridiculously heavy.
I used the Hartke 1x12 for years at a rehearsal space. Decent tone but the slop control is super sensitive. I find one spot that was great but way too touchy. Never really moved it but remember it as heavy.

Never would have guessed I would have liked the Peavey so much.
 
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#12
Jim C said:
I had the TC and hated it. Horrible tone. Lightweight
I have a Rumble 100 and find it boxy although recently discovered that it is really sensitive to the room and isn't always boomy. Very lightweight
Just borrowed the Ampeg BA112. It sounds like an Ampeg which is something I like. Not a ton of output but enough for a quiet band. Medium heavy.
Just bought an ancient Peavey 1x15 combo for $50. This one has a fully parametric mid control. Very good tone and the loudest of the bunch. Ridiculously heavy.
I used the Hartke 1x12 for years at a rehearsal space. Decent tone but the slop control is super sensitive. I find one spot that was great but way too touchy. Never really moved it but remember it as heavy.

Never would have guessed I would have liked the Peavey so much.
Click to expand...
Good info!
You're right about the Rumble but I find not really versatile - you can't really correct it if it sounds boomy in the venue...
I guess the Peavey was quite random haha
 
#13
Riss said:
Good info!
You're right about the Rumble but I find not really versatile - you can't really correct it if it sounds boomy in the venue...
I guess the Peavey was quite random haha
Click to expand...

I used a Boss graphic EQ pedal and it helped but the Ampeg and Peavey sounded better.
I bought the Peavey to help out a guy that needed cash badly and I know the local used place would give me $50 for it. I've used these on gigs many years ago but was surprised how clean and clear it was (this one has the BW option).
 
#15
RattleSnack said:
EBS Classic Session 120 - no direct experience, but a fellow basist had and said it's best sounding combo he ever had. Unfortunately, he sold it because it couldn't cover his live small cafe gigs - not loud enough. He said only 12" combo loud enough he could gig was GK MB112.
Ampeg BA-115 - played it once, sounded very nice, but was barely loud as a monitor for a 8-piece soul band. I wasn't pushing it hard, but headroom seemed low to me. It was also heavier than I would like, and cumbersome (kickback version).
TC BG250 12" - wasn't impressed by it, had it for a short time and sold it. I found it very headroom lacking, if I set gain properly, at master volume 6 the sound quality degraded and if I dig in - amp cut out for a few seconds.I think master volume numbers are misleading, and anything over 5, the amp is working hard.

I play Fender AVRI 75 Jazz and mostly funk and soul, and am very happy with GK MB115 MK1 combo, got it used and had it for 6 years. Has lots of headroom and is loud enough for me, sounds and looks good, lightweight, reliable.
Click to expand...
Interesting stuff!
I am not quite familiar with GK... I will look it up.
 
#19
I forgot to mention, I have to play at home one of the smallest of the HD line, Hd25.
I'm saving to get the big brother the hd508.
Jamming with drums (fairly loud) and a guitarist with my Hd25 if it's placed on a chair it's holds the volume fine!
 
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#20
I've tried all kinds of combos, some already mentioned, some not. One thing I noticed was that, the heavier the combo, the better it sounded. Not very scientific, but there ya go. My favorite of all time was the Roland DB750; 15" driver, built in compressor, versatile EQ, 275 watts. Used it with PA support in a large wedding/party band for years, but it was way heavy. Eventually I got away from combos and went with separates. Much easier schlepp, variety of mix and match, take what you need for the gig, add on when you want.
 
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