The Latest, Lightest Bass Combos

[Greg Scheer]

I play regular jazz gigs on my upright as well as big band/pop/worship on my Fender Precision. I long ago gave up lugging massive bass rigs to gigs, opting instead for small combos that can hold their own in a jazz trio or acoustic coffee shop. If it's a bigger venue, my combo becomes my monitor and I give the house a line out from a Fishman Platinum (string bass) or Tech 21 (electric).

For the last few years, I've been using a Line6 LowDown Studio 110. It has worked surprisingly well for a $150 amp. 70 watts of power through a 10" speaker is enough for much of what I do, and 24lbs is reasonable to carry in one hand. But on some gigs, the LowDown just can't produce the volume I need. And the sound isn't topnotch: It lacks the clarity I need for the upright, doesn't give much body on the low end, and often sounds boxy.

All that to say that I'm on the prowl for a better combo amp. I want at least 100W, under 25lbs, and less than $500. Here's my shortlist:

Ibanez P3110 Promethean Bass Combo
300W, 10", 23lbs, $450 new
This seems like a winner. It's light, yet has enough power to run a bigger cab if I want to expand it down the road. My main question is whether this will let my upright sing, or if it's just a lot of power without any clarity.

Trace Elliot ELF 1x8 // 1x10
200W // 200W, 8" // 10", 17lbs // 18lbs, both $600 new
The ELF looks scrumptious. 17lbs?! But I don't know anything about the Trace Elliot sound.

GK MB110
100W, 10", 21lbs, $500 new
GK has a good reputation and there seem to be lots of used options. Once again, I don't know the GK sound. I tend to go for a Jaco sound on my electric, with a round mid-range punch. I don't primarily need heavy metal lows or pop/slap highs.

Phil Jones Bass Session 77 Bass Combo Amp
100W, 2x7", 28lbs, $370-450 used
If I had all the money in the world, I'd probably get a high-end PJ and be done with it. The Session 77 seems to be a good balance of power, weight, and cost.

Does anyone have any insight into any of these options? Anything you love or hate? Any combos that you would add to the shortlist? I'm driving myself crazy and not getting any work done because I'm spending all my time researching light bass combos. I'm hoping that submitting my search to the collective wisdom of talkbass will ease my burden. Thank you for your help!

 

[AGCurry]

You might consider the Traynor SB112. 200 watts, 1-12", 25 lbs., $500, great for URB and BG.

 

[OldSchoolFlats]

The speakers on those amps all seem pretty small. I have never been more than a "bass hobbiest" off/on since the early '70s, but pretty much always used 15" speakers. Now I have a 12", but I go for a more modern tone these days.

I wonder if starting with speaker-size would be useful, in junction with the sound you are going after, or if I am just hopelessly out-of-date? Like strings, I would think the transducer (speaker) is key, but hey, I had a flip-phone until a couple of years ago...

 

[AGCurry]

The speakers on those amps all seem pretty small. I have never been more than a "bass hobbiest" off/on since the early '70s, but pretty much always used 15" speakers. Now I have a 12", but I go for a more modern tone these days.

I wonder if starting with speaker-size would be useful, in junction with the sound you are going after, or if I am just hopelessly out-of-date? Like strings, I would think the transducer (speaker) is key, but hey, I had a flip-phone until a couple of years ago...

Cone size used to be important, because a) older drivers weren't capable of much excursion, and b) efficiency was critical due to lower output from amplifiers. The contemporary paradigm leans toward high-powered amps and speakers which aren't as efficient but are more compliant and therefore more accurate. Moreover, most double bassists prefer smaller cones for quicker attack (less inertia to overcome).

Not to say anyone is wrong to prefer a bigger driver ... it's a valid choice, but the cabinet will be bigger and heavier.

 

[MrLenny1]

GK MB 150S/112 use to be a standard combo for
DB. Sounded great to my ears.
Maybe a new equivalent. My buddy swears by 1x12" cabs for DB.

 

[KohanMike]

This might not fit "current" because it has been discontinued, but a number of years ago I found that my battery 50w Crate Limo 10" and a 70w Phil Jones Double Four 2x4" did not cut it outdoors or in large venues. With learning from people here about larger speakers, and a suggestion from a member, I bought a Carvin MB15 combo 200w in which they added a neo speaker, plus a matching 115MBE cabinet to make 250w. Each weighs under 28 pounds and compact so I can transport one or both in an old lady shopping cart. I'll use just the combo for medium to larger indoor gigs, and both for large indoor and most outdoor gigs. I also put together a very compact battery and inverter that lasts for hours. The rig does great for me.

 

[OldSchoolFlats]

Cone size used to be important, because a) older drivers weren't capable of much excursion, and b) efficiency was critical due to lower output from amplifiers. The contemporary paradigm leans toward high-powered amps and speakers which aren't as efficient but are more compliant and therefore more accurate. Moreover, most double bassists prefer smaller cones for quicker attack (less inertia to overcome).

Not to say anyone is wrong to prefer a bigger driver ... it's a valid choice, but the cabinet will be bigger and heavier.

...but people still use rotary phones and watch BW TV, right?

 

[KJMO]

I've seen a lot of bassists who play both electric and upright use the Genzler amps and cabs. I had the 10" cab and the 350w head, and in a pinch it carried a small gig in an 80's band (it did not hit hard, but...), and it is truly top notch stuff. I will say though, one guy I play with abandoned his Genzler setup for an acoustic image. I personally don't think it sounds even close to as good, but it is ridiculously light and small.

edit: I don't like to trash the Promethian, but there are unusually large numbers of reports of reliability problems, and I personally know someone who used it for worship, and had it take a dump. I'm convinced, but other's mileage may vary. I've also seen the amp sold on ali baba under different names, so I'm not sure it's a product developed by an actual music company even though it's sold by ibanez.

edit2: If it matters to you, the Genzler cabs are made in the US, although the amps are made in Taiwan (I believe Taiwan is way more advanced manufacturing-wise than anyone else, so I don't see this as a negative).

 

[Killing Floor]

PJB sounds like your bass. It's probably as neutral/clean as an amp can get. If you like the sound you get from your bass through a DI, that's pretty close to the sound you get from the PJB. I know PJB is not low cost but they are super reliable and sound better than most in their size or class. They are very well made.

 

[Mechanical]

You can get a Hartke KB12 Kickback 250W RMS 500W Peak. It's 28 lbs. Plus, when you monitor, you can kick it back.

Hartke KB12 Kickback 1x12" 500-watt Bass Combo Amp | Sweetwater

 

[landrybass]

I have a nice PJB suitcase BG-400 and while it sounds great, its actually not that loud for 300watts. With a drummer its all the way up and struggling. Its better with an extension cab @ 500W. Strongly suggest trying the 100W PJB before you buy.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

I think just about anything will be an improvement over the Lowdown 110. I had one for a while and gave it to a friend's daughter who was learning bass.

 

[Gustopher]

It isn't on your list, but the Ampeg Rocketbass RB-112 is really great. I got one a few weeks ago, I have now used it at a few gigs and it can get loud, it has great tone and weighs about 26lbs. Has a DI that sounds really good as well.

 

[lermgalieu]

For DB, I would scratch the Elf off your list. I have one (the head, not the combo), and I wouldn't call it the most neutral tone.

 

[mb94952]

You could try adding a $35 EQ pedal and get some extra horsepower. It has all the right frequencies.
https://www.amazon.com/Stax-Equalizer-Pedals-Guitar-Graphic/dp/B08L7HCW1F/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?keywords=bass+EQ+pedal&qid=1637090668&sr=8-1-spons&smid=ANBUWOUZ8T7HE&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExSjJLUVU5VkU5WFkwJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwOTcwOTIyVktITDdBUDJONkxZJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA2Njk5NDEzREhDMDNQNThKMVhTJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ&th=1
https://www.amazon.com/JOYO-Equaliz...uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl

Also, I've had very good luck with the SWR WM10 combo. 80w and light.
https://www.musiciansfriend.com/amplifiers-effects/swr-workingmans-10-bass-combo

 

[Benj-jammin]

Can't really have a thread like this without mentioning the Fender Rumbles. I have a 500, which is definitely over your $500 budget, new, that is. Plus, it weighs 36 lb., which is light, but not in your 25 lb. range. Maybe take a looksie at the 100? 100 watts, 1-12", 22 lbs., and $349 new. There's a whole Rumble Club section here on TB that you can peruse as well for reviews - I think the one thing I love about mine, is how good it sounds at lower to mid volumes - smooth, plus a number of nice tonal options. Again, another one not on your list, but maybe worth checking out. I also agree with Gustopher, those new Ampeg Rockets are nice as well. Just my .02

 

[lucas303]

The Peavey Max 208 is only slightly above your weight requirement but it's a fantastic combo. Every time I use it I marvel at how much I love the tone it makes.

 

[SJan3]

You could try adding a $35 EQ pedal and get some extra horsepower. It has all the right frequencies.
https://www.amazon.com/Stax-Equalizer-Pedals-Guitar-Graphic/dp/B08L7HCW1F/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?keywords=bass+EQ+pedal&qid=1637090668&sr=8-1-spons&smid=ANBUWOUZ8T7HE&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExSjJLUVU5VkU5WFkwJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwOTcwOTIyVktITDdBUDJONkxZJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA2Njk5NDEzREhDMDNQNThKMVhTJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ&th=1
https://www.amazon.com/JOYO-Equaliz...uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl

Also, I've had very good luck with the SWR WM10 combo. 80w and light.
https://www.musiciansfriend.com/amplifiers-effects/swr-workingmans-10-bass-combo

The SWR Workingman's 10 is no longer available (I had one w/WM10 ext cab).
I'd hesitate to recommend unless he can find service for the unit. My 1st one fried.

 

[mb94952]

The SWR Workingman's 10 is no longer available (I had one w/WM10 ext cab).
I'd hesitate to recommend unless he can find service for the unit. My 1st one fried.

Oh, I know it needs to be found used. There are two on my local CL right now. That sucks. I've never had a problem, but then again I'm just brainstorming and thinking out loud. I'm sure there are better choices than that now.

I also had the WM110 ext cab to make a mini stack, but all I needed was the one to play coffee houses with PLENTY of power left.

 

[SJan3]

Oh, I know it needs to be found used. There are two on my local CL right now. That sucks. I've never had a problem, but then again I'm just brainstorming and thinking out loud. I'm sure there are better choices than that now.

It's not a bad amp but anything SWR is likely to run into parts supply issues if there's a failure. But if he can get one cheap, it may be worth his while.