lemmywinks

Decent deal that, I have the BH250 and think it's a really neat little head. I'd keep a lookout for another BC208 to put underneath it for a mini tower of power, they come up pretty regularly. This bag fits the BH250 perfectly btw: https://www.bassdirect.co.uk/product/gator-9″-x-9″-mini-amplifier-bag/

AliExpress is full of knockoff D'addarios. Two things I only ever buy from dedicated sellers are strings and higher capacity SD cards, too many fakes out there.

The one from PMT might be as well. They're well known for selling ex demo (read heavily used, damaged or missing parts) as new items in their clearence sales. I got an Ibanez EHB1505 in their sales which arrived with a ton of back bow, a missing control cavity cover and dings in the finish exposing bare wood. Someone else in the same thread got an Ashdown Shavo head which had been around the block a few times and arrived covered in scratches with a broken EQ slider. So there's every chance the used items for sale on here might be in much better condition than the "new" on from PMT.

If you fancy a drive then grab this: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/326402087138 He also has the version with the horn for a bit more money: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/326402087359

If you want something compact with a small footprint then an older 2x10 on its side or a 1x12 is probably the only way you'll get something around your remaining budget. Unless you fancy a longer drive you'll be looking at local collection only listings on FB Marketplace, eBay etc. Brands like Peavey, Ashdown, Hartke, TC Electronic, Laney. Not much point in recommending a specific type of cab as your budget constraints will decide what is attainable over everything else. Hartke XL cabs are decent and go for pocket money now, on here in London for £75 which would bring you under budget: https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1185251983336041/ Laney 2x10 with neo drivers near you for £150 here, bigger cab though: https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/2487813131416873/ That SWR I linked to above would be fine, be aware it's a 4ohm cab so you can't add another. I'd grab that Hartke as chances are you'll see another one for sale before too long and can have a vertical 4x10 tower which should cover every gig you're likely to do without PA support.

So do PMT, GuitarGuitar and Thomann, this is local so he can go check it out in person.

Just spotted a Markbass Little Mark Blackline 250 in the Cash Converters sale for 100, Southend shop as well so close to you. https://www.cashconverters.co.uk/shop/music-tv--video/home-theatre-tvs--hifi-stereos/amplifiers/audio-equipment/047400178437

You're putting these on it, right?

See if Steve at Wyre River guitars is still working, he's an older gent and had an operation on his eye last time I got some work done there but his craftmanship is excellent. He's in Bispham so not too far from you. If you Google Wyre River Guitar images you'll see the custom acoustics he builds.

I can still remember carting around our dual Peavey CS1800 amps (later a pair of QSC amps I forget the name of) with an older Peavey monitor amp in our rack, HiSys4 tops and a pair of massive subs. That's five items that were two man lifts, now we have that number down to zero. We have it so good in terms of budget kit now.

Fair point actually, probably more than a few cm given how rigid amp to cab cables usually are. Perhaps a cable with a 90 degree speakon connector would be a good idea as well? The Phil Jones C8 and C4 are only 12.4"/32cm deep and look very smart too especially in red, I have the C8 Lite with neo drivers but they only do the regular versions now. Of all the cabs I've owned it's the most "front room worthy" in terms of appearance: https://www.pjbworld.com/cms/c8-2/ https://www.pjbworld.com/cms/c4-2/

We're using Alto TS210 with a TS15S sub, sounds great and the tops can be loaded in with on in each hand. If you aren't running a sub at the moment and the Alto TS412 performs as good or better than your current cabs it sounds like a no brainer, shave some more weight and bulk off with a digital desk if you like.

There a used GR AT212 Slim at Bass Direct at the moment, almost 14" so a tiny bit deeper than your alcove though. Also £200 dearer than the one that sold on here which is gonna hurt.

Overall it looks nice, that chunk of wood for a bridge is an odd choice though and spoils the aesthetic for me, doesn't look like part of the original design.