amp / cab or combo?

[chrisdaman]

rightyho, the band im in could be getting to the point where gigs are in order, obvious not wembley, but small venues, the 80w amp struggles in the rehearsal rooms, so at any venue it could be horrid.

i've been looking at combos as they're all in one etc (obvious i know )

i'd be looking at spending between £300-£500 on a combo, and see this:

[url="http://www.andertons.co.uk/bass-combos/pid12866/cid687/ashdown-magc115300-307-watt-1x15-bass-combo-evo-ii.asp"]Ashdown MAG C115-300 Bass Amp (EVO II)[/url]

[url="http://www.andertons.co.uk/bass-combos/pid12868/cid687/ashdown-magc410t300-307-watt-4x10-bass-combo-evo-ii.asp"]Ashdown MAG C410T-300 Bass Amp EVO II[/url]

what would be the benefit of 4x10 speakers over 1x15? i know from car subwoofers that more speakers move more air more easily, with a punchy sound, where a 15 cone will displace a lot more air on its own??

also i'm impressed with the orange stuff i've tried, but it seems expnsive (well out of my budget anyway ), and there's an old trace elliot amp at my rehearsal rooms thats awesome, but they wont sell

any info / opinion would be awesome

Cheers
Chris

Edited July 27, 2011 by chrisdaman

[Blademan_98]

There are a lot of threads on here already asking this

If you are strong, then lugging a huge combo about is fine.

I'm an old git so I would prefer light weight amp (Ampeg PF-500 only £350 and 3kgs) with a Ampeg 2 x 10 (£390 and 16kgs).

I have just sold my Marshall rig (see sig) because it's too heavy. Moves loads of air and as loud as heck but at 30kgs per unit.......

[algmusic]

Out of those two.. if you can handle the 4x10 for weight, it will sound miles better. You'll get punch and bottom end, as the 1x15 will lack punch over the 4x10

on the orange front or other options, I've always bought secondhand, bar one cab.. You could get some good deals on this site..

Personally, I like a separate amp and cab as you can change either when you want and also you cab take your own amp to rehearsal studios etc or you can get a second cab for flexibility like a 2x10 then 1x15 or two 1x12 . Also if one part goes wrong, it's not as bad. on the flip side, the cab is everything in one box

What sort of band is it? There are other options

[chrisdaman]

i did a search before posting, but could find nowt

we're a rock band, aiming at a "you me at six" sound, but i like playing drum and bass too, so punch and low end are important lol, i'm a strong lad the 4x10 combo is 44kgs, but i can deal with that tbh, i prefer the "all togetherness" of a combo tbh

how "loud" is 300w though? roughly? (might be a silly question tbh)

[algmusic]

There are some much bigger geeks on here who know about all this stuff, but that 4x10 should be fine in my OP. I've had simluar for a rock band and it was great

I'd rather get this that any of those two [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=145727"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=145727[/url]

[chrisdaman]

That is rather nice, i think once ive got the money ill hunt on here too, seems to be some bargains

And thanks for the help

[algmusic]

no worries.. keep your eyes peeled there's lots of deals here and if you don't like it you can easily swap it for something else.. that's what I have done.. I swapped my markbass for a terror bass head

[xgsjx]

I asked this Q 3 1/2 years ago. I ended up going for a Markbass 2x10 combo (about £800 at the time) & haven't regretted it once. If you can stretch your budget then there's one or two on here for @ £600-650 in the For Sale section.
When I got it I was playing in a loud rock band with 2 guits & had no probs being heard & now play a bit of DnB/Dubstep so lots of subby sounds are required.
It's a hell of a lot better than the Trace Elliot 4x10 combo I used prior to it.

Edited July 28, 2011 by xgsjx

[paulbass]

Personally i would use a separate head and speaker from experience. I did have a hartke 2000 with a 4 x 10 and that would more than punch above its weight. with the 4x 10 on the floor it gave you a bit more bottom end.I use a TE combo now(my first combo) and although it has a great sound i'm finding this combo very heavy and this is currently being repaired as it has packed up.If it was a seperate unit i would be able to at least use the speakers and borrow an amp but as it is the whole unit is being fixed.I will never buy another combo after this experience and swear by 4 x 10 cabs.

[Jambo10]

Ive always had combos, most recently the Ashdown C410t-500.

Done me good I have to say, but I have this very day just gone and got head and cab, more to lump around, but weight value in order to shift is far easier.

My ashdown weighs 8 stone, its a fair chunk of kit, I fitted castors on it, which help enormously, but still got to get it in and out of van!

Ultimately, if you can get the 500 rather than the 300 it will suit for when you get to bigger venues etc, also the 410 is better than the 115 in my opinion

Start with the 115 if its a cash concern and when you got more coin to splash just upgrade, its exactly what I and probably most others have done here.

[RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE]

Someone here is selling an Eden Nenesis .(Not me but I used to have one. ) Great amps.250 watts. Highly recommended

[Blademan_98]

iCastle on here has a saying:

"If you want five different answers ask three bass players!"

Thats what this type of thread always ends up as

[Lozz196]

As said, many different opinions will be aired re this.

But, for me the ideal solution is to have a lightweight head, and one/two lightweight cabs. If you can get away with only one cab, do it. If not, have a combination so that you can rehearse with just one cab, and only need to take along the second to gigs. Many on here have two of the same cab for that reason, and it makes a great deal of sense, but, as said, depends on funds.

It`s certainly more expensive doing it that way, but a lot less stress on the limbs.

[ThomBassmonkey]

There's so many factors it's hard to pick a "best".

Combo advantages: quicker to set up, only one thing, generally cheaper.

Stack (half or full) advantages: more choce, if you don't have lots of room in transport there's a chance you can borrow a cab at the venue and use your head and still sound like you, if something breaks down then you still have gear you can use and not have to borrow/rent/buy a whole new rig, it's much easier to add/take away a cab as needed, if you want to upgrade later, you can do one piece at a time and spread the costs.

I'd go for separates any day, the only real bother is plugging in the leads from your head to your cab(s) and that's a minor problem for the convenience they give.

On the combos you're looking at specifically I'm not an Ashdown fan anyway but I'd go for a 410 over a 115 for a lone cab if possible. For a decent combo on a budget I'd be looking at Hartke, just my opinion though.

[Ed_S]

[quote name='ThomBassmonkey' post='1319965' date='Jul 29 2011, 02:06 AM']On the combos you're looking at specifically I'm not an Ashdown fan anyway but I'd go for a 410 over a 115 for a lone cab if possible. For a decent combo on a budget I'd be looking at Hartke, just my opinion though.[/quote]

Yeah, having owned both I quite agree - if I was dead set on a serious (and pleasantly old-school) combo, I'd be giving DV a shout about this:
[url="http://www.dv247.com/guitars/hartke-vx3500-bass-guitar-amp-combo--44014"]http://www.dv247.com/guitars/hartke-vx3500...mp-combo--44014[/url]

[largo]

I'd say go for the 4x10" especially with the Ashdown cabs. I had both cabs and the 4x10's are definitely the better sounding, but that's just my opinion. More clarity and definition. Are Anderton's your local music shop? If not, I had email from Soundslive the other day saying their doing 10% off for Ashdown gear so you could save £47.20 and free delivery.

[Thurbs]

If you are after the ashdown sound, I would get a ABM head (much better than the MAG) and then get a MAG 410. When funds permit you can then upgrade/add the cabs and you will have an awesome rig.

Some ABM Heads

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=148053&hl=abm"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=148053&hl=abm[/url]
[url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=141468&hl=abm"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=141468&hl=abm[/url]

MAG Cab
[url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=134736"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=134736[/url] Shameless plug for my 410 for sale

[algmusic]

[quote name='Thurbs' post='1320138' date='Jul 29 2011, 10:19 AM']If you are after the ashdown sound, I would get a ABM head (much better than the MAG) and then get a MAG 410. When funds permit you can then upgrade/add the cabs and you will have an awesome rig.

Some ABM Heads

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=148053&hl=abm"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=148053&hl=abm[/url]
[url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=141468&hl=abm"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=141468&hl=abm[/url]

MAG Cab
[url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=134736"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=134736[/url] Shameless plug for my 410 for sale[/quote]

+1

I'm not an ashdown fan either but the ABM series is mile better than the MAG

That's a great deal. Snap that up matey. It'll handle the knocks of gigging too

Edited July 29, 2011 by algmusic

[dave_bass5]

I gigged for a year or so with a MAG300-C115 combo. It did the job well although we aren't a rock band (as i keep telling my guitarist). We were pretty loud back then though.

I got a ABM head and hated it, I know its got more going for it but i felt the tone was too wooly or warm, and didnt cut through like the MAG head did.

Both 300watts, both going in to the same cab (not at the same time of course) yet the ABM would get lost in the mix sometimes.

Given the choice again i would go for the ABM but i disagree its miles better than the MAG, they both have a different tone and quite a few people do prefer the MAG tone.

I think the MAG 4x10 combo will be a much better bet than the 1x15 version if you are prepaid to lug it around. Add a 1x15 at a later stage and thats a very loud rig. More cone area so more air shifting. Neither of these amps will be putting out their full 300watts until an extension cab is added, so having more speakers to start with is a good idea.

[chrisdaman]

[quote name='dave_bass5' post='1320450' date='Jul 29 2011, 01:56 PM']I gigged for a year or so with a MAG300-C115 combo. It did the job well although we aren't a rock band (as i keep telling my guitarist). We were pretty loud back then though.

I got a ABM head and hated it, I know its got more going for it but i felt the tone was too wooly or warm, and didnt cut through like the MAG head did.

Both 300watts, both going in to the same cab (not at the same time of course) yet the ABM would get lost in the mix sometimes.

Given the choice again i would go for the ABM but i disagree its miles better than the MAG, they both have a different tone and quite a few people do prefer the MAG tone.

I think the MAG 4x10 combo will be a much better bet than the 1x15 version if you are prepaid to lug it around. Add a 1x15 at a later stage and thats a very loud rig. More cone area so more air shifting. Neither of these amps will be putting out their full 300watts until an extension cab is added, so having more speakers to start with is a good idea.[/quote]

Very helpful post

Im just researching at the moment, i get a bonus each year from work (love waitrose) and will most likely upgrade the sounds and possibly a guitar at the same time, but power is needed first, no point buying a guitar if you cant hear it imo.

The cost issue of cabs and heads is the main thing putting me off, i know there can be bargains had, but theyre still a bit more pricey, combos offer the cost saving with the same power output. And im a fairly strong lad, 44kg lifting isnt too shabby as my dads hk p.a system is heavier, and i used to lug that round chers for the help though guys.

And yeh my local music shop is andertons, love that place

[dave_bass5]

I think the MAG 410 combo will be great. Its probably louder than a lot of the 2x12, 2x10, 1x15 combos in that price range and its not too costly.

If you do go the separates route just remember a good, efficient cab can make a huge difference to your output volume.

Good luck with the search, and i love Waitrose as well :-)

[Benplaysbass]

I just got a Mag 410 combo and for what I paid €399 new and delivered think its great. But as others have said your back will not like you for it. It is one heavy beast. But good sound and will see how it goes on Sunday with its first gig.

[chrisdaman]

[quote name='dave_bass5' post='1320474' date='Jul 29 2011, 02:25 PM']I think the MAG 410 combo will be great. Its probably louder than a lot of the 2x12, 2x10, 1x15 combos in that price range and its not too costly.

If you do go the separates route just remember a good, efficient cab can make a huge difference to your output volume.

Good luck with the search, and i love Waitrose as well :-)[/quote]

not to go too off topic what waitrose you work for? there are partners everywhere

just saw this:

[url="http://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Orange-TB500C-Terror-Bass-Combo-Amp/EYM"]Orange TB500C Terror Bass Combo Amp[/url]

i know it's a bit more expensive, but i really like the Orange stuff, and it's 2 x 12

[algmusic]

[quote name='Benplaysbass' post='1320652' date='Jul 29 2011, 05:00 PM']I just got a Mag 410 combo and for what I paid €399 new and delivered think its great. But as others have said your back will not like you for it. It is one heavy beast. But good sound and will see how it goes on Sunday with its first gig.[/quote]

That's the joy of getting the separate amp and cab or even the two cabs like a 2x10 and a 1x15 or two 1x12

[Benplaysbass]

[quote name='algmusic' post='1320902' date='Jul 29 2011, 11:19 PM']That's the joy of getting the separate amp and cab or even the two cabs like a 2x10 and a 1x15 or two 1x12[/quote]
It was cheap, I just couldn't leave it there, I had to buy it. Its not too bad really as I am a fairly big bloke. And remember your weetabix in the morning, its not too heavy