School me on combo's

[tayste_2000]

So I've been a bit out of the game on this side, rocking the Matamp GT200 and 8x10 for the past few years but I'm looking at changing a few things largely around jamming and home practice and fancy a small (ish) light weight (ish) combo

I was always wowed by the size and weight of the Mesa Boogie Walkabout (12inch version) so that might be a good starting point, but not really sure what's out there.

I do think the following applies though:[list]
[*]Has to be 1x15 or 1x12
[*]Going for a vintage styling to a degree
[*]Has to had a tube somewhere in it or sound fairly vintagey (so no spanky clean highs and nothing with a tweeter)
[*]Has to be a combo, not interested in light weight cabs and heads
[/list]

Just weighing up my options before I see what Matamp can do me in a combo, because weight is the concern but happy to go like 30kg or so in the combo. Over that I know exactly what I'd track down (Mesa Buster 200 1x15 Combo)

[Roland Rock]

http://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Fender-Bassman-TV-Fifteen-Bass-Valve-Amp-1-x-15/BKJ

This ticks your boxes. Many say that they are good but heavy, but that's all relative, isn't it? :-)

[tayste_2000]

Yeah I saw that and was thinking it could be perfect, I'd consider that light about as heavy as my amp head

Similarly the Ampeg B100r would tick all the boxes but both are discontinued and not really in a position to act fast on it (also want to try one first)

[xgsjx]

Why not a 2x10?
Depending on your budget, Markbass combos are worth a try. I have the 2x10 & it's probably the best combo I've ever tried (& I tried some nice rigs before buying it).

[tayste_2000]

Just preference and I tune a minor 3rd below Low B so a nice big speaker would be a plus

[jimcroisdale]

Speaker size has got nothing at all to do with how low an amp can go, or how it will sound, so don't let that sway your choice!

[xgsjx]

[quote name='tayste_2000' timestamp='1359727715' post='1959472']
Just preference and I tune a minor 3rd below Low B so a nice big speaker would be a plus
[/quote]

I use an octaver & go down to Ab without any trouble (it doesn't track too well any lower).
Like the chap above says, diameter doesn't equate to bass (look at those PJB combos with the 21 5" drivers).

[John Schoen]

How about an Ashdown Drophead? All tubes and a 15" speaker, mine is what I think amp heaven is like.

[tayste_2000]

I think for the cost of the drop head I'd like to get a vintage b-15 but that's a whole new can of worms

[bigjohn]

I can vouch for the B100R (and it's smaller little brother B50R - not for playing with drummers). Also the B3 series are good combos too. My B3158 is a tank but sounds great.