Your thoughts on small combo amps

[limitk7]

After I graduate college next year I'm probably going to Japan for a year or two on an exchange teaching program. My Bongo's coming with me; my amp, I'm not so sure. It's a Workingman's 15...and it seems too big to ship over there and then lug around.

So I thought I'd get a smaller combo - a 1x10 or maybe a 1x12 - and take it with me. For practice I use a Pandora headphone amp, so I'll mainly use the combo to jam with friends or play in a church once every week - I don't gig. Any thoughts on ones that will sound...acceptable...with a 5 string Bongo? Or perhaps you can suggest a better solution? The reason I'm interested right now is that the local GC has a SWR Workingman's 10 on clearance for a really good price.

Thanks,
Kevan

 

[maddog]

Maybe better to get something over in Japan. Any forum-ites know what the retail scene in Japan is like?

 

[AnthonyD]

I use a Hartke Kickback 12 for exactly what you've described (small practice jams, Coffee house and Church stuff). 120w and 12" speaker - it gets plenty loud for small venues and has a direct-out for inserting into a house mix for the bigger gigs.

It's a bit on the heavy side so factor that in if portability is high on your list. Then again I may just be getting old...

I've no experience with the Workingman's 10. At the time I purchased the kickback I did some side-by-sides to compare and this one did it for me. YMMV

 

[Aussie Mark]

+1 on buying something when you get there. Japan has a thriving music scene and lots of retail outlets, so you'll have no trouble picking up a decent combo there.

 

[Disquieter]

the working man 10's are not going to handle a bongo 5, best way to go would be a mesa boogie walkabout 1x12, plenty o power, great sound and an excellent driver...

for cheap, get a ampeg ba-112 minimum.

 

[Aussie Mark]

Lots of amps available at Ishibashi Music, a large Japanese music chain ....

http://www.excite.co.jp/world/english/web/?wb_url=http://www.ishibashi.co.jp/&wb_lp=JAEN&wb_dis=2

 

[limitk7]

Thanks for all the replies and for the link. Looks like I'll put off getting another amp till I get there.

Just one more question - if you chose to sacrifice sound quality for portability (as in, an amp you wouldn't mind carrying a block and up flights of stairs), which amp would you get?

-Kevan

 

[Psycho Ward]

I'm planning on checking out some of the Mark Bass stuff for a small combo amp. I don't know where that will be, but if you see one in Japan let me know what you think. Have fun and I'm sure you'll find something really cool there.

 

[Datta]

You owe it to yourself to check out the Gallion-Kruger Microbass. It weighs almost nothing (not much more than a bass in a case) and sounds incredible. It's got a nice built-in chorus, and a pretty solid bottom end. Very quiet- no hum. It also has XLR outs with selectable routing, and lots of other pro features.

There is no real sacrifice for sound over portability, in my opinion. It sounds almost as good as some of the SWR pro combos (though the SWRs have a bit more bottom support for 5-stringers). I sometimes use it with a second GK Backline 110- just as a second speaker, and it increases the power output and low-end depth a good bit.

I just used it on a gig tonight, adding support to my Tacoma Thundercheif acoustic bass guitar, and it was awesome. I normally use it on small gigs with my EB Sterling (and even medium gigs if I know the house can accurately reproduce my bass- the GK is then my monitor)

http://www.gallien-krueger.com/products_mb_co_150e.html

 

[Aussie Mark]

+1 on the Hartke kickback. Nice little amp. I ran sound for a reggae band who opened for us one night and it sounded really good. The guy was playing a fiver, and it handled the low B well.

 

[JayAmel]

Don't know what prices are in Asia, but here in Europe, for the price of an Ampeg combo I could get an Ashdown rig (MAG300R + MAG210T cab). Easier to upgrade, and IMO easier to carry to. And great tone.
I like pretty much Ampeg amps, though, so I believe you can't go wrong with a BA-110 or 112.

 

[Steve Dude Barr]

Gallien-Krueger 200MB here now....but the best I ever had was an EBS Drome... and I still want a Euphonic Audio 1/12 combo one of these days.

 

[Golem]

The ultimate portable, capable of doing justice to your tone, but not huge volume, is an Acoustic Image. Second choice would be a G-K MicroBass 150.

A versatile solution is an AI head and an Ampeg PortaBass cab. Total bulk increases slightly if you choose the 1x12, but being able to seperate the electronics from the cab can be handy from a number of perspectives. G-K also makes a small head, a bit bigger than the AI but still fits in a small laptop PC case with room to spare.

I didn't check my gear [I use all the above] but I suppose a unit with international power capabilities would be quite handy, and much safer $$wise.

 

[strummer]

Phil Jones Briefcase.
It's just stupid how I want one.

 

[limitk7]

Datta and Golem, thanks for imparting your wisdom. A G-K microbass it shall be.

 

[Aussie Mark]

I didn't check my gear [I use all the above] but I suppose a unit with international power capabilities would be quite handy

Japan is one of the few countries in Asia that runs 110v like the US. All that's required is an adapter plug.

 

[stingray62]

If you get the chance, try a Phil Jones Briefcase. I promise you will not be sorry.

 

[0557]

The Mesa Boogie walkabout scout for around $1195 is great, pricey but small
and around 50lbs. Its my next purchase for an amp. that is unless Mark bass
blows me away, but I can't get a hold of one in the atlanta area.
Make sure the amp has an input gain control to adjust the bongo output.

 

[limitk7]

Whoa there, this is a pretty old thread...but thanks for adding your advice, and stingray62, welcome to the forum. You'll soon find out that there are a lot of cool people here.

 

[Eilif]

Japan is one of the few countries in Asia that runs 110v like the US. All that's required is an adapter plug.

I hope this post isn't too late.

Actually, Japan is 100V, a little lower than what we run in the U.S. But what might get you is the frequency. Electronics made for and sold in Japan are made to run on both 50Hz and 60Hz, because you'll get 50Hz in some parts of Japan. I don't know if this will make a difference on an amp.