Hello everyone,
Quick bit of background, I play bass in a three piece post-hardcore/screamo band and have recently bought a bunch of cheap and cheerful gear to see if I want to take this band and the hobby seriously. I'm having a lot of fun and I think I've found what is roughly the sound I want (I use a sort of Musicman Stingray copy but with a neck and bridge pick up, mostly turned to the bridge and I use a Boss DS-1 pedal for half our songs).
Now the problem: I had the unfortunate opportunity to play through the headline band's rig the other night and I'm now in love. It was an Ampeg SVT 2 Pro and an Ampeg 8x10 Cab.
Normally I run a Behringer head ripped out of a combo, which sounds good enough on the occasions when I can run it through something nice like an Ampeg 8x10, but most often I am borrowing a Hartke 4x10 and it doesn't really get loud enough and lacks a lot of clarity.
My question is: I know nothing will match it, but just how close can I get to the godly volume and clarity of an SVT 2 Pro with an 8x10 cab? I'm on a budget and am unable to cart around an 8x10. I can probably store one but it will never fit in the van we're currently using along with all the other gear.
Am I better off sticking with my Behringer head and getting a decent Ampeg 4x10 (does such a thing exist)? Should I be looking to upgrade both? Are combos a waste of time for gigging?
Disclaimer: I am saving for a wedding, so funds are limited, but I can justify somewhere between £300-£500, and I'm perfectly happy to buy things second hand and a bit tatty.