Thinking About a New Lightweight Combo...

[Skybone]

So I have a few quid sat in the bank, burning a hole in my proverbial pocket, don't need anymore basses, considered a new fx unit, but definitely have that covered as well, so the next thing is my amp.

 

Currently have an Ashdown MAG 210 (badged as a Muzik Peroductiv AMP), but at 22kg, it's a bit heavy and a bit awkward to lug about... but it sounds great, even though I only use the power amp section.

 

I've had a brief look on t'interweb, and there's a couple of amps that have caught my attention, the EBS Magni 502 is one that has really grabbed my attention, but it ain't cheap.

 

One other is the Ashdown Original EVO 1x10 or 1x12, light, but would it be loud enough for a rock band?

 

Another one to consider would be the trusty Fender Rumble 500... or just stick with what I have, but where's the fun in that?

[SimonK]

I'd go head & cab over a combo every time. Speakers now are seldom too heavy, leaving spare hands/bags for selecting different heads depending on needs - the class D heads are so light you could even fit a couple in a backpack and then choose on the night!

 

If money isn't a problem pairing a Barefaced cab with a Aguillar Tone Hammer head would cover everything and be very portable and light.

[Lozz196]

I bought a Fender Rumble 800, as needed lightweight and easy to set up (the usual back issues prompting the purchase). I went for the 800 as it’s lighter than the 500, it’s only around 13kg, and being a 2x10 can hold its own unless in daftly loud situations.
 

 

[chris_b]

If you want light, you gotta buy separates.

 

There's a Quilter BB803 in the classifieds at 1.8kg, and a Barefaced Super Compact would come in at 11kg.

 

IMO for the volume, tone and weight you couldn't do better.

[tauzero]

5 hours ago, chris_b said:

If you want light, you gotta buy separates.

 

GR Bass AT800 Cube, 9.5kg. Must put mine up for sale.

[chris_b]

3 hours ago, tauzero said:

 

GR Bass AT800 Cube, 9.5kg. Must put mine up for sale.

That might be of interest to the OP. In the meantime my advice still stands, look at separates.

[Skybone]

I'm actually kicking myself about missing out on the Bergantino IP310 powered cab that was in the marketplace the other week. Something like that would be ideal, plug the POD or the FlyRig in, and away you go.

[chris_b]

12 minutes ago, Skybone said:

I'm actually kicking myself about missing out on the Bergantino IP310 powered cab that was in the marketplace the other week. Something like that would be ideal, plug the POD or the FlyRig in, and away you go.

Fantastic powered cabs, but I seem to remember you needed a rugby team to help you lift one.

[gjones]

The Rumble 500 is great but a few years ago I bought one of these and I'm glad I did. 

 

[Norris]

14 hours ago, Skybone said:

Another one to consider would be the trusty Fender Rumble 500

Next question please...

[Dan Dare]

I know it depends on the band and how loud the players are, the size of the space you need to fill and whether you have PA support, but I don't reckon a 1x10 or even a 1x12 would be loud enough for a rock band. Modern gear is unquestionably much more efficient than a lot of old school stuff, but there are limits - the laws of physics, Jim and all that.

 

If you have a reasonable amount burning a hole in your pocket, you really should go and try/audition some gear. I appreciate that there may not be a wide choice in the Highlands, but buying on the basis of recommendation alone is often a route to disappointment.

 

Rumbles are a standard recommendation, with good reason. They are portable and good value. However, they do sound a bit generic and I don't think one would improve on what you have.

 

If you like your MAG 210, keep it. 22kg is hardly a behemoth and a quality folding trolley would make life easier and cost far less than new gear.

[Chienmortbb]

On 01/11/2025 at 09:37, SimonK said:

I'd go head & cab over a combo every time. Speakers now are seldom too heavy, leaving spare hands/bags for selecting different heads depending on needs - the class D heads are so light you could even fit a couple in a backpack and then choose on the night!

 

If money isn't a problem pairing a Barefaced cab with a Aguillar Tone Hammer head would cover everything and be very portable and light.

Some people find the Tonehammer has a baked in sound that does not suit them. 

Edited yesterday at 13:59 by Chienmortbb

[Skybone]

4 hours ago, Dan Dare said:

I know it depends on the band and how loud the players are, the size of the space you need to fill and whether you have PA support, but I don't reckon a 1x10 or even a 1x12 would be loud enough for a rock band. Modern gear is unquestionably much more efficient than a lot of old school stuff, but there are limits - the laws of physics, Jim and all that.

 

If you have a reasonable amount burning a hole in your pocket, you really should go and try/audition some gear. I appreciate that there may not be a wide choice in the Highlands, but buying on the basis of recommendation alone is often a route to disappointment.

 

Rumbles are a standard recommendation, with good reason. They are portable and good value. However, they do sound a bit generic and I don't think one would improve on what you have.

 

If you like your MAG 210, keep it. 22kg is hardly a behemoth and a quality folding trolley would make life easier and cost far less than new gear.

Which is kind of where I'm at really, like you say, 22kg is hardly a behemoth, it is manageable, but shaving a few kilo's would be nice. Need to figure out how to get the grille off without damaging anything, and then maybe look at some Neodymium speakers. And as @neepheid was saying, the market place up here is a bit rubbish. For even a subtle divergence from the "run of the mill", I'd need to go to Glasgow at the least, and even further afield if I wanted to try anything "out of the ordinary".

 

If the Rumble's pre-amp sounds a bit generic, then that's not really an issue, as I'm just plugging into the Effects Return anyway, and using the POD as the pre. Need to get some time with the FlyRig and get that dialled in.

 

Been looking at the Barefaced One10 with their Activier amp, which according to their blurb is the equivalent to a 500w Class D.

 

Thanks for the info folks. 👍

Edited 21 hours ago by Skybone

[BassAdder60]

My choice would be MarkBass 58R cabs which are very light 

 

Perhaps a 2x12 cab and a small 500w head and that would be loud enough and light too 

I play in a rock band and use 2 x MarkBass 2x10 cabs and a LM IV or Orange Little Bass Thing 

 

So light and very loud and full 

[jezzaboy]

Andertons have a deal on the Fender 800 just now for £650 which is cheaper than the 500 model and as Lozz says weighs 13 kg. So I had to buy one as I stupidly sold my 500 Rumble to get a Markbass cab which I didn`t like.

[Dan Dare]

6 hours ago, Skybone said:

Which is kind of where I'm at really, like you say, 22kg is hardly a behemoth, it is manageable, but shaving a few kilo's would be nice. Need to figure out how to get the grille off without damaging anything, and then maybe look at some Neodymium speakers. And as @neepheid was saying, the market place up here is a bit rubbish. For even a subtle divergence from the "run of the mill", I'd need to go to Glasgow at the least, and even further afield if I wanted to try anything "out of the ordinary".

 

If the Rumble's pre-amp sounds a bit generic, then that's not really an issue, as I'm just plugging into the Effects Return anyway, and using the POD as the pre. Need to get some time with the FlyRig and get that dialled in.

 

Been looking at the Barefaced One10 with their Activier amp, which according to their blurb is the equivalent to a 500w Class D.

 

Thanks for the info folks. 👍

 

The grille on the Ashdown 1x15 cab I used to own was held on with velcro and could be prized away from the baffle with a screwdriver. Even if you're only using the Rumble as a power amp and cab', I'd still be surprised if it will be much of an improvement on what you already have.

 

I'd question whether the BF 1x10, whilst very loud for its size, would do the job for you. A single 10, no matter how capable, just won't shift enough air to be adequate in a rock band. It'll be expensive to find out, too.

[BassAdder60]

8 hours ago, Dan Dare said:

 

The grille on the Ashdown 1x15 cab I used to own was held on with velcro and could be prized away from the baffle with a screwdriver. Even if you're only using the Rumble as a power amp and cab', I'd still be surprised if it will be much of an improvement on what you already have.

 

I'd question whether the BF 1x10, whilst very loud for its size, would do the job for you. A single 10, no matter how capable, just won't shift enough air to be adequate in a rock band. It'll be expensive to find out, too.

LFYS Monaco problem sorted !