Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Happy New Year all my good friends and fellow formites, This is my lastest quest, Im looking into purchaseing one of those little, compact, full sounding toneful bass amp combo thingies, Im looking at MARKBASS, Phils Jones, and Even some of those Eden Nemisis combo amps that are a alittle lager than a Phil Jones or some of the MARKBASS combo's, you guys and gals have always givein me good advice and opinions before so im calling on you again to give me some insight, if anyone owns, uses, or have had some experience with any of these, would love to hear your honest opinions on them, thank you, have a great and proporous new year and most of all, please, please, please, always stay safe.

How loud and just how small do you want to go? I have been extremely happy with the tone volume and compactness of the Markbass Minimark I have had for over a year now. it has kept up just fine for practice with the two bands I am in and other jamming and gigging situations, especially so when I add my small 1-10 extension cabinet I had made for me about ten years ago. Any of the Markbass combo amps are amazing, really, and very much worth the price.

You may want to consider one of the Genz Benz Shuttle series amps. They are small, light weight, powerful and offer clean articulate sound. I use a NeoPak or Shuttle head with a NeoX 210 cabinet. I am extremely happy with the power, tone and ease of transporting these amps. They are a little salty, but certainly in line with Markbass and PJ stuff.

Food for thought - I'm currently using a GK Microbass MB 200 (an oldie) combo (1x12) which is tiny, and they're cheap as chips used. The tone is very GK, which some may find a little "clinical". It's my second and I love it for its portability (the first was, through no fault of its own, blown up in a nasty electrical mishap). It has the full range of extension speaker and DI jacks at the back. My other amps (SWR & Vox) are gathering dust at home for the most part.

Although the MarkBass combos are the littlest ones I have seen, (but have not used, unfortunately), the ones I am using right now are Yorkville (formerly Traynor). The model is YB200, Bassmaster combo. I have 2 of them since I love them so much! The 1x15 and the 2x10. I just changed out the speaker in the 1x15 to a neo speaker and dropped about 10 lbs. off the weight. Love them, and at 200 watts, can easily carry a gig all by themselves. (on 3, no less.)
I did try an Eden Nemesis combo before these and it was just too "Clean" and not loud enough for me (120 Watts). I traded it straight up for the Yorkville and never felt a second of remorse.

I have the Phil Jones Briefcase and just absolutely love it. It's nice and compact and I think only around 28 # with great tone as well, at least in my opinion. It is only 100 watts though if you were looking for something a little more powerful. I was going to buy a new one when I was trying them out but the store where I was at had just taken one in on trade and I was able to buy a used one for only $400.

I have a USA made Ampeg BA115 and really like it. I don't have the tweeter hiss problem many complain about. The style selector is a very useful control. Down side, it's just 100 watts so it won't cut it in a high volume situation, and it's pretty heavy for such a small amp. I put side handles and wheels on it which helps a lot.

Yeah . I have the Ampeg BAHPT 115 combo The 200 hundred watt version w/ tube preamp. Its the most amazing sounding bass combo i have ever heard. Super quite,and headroom out the WAZOO!!All in a nice 60 pound package . Sure beats lugging around my 72 SVT

thinneckrick wrote:Yeah . I have the Ampeg BAHPT 115 combo The 200 hundred watt version w/ tube preamp. Its the most amazing sounding bass combo i have ever heard. Super quite,and headroom out the WAZOO!!All in a nice 60 pound package . Sure beats lugging around my 72 SVT

Hmm, I wouldn't quite call that compact! My Minimark is 20 lbs. and almost the size of a briefcase.

iIm checking out and close to pulling the trigger on a Phil Jones flight case amp, 150 watts, seen a demo on youtube and have to admit I like what I seen and heard.

I wasn't willing to drop a pile of cash on a combo that I might not like, or want to get stolen, I went cheap and got a Behringer BXL 3000 for 2 bills ,scratch n dent.It has done well so far, and I don't expect to replace it yet.
It would take a lot longer to make back the cost of the pricier brands mentioned above.

My local Sam Ash carries PJB gear. I once tried a Briefcase while I was at Bass Central in Orlando, but I have to say I was not that impressed with the tone, kind of anemic with no real bottom end to it. If you are considering the Flightcase you should go to a GC and check out this amp.

You may want to wait 'til after NAMM next week to see what new amps the manufacturers have coming out this year.

Mesa Boogie walkabout! I love this amp, so much I bought two. I'm actually selling the smaller one right now if you're interested. The walkabouts have a downfiring passive radiator that helps them put out some really solid low end for their size. The whole combo is very lightweight, and this one is in a factory custom color. Size is 20.5" tall, 17" wide, 15" deep.





The one I'm holding on to:

I think Angelo is looking for something a lot lighter than the Walkabout. Unless, of course, it came with the stack knob Jazz Bass!