Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I'm looking for recommendations for a compact bass amp that I could use for semi-acoustic gigs. I'm going to be playing with a mellow folk group and I don't want to haul my half stack. Plus, I think my current setup will be overkill for the music and venues we'll be playing. Any recommendations for a somewhat lightweight/easily portable, decent sounding and affordable combo? Thanks!

jbrando wrote:I'm looking for recommendations for a compact bass amp that I could use for semi-acoustic gigs. I'm going to be playing with a mellow folk group and I don't want to haul my half stack. Plus, I think my current setup will be overkill for the music and venues we'll be playing. Any recommendations for a somewhat lightweight/easily portable, decent sounding and affordable combo? Thanks!

He said affordable!

Seriously, many here tout MarkBass. There have been threads on this, but I'm sure the regulars will chime in with recommendations.

johnallg wrote: He said affordable!

Yeah, I know. But I figured it wouldn't hurt to ask.

How about a Ric TR120B?

I still have to resize pics from NAMM, but I saw and heard a Gallien Krueger 500 watt 2x12 combo amp that my petite wife can lift with one arm. The street price should be about $699. It should be in the stores that carry GK in about 3 to 6 weeks. Right now the 2x10 version is already available.

Depending on your concept of affordable, go with the Markbass Minimark. I have had mine for a couple years now and i would replace it in a heartbeat; it sounds fantastic, and is amazingly small and lightweight for what it puts out. It is worth the money.

Very cool, guys. Thanks for the replies.

rickenbrother wrote:I still have to resize pics from NAMM, but I saw and heard a Gallien Krueger 500 watt 2x12 combo amp that my petite wife can lift with one arm. The street price should be about $699. It should be in the stores that carry GK in about 3 to 6 weeks. Right now the 2x10 version is already available.

Seriously, 500W? That's more than my 700RB-II puts out (@ 4 ohms) and that's just a head for ~$600.

FretlessOnly wrote:

rickenbrother wrote:I still have to resize pics from NAMM, but I saw and heard a Gallien Krueger 500 watt 2x12 combo amp that my petite wife can lift with one arm. The street price should be about $699. It should be in the stores that carry GK in about 3 to 6 weeks. Right now the 2x10 version is already available.

Seriously, 500W? That's more than my 700RB-II puts out (@ 4 ohms) and that's just a head for ~$600.

That's what the rep said. The 700RB is still made in the USA. GK combos and cabs loaded with Neo speakers are made in China. That's why there's such a price difference.

Well, the GK Neo 212-II sells for $599. I was fortunate to get mine recently for $485 shipped, but online they're $599 right now. It's hard to believe you can get a NEO combo 212 with a 500W amp for $100 more...

rickenbrother wrote:

FretlessOnly wrote:

rickenbrother wrote:I still have to resize pics from NAMM, but I saw and heard a Gallien Krueger 500 watt 2x12 combo amp that my petite wife can lift with one arm. The street price should be about $699. It should be in the stores that carry GK in about 3 to 6 weeks. Right now the 2x10 version is already available.

Seriously, 500W? That's more than my 700RB-II puts out (@ 4 ohms) and that's just a head for ~$600.

That's what the rep said. The 700RB is still made in the USA. GK combos and cabs loaded with Neo speakers are made in China. That's why there's such a price difference.

Ampeg should take note....

johnallg wrote:Ampeg should take note....

johnallg wrote:

rickenbrother wrote: That's what the rep said. The 700RB is still made in the USA. GK combos and cabs loaded with Neo speakers are made in China. That's why there's such a price difference.

Ampeg should take note....

Was my thought as well!

Gotta tell you...we gigged this past weekend with 5 bands on the bill. I let them all use my rig(if you can call it that) consisting of markbass minimark II, and a gk 2x10 cabinet...every band said it was awesome, I thought so too. Versatile tone and loud as heck. The head fits in my gig bag, the cab is a light carry.