What's your favourite Cab/Head/Combo?

Bridgehouse

@smigeon asked a really good question re- a 'do-it-all' combo, and it got me thinking, there's a lot of bass amp choice out there but it doesn't get discussed as much as basses themselves.

So. What do you like? What's your favourite cab, head, or combo, and why?

BigLicks67

TBH I've not enough experience of the modern amps that are now available. If I was in the market I'd probably look at something that is powerful but lightweight, so I'd probably want to try a MarkBass CMD 10P as they sound good on YT.

Recently, I've tried a Fender Rumble, Eden Combo and an Ashdown 4x10 cab with separate head, out of those I'd say the Ashdown was best, but since it's nickname is 'Breakdown' I would probably avoid.

Back in the day it was Trace Elliott but by today's standards they seem anachronistic.

MattBanshee

Best one I've ever heard? An original Bassman 135 valve head into an Ampeg cab.

guitarfishbay

I just use a Matrix GT1000FX poweramp, same as I use for guitar, and a preamp.  I quite like the Sansamp RBI for this because it's also rackmount and for a basic bass EQ it does fine, and can do a mild amount of grit quite nicely, at least with passive Fender type basses.

I don't know that much about bass cabs to be honest.  I went for a used Hartke Hydrive 4x10 as it's light, was reasonably priced, but still sounds decent.

I'd love a big Ampeg fridge type thing but it wouldn't fit in my car anyway.

blobb

I tried a used Eden Metro combo a few weeks back. Heavy as (you know what) but there was just something about it that made me want take it home. Not really a bass player so can't really compare it to anything else really. It just spoke to me and I liked the look of it.

Mate of mine was trying amps out and compared to a Fender Rumble it lost out on practicality, but as I wasn't going to buy any of them that wasn't an issue. Bit like buying a new car, may as well test drive the stuff you have no intention of buying before you settle on the practical estate.

If I didn't ever have to carry it anywhere, I would love one to bash about on.

ICBM

Ampeg SVT and 8x10".

Because it sounds the best.

But then you have to lift it… and get it into the car… and revalve it quite often… so not really my favourite to own . (I never have, and now never will.)

A Fender Bassman 70 through a massively efficient Mesa 15/10/2x6 cab was pretty good too, but the cab was almost as big as an 8x10" so that was a no-go as well.

Really any amp which is loud enough and has a decent EQ section is usually fine. Better still, one which is already at the venue and doesn't need to be carried .

ThorpyFX

Orange Rockerverb MKIII and PPC 212 cab with celestion V30s, sounds great!

bassbora

Mesa Subway D800 through a Bergantino AE212.  Sounds great and light weight.  I have repeatedly good great response from other bass players and sound guys when I use this combo.

Kebabkid

Either a GK 800RB through a Genz Benz 2x12 OR an Aguilar 350 Tone Hammer through an Aguilar a single 1x10 or two of them.

Bridgehouse

Some great suggestions. Anyone got any wacky favourites?

Funkfingers

tc electronic Staccato '51 through RS210 cabinet. http://www.tcelectronic.com/staccato51/ Now discontinued. 

ICBM

Bridgehouse said:

Some great suggestions. Anyone got any wacky favourites?

Peavey Century head through any available junk cabinet - preferably with 15s… doesn't matter much - as long as it doesn't have a tweeter - because the amp just sounds like a giant fuzzbox . Lou Barlow also uses one.

Bridgehouse

ICBM said:

Bridgehouse said:

Some great suggestions. Anyone got any wacky favourites?

Peavey Century head through any available junk cabinet - preferably with 15s… doesn't matter much - as long as it doesn't have a tweeter - because the amp just sounds like a giant fuzzbox . Lou Barlow also uses one.

Ah you and your bass fuzz.. one of these days you're going to have to share the secret and tell me how you create it..

pintspiller

My Sound City 50B+ sounded best through a H|H 2x15

citizen68

Ceriatone Bluesmaster 100 head into a Zilla 1x12 Mini Modern cab, open back with EV12-L - does the lot 

ToneControl

citizen68 said:

Ceriatone Bluesmaster 100 head into a Zilla 1x12 Mini Modern cab, open back with EV12-L - does the lot 

Wow, I hated my EVH12 when driven from my BM50, I'll try again
My BM50 goes into a Zilla 2x12 with Celestion Golds

Whereas my HRM100 does, of course go into a 1x12 MJW EVH12

KKJale

Been using an Orange TB500 head for quite a while. It's a big, fat, furry, loud as hell thing with not much EQ but a lot of character for a hybrid Class D head, and though Orange has a rocky kind of image it works well for blues and '60s soul type styles. I changed V1 to a posher 12AX7 which cleaned it up a bit. I reckon it's a bit of a minor classic. As they're discontinued and quite fondly thought of, used prices seem to be fairly stable. 

Forum opinions are a funny thing. I was considering a bass amp change a couple of years ago and on the verge of nabbing an Aguilar Tone Hammer as everything online indicated it would be right up my street... then got the chance to borrow one for a month and use it live, and found it absolutely wasn't.  

On the verge again, more out of curiosity than anything else. Mesa and Quilter are sneaking to the top of the wanna-try list.

citizen68

ToneControl said:

citizen68 said:

Ceriatone Bluesmaster 100 head into a Zilla 1x12 Mini Modern cab, open back with EV12-L - does the lot 

Wow, I hated my EVH12 when driven from my BM50, I'll try again
My BM50 goes into a Zilla 2x12 with Celestion Golds

Whereas my HRM100 does, of course go into a 1x12 MJW EVH12

Interesting - the Bluesmaster could also be called bassmaster - I’ve to run the bass Control on mine at 2 or 3 but find the single EVM12-L delivers the goods nicely - have heArd the Golds are lovely too but I wanted a compact car friendly solution so a 2x12 was ruled out 

ToneControl

citizen68 said:

ToneControl said:

citizen68 said:

Ceriatone Bluesmaster 100 head into a Zilla 1x12 Mini Modern cab, open back with EV12-L - does the lot 

Wow, I hated my EVH12 when driven from my BM50, I'll try again
My BM50 goes into a Zilla 2x12 with Celestion Golds

Whereas my HRM100 does, of course go into a 1x12 MJW EVH12

Interesting - the Bluesmaster could also be called bassmaster - I’ve to run the bass Control on mine at 2 or 3 but find the single EVM12-L delivers the goods nicely - have heArd the Golds are lovely too but I wanted a compact car friendly solution so a 2x12 was ruled out 

I used 1x12 Gold before, far lighter than an EVM12 !
2x12 is a bit nicer, but not essential

I also run my BM50 on Bass=2
The golds have a scooped middle, which works for me. I've heard others like the EVM12 with the BM too.

Bridgehouse

KKJale said:

Been using an Orange TB500 head for quite a while. It's a big, fat, furry, loud as hell thing with not much EQ but a lot of character for a hybrid Class D head, and though Orange has a rocky kind of image it works well for blues and '60s soul type styles. I changed V1 to a posher 12AX7 which cleaned it up a bit. I reckon it's a bit of a minor classic. As they're discontinued and quite fondly thought of, used prices seem to be fairly stable. 

Forum opinions are a funny thing. I was considering a bass amp change a couple of years ago and on the verge of nabbing an Aguilar Tone Hammer as everything online indicated it would be right up my street... then got the chance to borrow one for a month and use it live, and found it absolutely wasn't.  

On the verge again, more out of curiosity than anything else. Mesa and Quilter are sneaking to the top of the wanna-try list.

The D800 plus is a cracking amp - it was that or the EICH T1000 - the EICH won the fist fight but I would happily gig with the D800.

The main problem was that it sounded better through Mesa cabs - and man they were a) heavy and b) pricey.. 

citizen68

ToneControl said:

citizen68 said:

ToneControl said:

citizen68 said:

Ceriatone Bluesmaster 100 head into a Zilla 1x12 Mini Modern cab, open back with EV12-L - does the lot 

Wow, I hated my EVH12 when driven from my BM50, I'll try again
My BM50 goes into a Zilla 2x12 with Celestion Golds

Whereas my HRM100 does, of course go into a 1x12 MJW EVH12

Interesting - the Bluesmaster could also be called bassmaster - I’ve to run the bass Control on mine at 2 or 3 but find the single EVM12-L delivers the goods nicely - have heArd the Golds are lovely too but I wanted a compact car friendly solution so a 2x12 was ruled out 

I used 1x12 Gold before, far lighter than an EVM12 !
2x12 is a bit nicer, but not essential

I also run my BM50 on Bass=2
The golds have a scooped middle, which works for me. I've heard others like the EVM12 with the BM too.

Cheers - I really must try a Gold then - would work ok in a 1x12 if I run my amp on half power.