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Conference napalm::guitar

Title:	GUITARnotes - Where Every Note has Emotion
Notice:	Discussion of the finer stringed instruments
Moderator:	KDX200::COOPER

Created:	Thu Aug 14 1986
Last Modified:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:	3280
Total number of notes:	61432

2192.0. "Any SMALL bass amps out there?" by LEVERS::R_PEPE () Tue May 07 1991 16:30

    I've never spent time researching this and was wondering if anyone is
    knowledgeable about the state-of-the-art in bass amplifiers today.  Are
    there any good sounding amps that are compact in size and lightweight?
    When you look at current stereo audio equipment, for example,  it's
    amazing where they've taken the technology as far as sound quality vs.
    speaker enclosure size.  Is any work being done to reduce musical
    instrument amps, the same way?
    
    	I currently use a Peavey Mark III bass head with a Peavey bass
    bottom holding a single 12" 'Black Widow' speaker.  I love the sound and
    evrything, but the problem is I'm getting too old to lug this thing
    around.  It's getting so that after I've lifted it in and out of the
    car, etc..., I almost have to lie in traction for 2 days until my back
    is ready again, you dig?  (That was really an exaggeration... but you
    get my drift, right?).
    
    	If there is any good "small" bass equipment out there with good tonal 
    quality, I'd love to check it out.  Any brand names...models?
    
    Thanks,
    
    -Ralph

T.R	Title	User	Personal Name	Date	Lines
2192.1	one comes to mind	LEDS::BURATI	rih-bah...RIH-BAH!	`Tue May 07 1991 16:50`	16
	> Are > there any good sounding amps that are compact in size and lightweight? Ralph, Back about 8 years I was impressed by a little lightweight base amp made by Roland called (I think) the Cube. The guitar/base model was orange and I think it was available in two sizes, 30 watt with a 10" spkr and 60 watt with a 12. They had a nice tight low end. I don't know if Roland still sells them. I haven't seen one in a long time, but then again, I have hung around any music stores lately either. I know someone that dropped a JBL 12 in the 60 watt version and although it was considerably heavier, it sounded real good for bass. --ron
2192.2	GK, Thiele cabs, Polytone	IXION::ROST	Make my foam pre-CBS	`Tue May 07 1991 17:24`	22
	If you don't need real high volume, the Gallien-Krueger 200MB-II will give you 100 watts into a 12". It's become real popular amongst string bass players as a monitor amp. Has a stereo chorus built in. About $550 new. It can be mounted on a mike stand!!! About 30 lbs. I'm using a small Thiele cube with an EVM-12L speaker. Drive this with a 200 watt (or more) compact head like the Gallien-Kruegers or an SWR and it's a compact but potent setup. The cab is still heavy, though, since an EVM itself weighs about 25 lbs. But it is extremely compact and easy to move around. Fits onto your average folding chair if you need to get it up in the air. Roland Bass Cubes are no longer made (only Keyboard versions) but can be found used sometimes. Also check out Polytones, the MiniBrute I and II (the II has reverb and distortion for use with guitars) have 80 watts into a single 12", I think they slound wimpy but many jazz players use them and they are cheap, about $300 new, and plentiful used. Swapping the stock speakers for EV, JBL, etc. improves the tone at he expense of extra weight. The MiniBrute II and IV are 15" versions, a bit bigger and heavier, but still pretty compact. Brian
2192.3	Thiele and Woods	PIPPER::KELLYJ	Tone droid	`Tue May 07 1991 17:51`	5
	Another vote for Thiele boxes. Portable, warm sound, indestructible. A lot of jazz players use Walter Woods amps. They're about the size of a phonebook, but they put out lots-o-watts and have a nice EQ. They are wicked expensive.
2192.4		BTOVT::BAGDY_M	METALGod in the making !	`Thu May 09 1991 08:41`	13
	Speaking of `cube' amps. . .I saw one listed in the `Washington World' (Washington County, Vermont paper) last night for a Roland Cube Bass Amp. It's $200 at a place called `Play It Again Sam' in Montpelier, VT. The number to call is 1-800-472-SAMS. If you're really interested, you can call `em, work out the details/payment/whatever and I can get it and ship it to you. Just an idea if this was something that you were really interested in. Matt
2192.5	!!!"#%$%	SCOAYR::SROBERTSON		`Sat May 11 1991 15:51`	5
	I read a review on a Peterson bass combo that was very small and portable.The reviewer spoke very highly of it - had a great sound,very small in size for a 100 watt and it was finished very well lokked really expensive with a lot of "good" features.I think it costs around 500 pounds.