Small Combo Amps

pasinbyyou · Nov 21, 2015

I usually play a mesa dual Recto, or a Marshall 100 w (6100) - what small combo amp would you all recommend as a replacement?

so far, the Mesa Mark V is something that seem to be more similar to what i'm playing now. Just curious what everyone has experience with.

Thanks in advance!!

marshallmel · Nov 21, 2015

I'd vote for a Budda Superdrive or the 5150iii 1x12 combo.

Chris6870 · Nov 21, 2015

Mark IV or V. I have a Mark IV combo and it doesn't sound as boxy as some others do.

mniel8195 · Nov 21, 2015

small box 50 combo thank me later

thiswaythatway · Nov 21, 2015

I personally don't like Mesa Mark amps in combo form. I had a Mark IV 1x12 and an Electra Dyne at the same time and the ED sounded twice as big, but that amp needs a good OD pedal to boost it and it's loud as hell. I only like the Mark amps on closed back cabs.

tripstan · Nov 21, 2015

If you got the funds Friedman Smallbox.

I also think Mesa Mark combos sound like ass. The tone change is night and day with combos Vs closed back cab.

CaseyCor · Nov 21, 2015

Why not go with a lunchbox/mini amp and a 1x12? Mark V:25, Orange Terror, Jet City stuff, the new 5150 III Lunchbox, etc....

I dig the Mesa Express Plus combos. They seem to be a bit underrated around here.

Chris6870 · Nov 22, 2015

No combo is going to sound as good as a head with a good cab especially for metal. I had my Mark IV in a headshell with a 3/4 back Mesa widebody cab and it sounded great and was pretty portable. I moved it to a combo for using with a pop/rock kinda band I play with and it sounds fine for that.I can make one trip from the car that way and having crushing tone is not that important. If I was playing heavier stuff I would go back to the head/cab setup.

pasinbyyou · Nov 22, 2015

Thanks guys! i could do a small amp and cab, which would do the same thing. I don't do much metal; i'm more of a hard rock/stoner rock/grunge style....if i was to do metal i'd go full on solid state ha!

Chris6870 · Nov 23, 2015

Why not just get a Mesa 1x12 widebody and use your Recto head.

CaseyCor · Nov 23, 2015

BrokenFusion":2r1s302p said:
Why not just get a Mesa 1x12 widebody and use your Recto head.

I would go with this. Mesa widebody, or thelie 1x12. The Bogner Cube is a nice sounding 1x12. Orange PPC 1x12 cabs are cool, but a bit less portable. I'm still partial to Avatar cabs myself. My last rig was an early Single Rectifier with a Avatar Contemporary 1x12, loaded with a Vet 30 speaker. Most people thought I was running a 4x12, and didn't believe me when I showed them my cab. :thumbsup: