Looking for loud combo amp

I play a Yamaha SVC-200 with a rock band and I need a loud amp. I like the SWR california blonde, but not the weight (50+ pounds). I like the Contra, but not the price ($1000+). Any suggestions? Thanks!!


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Get a separate amp head and cabinet

By getting your amp in two separate pieces, you can carry two lighter items instead of one heavier one. If I can ever pry it away from the singer/bassist I work with, I'd gig with my 30-something lb. bass cabinet and Euphonic Audio bass head. My cab is an Epifani 2x10 - light enough to carry like a lunch box, yet can handle up to 500W.

Yoshi The Samurai Cellist tours with a little AER amp. It's loud enough for small venues and I think he runs it into the PA for bigger ones.

Various combo amps

Hi All,

I'm new to the forum, but not new to cello and amplification.
I've used various amps over the years, both with pickup and mic. The GK150MBE is very portable and powerful, but very directional. And the sound - while great when I play electric bass - is only so-so with cello.

My SWR Redhead is a great bass amp, and much better for cello than the GK (wider tonal spectrum) - but it's much heavier than the GK. And even though it has wheels, it's just not as easy to gig with. But the sound is pretty good with cello.

I'm waiting for my new Acoustic Image Ten2 combo amp, which I anticipate will be great. I plan to blend mic and pickup through the two channels, and eventually set it up with an extension speaker for the larger groups I work with.

I'll post an update after I get the amp and have some time to work with it.