Finding the best bass combo amp for gigging is easier when you know that Laney bass amps are actually designed for gigging bass players BY bass players!
Yes, we may be biased, but after you’ve read this blog you’ll fully understand and appreciate why the Laney Digbeth bass amplifier range is some of the best gigging bass amps in the world, and why the Laney Digbeth DB200-210 combo is easily one of the best bass combo amps for gigging musicians who need plenty of tones and functionality designed for gigs.
We’ll cover them more extensively, but at a snapshot here are the main features of the Laney Digbeth DB200-210 any gigging bass player should care about.
Straight out of the box you get 200 Watts RMS which is MORE than enough to gig on any stage with. The 2 x 10″ HH Blue label woofers pump out all the lush low-end frequencies you need while the 1″ LaVoce Compression Driver handles all the high-end frequencies so you’re covered for subtle jazz bass runs to heavy metal doom-laden riffs.
The addition of FET & TUBE pre amp sections allows you to sculpt multiple sounds within your amplifier, so you can get that neutral bass amp sound that sits nicely in the mix or go for the tube driven tones. Best of all, you can mix both FET & TUBE preamp sections!
Any gigging bass player will appreciate the selectable MID pre-shape EQ curves as you can sculpt the perfect tone for any gig and the TILT ‘EQ Seesaw’ function lets you sculpt the perfect tone based on what stage you’re playing, reducing or boosting each frequency to match the stage and venue’s sound.
In addition, you also have XLR Balanced DI out Pre/Post selectable connectivity for straight-to-desk or PA recording.
Oh and it only weighs 18.5kg so you’re not going to break your back carrying it to each venue!
Need more info? Read on!
We’ve covered why the Laney Digbeth bass amplifiers are so good, but why is the Laney DB200-210 combo the actual best bass combo for gigging? Is it the tilt function? FET and TUBE amp sounds? Or the connectivity options? Perhaps it’s lightweight construction? Well, it’s all of the above and more.
The Laney Digbeth offers unparalleled sound control, versatility, and professional-grade features, making it the best gigging combo amp for any bassist and if world-famous artists like Nathan East use Laney Digbeth – you KNOW it’s good!
So today we’re showing you 6 reasons why this is one of the best combo bass amps for bass players.
Basically the main standout feature and the main reason why the Laney Digbeth DB200-210 combo is one of the best bass combo amps for gigs, including small gigs and large gigs is the innovative TILT EQ control, a dynamic, powerful seesaw EQ. This control lets you tailor your sound perfectly for any gigging situation because no two gigs are the same!
If you want to cut through live mixes, turning the TILT EQ control clockwise increases mid to high frequencies and decreases lows, giving your sound more presence, which is crucial for cutting through live band mixes especially on larger stages or hollow stages.
Conversely, turning the control counterclockwise reduces mid to high frequencies and boosts lows, creating a fuller, rounder sound that’s perfect for smaller venues or acoustic sets where you don’t want to overcrowd the sound.
With this level of control, you can easily adjust your tone to suit any performance, genre, stage or festival environment, making the Laney Digbeth the best bass combo amp for small gigs and large venues alike.
As bass players we need multiple tones at our disposal and the sound of tube and solid-state amplifiers with the reliability of the latter. Besides, why be forced to choose when it comes to solid state vs tube bass amps. Fortunately, we’ve designed the Laney Digbeth DB200-210 combo to feature both FET and TUBE pre-amp sections, offering a mixable combination that allows for extensive tonal customisation – all the sound and dynamics of tube amps with the reliability of solid state.
Why use FET vs. TUBE Preamps? Well, it’s widely appreciated that FET preamps provide a cleaner, more solid-state sound, while TUBE pre-amps deliver warm, rich tones with natural compression and that pleasing distortion at high gain levels.
We wanted to give bass players the option of both so by mixing these preamp sections, you can achieve a wide range of sounds, from crisp and punchy to warm and smooth.
This versatility makes the Laney Digbeth the best gigging bass amp, suitable for various genres and performance styles as well as different genres that call for each type of sound. Whether you need a tight, articulate sound for funk or a deep, growling tone for rock, this amp has you covered AND you can mix the two to dial in your signature sound.
Gigging bass players need a bass amp that integrates seamlessly into any performance setup as you may turn up to a gig where you can go direct into a PA, or sometimes play a festival where the sound engineer needs both the mic and DI signal. The Laney Digbeth DB200-210 combo excels in that department with its professional-grade connectivity features – we’ve made sure all basses (get it?) are covered!
The XLR-DI Out lets you connect directly to PA systems or recording interfaces without the need for mic-ing. The built-in ground lift switch helps eliminate unwanted hum, ensuring a clean, professional sound and the balanced DI Output gives you the source switching capabilities that allow sound engineers to select the best signal for optimal live sound.
For pedal users, there’s an FX loop so you can place time-based effects like delays and reverbs in the perfect spot within the signal path, offering flexibility in sound sculpting and ensuring your tone is as unaffected as possible. Delayed distortion versus distorted delay can make a really cool addition to your overall tone.
It’s these connectivity features that we feel make the Laney Digbeth DB200-210 combo the best gigging combo amp for small gigs and large gigs, providing everything you need for a hassle-free setup and fuss free performance – just turn up and play!
Sound elements aside – we KNOW what irks bass players. Heavy cabs, hard-to-grab handles, inability to practise using the same amp, poor construction – the list goes on. This is why we designed the entire Digbeth range (and all of our amplifiers here at Laney) to make sure these problems are addressed!
In addition to its superior sound and connectivity, the Laney Digbeth DB200-210 combo is designed with practical features that make it ideal for gigging musicians.
We made it with an ergonomic design with side-mounted metal grab handles making transporting the amp easier when you’re unloading and loading into venues.
The headphones socket lets you practise silently with high-quality sound through the 3.5mm headphones input and the Aux input allows you to use the 3.5mm stereo Aux IN to play along with tracks during warm-ups or sound checks.
Of course, we’ve ensured the cab and amplifier is built to withstand the rigours of touring, making sure this amp is durable and reliable while not being too heavy by clocking in at 18.5kg in weight. It’s almost like going ampless on bass it’s that light!
It’s these practical features we’ve designed based on our in-depth experience of gigging with bass amp combos that have made the Laney Digbeth DB200-210 combo not only the best bass combo for gigging but also a reliable companion for every performance. It’s also part of our best bass amps for practice list too, it’s THAT good!
Power is a crucial factor for any gigging bass amp as you need to hear and FEEL the amp. We’re happy to say that the Laney Digbeth DB200-210 combo delivers with 200 Watts RMS of power pushed out through 2 x 10″ HH Blue label woofers and a 1″ LaVoce Compression Driver, to ensure this amp produces a clear, punchy sound that fills any venue – EVERYONE will hear it.
200 watts is more than enough when deciding how loud your bass amp should be so you can feel confident that the Digbeth DB200-210 combo is the best bass combo amp for gigging, capable of handling small gigs and larger venues with ease.
Don’t just take our word for it—Gigging bassists across genres play Laney Digbeth bass amps and praise its versatility, power, and reliability including artists like Nathan East (Phil Collins, Eric Clapton, Daft Punk), Dan Pugsley (Skindred), Bob Hardy (Franz Ferdinand), Dougie Poynter (McFly), and many more!
You can read more about who plays Laney Digbeth amps here.
In conclusion, the Laney Digbeth offers everything a gigging bassist needs like superior sound control, versatile preamp sections, professional-grade connectivity, practical features, and powerful performance for any stage, venue or genre. These reasons are why we firmly believe the Laney Digbeth DB200-210 combo is one of the best bass combo amps for gigging. Try the Laney Digbeth for yourself and experience the difference it can make in your live performances.
Shop the full Laney Digbeth range of bass amplifiers today. Buying from USA? Shop direct at Laney Amplification and enjoy free shipping!