@hughrawlinson I can't really help on the combo question but as with all such things it is good to have an honest discussion with yourself about what you need, as well as what you want.

Having said that I have a Darkglass Microtubes 500 and a 212 cabinet. I think it is probably louder than I'll ever need and tone-wise gives you a lot from clean to brutal. It looks great (to me) and is light but solid. Their aftersales service is also awesome.

Also try the #GearSquad hashtag for this stuff.

@hughrawlinson basically a combo is fine unless you’ve got to pay loud in a gig situation without a proper sound system or you’re practising with people who only play really loud :-) The same advice always applies, if you can, go out to shops and test things.

It also depends how much you’re shaping the sound with effects before it goes into the power amp stage. You might then want something that’s really accurate and won’t colour the tone further. In the end only you know.

@hughrawlinson I'd go Markbass (again). Great tone, great punch, light, compact, funky color scheme. Not cheap, but worth the money.

@hughrawlinson I am a big fan of Phil Jones Bass gear. I use a PB800 head and a couple of C4 cabs for gigs. If it’s a small room I’ll just bring one cab. 400 watts is still plenty.

Don’t let the 5” speakers fool you. They’re super responsive and sound friggin’ huge without coloring your sound. The C4 cabs are also small and light, which pleases my spinal column.