ive got a stingray bass and im looking for a combo amp thats around 200 watts. any suggestions on which to go for or which brands sell then would be much appreciated.
cheers
tom
cheers for the replies. anyone else know of any other companies that make 150-250 watt amps? that are not too expensive, aint got too much cash at the mo.
i play punk..i use ampeg stacks...810 and svt4rpo..little expensive but there combos use the same technology as there b2r bass head...i think u should go with either ampeg...or Hartke...hartke combos are great also
Hi Tom_683 , Ampeg IS Punk and Rock tone.....
If you've listened to Rancid or to most of those cats, it's big ol' Ampegs that they're all going through. I've heard too that the Ampeg combos are good. Mesa's stuff is nice too
but as long as it sounds good to you... then it's the right choice!
i have seen and liked....an ampeg ba115hp or a ampeg ba210 or a swr workingmans 15 or a laney r3 or r4? which would u recomend? i play alot of punk rock like said and ska and rock are they good for that style of music? and those amps look like the best for me, my bass teacher has a laney r3 and it sounds nice, anyone tried one?
If you play funky slap pop stuff, a nice neat combo (400W) is the Yorkville 400 Combo. I use it for those gigs, and for rock/jazz I use a Warwick quad VI head ( want to change that for an Eden Traveller) and Wayne Jones boxes (aussie guy).
But for that punchy funky stuff, I can't get over how good the Yorkville 400 combo is.
However, it's what your fingers do that probably makes the greatest difference!
My grain of salt,
Just one piece of advice, keep in mind that combos will quote the amount of wattage they can offer in in 4ohms but most of their speakers are only 4ohms, so you need another 8ohm extencion cabinet. so, say a 200 watt combo will be performing @ 120 watts or so in 8 ohms. If you're a punk rocker you'll be short in volume.
By for now
P.D. I've heard Peaveys are pretty LOUD!! (maybe not the best quality though)
I had an old TKO115 and nothing comes close to the grind of that old combo with every knob on 10! Forget going through a guitar head/cab for rock distortion, get an old Peavey and an A/B box
Hi,
I'd just like to correct myself on my previous response. I mentioned that most combo speakers are 4 ohms, should've said 8ohms.
Still, don't by a low wattage amp just because at the moment you can't afford a more powerfull one, nothing worse than regreting a wrong purchase you're stuck with. I'm sure that all of us who have played with bands know that once you have a drummer and a guitarrist(S) (specialy one with an overinflated ego), you need the right amount of power (and the right EQ) to cut through.
Cheers
Augusto
in my house i have a Marshall which i don't really like.. it's variety of sounds is not the widest, and the main thing that i'm looking for in an amp is versatility
in my town's musical center (the place in which i learn bass) there are 3 bass amps which i oftenly use-
1. polytone mini-brute - my favourite! jazzy, versatile, funky, punchy, warm (did i mention versatile? ), i absoulutly love it, and would purchase one in the future
2. fender frontman - pretty nice.. good for jazz and has a bright-punchy sound
3. roland (dont know which)- it's small and does not have many sound options, although roland does hae some great amps
try carvin, their nice and cheap..but their factory direct..so the only way u can try them is if u live in southen cali, or u find one used in a store..but i bought a new 4 10 cab, and it was amazing, still is
have you had a look at the GK 400RB - nice little combo amp, comes in a 2 x 10 or a 1 x 15... but like the guys said above.. headroom - the worst thing you can do is take your new amp to practice and your guitarist is "still" louder than you....
I think I'm about to pick up a GK 700RB 2x10 with a 1x15" cab... all I have to do is get it passed the wife (anyone got any valium!!)
good luck with your search... play a few amps.. buy what makes you happy.
Have to agree with Shaver, I heard once a band(trio) in Hawaii going over a small vocal pa playing at the Waikiki's Sheraton beer garden. The bass player was using a small Carvin combo (1X15 I believe) and a Carvin 5 string; I'd never heard Carvins before, the place was packed with drunken people and the sound cut through like nothing, nice punchy and tight.
Finally, just keep in mind that valve amps are louder than solid state ones; ie. a 200watt valve is louder than a 200watt solid state. the reason is that y can cranck up the valve amp and its distortion is smooth, where as the valve amp will distort badly.
Bye for now
Augusto