Amp suggestions-help

[Mahlon]

I need ya'lls input on what amp to get. I play a Bongo 4 HH. I'm not in a band but might get together with some guys and play some. For $500 or less I'd like a nice combo with power and not too heavy to carry around. I want to be able to toss it in the back seat and go!

Thanks for any help you can give.

 

[Mobay45]

I haven't played Ashdown before, but they get lots of thumbs up for their MAG series. See them here: http://www.zzounds.com/prodsearch?form=prodsearch&q=ashdown&submit.x=12&submit.y=4

 

[Mahlon]

Thanks, I'll give it a look. Any comments positive or negative about the Fender Bassman line?

 

[barkatozz]

While I don't own the combo versions, I own 2 Fender Bassman heads & they sound killer with My MMs running through them.

 

[Mahlon]

thanks!

 

[MingusBASS]

for 500 bucks you can pick up an Ampeg Rocketbass 100 watt combo- I think the model is 100BR. Its a nice little amp with a great sound.

Andrew

 

[barkatozz]

I don't know what model Ampeg combo it is, but whenever I go to Guitar Center I fiddle with a Bongo through it & it sounds quite good.
I have played through a 2X10 Fender Bassman Combo & it sounded great.

 

[MingusBASS]

The Rocketbass is a solidstate version of the old fliptop Ampeg combos. Its got blue covering and looks all retro. I use it for smaller gigs and playing around the house.

Andrew

 

[T-bone]

Don't forget the lower end Eden combo's. They go by the trade name Nemesis, and build some pretty dang good little amps. I have a 2-10 combo which I can carry in one hand (50 lbs), and my bass in the other.

tbone

 

[Doogels]

Of my amps, I LOVE my SWR Workingman's 12. If only that thing was louder... but it's not too bad, especially with a 210 extension.

I hear others rave about the SWR Workingman's 15, too.

 

[whamonkey]

Check out used gear over at Talkbass.....I saw a dude selling a Peavy BAM 210 for $650....killer amp and only a little out of your range. VERY versatile combo with some punch too...

You may want to consider a head/cab deal for portability. Get ya' like an Eden D210XLT with a decent head or something like that...lightweight and LOUD. Personally, most combos worth anything weigh in at close to 100 pounds...cabs and heads are lighter.

2x10 will give you a better overall tone than a 1x15 IMO.....

Food for thought......

 

[barkatozz]

2x10 will give you a better overall tone than a 1x15 IMO.....
Food for thought......

+1

 

[AnthonyD]

Agreed... In a small combo go 2x10 before 1x15...

 

[TSanders]

Id give a look at some used GK combos.

 

[roballanson]

I have found Ashdown's stuff always reliable. I have a little Perfect 10 for home and the big monster for gigging. Neither have ever let me down.

Definately worth a look.

 

[barkatozz]

http://www.americanmusical.com/item--i-FEN-2345700-010.html

 

[Transverz]

I second (or third?) the idea on the head/cab route. Buy used if you have to in order to fit your budget. Portability often times out-does the combos, and you can change the amp/cab at your whim. Combos leave you stuck if you don't like or can no longer use any part of it. Your tastes, power requirements, volume requirements, etc will change after playing for a bit and you evolve. If your money is as short as it is mine, being able to grow into something is a great thing.

Lots of 350w @ 4ohm heads can be found for $250 or so. A few new, most used. You can find almost any cab, depending on quality/brand-name for almost any price nowadays. Especially if your budget is around $250...you could even buy new!

I'm sure lots of people can suggest exactly which brands they favor at these price points. The beauty of being a bass player at this point in time: options

 

[Mobay45]

I would say to pick up a good, used Hartke 3500 for about $250 and maybe look at the Avatar cabs. I've owned the Hartke and I've heard nothing but good things about the Avatars. Lot's of bang for the buck.

 

[sandaas]

Agree with mobay on the amp, the hartke 3500 is a great & reliable workinghorse that sounds pretty good for the price.

I now use ampeg cabs with my 3500, but I've also used it on peavey cabs and the result in sound was suprisingly good + peavey cabs rarely stops working (that's my experince anyway). Don't know 'bout the prize on ampeg vs peavey in your part of the planet, but ampeg is way, way, mucho, mucho more expensive than peavey is - in norway (where I live). So start on the budget amps and work your way up as you develop as a player and then sell your old gear when you buy new stuff. As time goes your gear develops with you and you end up being a gearwhore like the rest of us


IMHO

cheers

 

[Mobay45]

http://avatarspeakers.com/

Check that one out. Also, check out the bass gear for sale over on talkbass.com, thedudepit.com and harmonycentral.com. There are good deals on used gear in all of those places. Although my advice would be to get a used head and a new cabinet.