$300 against two half stacks?

[Journey55]

Uh...hello, I'm pretty new to these forums but I was wondering if you guys could recommend any bass amp that could still be heard in tue midst if two guitar half stacks for $300 (or under). I play just about everything so versatility would be cool. Effects are a plus and I'm pretty sure I'm gonna have to go used for this (I live in Melbourne Florida if it matters). Thanks for the help

[Bass_Pounder]

$300 is not alot when you are trying to compete against two 1/2 stacks - especially if you have a ham handed drummer too.

Just some things to keep in mind.................

In the equation of power and speakers, having more speakers will get you louder than having more watts (a 500 watt head into a single 15" cab will get killed by a 300 watt head into a 2X15)

Low end takes more power to reproduce than mids/highs. General rule of thumb is that you need 4X the power of what your guitarists are using + the proper amount of speakers to do the job.

That said..........try looking for a used head in the 300 - 500 watt range, and a 4X10, 2X12, or 2X15 cab - it won't be easy on that budget, but it can be done.

[drpepper]

Yeah, from Melbourne, Florida to Everett, Washington the only versatility that $300 is going to get you up against two half stacks and typical guitarist is going to be points of style on how you are drowned out.

Get ready for some hardcore prison-style lovin from those guitars.

[lowliferumble]

Originally Posted by drpepper

Get ready for some hardcore prison-style lovin from those guitars.

ROTFLMAO!!!!

[drpepper]

EV B-215 Bass Speaker Cabinet

[fenderhutz]

Go buy an older Peavey or Crate 215. Can be found used everywhere for 100-150 bucks in various conditions.

Go buy and older Peavey head (Mark III etc.) for 100-150 dollars.

Check craigslist, pawn shops, and the forums here. Peavey amps are almost bulletproof and last forever.

Look on Guitar Centers used site for Acoustic B200 heads as well. I have seen them go from 100-125 used and they give a 30 day warranty on used stuff.

As far as new goes good luck. Without good PA support, I do not know of a sub 300 dollar amp to keep up with 8x12's and a drummer.

You are trying to move air on a budget. Get an older big cab like a 215 and a head described above. I just got a Crate BX215E used in rough but functional shape for 50 bucks just to have around in case I need to get louder for some reason.

Edit: Guitar Center used site has an Acoustic B200 for 129 and a Peavey Mark VI for 119 in Clearwater Florida. That Mark VI amp is killer. I think it has built in chorus and compression. Probably only 15 bucks to have it shipped to you if you are in the US.

[BullHorn]

A 2nd hand Fender Rumble 100W 15" combo or a Peavey TKO/TNT combo is easily in your budget. Unfortunately, it will probably be 'just about' enough against two half-stacks and you can forget about headroom.

-EDIT: Oh, if you can get the Fender Rumble for $150, you can stack two of those and you'll get massive tone and volume, I've used this set-up against two loud guitarists and a drummer and often was told to turn down.

[BigOldHarry]

$300???

nope.

Sorry!

[ButtUglyJeff]

Do you have anything to work with? What gear do you currently own?

[Journey55]

Well the only amp I have right now is a Drive CD200B amp and I can't hear myself with that...

[fenderhutz]

Originally Posted by BigOldHarry

$300???

nope.

Sorry!

See my post. Can be done

If I bought that Peavey head on the GC site I would be about 180 dollars in with a 215 and a 400 watt head. Plenty to be heard on stage.

[1n3]

Used gear is your only chance.

[fenderhutz]

Well geeze dude you are in Melbourne Fl. Call the Clearwater store and grab that Peavey head for 119. You will not find a better amp for the price. I know a 3 hour drive is out of the question but shipping would be cheep cheep.

[Bass_Pounder]

Originally Posted by Journey55

Well the only amp I have right now is a Drive CD200B amp and I can't hear myself with that...

Yep.........I can see where a 20 watt amp with an 8" speaker could pose a problem

[cybersnyder]

Used gear and some patience. Hit the pawn shops and keep checking Craigslist. The 2x15 and a Peavey head would be what I would look for. Even then $300 may not be enough unless you're at the right place at the right time.

[cybersnyder]

Originally Posted by Bass_Pounder

Yep.........I can see where a 20 watt amp with an 8" speaker could pose a problem

I didn't even look, I assumed that was 200 watts from the name. Ouch, but you have to start somewhere.

[Bass_Pounder]

Originally Posted by cybersnyder

I didn't even look, I assumed that was 200 watts from the name. Ouch, but you have to start somewhere.

Same here.

I checked the amp out originally to see if it could handle an extension cab, then I saw what it really was.

[Luckie]

You could by some matches and kerosene, set one of the half stacks on fire...

[fenderhutz]

So that Peavey head for 119 in Clearwater and this seems to be KINDA local to you:

EV B-215 Bass Speaker Cabinet (Dr Pepper's post above)

EV B-215. I would make an offer and tell them you don't want the "extras" that they are throwing in for free. It MIGHT put you a little over the 300 mark but that cab is nice.

With that Peavey head you could also keep an eye open for 410 cabs as well as 215 cabs, two single 15's etc. A 210, 115 or similar isn't going to cut the mustard regardless of wattage. You need speaker square footage.

I know for a fact the older Peavey 215 with the black widow speakers sound really good, as well as the Crates with the American Pro speakers in them and you can usually get those on the cheap.

[dukeisdog]

You could always rent for the time being if needed until you could save up some more money.