$500 gets me?...

Chazmo · #1 12-23-2011, 03:19 PM

Advice needed - I'm a guitar player setting up basement rehearsal space, and have ~$450 - $500 allotted for bass amp. Bandmates/friends traditionally playing blues, classic rock, need something that can keep up.

New or used, doesn't matter, transportabilty not big deal, but smaller footprint a plus.

Appreciate thoughts.

christw · #2 12-23-2011, 03:21 PM

I'd buy used. Stack two 2x10's vertically for a small footprint and some kick nonetheless. Older solid state Peavey amps are cheap (and can be found for WAY under your price cap) and usually sound pretty good.

winegamd · #3 12-23-2011, 05:06 PM

Well in the Dallas area right now on Craigslist there is a GK 1001rb and Eden 2x12 for $450. So, just do some shopping cause deals are out there allowing you to get quite a bit for a steal (hopefully not literally).

Downunderwonder · #4 12-23-2011, 06:00 PM

Peavey has good reputation for being hard to blow up. That's a good reputation to have when a bunch of non bassists will be playing on it.

sad_katz · #5 12-24-2011, 07:39 AM

Used Peaveys, 410 or 115, head/cab or combo. They're heavy but almost indestructible. Not bad sounding either.

GK MB112/115 fits the bill and can be loud for a lil' basement.

Ampeg BA-112 sounds great for blues and rock but can't go too loud.

Used Ampeg Micro-SVT/210AV can be had below $500. Need to look around - they go out fast.

Roland Cube 100/120XL can provide multiple effects in one small package.

Hopkins · #6 12-24-2011, 07:59 AM

Go used, for $500 you should be able to find a decent head and a decent 410. I got my 700rb II and a 410sbx plus for around $450

Ibanez Bassist · #7 12-24-2011, 08:32 AM

Used you will definitely get a little more for your money but new you can get a Peavey Tour TNT 600 watt for $500.00 .. good deal should be enough to get Ya started..

lomo · #8 12-24-2011, 08:44 AM

Best bang for buck: used Peavey TKO 15 combo. Smallest footprint: pair of 210s stood on end. This setup also allows modularity and in terms of all band members hearing the bass, you can angle the 2 stacked cabs in different directions providing flexibility. Older, heavier SS heads are the best bang for the buck, but newer micro heads used are also very reasonable. One that pushes300 watts at 8 Ohms and 500 watts at 4 Ohms will provide ample power. A used markbass LM2 or Genz Benz Shuttle 6 can be had for about 450. If you have the scratch, I'd go for option 2. Used Eden 210 cabs are available fairly cheap because they are MUCH heavier than newer boutique 210s. A pair of nice 112s will do fine as well, or a 410. I wouldn't go smaller than 212 unless your drummer is "mature" :-)

pudgychef · #9 12-24-2011, 05:05 PM

what else will be in the space?
couple of 30w tube guitar combos or 100 4x12 bad-boys?

If it is a couple of small-med combos and a guitar kit plus vocals in the PA, I would be tempted to look for a 1x15 or 2x10 combo. Used, 150-300w, Peavey TNT/TKO, Yorkville, GK etc.

For a louder set-up, used, heavy cabs seem to go real cheap - maybe a 4ohm 4x10 or 2x12....or look loca for someone getting rid of a 2x15 - cheap but not a small footprint.

EDIT: Newer style Fender Rumble 150 or 350 are also, imho, good sounding, loud and cheap

jumbodbassman · #10 12-24-2011, 05:14 PM

i would check out my tag sale.....lots of cheap deals

Chazmo · #11 12-24-2011, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pudgychef

what else will be in the space?
couple of 30w tube guitar combos or 100 4x12 bad-boys?

If it is a couple of small-med combos and a guitar kit plus vocals in the PA, I would be tempted to look for a 1x15 or 2x10 combo. Used, 150-300w, Peavey TNT/TKO, Yorkville, GK etc.

For a louder set-up, used, heavy cabs seem to go real cheap - maybe a 4ohm 4x10 or 2x12....or look loca for someone getting rid of a 2x15 - cheap but not a small footprint.

EDIT: Newer style Fender Rumble 150 or 350 are also, imho, good sounding, loud and cheap

First choice: sm to mid combos plus PA.

Thanks all for the advice.

Tag sale?.....

jungleheat · #12 12-26-2011, 05:19 PM

Depending on where you live, you can sometimes get ridiculous deals on cabs on craigslist, etc... I bought an old Acoustic 2x15 cab for $75, got a whole Trace Elliot stack (2x10 and 1x15) for $300, got a Carvin 1x15 for $80, etc... That's in DC so it's a densely populated area with a semi-decent music scene.

But if you could get a similar deal on a cab (I would go 1x15 or 4x10, or 2x15 if you can find a decent one for cheap), then you could have 300+ to spend on a head and get something like an old SWR Bass 350, or something along those lines. I would suggest an amp from a reputable maker with at least 300w at 8 ohms. I think I spent about $380 for my Bass 350, which is probably on the high side, but it's in really excellent condition, and they're pretty much indestructible for normal purposes. Oh yeah, and they sound awesome, although apparently some people aren't big on them.

So my entire main bass rig cost me about $680, plus maybe another $40 or so for speaker cables. It's all either USA or UK made, and all vintage (at least 15 years old), and it sounds phenomenal. Just shows you what you can get for not too much money if you know what to look for, and spend some time looking, and have a little luck as well.

Rob Martinez · #13 12-26-2011, 05:23 PM

Ampeg B100R if you can find one. Perfect for your needs.

Chazmo · #14 12-30-2011, 12:31 PM

Looks like I have a line on a PF350 and SVT410HLF can for just a bit more than my $500 budget (separate sellers).

Would this work well together?

Downunderwonder · #15 12-30-2011, 04:22 PM

I don't know diddly squat about the amp. The cab has some love on TB. For $500 and a little more, bass goodness looks pretty darn likely.

You really want gear to be demoed for you before buying it but it would be fine to pick up either and continue on to the next. If the last piece tunred out to be no good, no harm just keep shopping.

It's not like you have to match ampeg with ampeg, GK with GK etc. Any combo will be absolutely fine for making bassy noise in a bassment. Any bassist that gibs about it is going to have his own gear and I bet 99% of TB would still use the "sonic mismatch rig" instead of lugging our own. I never played any rig I didn't like in some way.

will33 · #16 12-30-2011, 04:58 PM

Does the bass player not have an amp?

If you want to setup a jam room where various people (some of which don't know what they're doing) can just come and plug in, CL is your friend. Get some old Peavey cab(s) and a Peavey amp. Decent sound, loud, cheap, virtually indestructable, and heavy enough the thieves will probably leave it there, or at least abandon it in the front yard.

I'm thinking a Mark series amp and a 215. If you don't need that loud, a TNT combo.

poorbassist15 · #17 12-30-2011, 05:27 PM

Peavey, probably a Mark IV + 2x15 or something around that. Impossible to kill. In 7 years, I've only seen one that didn't work.

Chazmo · #18 12-31-2011, 06:17 AM

Thanks all - the 410 on CL turned out to be a scam, but (amazingly) found a PF 115 used at GC that had just shown u - can't wait to play with this rig (combined w/PF500).

Should mesh well with my Ampeg Reverbojet and Fender Deluxe Reverb.

As a noobie, have to say, great forum.