Affordable beginner rig

[stewart8980]

Hey guys. I haven't had the joy of being in a band yet despite playing for almost 4 years now (which i find sad), but since I'm heading off to college next year, I was hoping maybe you guys would have suggestions on a good amp/combo/whatever that I could gig with. Right now, this is all I have:



It's an Acoustic B100. For me so far, it's been wonderful, and I absolutely love it. But I fear that it simply isn't going to be loud enough to play in a venue with. I own no pedals, or any crazy addons. All I have is a MIM Jazz and that amp, a 15 foot cable, a tuner and a hardcase. My budget will be whatever I can make this summer, so probably under $500-600 would be best. If it helps, I tend to favor a thumpier vintage sound over brightness and clarity, but I understand that muddiness can be a problem on loud amps.

Any ideas?

[impactwrench]

Maybe the ampeg micro stack? Later you could add a second cab for more oomph if needed, but 200 watts isnt a whole lot of power. I like the GK tone so I'd also suggest a Backline 600 (dirt cheap used!) and a 2x10 or 1x15 cab. It allows for more expandability.

[gregoire1]

I bought a GK bl600 used for $130 including shipping. Its a great sounding, giggable, affordable head.

[Soul Power]

If I were you I would save up more to cut the stepping stone gear out of the way.

[stewart8980]

I forgot to mention, that I don't understand how any of the ohms stuff works. I'm assuming that if your bass head is a 4ohm head, then your cab needs to be 4ohms as well? Just a matter of matching it up? Also, I'm assuming the wattages should match?

[insomniac2295]

Get a used Avatar 410 and a used Peavey Firebass 700, Max 700, or Max 450 and you'll have a killer rig!

[craig.p]

On the ohms question, there is an ohms faq in the amps faq sticky.

Regarding heads, I agree that used is the way to go, but make sure it's known-reliable. As others have said, GK and Peavey are that, for the most part. Early GK 400s are nice. Peavey Firebass amps are nice, too, and will peel your neighbor's paint off his walls. GK Backlines, not so sure. There was a run of bad ones long ago; from what I know of it, it wasn't a design problem but rather a manufacturing problem. Older (sled) Carvins are ok, too, but they sound somewhat characterless compared to the others, but then again the old Peaveys can sound that way, too. Hey, that's what effects are for, though. The lightweight Carvins had some growing pains so I'd pass on those, because there's no outward-facing revision mechanism to inform you of what you're buying.

For cabs, a used Avatar sounds like a good idea. But read up on them in this forum beforehand. Invest the time. Pay attention to a) earlier crossover design vs newer crossover design, b) mid-scoop, and c) neo vs heavy-magnet drivers.

[stewart8980]

Thanks very much!