Which amp for blues rock band?

[lttoler]

I actually play guitar in my band but I'm teaching a relative how to play bass and getting the equipment. Most of the gigs will be smaller bars and anything bigger will go through the PA. We are doing stuff like Hendrix and the Doors. I would rather not spend more than $400 used for the head if possible. We pretty much always use a P or Jazz bass with flats.

Can someone give me some good recommendations? Thanks in advance!

[nostatic]

Cabinet is more of a concern than head imho. Assuming the band is loud (most every blues rock band I've heard is), you'll need to push some air. So depends what your overall budget it.

[Session1969]

Originally Posted by lttoler

I actually play guitar in my band but I'm teaching a relative how to play bass and getting the equipment. Most of the gigs will be smaller bars and anything bigger will go through the PA. We are doing stuff like Hendrix and the Doors. I would rather not spend more than $400 used for the head if possible. We pretty much always use a P or Jazz bass with flats.

Can someone give me some good recommendations? Thanks in advance!

Search guitar center used for a Fender Bassman 250 or 400 combo. $250ish. Best combo for the money that kicks serious butt.

[Ric5]

My favs are Ampeg and Hartke ...

[Downunderwonder]

Bass for backline only needs to keep up with the drums and the guitar needs to balance with that nicely. 300W amp and 2x15 is about right, or two 2x10. You don't need to spend big on the amp, put the real money into the cabs.

Bigger question is what guitar amp?

Many of you guitar players give your kind a bum rep for drowning out us low end cousins with too loud guitar amps. His amp amp and cabs need to have around 10x the wattage capability of whatever you are SRV'ing! Work that backwards and you get 30w tube amp. That's one hell loud bar room band with a heavy hitting drummer, the kind that drives away business for the bar.

My blues rock guitar player uses a Orange Tiny Terror 15W into 2x12. It's not even fully cranked and it's loud enough for small bar rooms, my 2x10 keeps up, drummer doesn't bash. That's the other end of the spectrum.

Somewhere in the middle is your band.

[MysticMichael]

Originally Posted by Session1969

Search guitar center used for a Fender Bassman 250 or 400 combo. $250ish. Best combo for the money that kicks serious butt.

A Fender Bassman is exactly what I was thinking as well. Great old-school tone for a blues band - but they're not terribly loud. If you can't keep your guitarist's volume under control, then putting a mike on the Bassman cab and going through the PA will be a must.

MM

[Munjibunga]

Tone Hammer 500.

[Freddels]

I use a Peavey Tour 450 and Headliner 410 at my rehearsal space. I've even gigged with it and it sounds very good. It's a very good choice and it doesn't cost too much. I compared the Headliner 115 cab at a local store and I prefer the 115 cab over the 410 (but the one at the rehearsal space isn't mine so I'm not complaining).

[rust_preacher]

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

Tone Hammer 500.

I second that suggestion, may be hard to find used?

[packhowitzer]

the song in my sig was recorded with a P through a GK MB800 and 10s and it's mic'd with no DI. There are no effects on the bass- just a little compression on the master track. The MB800 might be a little out of your suggested price range, but the MB500 might be doable for. LOTS of amp for the money. good luck. My MB800 has been a phenomenally good purchase all the way around.

[jastacey]

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

Tone Hammer 500.

+1

[Rockin Mike]

3rd vote for Fender Bassman.

[lttoler]

I'm surprised about the Bassman suggestions but I will check them out. We actually don't play very loud. I use an old 15 watt Fender Princeton and although I am guitarist, I am more concerned with the sound of the drums and bass. We just boost through the PA when more volume is needed. It's always sounded better that way.

[Freddels]

I guess the $400 limit wasn't noticed.

[Woodstockz]

You will get good advice here, but I would also advise you to look at one of the best threads on TB: the Mini Rigs of Doom. This will expose you to some very cool rigs that may inspire you to get what you really want.

Mini Rigs 1
Mini Rigs of Doom-Let's see 'em!l

Mini Rigs 2
Mini Rigs of Doom: Episode II - A pack of the Cones

Mini Rigs 3
Mini-Rigs of Doom: Attack of the Cones-Tres

Mini Rigs 4
Mini Rigs of Doom Four.

[Rockin Mike]

The Bassman get a very warm vintage tone perfect for oldschool blues and classic rock. It even sounds nice a little bit overdriven.

[lttoler]

What about the Bassman 400 head? Is this same amp thats in the combo and if so what would be a good cab to pair with it?