Amp to compete with a Marshall half stack?

[SPAZ5446]

I am playing in a punk band with some friends of mine (2 guitarist, drummer, me on bass) and one of the guitarists has a Marshall Half Stack. It's a 125 watt head and 100 or 150 cabinet, and it has four 12 inch speakers. This thing is a beast, and I need a new amp to really get the bass out there.

I'm also trying to get something that's at least 200 watts, because I don't want to buy a 100 watt amp then have to buy a bigger one when the guitarists upgrade.

I was thinking along the lines of this.
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Acoustic...70-i1415333.gc

Any suggestions for cheaper, 200 watt half stacks? Or any suggestions for any amp that could compete with a 125 watt Marshall half stack?

[s_mcsleazy]

whats your budget

if i were you id try to find some tubey goodness

[Nev375]

Anything in excess of 600 watts @4 ohms should do it. w. at least a 4x10 cab or 2x15.

You are still gonna be buried at 200w.

[Halvorsen]

I've played in punk bands for years and have had to compete with 1 or 2 Marshall half stacks, and although I don't have a specific recommendation for you, I'll echo what a lot of people on here probably will as well.

Unless you have a very efficient cabinet, 200 watts isn't going to cut it without PA support. You could try to make that work, depending on the specifics of your band, but I think you'll ultimately want something more.

To compete with that kind of firepower as a bassist you're either going to need a very powerful head, or a lot of speakers.

I'd say look for at least a 410 or a 215 and at least 300+ watts to realistically keep up.

I'd look used at first you'll get more bang for your buck. Maybe pick up a Peavey 215 cabinet if you can manage the transport, they go for pretty cheap these days.

[panama]

is the marshall solid state or tube?

[RickenBoogie]

If it's volume you seek, it's more SPEAKERS you need. Think in terms of 300+ watts, and at least a 4x10, or better.

[BassBrass]

When I first started playing at rock band volume, I got a used Hartke 3500 pretty cheap, 350 watts @ 4ohm, then as I started to blow my lower watt speakers, replaced them all with Celestions, 600-700 watt configurations, then got a Peavey Tour 700 on closeout, and that's fine, only need to turn up 1/2- as it should be for headroom. That what helps cut through the sizzle of Marshals. VT bass pedal helps allot too.

[bassplayer8953]

My guitarist uses a vintage Marshall 50 watt (tube, of course) 1/2 stack, & I use 500 watts (at least) of solid state bass rig to achieve a balance.

IMO the only guitar amps that a 200 watt ss bass rig can keep up with are solid state combo amps. To the OP: save your money until you can afford at least 400-500 watts, & a 4 x 10, 2 x 15, or 2 x 10/1 x 15 setup. Then you can achieve a balance without beating the bujeezus out of your rig.

[woody357]

If you are not gigging have your band mates turn down, you'll be surprised at what you'll hear.

[SPAZ5446]

The Marshall is a solid state amp.
Would something like this make the cut, or would it still need a more powerful head?
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Acoustic...88-i1461063.gc

Also I'm trying to spend less than $600

[kosmicwizard]

Old Acoustic is better than the new stuff. You are going to have a lot of trouble getting a rig that will work for you in that price point for $600. If you go used it is much more possible. I suggest looking into Peavy, their old Black Widow drivers are a great thing and are very inexpensive in today's market. Best of luck. Cheers.

[Gomeztool]

Trawl your local Craigslist for some big cabs as suggested here. There's always a few that are priced low because they are cosmetically beat although functionally good.

If you have the scratch get that $800ish Peavey tube head with a used 810. That will kill a few geetards and drummers.

Better yet, be the voice of reason and encourage everyone to turn down. You'll appreciate this many years from now. On top of that you can all pool your money towards a PA and play with low volume onstage.

[xed]

I would troll CL for a beater cab that still functions fine but looks like it's been to hell and back. A good 2x15 or 4x10. It'll be cheap and there's always the free mojo for the punk band thing and you get a decent cab. Then do some research, read, ask questions and try and come up with a few good head choices that would work for you at the price you want and then camp CL till one shows up. You'll have a good rig and not go broke in the process.

[JoeVictim]

Are you stateside and if so, where? You really need to hit the used market and look for things like Peavey heads and cabs, Carvin cabs, You might find a GK head in your budget. I have put together budget rigs for friends and posters here. we need some info on what you play and what types of places you'll be playing.

[Bass_Pounder]

You need to somewhat match them in speaker area, and need 3-4X their wattage to compete.

As has been said many times already - go for at least a 4X10 or a 2X15 powered by 300-500 watts.

[funkyebk]

Originally Posted by woody357

If you are not gigging have your band mates turn down, you'll be surprised at what you'll hear.

Wilford Brimly said its the right thing to do.

But you'd say that ain't punk rawk...

Wilford would say diabeetus.

You're fighting the wrong battle trying to find an amp to compete with the guitarist's insecurities and mother issues. And that "200 watt" GC Accoustic is going to throw good money after bad.

Here's the truth as plainly as I can state it:

Twice the watts DOES NOT equal twice the volume.

If he's cranking that Marshall to 11, you won't be heard any more with that than with what you have now.

[mdogs]

Geez, you guys are just playing too damn loud. I like to play fairly loud, but I have been using a SWR SM-400 (200 watts @ 8ohms) through and Eden 2x10 (8 ohm) for years and this covers me up to a pretty decent size room with or without FOH support. In bigger rooms, I add a 1x15 cabinet and have never needed more volume.

[fenderhutz]

Find a used Peavey Firebass or Nitrobass at 450 watts plus. Firebass 700 is a great amp for less than 250 used usually. Scout local craigslists for 410, 610, 215, or 810 cabs.

That amp combined with a 215 or 610/810 would be all you would need for a long time coming.

My opinion? Invest instead in a better PA system, run monitors and turn down like the pros do.

If you are leaving a show or rehearsal with what sounds like ear plugs in your ears even though you aren't wearing them you are doing it wrong.

[SMUTWORLD]

Marshall VBA400 with 2 Marshall VBC412 cabs.
Guaranteed to send guitarist scrambling for more power.....lol

[Halvorsen]

Originally Posted by fenderhutz

If you are leaving a show or rehearsal with what sounds like ear plugs in your ears even though you aren't wearing them you are doing it wrong.

Yeah, Wear ear plugs even at practice, trust me you'll be glad you did. But try to keep the volume wars to a minimum and you'll be better off.