Amp noob here needs help!

[slapdaaria]

Hey im a noob when it comes to amps, do you think this amp would be a good amp to gig with? http://www.long-mcquade.com/products...w_Down_175.htm

[SurferJoe46]

My opinion is that there are too many electronic devices and knobs and switches to fail and that may take the whole amp out and require time and money to get it repaired, even with a good warranty.

Line 6 is good stuff, but I think someone just starting out would need a lot less knobs and effects to start with.

Get a basic amp and add stomps if you like.

Here's a C/P of their boilerplate:

$599.00 FEATURES:
- 5 Incredible Bass Amp Models: Clean, R&B, Rock, Brit, and Grind
- 5 Essential Bass Effects: Synth, Compressor, Envelope Filter, Octaver, and Chorus
- Deep Switch With Special Tone Shaping for Supreme Fatness
- XLR Direct Out With Line 6s exclusive A.I.R. processing
- 4 Programmable Channel Memories, 36 with FBV Shortboard
- Headphone Out
- Jam Along CD/MP3 1/8-inch Input
- Built-in Chromatic Tuner
- Footswitch Jack for FBV Express or FBV Shortboard
- 15-inch Speaker w/horn
- 175 Watts

But only 175 Watts is kinda small for the money. Of course this is Canadian cash, so you may be OK with the exchange rate.

I tried one of these at GC a month or so ago and I was underimpressed.

Here's the Guitar Center ad for the same thing - $499.99 in US dollars though. I still think it's overpriced for the Wattage.

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Line-6-L...27-i1145777.gc

[vinxbass]

I've always been of the school of thought that 300 watts rms is minimum for gigging with. Anything less than that and your asking to run into trouble with a loud drummer or guitarist.

[slapdaaria]

What about this? http://www.guitarcenter.com/Behringe...97-i1145513.gc

[SurferJoe46]

That's a little better, but again I still think there's too many gadgets in it - and you know quite frankly that if one fails it might just prolly take that part of the circuit board out too.

I just don't like too many things running around inside an amp head to go wrong.

Again, 300 Watts is marginal too.

[slapdaaria]

Alright can you find me a good amp the maximum i wanna spend is like 650$

[SurferJoe46]

What's that In USD$ ?
About $550.00?

[SurferJoe46]

I just looked and USD isn't that far from Canadians

If that's so, then that other amp is 'way overpriced!!!

Here's the Google results:::


650 Canadian dollars = 644.39375 U.S. dollars

[slapdaaria]

Yeah i go my aunts in Ohio so theres a guitarcenter so i just need a good amp so when i play with my band i can hear it lol. other guys got a 75 watters so i think a 300watter will over power but idk

[SurferJoe46]

Hey - I just recently bought the Acoustic B450 (210 + Piezzo Horn) that can kick out 600 Watts at full 2 Ohm load. - $599.00 http://www.guitarcenter.com/Acoustic...34-i1476649.gc

Fender Bassman 250/210 Bass Combo Amp - $615.99 This is a BLEM - http://www.guitarcenter.com/Fender-B...88-i1145459.gc

Ampeg BA300/115 1 x 15 Bass Combo - $649.00 http://www.guitarcenter.com/Ampeg-BA...05-i1396088.gc

Marshall MB4210 300W/450W 2x10" Hybrid Bass Combo $699.00, a little more but a good name. http://www.guitarcenter.com/Marshall...07-i1394899.gc

[SurferJoe46]

I got those four pretty quick - and only at GC - hope that helps.

I really think for the bux, the Acoustic is a very good unit. I also added the B115 and the B410 cab to it and I OWN the stage, the room, the building and the neighborhood.

[substitute]

I really recommend the new acoustic amps they have at gc, I run one of these through an ampeg 1x15

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Acoustic...11-i1400000.gc

Granted my band is on the quieter side but I barely turn the volume up to 3. They sound fantastic, and I've also used it in some louder situations and it held up just fine. Amps with a bunch of built in effects and modlers and what not are total garbage IMHO.

[theworldismad]

I go through a Line 6 Ld300 pro at my church and I definitely believe that you could get better amps for the price. I have tried out the acoustics that substitute mentioned, and I highly recommend them.

[M0ses]

Acoustics are all right, but DO NOT buy the combo. On the combos, you cannot disable the "notch" switch, and they just do NOT sound good. Not to mention, it's quite heavy and hard to carry. I regret not spending the extra $50 it would have taken to get the head/cab setup. A lot.

[SurferJoe46]

Originally Posted by substitute

I really recommend the new acoustic amps they have at gc, I run one of these through an ampeg 1x15

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Acoustic...11-i1400000.gc

Granted my band is on the quieter side but I barely turn the volume up to 3. They sound fantastic, and I've also used it in some louder situations and it held up just fine. Amps with a bunch of built in effects and modlers and what not are total garbage IMHO.

Yeah - that's a great amp too.

The thing I like though is that the B600H is INSIDE the B450 combo.
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Acoustic...49-i1435232.gc

[SurferJoe46]

Originally Posted by M0ses

Acoustics are all right, but DO NOT buy the combo. On the combos, you cannot disable the "notch" switch, and they just do NOT sound good. Not to mention, it's quite heavy and hard to carry. I regret not spending the extra $50 it would have taken to get the head/cab setup. A lot.

I beg to differ. I have the B450 combo and I can turn the notch on/off as I like. It cannot, however be controlled by a footswitch.

Nope. Ain't gonna happen, and I don't care WHAT the ads say.

I've tried everything from a stereo cord, single foot switch, Crate switches, Fender switches, Morely switches, double footswitches with a mono cord. All that is foot-switchable is the Standby. Acoustic doesn't list a switch either.

Been there - STILL there and love the combo.

[TortillaChip520]

BUY USED.

For $600, you can find a great rig used.

[M0ses]

Originally Posted by SurferJoe46

I beg to differ. I have the B450 combo and I can turn the notch on/off as I like. It cannot, however be controlled by a footswitch.

Ok, guess I was generalizing. I have the B200 and I'm ready to put the d**n thing on the curb, I hate it And it was a huge investment for a jobless teenager. Can't wait 'till my first summer job starts and I can, you know, have money.

[SurferJoe46]

Yeah - only 200 Watts would disappoint me too. They will invariably get overcranked, distort and just sound like cr@p and then they are on the cutting edge of overheating and dying. And at that power setting, you must be pushing it pretty hard, after all 200 Watts is kinda small.

I have practice amps with 300 Watts and I just barely find that acceptable.

[slapdaaria]

Im thinking of going with http://www.guitarcenter.com/Marshall...&CJPID=3353204 but idk... i got awhile to think