Ampeg BA115HPT | Behringer BX4500H + BA410

gnutix · #1 01-23-2011, 07:06 AM

Hello everybody.

I'm a bass player in a heavy/thrash '80s metal band, and I currently own the following combo bass amp, which I've paid 1150 USD one year ago :

Ampeg BA-115HPT
1x15" speaker, 220 Watts @ 4 Ohms
Tube pre-amp, 3-Band EQ
86 lbs

A friend of mine offered me to sell me his equipment for 625 USD :

Behringer BX4500H
450 Watts
5-band EQ with Bright/Deep functions
Shape filter and Ultrabass sub-harmonic processor
VU meter, balanced DI output, integrated limiter, etc.
31 lbs

AND

Behringer BA410
4x10" BUGERA speakers, 1000 Watts @ 4 Ohms
Aluminium cone speakers
Switchable 1" horn tweeter
102 lbs

What do you think about it ? Is it a good deal ? Is the Behringer better than the Ampeg ?
If so, I think I'll sold my Ampeg and buy the new Phil Jones Bass Cub BG-100 with the rest of money for my house (and keep the Behringer in my music local).

Thank your very much for your quick answers !

Keep rockin' !
gnutix

Pollinator95 · #2 01-23-2011, 07:09 AM

If the Ampeg is loud enough for you and you like the tone, keep it. If you REALLY want to "up"grade to the Behringer, play it first. If the seller is your friend, maybe he´ll let you try it during your next rehersal.

gnutix · #3 01-23-2011, 07:31 AM

Thanks for your answer.

During rehearsals, I play with the volume knob to 7/10 and the master to 2/10. And I hear me well. So I suppose I don't really *need* a louder sound.

ilovenofrets · #4 01-23-2011, 07:36 AM

Stay away from the Behringer. At first it may sound good, but their products have a certain reputation for not making it in the long haul. Way too many close friends of mine who are full-time gigging players and sound engineers have all had nothing but problems with any Behringer product used. Can't recommend them. If the Ampeg is loud enough for you, stay with it. It's a better tone than the Behringer anyway, IMO. And you can always send a DI to the PA if you need more volume on bigger gigs.

RickenBoogie · #5 01-23-2011, 07:44 AM

Though it may be "bigger", moving to the Behringer rig is NOT an upgrade. keep what you have.

gnutix · #6 01-24-2011, 10:32 AM

So, anybody think it's a good idea to change my rig, am I right ?

JimmyM · #7 01-24-2011, 03:21 PM

nobody in their right mind would consider going from ampeg to behringer an upgrade, bro.

gjbassist · #8 01-24-2011, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

nobody in their right mind would consider going from ampeg to behringer an upgrade, bro.

This!
Plus $625 is not a good deal for that Behringer rig! You can find those amps and cabs all over Ebay and probably get it closer to $400 range!

gnutix · #9 01-25-2011, 05:46 AM

Thank you very much for all your answers. I'll keep the Ampeg then.

whanbury · #10 03-28-2011, 05:25 PM

If you like the Behringer don't listen to everyone's bashes against Behringer. I bought a Behringer bass amp 5 years ago and sold it to a kid who plays metal in a band. It looks like Hell now but still is rocking and rolling.
I had a C**** p.a. and it pooped out on me. I bought a Behringer p.a. 7 years ago and sold it three years ago because of the lighter mixers and cabinets I wanted. The first p.a. is still being used by a Christian band that moves around all the time.
The sad thing is, Ampeg, Fender, Marshall, GK, Hartke, they're all made in China. There's a Behringer out that looks identical to the SVT classic. I've heard it and it's phenomenal. I don't need a head that big anymore, but if I were to buy one, that would be it... Big bang for the buck..
Trust your ears and your instincts. If you become a great player and are successful, people will listen to your opinions on what to use, even if it is Behringer!

JimmyM · #11 03-28-2011, 06:45 PM

i'm missing something...why is it sad that ampeg, fender, marshall, gk and hartke make some of their gear in china but not behringer, who makes all their gear in china?

jeff7bass · #12 03-28-2011, 07:17 PM

I bought the same head for 200 bucks brand new. It's a decent head, although the Octaver tracks low notes kinda funny.

The cabs? I've seen the speakers fall apart but they may have addressed that since back in the day. Hard to say.

I use the head every week for rehearsals and it powers my Dr. Bass cab nicely. Powers both of them quite well when I need both of them.

Would I trust it as my sole head? I don't know but for what I paid it was a bargain. I could see a person on a strict budget using as a sole head because it does perform, so far.

Anyhoo, he's asking way too much for that rig. For around the same price you could buy a Carvin BX250 + BR410C (4 ohm) cab brand spankin new. Better head, better cab.

soundman502 · #13 03-28-2011, 08:00 PM

I've been playin through my BA410 for over six years with my 5 string, and I use the B. I love the sound that they give. Plenty of lows, clear defined mids and nice crisp highs when I want them. I played through this cab with the bx4500 when I tried it out and it had plenty of power. Now I use the same BA410 powered by a Crown XLS1000 with a Behringer Bass V-Amp Pro and it gives me all the flexibility and power I need. Point is, play it and see what YOU think. Names only take you so far....