Another amp failure...arg. Which direction should i go?

[togglehead]

Hey folks...forgive me in advance if this is long winded...but im just terribly frustrated with this by now. Short back story, over the last 6 months ive had a string of unreliable setups. Last night's rehearsal just put the icing on the cake.

Ok...firstly, i do NOT have the money for what i NEED right now...but i have gigs lined up and ive gotta get something to get by. I can always sell or trade what i get towards the "final resting place."

Secondly, as mainly a blues/funk gigger...ive just joined a hard rock tribute project (which im loving) but quickly finding that my amp was NOT geared for this gig. I've been having to push it all WAY too hard (IMO) and i guess its paid its price.

As of right now, this is what i own:

Eden WT-400 - This is what failed on me last night. Poweramp issues, DI is working fine. Not the loudest amp, nor the most gain heavy....but tone for days in its sweet spot.

Hartke Model 3500 - Works fine...im just not a huge fan of the sound.

Acoustic B200H - Just not loud enough. Loses power at the top end.

Guild/Hartke 410 - 200w @ 8ohm - i find the alum cones dont have enough sound at the bottom of my 5 string for the kind of volume i need in this rock gig.

Custom built 210 w/horn - 400w @ 4ohm - This was the first failure. Cross over died and took the horn and a 10" with it.

So heres my dilemma. Ultimately id like to see myself with an Ampeg 610 and a ball park head to match, but i cant drop 2k right now. Maybe in a few months. Lets say i have 800 to spend...and could maybe push it 1000 to make a deal happen.

Suggestions?

[Bassdirty]

You could start with an awesome SWR Goliath III 410 ...



Seriously.
.

[ezstep]

My advice is to take the Eden in to get it repaired. It might be something very simple and inexpensive. Save the money to get the dream rig instead of swapping and spending several deals before you get there.

[christw]

First priority is to get more speakers. 300 watts has ALWAYS been enough for me to keep up with even the loudest of my bands. One of which had permanent hearing damage written all over it because my SVT was distorting through an 810. You'd be asking too much of a 210 to have it keep up with a low B in even a mid-volume a rock band. Yours sounds like it's loud. A 4x10 seems to not be the trick for you. Find another 4x10 to stack with your current one if possible. (If yours is 8 ohms, this would be easy to do. Find another 8 ohm cab!)

There are A LOT of Ampeg 6x10's for sale locally here in the $450-$800 range. Doesn't help that they're generally regarded as the worst 6x10 on the market in these parts. (Talkbass I mean.) I ran my Ric and Peavey Alphabass into an Ampeg 610 and a Genz Benz 610 XB2. I paid $750 for the used Genz at Guitar Center. It walked all over the Ampeg.

[Randall]

Sell everything and get the rig you need. Can you get a grand from selling your excess gear?

[christw]

An Ampeg 810 for $800. Local enough to you I think and within your price range. http://newjersey.craigslist.org/msg/2101613736.html Too much for one IMO but that's from a guy who bought his beaten and broken one for $75.

[togglehead]

Originally Posted by Randall

Sell everything and get the rig you need. Can you get a grand from selling your excess gear?

This is part of the equation, and im glad someone brought it up.

Someone suggested repairing the Eden. Thats a given, and i didnt factor that into my cost...as it will be done regardless. That being said...although i LOVE that head in the studio...thats not where im spending my time these days so i'd be willing to part with her for now.

I cant ditch the 410's as they dont TECHNICALLY belong to me...but all other gear is up for "trade". Think i could bring it all to a local GC and not get TOTALLY raked over the coals on trade value? I have approx 1 week to sort this all out before next gig....and id love a day to break her in.

[togglehead]

Originally Posted by christw

An Ampeg 810 for $800. Local enough to you I think and within your price range. http://newjersey.craigslist.org/msg/2101613736.html Too much for one IMO but that's from a guy who bought his beaten and broken one for $75.

Saw that...but it would leave me with no amp to power it.

THere is a VX810 Hartke for sale rather locally for 200 bucks...worth considering? Then i get about 5-600 to play with for a head...

[christw]

Originally Posted by togglehead

I cant ditch the 410's as they dont TECHNICALLY belong to me...but all other gear is up for "trade". Think i could bring it all to a local GC and not get TOTALLY raked over the coals on trade value? I have approx 1 week to sort this all out before next gig....and id love a day to break her in.

Not a chance. I've been told by a few GC guys to go home and sell my stuff online. They give you approximately 60% of the "ebay value" of your item according to one employee. If they see a couple of your amp sell used for $400 online, they'll give you $200 or so in credit. Not worth it by a long shot. You'll be losing A LOT of your value in the name of convenience. They're out to make a profit.

Originally Posted by togglehead

Saw that...but it would leave me with no amp to power it.

THere is a VX810 Hartke for sale rather locally for 200 bucks...worth considering? Then i get about 5-600 to play with for a head...

It isn't going to sound ungodly good. It'll probably sound okay. It's worth it I'd say because it'll probably suffice for what you need. You can turn around and make your money back at that cost. An 810 or equivalent will make your 200-400 watts of amp head go a lot farther.

[dalkowski]

Originally Posted by togglehead

Think i could bring it all to a local GC and not get TOTALLY raked over the coals on trade value?

Absolutely not. Neither GC nor any other retailer will give you any amount in trade close to what you'd get selling your gear yourself.

Good luck, man.

Edit: see above. Like Amare Stoudemire, I'm a fraction of a second too late.

[togglehead]

Let me also state that my Eden amp just DOESNT do this gig well. Its been nothing but unreliable since i bought it a year back. If it sits at home in my studio it works great...but as soon as i push it or move her around...dead. This will be my 3rd repair.

[christw]

Originally Posted by togglehead

Let me also state that my Eden amp just DOESNT do this gig well. Its been nothing but unreliable since i bought it a year back. If it sits at home in my studio it works great...but as soon as i push it or move her around...dead. This will be my 3rd repair.

Fix it and sell it along with the Acoustic. Keep the Hartke for now as it's your best bet unless you know you can bring in an amp that you like more immediately. The 210 won't sell for a lot as is so I would recommend fixing it for later use or just dumping for some quick amp/cab cash it if you can ignore your sunk cost.

[togglehead]

Originally Posted by christw

It isn't going to sound ungodly good. It'll probably sound okay. It's worth it I'd say because it'll probably suffice for what you need. You can turn around and make your money back at that cost. An 810 or equivalent will make your 200-400 watts of amp head go a lot farther.

This is kinda my thinking. Firstly...its not the alum cones...which i hate, so thats a plus. But for 200 bucks...im not going to find a cheaper way to move air. Then...i can spend some coin on a head that i will KEEP. Something in the 4-500watt range. Then, throw ahead three months or so...i ditch the hartke 810 in favor of the right cab.

Or...there is an Ashdown MAG600 head for sale at the local GC used for 300 bucks. I bet i could trade in my (brand new) acoustic plus a few bucks and save my cash....hmmm....

[waveman]

Used Markbass LMII or LMIII + a used Avatar 4x10 cab?

[togglehead]

Originally Posted by Bassdirty

Ahem...this....ahem..

Like an SWR..Goliath III 410, that'd be perfect.

SNEAK! =P

Driving my conversion van up to CT and back is going to cost me 60 bucks as it is...

[christw]

Originally Posted by togglehead

This is kinda my thinking. Firstly...its not the alum cones...which i hate, so thats a plus. But for 200 bucks...im not going to find a cheaper way to move air. Then...i can spend some coin on a head that i will KEEP. Something in the 4-500watt range. Then, throw ahead three months or so...i ditch the hartke 810 in favor of the right cab.

Or...there is an Ashdown MAG600 head for sale at the local GC used for 300 bucks. I bet i could trade in my (brand new) acoustic plus a few bucks and save my cash....hmmm....

How brand new? If you're still within the return period and it's in excellent condition you might want to consider that as an option. The head will probably only be worth $100 or less in store credit as a trade-in.

Otherwise, it sounds like a plan to me!

[Bassdirty]

Originally Posted by togglehead

SNEAK! =P

Driving my conversion van up to CT and back is going to cost me 60 bucks as it is...

Beats shipping.

[BurningSkies]

Originally Posted by Bassdirty

Ahem...this....ahem..

Like an SWR..Goliath III 410, that'd be perfect.

Quit spamming this thread with your 'for sale' stuff.

Reported.

[jeff7bass]

Sell everything except for the Hartke (backup head) and get this.

http://www.carvinguitars.com/product...ct=B2000-10.4N

The head goes from GK to Eden with the tube pre-amp and gets deep with the sub bass.
Great cab too, no need to haul around some back-breaking Ampeg 610, although the B2000 head will make the Ampeg sound great also.
The head runs down to 2 ohms so you can add another BRX10.4 cab if you need it. That would be an insanely powerful full stack.

[Randall]

Another thought if you need more time to make repairs and sell your gear is to rent a amp for the short term. Maybe there are some rent to own type deals out there.