Band Practice Combo Amp?

nato101010 · #1 06-02-2010, 03:48 PM

So, I'm looking for a combo amp for around the 200$ mark (used).

I need it for band practice, because my Peavey Nitrobass has to stay at home. I'm sick of playing through the P.A. (even though we have bass bins).

I'm thinking a Peavey. Something ballsy. I need something that can be find used pretty well. This band is a 80's hair metal band. They've got half stacks, at around 100 watts each. We play stupid loud. I hate it. I wear ear protection most of the time.

Somewhere around 200 watts and a 1x15 might do the trick? I've played Yorkville and I'm really not keen on them.

There's a Orange 35b around me for sale used for 200$. Is this a good deal?

Anyways, just looking for suggestions of amps that could be find used in that price range.

Smokin' Toaster · #2 06-02-2010, 04:06 PM

I picked this up in a pawn shop for $125, and it kicks ass. I've used it to gig for small venues, but as with most single 15" amps it's a bit farty on the B string. As a practice amp it is great.

nato101010 · #3 06-02-2010, 04:27 PM

I've played through one, it wasn't bad, but is it loud enough?

Jo6Pak · #4 06-02-2010, 04:44 PM

there is no way that 35w orange combo is gonna stand up against 100w half stax.

jp58 · #5 06-02-2010, 04:46 PM

Acoustic B200, or B100. Got my B200 for around $200 used, and it was in like new shape. Sounds pretty good and holds up good at practice too.

nato101010 · #6 06-02-2010, 04:53 PM

I was thinking about Acoustic, but I haven't seen any places carry them. I'll try Long & McQuade and Steve's Music again.

Here's the orange ad: http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-s...AdIdZ193076612

I think its 50 watts, and the site says.

6jase5 · #7 06-02-2010, 04:58 PM

Competing with volume junkies for $200 is not easy.

I love my ampeg b100r for practice and got a few of them under $200 on craigs with patience, but it wouldn't kill out marshall or mesa half stacks screaming at the top of their tubes. At realistic volumes, no issue.

Volume control, a noble thought.

That being said, around 1996 I rehearsed next to Green Day's 20 x 20 room with 2 full guitar stacks and 2 x 610 bass cabs. It was pretty hilarious. It was room to room war.

nato101010 · #8 06-02-2010, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6jase5

Competing with volume junkies for $200 is not easy.

I love my ampeg b100r for practice and got a few of them under $200 on craigs with patience, but it wouldn't kill out marshall or mesa half stacks screaming at the top of their tubes. At realistic volumes, no issue.

Volume control, a noble thought.

That being said, around 1996 I rehearsed next to Green Day's 20 x 20 room with 2 full guitar stacks and 2 x 610 bass cabs. It was pretty hilarious. It was room to room war.

The half stacks are solid state. Played at like around 4-5. Too loud for practice. Oh, and I could probably go up to like 300$. No big deal there.

I never thought about Ampeg. Just thought they were out of price range. I'll look on kijiji and CL right now.

Jaco who? · #9 06-02-2010, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nato101010

This band is a 80's hair metal band. They've got half stacks, at around 100 watts each. We play stupid loud. I hate it. I wear ear protection most of the time.

Then why do you do it? Seriously. If they can't turn down, walk away. Problem solved.

nato101010 · #10 06-02-2010, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaco who?

Then why do you do it? Seriously. If they can't turn down, walk away. Problem solved.

Not going to happen. Love the guys, love the music, hate the loud practice. Has nothing to do with it, I just want suggestions for an amp.

Edword · #11 06-03-2010, 12:34 AM

I think this model was discontinued, but if you run across a used Ampeg Portabass somewhere, check it out. Mine is 200W, and has 2x8" speakers. I think there was also a 1x15" version.

I've been using mine at band rehearsals for a couple of years now, and it's quite adequate. The band is a 4-piece, with a fairly hard-hitting drummer. One guitard uses a 100W Marshall half stack, and the other one plays through a Fender Super Sonic 60W 2x12 combo. I've never had a problem keeping up with them.

zachoff · #12 06-03-2010, 12:44 AM

Too bad you hate Yorkville because they're pretty cheap, are wicked loud, have tons of headroom, can add cabs, and I think they're better than any Peavey combo (except the BAM, but that's prob out of your price range). 400B, BM400, XM400, or XS400 would suit you well.

baron665 · #13 06-03-2010, 03:47 AM

Look on craigslist or ebay for an older Peavey TNT 150 (or similar model). I regret selling mine. That thing was louder than a 350 watt Ampeg (SS) head running a 4x10, and 1x15. And I got it for under $200.

Inconnu · #14 06-03-2010, 05:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zachoff

Too bad you hate Yorkville because they're pretty cheap, are wicked loud, have tons of headroom, can add cabs, and I think they're better than any Peavey combo (except the BAM, but that's prob out of your price range). 400B, BM400, XM400, or XS400 would suit you well.

Yup, Yorkville are cheap... and Canadian. I know, since they're made in Canada and that we see them everywhere, we Canadians
feel like it's a beginner's product, that it's not all that good... but that's wrong. I've been playing bass for 20 years now... My amps are good old US made Ampegs... and still, I think those Yorkville and Traynor amps are pretty nice.

jastacey · #15 06-03-2010, 07:41 AM

I'd keep an eye out for a Peavey Combo 300, good basic combo, has an extension jack to run another cabinet, it's 2 ohm stable, has a few issues that alot of people don't like - very heavy - and the Peavey Brand - some people don't like the tone/sound ... I have one and use it for small gigs

nato101010 · #16 06-03-2010, 04:13 PM

Alright, so I think either Peavey or waiting for either Ampegs.

Any other ideas?

Hector_G · #17 06-03-2010, 04:46 PM

I'm going to go ahead and say what no one else will dare say.
Behringer.

I know. I know.
I wanted to purchase an inexpensive compact combo amp that I could lug around to practices with me. I saw this on sale at AMS and bit the bullet. It cost about $140. I got it in the mail a few days later and it honestly surprised the hell out of me.
It's 120 watts, has a 12" aluminum cone and has a wedge shaped box so you can tilt it up towards your ears.

Had it for about a year and a half now and it's still running perfectly. It's got two channels and it came with a dual footswitch. One switch toggles between the channels. The other switch turn on the "Ultrabass" feature. It just adds extra lows. Handy when you're playing quietly but still want it to sound really deep.

It kept up with at least one halfstack and a pretty loud drummer when placed in the right position. They do have more powerful models.

Hey, they're affordable, they're loud and to my experience can take one hell of a beating.

Proceed with flamming.