best bang for my buck

lukebass82 · #1 01-25-2012, 05:53 AM

Hello fellow tb'ers I've got a de lima I need help with. I currently run a b2r that pushes 350 watts this thing is quite ancient so its time for an upgrade. My limit is around 500 give or take and would prefer new bc I've never owned new equipment before. Is there any suggestions? I play a variety of music but mostly rock. Any help would be great.

lomo · #2 01-25-2012, 06:00 AM

GK MB500
You can get them for 475 new with warranty on eBay. They pump a very loud 500 watts and weigh about 5 lbs. Good tone. That's how I'd roll.

jakelly · #3 01-25-2012, 06:09 AM

You could go the power amp route, something like a Peavey IPR-1600. Class D, lots of power, under 11 lbs. I think the IPR-1600 costs around $350 new. But they only have a volume control. You'd have to shape your tone with a pedal or something in front of it.

CL400Peavey · #4 01-25-2012, 06:18 AM

If you want to go new I would check out the rack mount heads Peavey has out right now. They come in different flavors, 450, 600 or 700 watts. None of them are micro heads, but they are all VERY light for Peavey gear.

bongomania · #5 01-25-2012, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lomo

GK MB500
You can get them for 475 new with warranty on eBay. They pump a very loud 500 watts and weigh about 5 lbs. Good tone. That's how I'd roll.

That's exactly what I came in to say. You can even get them cheaper from Musicians Friend or other large web retailers if you play around with coupon codes and rebate programs.

Slowgypsy · #6 01-25-2012, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lukebass82

Hello fellow tb'ers I've got a de lima I need help with. I currently run a b2r that pushes 350 watts this thing is quite ancient so its time for an upgrade. My limit is around 500 give or take and would prefer new bc I've never owned new equipment before. Is there any suggestions? I play a variety of music but mostly rock. Any help would be great.

NFN, but... all the old B2R's that I played sounded pretty darn good. Nice amps. Why is it time for an upgrade? Something about it you want to change? Needing more headroom? Just curious... more info would get you better advice...

dukeisdog · #7 01-25-2012, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CL400Peavey

If you want to go new I would check out the rack mount heads Peavey has out right now. They come in different flavors, 450, 600 or 700 watts. None of them are micro heads, but they are all VERY light for Peavey gear.

Agreed. I have mine in a SKB 6U rack with a Korg DTR - 2000 and have no problems moving it around. It's a great amp, and the graphic EQ is great for tone shaping.

lukebass82 · #8 01-25-2012, 08:00 AM

I don't mind the tone I have but need more wattage at the least.

dukeisdog · #9 01-25-2012, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lukebass82

I don't mind the tone I have but need more wattage at the least.

If you shopped used you could get a higher end amp for a lot less then new.

lukebass82 · #10 01-25-2012, 08:21 AM

I suppose your right I might check out gc used equipment and see what I can find

Slowgypsy · #11 01-25-2012, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lukebass82

I don't mind the tone I have but need more wattage at the least.

Maybe. Maybe not.
What cab(s) are you using?
Like I said... more info gets you better advice.

lukebass82 · #12 01-25-2012, 08:43 AM

Sorry bout that I'm running it with a goliath 3 8ohm. I love the cab so I'm not really wanting to change that side of it.

Bass_Pounder · #13 01-25-2012, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lukebass82

Sorry bout that I'm running it with a goliath 3 8ohm. I love the cab so I'm not really wanting to change that side of it.

Add another matching cab........

Adding speakers always wins over adding wattage.

lukebass82 · #14 01-25-2012, 09:30 AM

If I can pick one up at a good price that would be wise. But I always wonder if it would e too many speakers unless I got a 210

Bass_Pounder · #15 01-25-2012, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lukebass82

If I can pick one up at a good price that would be wise. But I always wonder if it would e too many speakers unless I got a 210

If you want a 2X10, then it needs to be in this format: 4 ohm 4X10, and a 8 ohm 2X10

And a head than can handle a 2.67 ohm load.

Anything else, and you are running double the wattage into the 2X10 speakers.

RickenBoogie · #16 01-25-2012, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bass_Pounder

Add another matching cab........

Adding speakers always wins over adding wattage.

This is the answer, right here. Add a matching cab, then you ARE getting full wattage PLUS cab coupling for the total win.

jeff7bass · #17 01-25-2012, 01:28 PM

Carvin BX500 (around 400 bucks devlivered) and Ampeg PF-500 (400 bucks at GC) are both great class D amps. I'd go to GC and compare the Ampeg to the GK, then decide if you want to compare the Carvin vs the winner. It's sounds like a bit of effort but it's your amp! All three are good amps, although different. The Markbass LMIII can be had for under 600 so you might want to try that also.

jamzcl · #18 01-25-2012, 02:19 PM

Ampeg PF500

dog1 · #19 01-25-2012, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickenBoogie

This is the answer, right here. Add a matching cab, then you ARE getting full wattage PLUS cab coupling for the total win.

Yup. Nuff said

dog1 · #20 01-25-2012, 02:29 PM

OK Maybe that wasn't enough.

I currently run a 2 ohm stable GB amp with 2-112, 8 ohm cabs. If I needed more volume, I would add another set of identical 8 ohm 2-112 cabs. I would not, however, first try a 1000, or 2000 watt amp. Move more air.