Best Combo Amp 400$ or less

HoosierBassist · #1 03-17-2011, 07:34 PM

Hey everyone,

Just got myself a new bass, a Sterling RAY34 in silverburst. I need a new amp too. I spent about 700$ on the bass, 3 year warrranty, hardcase etc. Now I can spend about 400$ on a new amp. I want to upgrade from a 15 watt Ibanez Practice amp. I would say Fender Rumble 75 or 150, maybe a Line 6 amp. I am in highschool and plan on starting a band in the summer, i jam with friends sometimes and need more power. 1 guitar right now, (Epiphone Les Paul with a Line 6 Spider 120) and an ever changing drummer plus me, the most important of course, on bass. lol. Whats the best combo amp 400$ or less?

impactwrench · #2 03-17-2011, 08:45 PM

you might get by with a gk mb150. but youd probably do better to find a used head and 2x10 cab.

**peledog** · #3 03-17-2011, 10:03 PM

I've played many amps/combos over the years.

I've stuck with Carvin and Gallien-Krueger.

Carvin.com :: BR510N

I use the Carvin, the older model, but same specs. Lots of power, I never had the volume pass 4!

Buy Gallien-Krueger MB112 200W 1x12 Ultra Light Bass Combo Amp | Solid State Combo Amps | Musician's Friend

These are really light weight, in fact I wish I had one from this series - it beats lugging a 70lb cab and a 65lb 2x10 combo!

I've been impressed with Behringer though. I used one for a couple years for cafe gigs.

Buy Behringer Ultrabass BXL3000 300W 1x15" Bass Combo | Solid State Combo Amps | Musician's Friend

Slackerprince · #4 03-17-2011, 10:50 PM

The Acoustic B200 would work for you.
Great tone and thump.
Pretty good amount of power for jamming with others.
Heavy, though. 75 pounds.
Good luck.

s

tjh · #5 03-18-2011, 12:32 AM

if you have access to a decent used market, where you can try things out, you can get a $600+ amp for that $400 used ... JMHO

fhm555 · #6 03-18-2011, 01:56 AM

I was recently looking for an easy to carry combo amp to use for practice at home and was also looking to spend around $400.00. I bought a GK MB 115 from GC and walked out with it for just over $350.00 using one of their discount coupons. It was just what I was looking for in an easy to carry amp, but after 3 days of trying to get some decent bottom out of it, I took it back. I tried several other small combo amps and the only ones that sounded good were in the $500.00 and up range. Of all the amps I tried, best bang for the buck was a Peavey TNT 115 at $499.00, but it was more bulk than I wanted to deal with. Of all the small combos I tried, I liked the little Markbass 12" combo rig best, but couldn't find it in me to give that much for a practice amp, even when it was on sale for $700.00. I wound up with a very clean little Yamaha floor monitor with a 12" speaker and a horn in it and just use my regular amp to run it. It sounds fine at practice volume and it was a $125.00 pawn shop special so I had plenty geeters left to blow on hotter pups and some eye candy for my little MIM jazz.

onewebfoot · #7 03-18-2011, 01:59 AM

No matter what you choose, seek out an XLR output (mic out direct connect to in-house PA). There is no reason to sacrifice that instant upgrade option, and it will likely extend the relevance over the life of whatever you buy. If you are into pedals (stompboxes), you have more options ...

nashvillebass · #8 03-18-2011, 06:05 AM

I bought an SWR Bassic Black combo back in 1998. It was voted as the best combo amp on the market at the time. 1x15 with a tweeter. tube pre-amp and solid state power amp. I've probably played a 1500 gigs or more on it by now and never had an issue. Sounds amazing! They were $1000 new. You can probably find a late 90s model for $300 these days. Good luck!

spufman · #9 03-18-2011, 06:48 AM

If I had $400 to spend on a NEW amp that would be my primary amp, I'd probably go with one of the GK MB series (112 or 115). The used Basic Black as mentioned above would be a GREAT choice though, those are really nice sounding amps, beautifully made of good components. Lots of excellent options on the used market.

Bassdirty · #10 03-18-2011, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fhm555

I was recently looking for an easy to carry combo amp to use for practice at home and was also looking to spend around $400.00. I bought a GK MB 115 from GC and walked out with it for just over $350.00 using one of their discount coupons. It was just what I was looking for in an easy to carry amp, but after 3 days of trying to get some decent bottom out of it, I took it back. I tried several other small combo amps and the only ones that sounded good were in the $500.00 and up range...

I hear that..I play a fiver, and I likes my deep lowness...
I couldnt get it from the GK 15(I am a fan of GK though

)

BUT..for my needs I settled on this:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slackerprince

The Acoustic B200 would work for you.
Great tone and thump.
Pretty good amount of power for jamming with others.
Heavy, though. 75 pounds.
Good luck.
s

got mine used for 199

tsunami1052 · #11 03-18-2011, 07:17 AM

All I see on talkbass anymore is what's the best bass for metal, best combo amp for $, what amp should i get, what strings should I try. I can't take it no more!

Goodbye.

AtomicPunk · #12 03-18-2011, 11:10 AM

If you can find a Yorkville XM200, it just might blow a lot of these other combos out of the water...

elwood1205 · #13 03-18-2011, 12:00 PM

I have an Ampeg BA115 that is a great little combo. Good size for practice but also has a headphone jack for practicing quietly and input for a CD or mp3 player. It also has an XLR out jack for PA support when needed. Great little amp and you can pick one up used for $225-275. I have had mine for a couple years and am selling it only because I went to a small amphead and a smaller cab for ease. I'm sure you can find one in your area if you're patient. They end up on CL all the time in my area.

Adam Bomb · #14 03-18-2011, 03:53 PM

Putting aside whether a combo is really your best option, IMO, generally speaking, a young person doesn't need to be paying for light weight, like an olde geezer like me gladly does. Of all your choices, ifn I was you, I would pay for moar powah/volume, regardless of weight. Maybe that means Peavey. Apparently there are some loud Peavey combos in the world.

In addition to heavy and loud I would look for a combo that takes an extension cab and puts out moar powah with an extension cab (some combos put out less powah with an extension!!!).

Good luck!

--Bomb

LarryO · #15 03-19-2011, 08:00 PM

in my opinion, the best combo amps that I've heard are the Peavey BAM, the SWR Redhead and the EDEN metro.......of those 3 you may be able to find a used BAM for 400. but if I only had 400 to spend and I needed an amp I'd look for a used peavey head and 410tvx. As far as peavey heads......T-max, nitrobass (tour 450), Firebass (tour 700), Mark VI all sound decent and cahn be found for 300 or less most of the time......a 410tvx will run between 100 and 200 used. That will give you a rig with pleanty of useable tonal options, it will be reliable and easily upgradeable if need be in the future.

slapfunk987 · #16 03-19-2011, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fhm555

I was recently looking for an easy to carry combo amp to use for practice at home and was also looking to spend around $400.00. I bought a GK MB 115 from GC and walked out with it for just over $350.00 using one of their discount coupons. It was just what I was looking for in an easy to carry amp, but after 3 days of trying to get some decent bottom out of it, I took it back. I tried several other small combo amps and the only ones that sounded good were in the $500.00 and up range. .

Yeah, if you want to do the band thing and actually cut through, $500 and up is what you are going to need. Try the Hartke Hydrive 210C. I also have a Sterling Ray34 and that bass sounds very good through this amp. Its $529 at Sweetwater.com so if you buy in store, MAKE SURE you pricematch it, b/c they try to charge $599 everywhere else. I have this amp, and trust me, it will be what you are looking for.

P.S. Stay away from from those GK's. They don't hit the bottom notes to well, like the guy said...

Rich L · #17 03-20-2011, 09:57 AM

I've seen a couple of Eden Metros popping up at around $500, which is ridic cheap for such a monster of an amp!

sparktone · #18 03-20-2011, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AtomicPunk

If you can find a Yorkville XM200, it just might blow a lot of these other combos out of the water...

+1

**EamusCatuli** · #19 03-30-2011, 09:19 AM

I picked up this Hartke 350W combo in Chicago for $275 used.

Hartke VX3500 Bass Combo Amp at zZounds

I gig with it regularly -- plenty of power and with the built in EQ you can adjust the tone to your liking. Tube and SS preamps. It's heavy but it's on casters. I would prefer a mute button -- you either have to turn it all the way down or turn it off to unplug. Otherwise, great amp. A quick "all of Craig's" search turned up 5 of them -- they're advertised for around $400 but I bet you could get that down.

BAbaracus · #20 04-02-2011, 01:30 PM

I have had a Peavey Combo 115 for 4 or 5 years now and it is great. It's 200w to the internal speaker at 4 ohms or you can run it 300w at 2 ohms to an external cab. I have used it with a 210 extension and it sounded very big, but I have gigged with the combo alone and it covers small gigs easily. I bought mine used for $300 and it was well worth it. It has gain controls, a 7-band graphic eq, high and low shelving eq controls, Preamp output, power amp input, electronically balanced xlr with pre-/post-eq select switch and ground lift switch. I have always been able to get the sound out of it I have been looking for. Plus it's a peavey so its very durable and reliable. Mine has been through everything including me sitting on top of it at almost every practice and it has held up like a champ. I don't believe they make these anymore but you can find them used on ebay and craigslist for under $300.