Best combo for the music/money?

BTSbassist09 · #1 12-17-2007, 01:40 PM

Hello there! I'm in a pop punk band as well as an indie band, and i'm looking to get a new combo. I've been looking at the Ampeg B200R, and i've been pretty set on it, but are there any others out there that would be better? I heard the Ampeg B115HPT is pretty good, for 649.99. I could probably only spend up to 650 dollars on an amp. I'm also looking for an amp that will give me a good sound. Kind of like the bassist from Motion City Soundtrack.

Any help is greatly appreciated !

BTSbassist09 · #2 12-17-2007, 02:38 PM

Please?

**DougD** · #3 12-17-2007, 02:45 PM

Hartke 410 combo, Eden nemisis 410 Combo, or ashdown 410 combo. I think all are around that price.

fenderhutz · #4 12-17-2007, 02:46 PM

Used. ^^^^^

**jlepre** · #5 12-17-2007, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BTSbassist09

Hello there! I'm in a pop punk band as well as an indie band, and i'm looking to get a new combo. I've been looking at the Ampeg B200R, and i've been pretty set on it, but are there any others out there that would be better? I heard the Ampeg B115HPT is pretty good, for 649.99. I could probably only spend up to 650 dollars on an amp. I'm also looking for an amp that will give me a good sound. Kind of like the bassist from Motion City Soundtrack.

Any help is greatly appreciated !

First le me say that I'm not AMPEG bashing. I actualy own an SVT5pro and SVT 410HLF (MADE IN USA)

STAY AWAY FROM THE B200R. Trust me, I had 2 of them (MADE IN CHINA) and I sent them both back.

Scenario #1 - Plugged in and sounded great in my livingroom, Then I tried doing the switch to hear it without the horn, and POOF

the amp went dead.

Scenario #2 - Worked fine in my livingroom and even worked when I switched w/o horn. Then used it at a small room gig. Sounded ok for most of the night, but on the 2nd to last song, POOF

sound went off! Lights were on but nobody's home.

anderbass · #6 12-17-2007, 04:59 PM

Welcome to TalkBass BTSbassist09...

Quote:

Originally Posted by BTSbassist09

I've been looking at the Ampeg B200R, and i've been pretty set on it, but are there any others out there that would be better?

Sounds like you want an Ampeg.

If I was seeking a brand new, fairly loud solid-state combo with a vintage Ampeg sound and vibe, I'd be thinking about the B-200R too...
If you've already got a 'big-rig" for high volume situations, you might think about an older (used) B-100R model instead...
http://www.google.com/search?sourcei...Ampeg+B%2d100R
I own some fairly nice sounding all-tube Ampegs/cabs and I still really enjoy using my B-100R for smaller gigs/rooms.

In case you haven't read all of these already, here's some older threads that might just help ya:
http://www.google.com/custom?domains...ORID%3A1&hl=en
http://www.google.com/custom?domains...ORID%3A1&hl=en

srxplayer · #7 12-17-2007, 05:45 PM

I would avoid the Ampeg. They just aren't what they used to be. I have a US built BA115HP. It's a good sounding amp but not loud enough in many situations. The BA115HP-T isn't any louder and the preamp tube does not not make enough of a difference in the tone to spend the extra money.

For $650.00 you could get a decent used (Ampeg B2RE, Peavey Firebass or Max, SWR 4004) head and Avatar 2 X 12 or 2 X 10 cab and be more versatle, and louder than that combo amp.

Depending on were you live you could also check out Yorkville gear. They have nice heads and combos that are reasonable and sound good. If you buy new check those out too.

BTSbassist09 · #8 12-18-2007, 01:13 PM

Yeah, i've heard a lot of bad stuff about that combo, so I think i'm gonna shy away from it. Here's ANOTHER thing I just thought of. What if I save the 650 to like, a grand, and purchase an Avatar cabinet, the SansAmp RBI rackmount preamp, and a poweramp? If i were to do this, what avatar cab should i get, and what size poweramp should i get? because, my band plays out, but we're not playing SUPER large venues. mostly small - medium. and also, if it comes to it, i could just mic it! And thank you for the warm welcome =)

fenderhutz · #9 12-18-2007, 01:15 PM

Get a used Trace Elliot 15 combo and you will not regret it, get one new if you can afford it.

http://used.guitarcenter.com/usedgea...stId=104465710

Add a 15 or 210 Trace down the road and you will have a killer setup.

dougb256 · #10 12-19-2007, 12:50 PM

I'm looking for a combo that will spend its life in our home studio. I was interested in the B200R because of the tube pre, but now I don't know (see above posts). I really liked the B100R when I tried it at GC. I've got a new AV '62 P-bass on layaway, am going to put flats on it as soon as I get it, and want a 'vintage-sounding' amp to go with it.

Caveat: I am not a 'bass player' per se; I'm mostly a keyboards and guitar guy, but I have done some bass-playing gigs in the past and I play all of the instruments for our home studio (my wife has the voice). We're updating our studio to have high-quality gear, hence the P-bass upgrade. I've recorded direct, but still want an amp that will sound good, can possibly be used as a DI, etc. My little SWR LA-10 just doesn't make it anymore... (never really did, but we got it at a decent price)

Rob Martinez · #11 12-25-2007, 07:08 PM

I have the Ampeg B100R and the B200R and really love both amps, they sound warm, and are powerful.

My B200R works fine, I use it to gig with regularly. Not sure what the problems are with others, I turned mine on and it played fine. Then I turned it off, and switched the jack in the back to the non-tweeter setting, then turned it on and it works just fine.

KeiBau · #12 12-25-2007, 09:10 PM

I have the Ampeg BA115HPT. I've been using this for about nine months and really like it. I've read a number of comments that it isn't powerful enough. Most of those comments have come from folks that have tried it in their bedroom and felt that it was weak in that setting, so of course it could never be enough for use with a band. When I received mine, I first tried it in my shop. The shop is not large, just a single stall garage. The amp sounded weak to me too and I was disappointed. I took the amp to church with me and in that environment, where we seat about 300 - 400, the amp was beautiful. Seems the BA115HPT likes to have a bit of room to breathe, to get a nice wave going. I don't have to rely on it, however, to fill the whole auditorium as we have a house system to do that. I use it primarily as my stage monitor and I have to be very conscious of how high I set the levels. Being a bass player I, of course, like to feel what I'm doing, but if I turn up much at all I will overpower the band. I call that enough power, at least for what I'm using it for. Although I can fill the auditorium with bass sound, it's nice that I don't have to rely on my own rig cranked up to do so. We've never tried it using mine alone for the bass amplification so I can't really speak to that capability.

steve4765630 · #13 12-25-2007, 10:59 PM

GK 1001RB/2x12 NEO combo amp. They are a little more money, but it's the best combo amp I've ever used. I sold my head and all my cabs because I didn't need them anymore. It's very portable with the extending handle, wheels, kickplate and back rails, plus it's 700 watts to boot!

McGryff · #14 02-24-2008, 06:41 AM

I've read on here that the fuse-blowing issue with the B-200R was solved. Does anyone know if this is the case? Have the models sold after this problem been ok?

I had a B-100R and loved it. At the time 100W wasn't enough juice, but I got something else on clearance right before the B-200R came out.

namraj · #15 02-24-2008, 07:37 AM

ASHDOWN!! I play a peavey T-Max (discontinued 600W amp with valve and solid state pre amps), but I am in love with the ashdown combo's I'm gunna have 2 get 1 for uni, They are solid, reliable and sound amazing, and the sub harmonics effect they have in built beefs up the sound beautifully, dunno I could ever see me using it live, but for punk I could really see it fitting in well, sounds so so good!!!

**Freddels** · #16 02-24-2008, 09:34 AM

Peavey Combo 115 Bass Combo. I've tried one in the store and was very impressed with it. Sounds good. Loud. It is heavy! But it's a Peavey.

steamthief · #17 02-24-2008, 11:01 AM

Nemesis NC 410! If you have a chance to play one, you'll see why.

**wodock** · #18 02-24-2008, 11:31 AM

I wouldn't get a combo - though I did have a nice GBE100-115 Genz Bez combo that I did like. I found I wanted more and more - it could be this gas thing everyone talks about. I think you should look into a Genz Benz Neo Pak 3.5 (used) and an avatar 112 or 210 cabinet. It will be in your price range if you get the amp used - they seem to go for around $400 now that everybody is looking into getting the new genz benz amps. It will be light and not too big. You can add another speaker cabinet or better speaker cabinets. And I think it is pretty darn loud. have fun

TW

wyleeboxer · #19 02-25-2008, 11:11 AM

Turned my 2nd B200r back in several months ago b/c of the issues they were having. I replaced it with a new RS115 Nemesis combo and I couldnt be happier! The B200r sounded great but the RS115 is lighter, has more power, and you can use an extension cab (I now own a RSP115 cab) with it and have a rig that can do anything, I really mean anything and sounds great in the band mix too! Just not as tuby sounding as the B200r, but that doesnt bother me in the least.

rodneyat · #20 02-25-2008, 11:21 AM

In theory, a big combo sounds like a good idea, until you get one. Back and forth to gigs, in and out of the car etc etc. A big, heavy combo gets old quick. If you are on a budget, I would definitely look at the used market. The Eden Nemesis stuff is great bang for the buck. If you want a combo, the Nemesis RS 410 is a killer combo and I am sure you can find one used in your price range. Or buy an RS210 new for that price and add a 210 extension cab to it later, if you want.