Best Entry level priced Amp head and 410

Signs · #1 02-01-2011, 04:56 PM

I am going to start playing the bass again after about 30 years off.
That said, I would like to buy an amp head and a 410 cab to start. Then later add either a 115 or 210 depending on what other bass players think would sound best for my likes.
My budget is $700 or less.

Currently looking at:

1. Acoustic B200H and 410 cab
2. Hartke HA2500 and Peavey Headliner 410 cab
3. Gallien Krueger Backline 600 and whatever cab or
4. Used Peavey Head (which ones would be best?) and Headliner 410 cab or used Peavey cab if available

I like classic rock (60's 70's early 80's) and like a little deeper tone and not so much a treble type tone. Any recommendations or additional suggestions would be appreciated. I have been reading the forums and different reviews, but it seems many times people recommend stuff by what they like. I would sure like to hear what others think would work for me.

There is a lot of gear out there to try to sort out without some good advice. Thanks in advance.

Govier966 · #2 02-01-2011, 05:01 PM

maybe the new fender bassman series

RickenBoogie · #3 02-01-2011, 05:04 PM

Of what you've listed, I'd go with either #3 or #4. Not #1.

cableguy · #4 02-01-2011, 05:11 PM

You might look at buying a good quality new or used head and a used 1X15 cab. Then add a good quality 4x10 at a later date when you know more of what you're looking for. For $700.00 you could get some good quality used gear if youn look around. Good luck with the return to bass!

ulynch · #5 02-01-2011, 05:29 PM

Oh no, not another "best amp for classic rock" thread!

I keed! I keed!

But seriously folks, the man says classic rock, and he likes "a little deeper tone and not so much a treble type tone", and I hear warm, tubey, maybe a touch of overdrive. Though all your head options will do that to some extent, it seems to be the forte of the Acoustic. (Any head will do it if you add a SansAmp VT Bass.) Also, if you want better low frequency reproduction, reconsider the 410 cab. The Acoustic B115 might work well, and add a second if you find it lacking in volume.

BigOldHarry · #6 02-01-2011, 05:32 PM

Didn't I just post this answer?

At Daddy's Junky Music, I found a SWR 4x10 and a GK400RB you could get for under $500 together. GREAT rig for the $$.

fivestringgecko · #7 02-01-2011, 05:40 PM

You could also take a look at Avatar cabs. They're pretty hard to beat for the price and you might be able to find a used one for a smokin' deal.

5sg.

ben12390 · #8 02-01-2011, 06:54 PM

i have an acoustic b200h and the 4x10 with it, and ive been gigging with it for a little over a year now with no problems. the cab is some of the best build quality ive seen. even compares to an ampeg 1x18 svt classic.

i havent heard good things about the backline, but i havent heard anything about anything else.
i had a GK goldine 500 and traded it for the acoustic.

it's a great head and cab. the head doenst have a lot of tonal options, but it sounds awesome with a bass VT.

Jim Campbell · #9 02-01-2011, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cableguy

You might look at buying a good quality new or used head and a used 1X15 cab. Then add a good quality 4x10 at a later date when you know more of what you're looking for. For $700.00 you could get some good quality used gear if youn look around. Good luck with the return to bass!

i shy away from anything entry level.....when you want to upgrade you can only sell to beginners,who can see brand new with a warranty for not much more,unless you don't mind taking a bath....better to find good used gear that a gigging player would use....they hold their value better and your market is bigger...

Signs · #10 02-02-2011, 03:05 PM

Thanks for the replies and ideas so far.

leonardobass · #11 02-02-2011, 03:17 PM

Try Kustom Amps,they have an excelent price/quality ratio.You can probably get the head/cab stack for about $500.

Signs · #12 02-02-2011, 04:56 PM

Heh Leonardobass, I see you have a DE300HD head. What cab do you play it through? The clip you put on another thread sounds pretty decent. I had a Fender Mustang bass and Kustom combo amp when I was 13 back in 1975. The amp was pretty heavy (definitely not very portable) for a combo but sounded ok for a teenager.

baddarryl · #13 02-02-2011, 05:16 PM

I have an SWR WorkingPro 400 head on top of a 4x10 Goliath II cab that I picked up used for a total of $500 and I can't imagine getting a better sounding rig for that kind of money. Just gotta go used and be patient.

BigOldHarry · #14 02-02-2011, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baddarryl

I have an SWR WorkingPro 400 head on top of a 4x10 Goliath II cab that I picked up used for a total of $500 and I can't imagine getting a better sounding rig for that kind of money. Just gotta go used and be patient.

Used SWR gear is great - Out of fashion but not out of quality. Great value.

Signs · #15 02-02-2011, 05:36 PM

I did find some used gear for sale pretty close to home similar to
what you recommended, BOH. If I do end up getting that, I'll be sure to let you know.

ishouldbeking · #16 02-02-2011, 06:30 PM

for a 410, i'd just hold out for something decent and used that comes up at a good price. shouldn't take long. SWR, GK, Ampeg, Eden... they all make decent 410's and should all come up frequently and cheaply on craigslist or ebay. as Jim Campbell said, I too would avoid the "entry level" stuff, including the entry level GK cabs. the SWR workingman cabs are good, and Goliaths come up for cheap all the time, and those are great, durable cabs for barely any money.

for a cheap head, i'd say that comes down more to what you like and want in terms of features. something like a GK 400RB or 700RB, those are great heads that comes up cheap quite often. I don't know quite as many other cheaper heads to try, but I'm sure some folks can recommend others.

If you're into getting some really cool modern features, you might look into the new TC Electronic BH500... its $499, apparently sounds just like the much pricier RH450 but with added control over the highs, and the feature-set is pretty insane.

http://www.tcelectronic.com/bh500.asp

If you shop around for the cab, you might be able to get something half decent and a brand new, fully featured head to go with it for right around your price range.

ishouldbeking · #17 02-02-2011, 06:32 PM

also the new ampeg portaflex heads look promising. they'll be cheap, at least. hard to say how well they'll be executed, but i'm sure some folks here will test em out as soon as they're available.

kosmicwizard · #18 02-02-2011, 08:23 PM

And then sell them on the TB classifieds for a loss.

Cheers.

AciDBatH666 · #19 02-02-2011, 09:20 PM

+1 for an SWR Workingpro/Workingman's 4004. I have one and I kept it for a backup rig. I found an SWR Workingpro 4x10 from a buddy for $200. I've found other local 4x10s on craigslist for $150-300. If you look around and have some patience you can find a killer rig for fairly cheap.

Antares · #20 02-02-2011, 09:27 PM

If you want to buy used, you could prob get yourself a GK 700RB and a decent cab in that price range.

New, i really like Acoustics as entry level gear. My Acoustic 260 mini stack is a great piece of gear. The head and cab you listed have sounded solid every time ive tried them at guitar center.