Buying amp practice/small gigs

Boyakasha · #1 08-25-2010, 01:29 PM

Hey I'm looking for help on my first amp

I'd like something small enough to use it on my bedroom, but powerful enough for small gigs (nothing too fancy) should the opportunity arise

Combo or not doesn't matter, I just don't want a 500W monster that would need 3 men to carry around nor a 15W matchbox that can't be heard from one end of my bedroom to the other.

I really don't have much of a second hand market available and unless it's an awesome deal I'd rather have the guarantee over saving a few bucks.

My budget is around 300€ or 250£ (I believe buying 300€ worth of gear here would equal buying $300 worth of gear in the US)

If it's possible suggest more than one option in case I don't have stuff available on the shops I'm looking at.

PS. I'll order it online so trying stuff out it's not an option, unfortunatly.

Thank you in advance.

EDIT: I could change my budget to around 400€ if that will help me get better gear.

becker4567 · #2 08-25-2010, 01:44 PM

Don't think a 15W matchbox can't be heard at the other end of the bedroom. I certainly wouldn't gig with one, but I have both a Line 6 LD15 and an Acoustic B20, and both can rattle the windows with ease. On that note, the Acoustic 260 mini-stack (100W) sounds great, has great tone, looks very cool, and is easy to lug around, and at $279.00, is really affordable.

Boyakasha · #3 08-25-2010, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by becker4567

Don't think a 15W matchbox can't be heard at the other end of the bedroom. I certainly wouldn't gig with one, but I have both a Line 6 LD15 and an Acoustic B20, and both can rattle the windows with ease. On that note, the Acoustic 260 mini-stack (100W) sounds great, has great tone, looks very cool, and is easy to lug around, and at $279.00, is really affordable.

I was just exaggerating, a 15W practice amp would meet my needs at the moment but an amp capable of gigging in case I have the chance.

As for the acoustic 260, unfortunatly it's not available on any of the sites I'm planing on ordering from.

Boyakasha · #4 08-25-2010, 02:20 PM

Is the Ashdown EB 12-180 EVOII a good buy?
I have it available for 270€, or the same model with 15" speakers for 330€.

Anyway, any suggestion is appreciated.

Boyakasha · #5 08-25-2010, 02:26 PM

Are either Behringer BXL3000A ULTRABASS or Behringer BXL3000 ULTRABASS worth their 220€ pricetag?

smogg · #6 08-25-2010, 02:43 PM

Ashdown tone is way better than Behringer.

Boyakasha · #7 08-25-2010, 03:05 PM

Which one would you choose between:

Ashdown Electric Blue EB 12-180 EVO II 180W
http://www.dv247.com/guitars/ashdown...r-combo--73692

ASHDOWN T15-250S 250W
http://www.thomann.de/es/ashdown_t15_250s.htm

Is there any difference other than the lack of compressor on the second model and the different speaker sizes? And how much would I miss the compressor on the second model?

FritoBandito · #8 08-25-2010, 07:53 PM

Wow, tough call! Both Ashdown amps are great amps, it just depends on the watts you want. Remember, I believed Ashdown is fan cooled, so they will be a little noiser. The Behringer amps are good also, and the both you mentioned have 2 channels and compression and are rated at 300w. Compression is nice, especially when your first starting out and are a little uneven in how you use the strings.

Boyakasha · #9 08-26-2010, 12:30 AM

I could compensate the lack of compressor using a pedal right?
I could buy a Behringer V-Amp really cheap plus the amp,

Still, which one would you choose?
What can I cut through with 180W? Is the difference to 250W noticeable?

MichaelSmalley · #10 08-26-2010, 12:32 AM

Hartke Kickback 120: small, loud for its size, has a nice-enough line out so you can run through a PA when you end up getting some gigs. I like the tone, although for some it can be too bright.

I've used mine for small jazz combo stuff on upright, I've played with my college big band and it was plenty loud for that, and I've played gigs in bar bands with it.

Boyakasha · #11 08-26-2010, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelSmalley

Hartke Kickback 120: small, loud for its size, has a nice-enough line out so you can run through a PA when you end up getting some gigs. I like the tone, although for some it can be too bright.

I've used mine for small jazz combo stuff on upright, I've played with my college big band and it was plenty loud for that, and I've played gigs in bar bands with it.

The Hartke Kickback 12 goes for 350-450€, is it worth the price difference or am I better off with the Ashdown?