Cheap amp buyer help

Diiw · #1 02-23-2011, 01:33 AM

Alright well I desperately need a new amp. My budget is around $200 hundred dollars. Now I know that's horrible but families in some financial difficulties and that's around all my parents are willing to spare. I play alot of pop and chili pepper songs if that helps. I also have a Yamaha RBX170 which lacks eq. Mostly want to able to over a drummer.

I've been looking at all my options and have narrowed it down to few options that people on here really like. Recommendations and thoughts are much appreciated.

1st. A used fender rumble 100
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Fender-R...21-i1605139.gc
The used one costs 149$ Seems to be highly liked and has a horn

2nd. Used Ampeg Ba115
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Ampeg-BA...40-i1145715.gc
Ampeg seems to highly liked around here and also really well reviewed
Used one is $189

3rd. Used Acoustic B100
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Acoustic...79-i1399998.gc
Another highly reviewed amp also saw that it can power another cab? So it'll last longer before I'll need to sell it.

Lastly If I can get them to let me splurge The Acoustic B200H head and B115 speaker cab.
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Acoustic...94-i1415333.gc
I would buy the head and cab separately used and that would equal about 275$. This so later on I can just buy the B410 cab and be set to go.

Recommendations to another cheap stack or head and cabs would be great.

FatAndy · #2 02-23-2011, 01:41 AM

I have good luck with cheap Peavey combos....the one with the 15" Black Widow speaker. I pushed it to the limits and it just refused to die. Admittedly, it was only 60W, almost only a practice amp, but it kicked arse live when miked up/ with DI.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsfrnbfbAoE

joshmmorrison · #3 02-23-2011, 01:50 AM

I was in a similar financial situation before, and my parents got me this. I know it's a behringer so it's not the best of amps, and might get grilled because of the name, but i used the crap out of this guy for years. Worked great, Loud enough to play with a drummer, and the DI out makes it really nice if you're playing anywhere with a PA system.

http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend....mbo?sku=481098

It definitely did the job for the time that i had it.

Hope that helps a little bit!

Edit: If you can find it used, even better. (like every other piece of equipment, haha)

Diiw · #4 02-23-2011, 01:59 AM

Thx for the idea will definitely consider it but I heard alot about behringers having shoddy craftsmanship can someone shred some light on that.

waleross · #5 02-23-2011, 02:18 AM

+1 on the Ampeg............................

joshmmorrison · #6 02-23-2011, 03:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diiw

Thx for the idea will definitely consider it but I heard alot about behringers having shoddy craftsmanship can someone shred some light on that.

Unfortunately they really are hit or miss...I got one of the good ones so if u can find a good one used then go for it. Just throwing the idea out there cuz you may be able to find one for well under your budget and it'd get the job done.

Edit: but by all means if you find a good deal on the ampeg or acoustic take that over the behringer any day of the week haha. I've played through that acoustic combo you're looking at and was really happy with it. Wasn't at all trying to discourage the ones you were thinking about, i was simply giving another option

oldcatfish · #7 02-23-2011, 07:45 AM

With a very tight budget, any of those amps are decent enough. I've had a chance to do moderate volume church gigs (with various drummers using acoustic kits) with similar amps to all of the ones you listed. And not just once, but I had the chance to use each at least a couple of dozen times. Here's my take on it.
--Ampeg...the one I used was a higher powered model with a 15 inch speaker and digital tuner. It was the most versatile.
--Acoustic B200...had a great tone and plenty of volume.
--Fender Rumble...I've used the two largest models, the one with the 15 inch and the 350 watt 2 by 10 inch. Plenty of volume on both, very reliable, but I liked the tone the least of the 3.

In your situation I'd personally pick the Acoustic. In my opinion, the best tone, plus the speaker extension will be helpful. But you should try them each out, because they are all decent amps.

As for the Behringer...I don't think that their gear is as unreliable as many people make it out to be. I know plenty of churches and musicians that regularly use their gear without issues. I have a Behringer powered speaker that I've had for years ...recently I thought that it was going bad; turned out to just be a bad cable. That being said, for reliability, think Peavey.

DRafalske · #8 02-23-2011, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FatAndy

I have good luck with cheap Peavey combos....the one with the 15" Black Widow speaker. I pushed it to the limits and it just refused to die. Admittedly, it was only 60W, almost only a practice amp, but it kicked arse live when miked up/ with DI.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsfrnbfbAoE

+1 to used Peavey
I see used Combo 300's on my local CL all the time for cheap. These things are monsters!

D

stiles72 · #9 02-23-2011, 09:17 AM

+1 on the Ampeg. It's comparable in volume and features to the Ampeg B-100R which I use in an oldies project. A buddy of mine has the BA115 and he uses it and digs it a lot. For the dollar - it's got great tone, decent features, and if you ever gig out has a handy XLR so you can DI to the board. It's also a 4 ohm speaker - so it's a loud 100 watts vs. other combos where the speaker may only be rated at 8 ohms. And not that looks or brand name are everything - but the BA115 is a classy looking combo, and Ampeg still has a proffesional reputation with most musicians and sound people- despite online grumblings from some folks.

impactwrench · #10 02-23-2011, 10:15 AM

Can you wait and save up a few more bucks? I would suggest an MB200 or Eden E300 and some used 1x15 or 2x10. Either head is about $225 or less new and the cab can be $100-150.

Diiw · #11 02-23-2011, 04:48 PM

Thanks everyone for your suggestions I think I'll go with the
Ampeg Ba115
Or the
acoustic B200 can anyone explain how the the powering an extension cab works

Diiw · #12 02-24-2011, 12:29 PM

No one can give me information on how the acoustic B200 powers an extension cab

steamthief · #13 02-24-2011, 03:49 PM

You're a lucky kid that your parents are willing to buy you an amp while suffering financial difficulties. Why don't you nut up and earn your own money?

Noose · #14 02-24-2011, 03:52 PM

Go with the ampeg. Those little suckers get louder than you would think

LilloEsquilo · #15 02-24-2011, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steamthief

You're a lucky kid that your parents are willing to buy you an amp while suffering financial difficulties. Why don't you nut up and earn your own money?

That's really none of your business is it? Who made you judge? He asked for advice on picking an amp, not to have some self-righteous dude judge him as a person.

LilloEsquilo · #16 02-24-2011, 04:00 PM

And just for anyone else who thinks like steamthief, you don't know a THING about this guy, and his situation, and why his parents are doing it. You have no right whatsoever to judge in ignorance. I mean a guy makes a post asking for help, and to get that, that's really pathetic when people sit there and act like that. It makes me sick. Maybe thinking before typing isn't a bad idea.

Diiw · #17 02-24-2011, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steamthief

You're a lucky kid that your parents are willing to buy you an amp while suffering financial difficulties. Why don't you nut up and earn your own money?

Lolz I'm contributing a 100$ a large sum of my Xmas money

BassmanPaul · #18 02-24-2011, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LilloEsquilo

That's really none of your business is it? Who made you judge? He asked for advice on picking an amp, not to have some self-righteous dude judge him as a person.

Ahh the wisdom of youth!

You too have no idea of who SteamThief is yet you presume to judge him.

Listen to your own words GrassHopper.

Noose · #19 02-24-2011, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LilloEsquilo

And just for anyone else who thinks like steamthief, you don't know a THING about this guy, and his situation, and why his parents are doing it. You have no right whatsoever to judge in ignorance. I mean a guy makes a post asking for help, and to get that, that's really pathetic when people sit there and act like that. It makes me sick. Maybe thinking before typing isn't a bad idea.

This.

leegreenman · #20 02-24-2011, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steamthief

You're a lucky kid that your parents are willing to buy you an amp while suffering financial difficulties. Why don't you nut up and earn your own money?

Pretty rude.