Cheap but Loud amp for rehearsals

willydee · #1 02-26-2013, 06:27 AM

Hi guys, need a bit of help.

Im looking to get a combo amp (or possibly just a head) loud enough to cut through drums, guitar, keys and a couple of sax players. I dont wanna break the bank though!

I have a 450watt Trace Elliot setup for gigs but it too heavy to lug about all the time. Tone and build quality isn't a priority - essentially I need to be heard ok.

Was looking at behringer, laney or carlsbro but any advice much appreciated. Thanks again.

zon6c-f · #2 02-26-2013, 06:30 AM

I own both [Guitar Center house brand] Acoustic b200 Combo as well as B200 Head andseperate 1x15 cab.

Both are samll but mighty. W

**CL400Peavey** · #3 02-26-2013, 06:37 AM

Shop used and pick up something loud on the cheap.

zon6c-f · #4 02-26-2013, 06:40 AM

..I hit some esoteric key combo= send, before I finished...

Anyhow, I use B-200 Combo for rehearsal and b200 head and 1x15 cab for performance. Both have broad tonal pallette. Both have D I -Out for PA use. As for loading/ unloading the seperates are actually logistically more favorable.

Combo is one-person light; head/ cab although 2 trips is easier on the lower back.

Both are easy on the wallet as well.

Discalimer: Acoustic -Guitar Center house brand, is in NAME ONLY affilliated with vintage Acoustic and Acoustic U S A .
G C bought rights to an awesome name; kind of like if China bought rights to the name, Rolls-Royce.

IAgain..I highly recommend GC Acoustic:affordable, portable, powerful with tons of tone.

TDee · #5 02-26-2013, 06:40 AM

Not sure how cheap you were looking for, but I use a GK MB115 for practice in a five piece with keys and occasionally a sax player, and it cuts through real well and is really light to take to practice every week. I think they're around $300 used right now.

arthur31686 · #6 02-26-2013, 06:48 AM

Look at older peaveys. I purchased a peavey mark VI for 100 bucks and it gets plenty loud.

Bassdirty · #7 02-26-2013, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zon6c-f

I own both [Guitar Center house brand] Acoustic b200 Combo as well as B200 Head andseperate 1x15 cab.

Both are samll but mighty. W

this /\ /\ /\ (despite all the "GC branded" Acoustic hate around here.)

I got a used Acoustic B200 combo for practice($179) . I've told the story 46 times, but it was the best sounding combo that was less than 700 bucks.period. I've played out with it twice as well. Good amp indeed.
Its sounds good. It's plenty loud. AND it was inexpensive.
Best bang for buck amp I ever got. (aside from that old peavey head I had a few years back I got for 90 bucks)

actually, these kinda remind me of the old peavey combo "tanks" of yesteryear..

Laurent · #8 02-26-2013, 07:12 AM

For value also look at Carvin. They are factory direct and their equipment packs a lot of quality for the price point.

Baird6869 · #9 02-26-2013, 07:30 AM

Not sure how available older Peavey, Hartke and GK gear is in the UK, but these are great and cheap options.

Phlipper · #10 02-26-2013, 07:54 AM

When I was in London I think every shop I went in had lots of Peavey and Trace stuff. There's gotta be a few old beater Peaveys floating around. The shop in Lewisham had used Trace and Peavey.

Cheap + Loud = Used Peavey fer sure

**gard0300** · #11 02-26-2013, 07:59 AM

The old Hartke 3500 was pretty loud. And economical.

MLC_BassPlayer · #12 02-26-2013, 09:00 AM

I use a Kustom KXB200 head at one rehearsal space. Plenty of volume through a 4ohm 210. Well south of $200 on the used market.

jungleheat · #13 02-26-2013, 06:23 PM

Wait, you have a sweet vintage Trace head and you were thinking of getting a BEHRINGER?!?!?

Please excuse me while I go vomit up my insides...

Ok, I'm back. The Trace head is what, 20-30 pounds? That's not too heavy for ANYTHING. So keep using that, as it probably sounds AMAZING, and then just get a cheap cab to use at rehearsal. But don't go for some brand new budget junk like behringer. Get something cheap used that used to be expensive but is now for no good reason (other than fashion and maybe convenience) is currently popular. I have 2 heads and 4 cabs, ALL of which are high quality and sound awesome, that I paid less than $1k for all of it. That's because most of it is vintage and all of it is from companies that just aren't "in" right now. So I have Trace and SWR heads, and Trace, (original) Acoustic, and Carvin (loaded with either EV or JBL) cabs, and I paid next to nothing for them. The Trace rig that I have now wouldn't have looked out of place behind Tony Levin or Doug Wimbish 20 years ago.

So you just have to know what to look for. Scan through ebay UK and your local classifieds for a while and look for good deals. When you see something you don't know about, RESEARCH IT. Maybe 20-40 years ago it was the best thing ever, but now you can get it for practically free. Probably just because it's "too" heavy (which is irrelevant for a cab that you'll leave at a practice space).

I recommend a 1x15, 4x10, or 2x15. I paid $75 for my vintage Acoustic 2x15. It's not going to win any beauty contests these days, and it won't take a ton of power or low end, but it's plenty loud enough for most practice situations and will sound damn good doing it. And I'd much rather have that than some behringer piece of crap.

Zoa · #14 02-26-2013, 06:28 PM

Used Peavey or Hartke will do you a lot better than brand-new junk like Behringer.

Downunderwonder · #15 02-26-2013, 06:58 PM

What is this 450W Trace thing?

My 250W is 30lb in its rack sleeve briefcase thing. Not heavy. I use it with swr 2x10 at reheasals with 16 piece big band. They keep a lid on their volume at rehearsals.

DudeLeap · #16 02-26-2013, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zon6c-f

I own both [Guitar Center house brand] Acoustic b200 Combo as well as B200 Head andseperate 1x15 cab.

Both are samll but mighty. W

I was going to suggest this as well. My buddy has a b200 head and the 410 cab and its not bad for the money, especially used.

Downunderwonder · #17 02-26-2013, 07:41 PM

There is no GC in the UK.

pudgychef · #18 02-26-2013, 08:09 PM

I would guess used Laney is an option in the UK?

I have had great luck with the newer generation Fender Rumble 150 or 350 combos as practice rigs (and have even gigged on them to good success - other bassists/bands complimented on the sound...and trust me its not my hands or chops) I didn't really care for the older Rumbles - but the newer stuff sounds fine, loud and cheap

halfjackson · #19 02-26-2013, 08:23 PM

Another vote here for a Hartke 3500. I played through one for many many years, and in addition to being pretty loud, it can dial in a good sound if paired with a quality cab. Now mine is regulated to the practice space so I don't have to unnecessarily hump and/or leave my new rig there.

willydee · #20 03-01-2013, 09:14 AM

Thanks for the help guys, the input means a lot.

Older second hand peavey stuff looks like way to go. Havn't used any of their gear stuff in the past, but from what im hearing it should be more than enough. Like I said, im on a budget and my notion of hartke gear is that it is too good/expensive for the odd rehearsal! But I'll keep an eye out for any reasonable items

Thanks again, keep jamming

(Ps. Sorry about your vomit mate)