Converted guitarist needs help choosing an amp!

[Naylor]

Hi guys
I've been playing guitar in bands for a number of years now and have been asked to play bass in a local punk band (not usually my forte, but it's a bit of fun!) - the band can be found here if you're interested The Distrakted | Free Music, Tour Dates, Photos, Videos
Aaaanyway I've been using an Ibanez BTB 4 string tuned to Drop D through a Fender Runble 100 at the rehersal rooms and I'm wanting to get myself something that I can gig with regularly and practice with that can cut through (The Fender is a nice amp but doesn't quite cut it in terms of loudness and cutting through the mix)
I think I've got it narrowed down to the following, but I need some advice on what you think is the better choice out of these (or feel free to add other suggestions!) My budget is about £600 but I can stretch it a little if necessary... The problem in I'm not really in a position to try these in person, and Youtube videos seem to leave a lot do be desired in terms of quality!
Ok options:

1. Ashdown Mag C410T-300-EVO2 Bass Combo Amp £500
This is the Mag 4x10 combo

2. Ashdown ABM 210 500 combo £600
This is the ABM 2x10 combo

3. Hartke VX3500 £550
The Hartke 4x10 lh3500 combo

4. Hartke 5210 £600
The Hartke LH500 in a 2x12 Hydrive combo

Any help/advice is most appreciated. Many thanks!

[Mirios]

I've had positive experiences with Hartke in the past. I wouldn't hesitate to recomend their gear for reasons of value and dependability.

4x10's or 2x12's....I would go for the 12's. That's a matter of preference though. I'd try and play both if you can and see which fits you better.

My experience with ashdown is limited. I can't make an honost assement of their line.

[Naylor]

Argh I meant 2x10 for the Hartke! Sorry, it must be force of habit from talking about guitar amps so much!
Basically I'm looking at the lower range 4x10 combos of those brands, or the upper range 2x10 combos...
As I said though, I'm open to suggestions!

[Rockmusician]

I'v played Hartke and Ashdown and didn't like either. Look at GK and Eden.

[IvanMike]

before you choose brands or anything, click the link in my sig which directs you to the amps FAQ. check out a bunch of the threads in there where we talk about how much amplification you need for various situations. We don't all agree, but that's not the point. Rather I hate to see anyone make a purchase that ends up not "cutting it".

If there are only a few brands and types available in your area, try to go see some in action. Pay particular attention to how they do when there is no PA support for the bass.

It's no secret that I'm in the "get more amp than you think you'll need" crowd, but I'm also firmly in the "small and modular" crowd as well.

The one thing to remember is to not think like a guitarist. Guitar players often make the mistake of getting a 100 watt valve amp that they can't use correctly because they can't turn it up loud enough to make the power valves "work". Smart guitar players know a 1x12 20 watt amp is plenty. Bass players have the opposite problem. Generally, you won't be dealing with power valves with most bass amps (and certainly not with your budget!) because you need a lot of them to get the kind of wattage bass needs. However, more watts, more speakers, efficient speakers, and speaker cabinets with an honestly good frequency response curve and "voicing" all become important in being able to amplify the bass well.

And remember, a good PA is often the best bass amp at the end of the day.

[Naylor]

Ah that's great - thanks!
I must admit I was guilty of using a Marshall 100 watt head and cab, then a year later sold it and built myself an 18 watt tube head and 1x12 cabinet from a kit - never looked back after that!
Thanks again for the advice - I'll start doing some more research!

[funk generator]

the hartke was my first gigable amp, and is quite nice.
however do youself a big favor and by used check out the classifieds here, and youll get alot better deals... and worse gas!

[RadioPilot]

I'm also guilty of being a guitarist with a 100W Marshall half stack... I still play quite a bit of guitar, but I'm able to play out more as a bassist. It seems like everyone wants to be a guitar hero or rock star rather than share good music with an audience.

I ended up getting an Ampeg SVT Micro VR because it's extremely portable with great tone. It's also got some, but not a lot, of headroom for accidental volume wars.

[4StringsEnough]

TC Electronic BG500. End of thread.

[Naylor]

Originally Posted by 4StringsEnough

TC Electronic BG500. End of thread.

That looks absolutely perfect. Never heard of these combos before but they look amazing! Thanks!

[MysticMichael]

Originally Posted by Naylor

Any help/advice is most appreciated. Many thanks!

I am by no means an Ampeg guy, but it seems to me that a P Bass and an SVT is the classic punk rig - if ever there was such a thing...

One thing is for sure: By listing all those combo amps, you are most definitely still thinking like a guitarist. In order to make a serious racket, I personally wouldn't use anything smaller than a 4x12 or 8x10 cab - with at least a 300-watt tube head, or about an 800-watt solid state head.

One specific suggestion that occurs to me just now as I'm writing: Get a Gallien-Krueger 700RB-II with a pair of 8-ohm GK Neo 212-II cabs. It's "only" 480 watts at 4 ohms - but it is LOUD! And I agree with funk generator: In your situation? Buy used. Definitely...

MM

[Jeff Scott]

Converted guitarist needs help

Mazel Tov!

[will33]

Originally Posted by IvanMike

We don't all agree, but that's not the point. Rather I hate to see anyone make a purchase that ends up not "cutting it".

+1

Punk rock is loud music, no??? I advise taking the 210 cabs out of the running. More speakers = more volume. Higher end 210's can do many things but putting one in a loud rock band with 100watt amps and 412's and it won't cut it. True, the PA should be carrying the weight out front but in a real punk club (read cheap) you might not have that luxury and even if you do, you still need to hear yourself on stage amidst all that other loud stuff. I'd take a hit on having stellar tone in order to be able to compete in the volume department.

[mikeldtl]

I have to admit that jumping from guitar to bass I was immediately drawn to all-tube amps. Just seemed like the right thing to do! Now of course I had a few solid state Sunns to get me going, but as soon as the $$ allowed I plunked down the money on a good used Mesa.

I say go check a few out and buy what sounds good for the price. I really cannot comment on the heads listed above as I haven't played them..... and hey, if the shop has an SVT kicking around plug in for the hell of it. The guitarist in you will smile

[mikeldtl]

PS if I WAS going to recommend anything, I think a nice used GK through an 8x10 would be a good place to start. Maybe look into the 400 or 700 series. It'll be alot of bang for the buck and you will have a tried and true setup to build upon.

[Naylor]

Yeah, the bassist in my last band (prog metal stuff) used an ampeg 8x10 with an SVT-4 pro and that thing KICKED ASS! He downgraded it to a Trace Elliott 4x10 though because he couldn't fit it in his car, and moving something the size of a large fridge/freezer between gigs and practice was a pain! There wasn't the drastic loss of sound that we expected though - it still sounded wonderful! I think that's due to the SVT head he had...
That's the problem for me really - our practice room is up a set of stairs and this band is a 'weekend warrior' bit of fun - practice once a week and gig maybe once/twice per month, so naturally the combo prices and size appeal to me. I just need lots of volume in a small package and I'm finding that in the world of bass, the two are entirely contradictory!
Again, thanks for your suggestions guys!