Enough clean headroom? (Marshall, Orange and Fender clone)

[Gonzo476]

I'm looking for my first 'proper' bass rig. As I mentioned in a thread a couple of weeks ago, I was thinking of buying an Orange Terror Bass to match a Marshall 4x12 cab, but I've been checking some used stuff around my area and there are three all tube heads for sale: an Orange AD200B Mk III, a Marshall JCM800 and a 100w clone of a Fender Bassman made by a Spanish amp manufacturer.

I'm looking for a clean (or reeeeeeally close to clean) tone. I'm not going to be playing really big venues (200 people max), so I'd like to know if these heads will provide me enough clean headroom. I would be using them with the cab already mentioned, which is rated at 400w.

Thanks in advance!

EDIT: I play indie/classic rock and old school punk mainly. One guitarist right now, but another might join us. He uses a 50w combo.

[Gonzo476]

Bump!

[rodl2005]

Go for 200w - Orange. Or get a Traynor/Peavey etc.. Even all tube 100w, unless U got a lotta speaker cone area to drive it, CAN get lost with a LOUD mix/drummer.

If you've got a 6x10 or 8x10 or 2x15 cab or equivalent a 100w all tube should be fine tho. But with a single 410 or 1x15 etc. you'll probly find ya need more headroom.

[Gonzo476]

Originally Posted by rodl2005

Go for 200w - Orange. Or get a Traynor/Peavey etc.. Even all tube 100w, unless U got a lotta speaker cone area to drive it, CAN get lost with a LOUD mix/drummer.

If you've got a 6x10 or 8x10 or 2x15 cab or equivalent a 100w all tube should be fine tho. But with a single 410 or 1x15 etc. you'll probly find ya need more headroom.

I'm going to use a 4x12 cab rated at 400w. Would that be enough with the Marshall or the Fender clone?

[father of fires]

Originally Posted by Gonzo476

I'm going to use a 4x12 cab rated at 400w. Would that be enough with the Marshall or the Fender clone?

What 4X12 cab do you have?

[Gonzo476]

Originally Posted by father of fires

What 4X12 cab do you have?

Marshall VBC 412

[Gonzo476]

Bumping this again because the seller has told me that if I don't get my hands on the Marshall soon he's going to sell it to someone else!

[AwkwardLoudness]

Originally Posted by Gonzo476

an Orange AD200B Mk III, a Marshall JCM800 and a 100w clone of a Fender Bassman.

You're barking up the wrong tree. None of those amps are particularly clean, although the Orange AD200B is the cleanest relatively speaking.

[father of fires]

Well the JCM and the Fender clone will have very little clean headroom for gigging. They could be stellar for practicing alone. Get one of the Orange heads. The Terror bass will have the most clean headroom.

[RickenBoogie]

+1 I would look elsewhere if you want *clean*, none of the 3 listed are clean when pushed. A Mesa 400+ would be perfect if you can find one. Otherwise, maybe look for a non-tube amp for clean headroom.

[Gonzo476]

Originally Posted by AwkwardLoudness

You're barking up the wrong tree. None of those amps are particularly clean, although the Orange AD200B is the cleanest relatively speaking.

I'm not looking for hi-fi clean or anything like that. I'm looking for a warm sound and I really don't mind a bit of grit. I just don't want a completely distorted sound.

[Gonzo476]

I'm actually loving the sound of the Marshall in this video YouTube - ‪Marshall jcm 800 bass head Equaliser demo‬‏ My only concern is that it might distort too much and get into Motorhead territory when I turn up the volume.

[heavyfunkmachin]

IMHO:

Get a clean and powerfull head, something small and new (I think we're talking class D amps). That way you can make sure you can have all the clean power you need.

THEN, you can add some dirt/grit with a pedal, tube preamp, whatever.

That's what I would do, and I've got the feeling It would be cheaper.

[rodl2005]

Marshall 4x12 should get you there fine. Depending on how loud u play, even an all tube 100w should do it, though I'd go for as much wattage as possible in that range.

[Von Felgenhauer]

Power amp and vt bass pedal

[Gonzo476]

Originally Posted by Von Felgenhauer

Power amp and vt bass pedal

That would actually be an awesome idea if I liked SVTs

[koobie]

Will it be loud enough (and still be relatively clean)? It depends on how efficient your speaker cabinet is, what kind of music you're playing, and how loud your band-mates are. And 200 people is a pretty good-sized audience, 100 watts for a bass amp will get sucked up real fast. I have a Marshall JMP50 clone that sounds fantastic for playing bass solo at home, but it wouldn't have nearly enough clean headroom for most gigs.

[Gonzo476]

Originally Posted by koobie

Will it be loud enough (and still be relatively clean)? It depends on how efficient your speaker cabinet is, what kind of music you're playing, and how loud your band-mates are. And 200 people is a pretty good-sized audience, 100 watts for a bass amp will get sucked up real fast. I have a Marshall JMP50 clone that sounds fantastic for playing bass solo at home, but it wouldn't have nearly enough clean headroom for most gigs.

Edited the OP with the style of music and the guitarist's gear.

[koobie]

For rock, the Orange might have just enough clean headroom, I'd pass on the other two amps. And make sure the Marshall is a bass cab, you'll blow out guitar drivers in no time.

[Gonzo476]

Originally Posted by koobie

The Orange might have just enough clean headroom, I'd pass on the other two amps. And make sure the Marshall is a bass cab, you'll blow guitar drivers in no time.

The Marshall is a bass cab, yes.