First time shopping for a serious amp, advice?

[stoutkraut]

So I've read a lot of what's been posted so far about the various bass amps, it's quite a lot to take in.

Basically I want something that won't be too overkill(a little overkill is ok) for practicing with, but also would do well in a small gig type situation, which I have never been in, but I aspire to. Before I head on down to the Easy Music Center and take whatever they put in front of me, I thought I would post here and ask. If this kind of question has been posted before, I apologize for missing it.

Any advice would be appreciated.

These are the brands they keep in stock and thus what I have to choose from:
Behringer | Eden | Fender | Genz-Benz | Line 6 | Marshall | Roland | SWR


And I have an upper limit of $500 total. (Which, it has been made know to me, is not enough for anything good. The most I would spend would be $1000, whenever I got it.)

Their website does't say which models they have in particular, though.

I intend on going to the store and asking the employees there what I should get, but I figured I could get more experienced advice from the TB forum. Thanks : )

One more thing, I'm in Oahu.

[christw]

The ability to overkill is always a good one. Actually using that ability, not so good. Look at the micro heads that pump out lots of power like the Genz Benz shuttle (used is in your range), Markbass heads (the LM-II and LM-III pull a good SVT vibe and go used on here for $350-$500), Ibanez Promethean (which has a semi-vintage voice and is $500 new).

All of those will put out enough power to pump a 410 full and weigh enough that you can throw them in a gig bag.

But really, go and play everything they have and keep an eye on what you like. Don't buy there! You can call up musician's friend or american musical supply and say "I'll buy ___ if you give me 20% off" and they usually do it.

[Stumbo]

By "amp", do you mean head and cab? or are you just looking for a head (amplifier)?

Where are you located?

[Marton]

You should add GK to this list. You can get a 700RB-II for pretty cheap used, and it's probably the best head for the price.

[stoutkraut]

Originally Posted by Stumbo

By "amp", do you mean head and cab? or are you just looking for a head (amplifier)?

Where are you located?

Silly of me, I meant head and cab. And I'm currently living on the island of Oahu. And I may have a higher limit in a couple of days, we'll see how that one goes.

[PSPookie]

Originally Posted by stoutkraut

Silly of me, I meant head and cab. And I'm currently living on the island of Oahu.

Finding a new head + new cab in Oahu, for $500 will be quite a trick.

You'll get much more for your money if you buy used. Craig's List should be your first stop.

Based on your description of your needs you will probably want a head with around 300W and at least a 1x15 or 2x10 cabinet. Oh, and you would probably do well to stay away from Behringer.

[cosmicpimp2]

+1 on staying away from Behringer.
From the list you put up the SWR cabs are pretty good. I don't mind the Eden heads either. But $500 is tough to work with. Go used. Acoustic 370 head. cheap and is awesome

[stoutkraut]

Let's say I can get congress(my wife) to approve a spending bill of $800. Could happen, you never know. Maybe I can make a few deals and get more money. $500 is kinda a limit for me at the moment, but I'm more interested in what gear will actually do well for my intended purposes, and be good for the money.

Awesome advice so far, though. I really appreciate it.

Question: why stay away from Behringer?

[cap'n crunk]

Originally Posted by stoutkraut

Any advice would be appreciated ... And I have an upper limit of $500 total.

Save some more money. Buying a head and cab for under $500 is a sure recipe for ending up with lower-end, underpowered, or beat gear that you're going to want to dump sooner than you think in order to get the better quality gear you'll come to realize you should have saved for and bought in the first place. You'll take a big loss on the stuff you originally bought and be nearly back to square one.

Trust me. I've been there.

If you're ampless at present and absolutely need one, I'd check CL, the 'bay, or TB classifieds for a smallish cheapish combo that will get you by without setting you back more than $100 or so (a used Ampeg BA-112, for example, would be a decent choice). If you already have an amp, hang onto it and pile up the cash until you have enough to get something that will satisfy and also retain a decent resale value so that you'll get something back out of it when you inevitably catch a case of GAS. $1000 or so ought to get you into a pretty decent used rig.

[dvh]

Originally Posted by stoutkraut

Question: why stay away from Behringer?

Long term reliability - especially the speakers - does not have a good track record...

[Bassdirty]

With limited funds...its tough..if you can find some GK stuff used...maybe go that route (not the really cheap line tho).

HOWEVER...I neededd a practice amp that could hold up with a band..i was lookin for a combo...and the best thing i could find (sadly) was a fender cRumble 100. (for $150)it "seemed' loud enuff in the store.
Went home to coax my wife into lettin me get it...came back to the store...there she was...GONE.

In its place was an Acoustic B200 ($199...ive tried these before and was pleasantly surprised)

So I got it.

Just had my first actual band practice with it...and it was awesome...plenty of volume...plenty of tonal variety.(review to follow...eventually)


New these are $349 i think.

anyway, I would definately try one of these out.

So, personally, I would drop behringer from your list of potentials and add GK & acoustic


JMO..?

[stoutkraut]

Genz Benz Shuttle 3.0 10t -300 Watt Bass Amp Head/Cabinet Combo for $525. Based on what I've read here this doesn't seem bad. I could always add to it, right? Like another 10" cabinet? Or would I be better served following cap'n'crunk's (love the name!) advice and just save until I can get something of finer quality?

[christw]

Originally Posted by stoutkraut

Genz Benz Shuttle 3.0 10t -300 Watt Bass Amp Head/Cabinet Combo for $525. Based on what I've read here this doesn't seem bad. I could always add to it, right? Like another 10" cabinet? Or would I be better served following cap'n'crunk's (love the name!) advice and just save until I can get something of finer quality?

Yes, but what is your intended use? One ten won't get you very far with a full band. You'll probably need 2 10's at least.

Guitar Center (if you have one) have their in house Acoustic brand amps and sell a 200w head + 410 for $550. The power could be better, but it'll do.

[StuartV]

I got my Ibanez Promethean combo (i.e. a head and a small cab) for $525, shipped, on eBay, in used but same as new condition. May as well get the combo, because it's not that much more than the head by itself.

I got my Aguilar GS210 cab, in like new condition with the slip cover from a fellow TB'er who had it posted on CL, for $350. A good deal, but not one that you can't at least come close to if you're patient.

The Promethean by itself is a FANTASTIC practice rig and rehearsal rig (if your band isn't super loud). And the Promethean head with the Aguilar 210 cab is a very good gig rig for small to medium'ish gigs. 250W with 2 10s does quite well.

You could do very well if you start with just the Promethean combo and then keep an eye out for a good deal on a 210 8-ohm extension cabinet to acquire some time between now and when you have your first gig. If you get that far and later decide you need something even louder, you can get another 210 8-ohm cab or a 1x15 and use them together with the Promethean head. That will give you 500W going through either 4 10s or 2 10s and 1 15. Either way, you'll have plenty of volume for all but really big (or really, really loud) gigs.

[StuartV]

Originally Posted by stoutkraut

Question: why stay away from Behringer?

I haven't ever owned any Behringer stuff myself. Nor have I played in any band where anybody owned any.

But, the commonly expressed opinion hereabouts is:

- Behringer designs are generally reverse-engineered copies of ones developed by other companies.

- Behringers equipment is made with cheaper, lower quality electronic components. Thus, they are more likely to fail and, when they fail, more likely to have to be replaced versus being able to repair a "better" brand.

It's all hearsay from my perspective. Nevertheless, I stick to brands I know are good for my gear. I never want to experience a failure in a gig situation and end up feeling like if I had not "cheaped out", it wouldn't have happened.

[stoutkraut]

Originally Posted by christw

Yes, but what is your intended use? One ten won't get you very far with a full band. You'll probably need 2 10's at least.

Guitar Center (if you have one) have their in house Acoustic brand amps and sell a 200w head + 410 for $550. The power could be better, but it'll do.

Right now, my intended use is to have something to continue practicing with, with the further intention of that something being good enough to carry it's own weight in a small gig type scenario. Like, a crowded small-ish bar that people don't really go to for the music anyway(so grateful I even get the opportunity to go!)

Again, so much awesome advice. You all rock.

[PSPookie]

Originally Posted by stoutkraut

Genz Benz Shuttle 3.0 10t -300 Watt Bass Amp Head/Cabinet Combo for $525. Based on what I've read here this doesn't seem bad. I could always add to it, right? Like another 10" cabinet? Or would I be better served following cap'n'crunk's (love the name!) advice and just save until I can get something of finer quality?

Actually, that wouldn't be a bad way to go, especially since the head detaches from the cab. That way you would have your single 10" combo fro practicing and pick up a larger cab for gigging purposes.

Genz Benz makes top-notch gear and has a reputation for excellent customer service.

[christw]

Originally Posted by stoutkraut

Right now, my intended use is to have something to continue practicing with, with the further intention of that something being good enough to carry it's own weight in a small gig type scenario. Like, a crowded small-ish bar that people don't really go to for the music anyway(so grateful I even get the opportunity to go!)

Again, so much awesome advice. You all rock.

The Shuttle would do fine if you plan to add another 8 ohm 1x10, 1x12, or 2x10 down the road for live use. It would keep the rig very small and modular (easy to move) and put out decent volume. A Promethean 1x10 or 2x10 combo, if you find one at that price would be a great choice as well for the same reasons. Plus, it has 200 more watts on tap. I've been looking for one for these very reasons.

[noahw1]

I've seen Genz-Benz Shuttle 3.0 Amp Head for about $550 then you could find a 2x10" or something. You can also use it with headphones to practice with no speakers. The combos with 1 x 10" go for about $800 and the 1 x 8" less than that.

[cap'n crunk]

Originally Posted by stoutkraut

cap'n crunk (love the name!)

Hey, thanks! I like yours too, stoutkraut.

Originally Posted by noahw1

I've seen Genz-Benz Shuttle 3.0 Amp Head for about $550 then you could find a 2x10" or something. You can also use it with headphones to practice with no speakers.

+1. noahw1 is onto something here. GB Shuttles have a pretty darn good rep, and if you can hold off on a cab for now and direct all that available funding to a headphone-capable head, you'll be well set up to snag ANY cab that strikes your fancy down the road. Explain to the wife that you want to be able to practice silently so as not to bug her -- -- but that this means you'll need to go a little deeper into the bank account for a cab at some point down the road when it's time to gig. Best of both worlds: you get quality gear and the lady of the house is happy. Done and done.