Gigging Amp?

GladToBeBack · #1 03-21-2011, 11:06 AM

Situation:
My band is going to start gigging soon and I don't have an amp. I just wanted some input to help me decide. I've listened to a lot of amps and can get the sound I'm looking for out of most, but I am still indecisive. Some models I liked, got some really bad reviews when regarding quality of the build.

Background and other info:
We hover somewhere in between the punk, pop-rock, and metal genres. I play a Yamaha RBX260. I really like the tone that Pete Wentz has on most of the Fall Out Boy stuff. We'll be playing small to medium sized venues right away. My budget is between $200-400, the lower the better to keep my wife happy.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

GrowlerBox · #2 03-21-2011, 11:12 AM

If you let us know the ones you liked, it might help make the suggestions a little more targeted. The reviews you read may not be on the money -- people can abuse gear and blame it when it fails, of course.

brndn123 · #3 03-21-2011, 11:17 AM

With that budget, your best bet may be craigslist or the Talkbass classifieds. You will have to find somehing that fits your budget and intrigues. Then report back to us with your findings

RickenBoogie · #4 03-21-2011, 11:26 AM

+1, you're on the low side for anything of any real quality. The "standard" is an amp with 300-500 watts, and at least a 4x10. Used gear is your best bet, but you may need to up the budget some.

GladToBeBack · #5 03-21-2011, 11:46 AM

Acoustic B200 200W

Gallien-Krueger MB115 1x15 200W

Behringer Ultrabass BX1800 Bass Combo 180W

Peavey Tour TNT 115 Bass Combo Amp (Slightly Out of my price range)

TC Electronic BG500 (Out of my price range)

yea everything I've looked at was around 200watts...so that may be too small? then maybe some recommendations on combo amps that worked for any of you when you were starting out? I can work with the budget some and sell some stuff if I have to. thanks again.

Pollinator95 · #6 03-21-2011, 11:51 AM

The most important thing for volume is speaker area. It seems the bare minimum for gigging is a 4x10, or a 1x15 if you don´t need to be too loud.
Also, does your singer use a PA? You could try going direct and just using the amp as an on-stage monitor.

ddhm · #7 03-21-2011, 11:52 AM

I like my Nemesis combo (my at home practice alone amp). I see them go fairly cheap these days. They have a lot of features, a lot on outputs, the ability to turn the speaker off (to practice via headphones) and a good tone. They are only 200 watts though. I suggest the 2x10 version.

ddhm · #8 03-21-2011, 11:53 AM

Ps. you can also add an extension cab if you need to.

JimmyM · #9 03-21-2011, 11:56 AM

i used to have a nemmy 210 combo, and the only problem with it was that it's wired as it is for 4 ohm operation, and if you add a second cab, the speaker jacks are wired in series so it increases impedance rather than decreases, and that cuts your wattage down, so what you gain in speaker area you lose in wattage.

dpbass613 · #10 03-21-2011, 12:04 PM

I like GK's new combo amps, i think the 15 runs at about $400.00 new and it is light!!! Weighs practically nothing, Has a built in DI, believe it is 300 watts.

GladToBeBack · #11 03-21-2011, 12:22 PM

Nemasis = Eden? Dont see too much of that anywhere online. I have some Pawn shops near me as well I'm going to see what they have to offer. The 4x10 comment was pretty helpful.

I did look at the GK 15 inch 200 watt, thought the weight was too good to be true. I don't trust online reviews most times. I was already looking at that model...s'pose I could start with that and get a cab later if needed...option...options. Thanks for all the input.

Lord Henry · #12 03-21-2011, 12:58 PM

I'm in a similar position and I've been looking for a little while. The GK MB 115 looks interesting but I don't think that you can add an extension cab if you find that you need more oumph. I'm currently leaning towards the Ashdown 115 300 EVO II. That does have the option for an extra cab, it's 300 watts, and at least in the UK it's only slightly more expensive then the GK.

Hope you find what you are looking for.

GladToBeBack · #13 03-21-2011, 03:05 PM

The Gk does have an XLR direct out...Ashland looks nice but nobody local here carries it so I wouldn't be able to hear it. Thanks for the input tho.

okcrum · #14 03-21-2011, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

i used to have a nemmy 210 combo, and the only problem with it was that it's wired as it is for 4 ohm operation, and if you add a second cab, the speaker jacks are wired in series so it increases impedance rather than decreases, and that cuts your wattage down, so what you gain in speaker area you lose in wattage.

Yeah, best bet with those is to use two and slave them together.

jastacey · #15 03-21-2011, 03:57 PM

I'd say if you can find a Peavey Combo 300, get it , it's gigable, has O.K. tone, you can add a extra cabinet, and it's 2 ohm stable .... and it won't cost you too much, down side is it's heavy and a lot of people just don't like the older Peavey stuff .... I own one and have had mine for years

fhm555 · #16 03-21-2011, 05:48 PM

The GK 115 combo is a 200W rig. I bought a GK MB115 not too long ago at GC and got it for just under $350 with one of their coupon deals. After 3 days of trying to get some decent bottom end out of it I took it back. I was looking for a practice amp for home use that could also cut the mustard for small jams away from home, all for under $400.00 and after trying every combo amp I could, I never found anything new for less than $400.00 that would do that. Of all the combos I tried, the best bang for the buck was a Peavey TNT 115. It was plenty loud and you could get some decent tone balance out of it, but it was more bulk than I wanted for a small amp and it was $499.00 so I passed. For what you need the Peavey might be just the ticket and it's close enough to your budget you could sweet talk SWMBO out an extra C note and you are golden.
As for smallish to medium sized rooms, I've got a 410 I run with a 350W head and even in a 2 guitar setting with a drummer channeling Bonzo I've never wished I could get more volume in those rooms. With your budget and requirements, you might want to look into setting up an easy payment plan with a local shop if you have one that will do such things, or maybe apply for a line of credit at one of the big mail order houses. I would ask around and find where the local working musicians get their gear, which is usually the best place to get some help from an understanding shop owner. As a last resort you might find a place to rent some adequate gear on a per gig basis until you can figure out a way to secure your own. Keep an eye on craigslist, but if it's like our local version, you will look at hundreds of frogs for every prince you find there. I think of craigslist as a place one might get lucky once in while, or you might luck up and score right away, but I wouldn't depend on it if you are under a time crunch.

GladToBeBack · #17 03-25-2011, 10:47 AM

UPDATE

I got an SWR Silverado Special 2x12. I sold some of the studio equipment I wasn't using and was able to chip the price down to $235. Pics will come later. Thanks again for all the input.

seanm · #18 03-25-2011, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GladToBeBack

UPDATE

I got an SWR Silverado Special 2x12. I sold some of the studio equipment I wasn't using and was able to chip the price down to $235. Pics will come later. Thanks again for all the input.

Sounds like a nice score!

GladToBeBack · #19 03-25-2011, 05:32 PM

I'd say gig-worthy

joe vegas · #20 03-25-2011, 05:36 PM

Hartke A-100. Kicks like a small mule. loud and powerful. Also, GK's MB115. Big bottom, huge sound. Both have DIs out.