Gigging Combo Amp Questions

SalmonCubes · #1 03-03-2013, 07:06 PM

So, I've been playing bass for about 7-8 months now, and I've got a local band together, and we have made a short setlist to get into gigging at local areas such as a civics center, small-medium club, etc.

My current 15w Peavey combo just isn't going to cut it.
I need to get a new amp, but i'm on a relatively tight budget. I got about $450-600 to spend. I have been looking at some heads and cabinets lately, but I really don't have the cash to get some quality equipment, so for now, i'm stuck with having to get a more powerful, relatively high-end combo amp.

The ones I have been looking at recently are the Fender Rumble 350, Ampeg BA115, and Gallien-Kreuger MB115.

Wha are your opinions on this? I plan for my next amp upgrade after this to be a good qualty head and cabinet.
My main concerns at this point are sound quality, particuarly in avoiding muddyness, and overall loudness. I want to be heard and felt when playing. Which is the best of these for me?

Tractorr · #2 03-03-2013, 07:10 PM

$450-600 is not really all that low. Buy used and your money will go a lot further.

I bought a used Hartke 1X15 combo 17 years ago and it is still going strong. I only just got an upgraded amp a few years ago.

In your price range you will be able to find a lot.

SalmonCubes · #3 03-03-2013, 07:57 PM

I know I can get an amp and cabinet setup for about $600, but I would rather save up for a really good head and cabinet setup. Also, feel free to suggest a different combo amp if you have one that would be a better choice than what I have listed.

**Ndrameda81** · #4 03-03-2013, 08:00 PM

I found a like New GK MB210 on Craigslist for $300!

FourBanger · #5 03-03-2013, 08:06 PM

Get a $300 head and a $300 410 cabinet. All the big online stores have sales every few weeks so you can fit them under your $600 budget even if you find stuff that normally sells for a little more.

When you want to upgrade, buy another 410. All set.

TN WOODMAN · #6 03-03-2013, 08:08 PM

They seem to have fallen out of favor somewhat, but I see you're thinking single 15. I too like 15s and just added a NY 151 to my Berlin combo and love it. Stay the course. You would probably be happy with any of the Markbass combos. They employ the Little Mark amp, which is basically a seperate head mounted in the speaker cab.

MoeGJBeener · #7 03-03-2013, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SalmonCubes

So, I've been playing bass for about 7-8 months now, and I've got a local band together, and we have made a short setlist to get into gigging at local areas such as a civics center, small-medium club, etc.

My current 15w Peavey combo just isn't going to cut it.
I need to get a new amp, but i'm on a relatively tight budget. I got about $450-600 to spend. I have been looking at some heads and cabinets lately, but I really don't have the cash to get some quality equipment, so for now, i'm stuck with having to get a more powerful, relatively high-end combo amp.

The ones I have been looking at recently are the Fender Rumble 350, Ampeg BA115, and Gallien-Kreuger MB115.

Wha are your opinions on this? I plan for my next amp upgrade after this to be a good qualty head and cabinet.
My main concerns at this point are sound quality, particuarly in avoiding muddyness, and overall loudness. I want to be heard and felt when playing. Which is the best of these for me?

If you don't wanna go the used route and want some insight, I own a BA115 have played a rumble 350 and a MB115 handful of times. They will all work for gigging especially with PA support. I think the MB115 will give you the best bang for your buck and its MUCH lighter than the other 2.

stepswork4me · #8 03-03-2013, 08:38 PM

Check the TC Electronic BG250. Plenty of folks gigging them with success. I've got 2 of 'em. Dig 'em very much. Look here....
TC Electronic BG250 Club
TC Electronic BG250 Club (Part 2)

jefkritz · #9 03-03-2013, 08:52 PM

i'd say get a separate head and cab. if you really want a combo, you should do that. but if you're only getting a combo because you're planning on upgrading again, you can actually upgrade easier if you have a separate head and cab. you can upgrade one at a time!

also, regarding loudness, you're going to want at least 300 watts. i'd say go for 500 if you can. there's a lot of disagreement on here about the appropriate wattage, but there seems to be some agreement that you'll need at least 300 to play out (without pa support)

fwiw, i got my current setup for about $600 on the TB classifieds a couple of years ago, and couldn't be happier.

jefkritz · #10 03-03-2013, 08:56 PM

also, regarding being heard, eq is your friend. keep your eq pretty flat, and only adjust from flat in order to tweak your sound.

again, there's different opinions out there, but slightly boosting your mids will help avoid muddiness. and keep in mind that the best eq for a band setting is generally NOT the best eq for solo playing. so sculpt your sound for your band!

this is all true regardless of amp.

Russell L · #11 03-03-2013, 09:33 PM

I bought a Trace Eliott 200w 115 combo for $500 used

Davyo · #12 03-03-2013, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russell L

I bought a Trace Eliott 200w 115 combo for $500 used

For under that price the OP could get a brand new 200 watt GK MB115,,,, the MB115 is quite an impressive combo and IMO way better than any of the Trace amps I've used.

Cheers
Davyo

MoeGJBeener · #13 03-04-2013, 04:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davyo

For under that price the OP could get a brand new 200 watt GK MB115,,,, the MB115 is quite an impressive combo and IMO way better than any of the Trace amps I've used.

Cheers
Davyo

Not to mention if he wants to expand later, he can run a MBP cab out of a MB115! That's worth it's weight in gold of you ask me.

Joe Nerve · #14 03-04-2013, 04:35 AM

I've owned the MB115, Ampeg BA115. The ampeg sounds great, but struggles to cut through even in small rooms. The GK gets raves from people here, but I sent mine back immediately. It was the thinnest sounding amp I ever owned, and even at a rehearsal I had to fidget like crazy to get it to cut with just a guitar and drums. We were loud, but a 1 15 yamaha that was in the room destroyed the GK, and I even had the 2X10 extension on the 15. Unless I were playing in a really low volume band, I would look elesewhere.

Never played through a rumble, but I had 250 watt 1X15 Fender combo that destroyed the other 2 in terms of sound, and volume.

If you're looking for bang for your buck (or the most volume you'll get at a low price) I'd say add Peavey's to you list of possibilities....

and finally...

I agree with all the others that said reconsider a head and bottom. After going through countless combos and always winding up disappointed, I got me a Carvin BX500 ($399). You'd be able to add any 1X15 you can get your hands on for now. The head is the most versatile head I ever played through, has more than enough power for any gig I ever played, and you get the opportunity to swap out bottoms. Plus you can just bring the head to gigs that tell you you only need to bring a head. Around me, that's becoming extremely commonplace.

I also found that it's much easier to transport a light stack than any combo I've owned. The head fits in a napsack or laptop bag, and weighs less that 5 lbs. All the bottoms I own have wheels on them, and all the 1X15s, 2X10s, 12s or whatever are smaller and lighter than the combos with the same speakers. An MB115 sounds like an awesome package at the weight that it is, but in actuality it's harder for me to transport than my Berg 6X10. I can walk 3 blocks wheeling the Berg behind me with one hand. Most combos you have to carry w both hands, and yeah... well, you get the idea. I had a luggage cart for the MB115, and even that was a hassle I didn't want to deal with.

Think hard before dropping any cash on a combo, and if you decide that's still what you want to do, add some combos to your list as options. My $.02.

Russell L · #15 03-04-2013, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davyo

For under that price the OP could get a brand new 200 watt GK MB115,,,, the MB115 is quite an impressive combo and IMO way better than any of the Trace amps I've used.

Cheers
Davyo

My Trace has the best tone I've had, and always cuts through. I have no experience with the GK, though. Nowadays I play Markbass. (Hope you're doing well with your new Markbass 102P, Davy).

Rob Martinez · #16 03-04-2013, 08:00 AM

Fender Bassman TV Ten or Twelve, 150 watts of amazing tone, and they get LOUD when needed.

RickenBoogie · #17 03-04-2013, 08:09 AM

A head/cab is always a better choice, but if you're dead set on a combo, make sure it's capable of adding an ext cab. Many aren't. At least with this option, you can get more out of the combo, and get your first part of a rig at the same time.

**mjac28** · #18 03-04-2013, 08:12 AM

GK has a nice new series of combos that Guitar Center carries the 1x15 200 watt combo is $449 before the coupons also they have a TC Electronics combo 250 watts 1x15 with tweeter for $399.00 before the coupon if you use their coupon you could get a 500 watt GK combo with 2x10 for $599.99