good affordable bass amp with graphic EQ?

rob_thebassman · #1 03-09-2011, 03:23 PM

i used to have an old peavey tko 115 years ago which i now kinda regret selling as it had a good graphic EQ, any recomdation on an affordable amp?

MuzikMan · #2 03-09-2011, 05:48 PM

What is your budget? I liked the Ampeg B2r when I had it. You might be able to find the TKO on the used market if you want another one.

Phalex · #3 03-09-2011, 05:53 PM

I absolutely LOOOVE Carvin amps. They seemingly have no resale value at all. See if you can find a PB-500 head on the interwebz. Probably cost you less than $200.00.

(Their new stuff is pretty cost effective as well.)

BigOldHarry · #4 03-09-2011, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phalex

I absolutely LOOOVE Carvin amps. They seemingly have no resale value at all. See if you can find a PB-500 head on the interwebz. Probably cost you less than $200.00.

(Their new stuff is pretty cost effective as well.)

I was just thinking of the bxr500...

but if he's moving from a peavy TKO, I think he can shoot lower and still be happy.

4Mal · #5 03-09-2011, 06:45 PM

Just about any amp with an effects loop... Add in the graphic of your choice...

jeff7bass · #6 03-09-2011, 07:28 PM

Carvin.com :: BX500

Marko5657 · #7 03-09-2011, 07:33 PM

Hartke, Peavey Tour…

rob_thebassman · #8 03-09-2011, 07:36 PM

been looking at hartke and the ashdown mark king head

MNAirHead · #9 03-09-2011, 08:53 PM

One of the cooler budget amps with graphic eq is the MegaBass.. they go for $75-250... when new they were over $1000

Pilgrim · #10 03-09-2011, 10:08 PM

Carvin makes solid amps - but with no offense, I'm not sure why you need a graphic EQ. Study of any decent amp's EQ will yield similar functions. My suggestion is to get the amp that suits your need first, with the style of EQ as a secondary consideration.

**IvanMike** · #11 03-10-2011, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

Carvin makes solid amps - but with no offense, I'm not sure why you need a graphic EQ. Study of any decent amp's EQ will yield similar functions. My suggestion is to get the amp that suits your need first, with the style of EQ as a secondary consideration.

Pretty much this. Amp shop with your eyes closed. Really.

greenboy · #12 03-10-2011, 10:48 AM

If someone feels graphic EQ is easier for them to do what they want, it's not really a hearing issue, it's a user interface thing.

Myself, I've noticed a lot of bass players don't even realize that things like this are also built around graphic EQ:

...6 bands in this case.

rob_thebassman · #13 03-10-2011, 11:26 AM

for me its not a case of it been easy its a case of having more frequencies to work with

**IvanMike** · #14 03-10-2011, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rob_thebassman

for me its not a case of it been easy its a case of having more frequencies to work with

often a good semi parametric lets you dial in the same amount of tonal change as a graphic. Remember, the graphics on most amps aren't exactly studio quality units. Just sayin. You can get a graphic eq amp if you want, but the "fad" is kind of over.

greenboy · #15 03-10-2011, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IvanMike

often a good semi parametric lets you dial in the same amount of tonal change as a graphic. Remember, the graphics on most amps aren't exactly studio quality units. Just sayin. You can get a graphic eq amp if you want, but the "fad" is kind of over.

The basic type of EQ says little about the quality. A lot of the fake parametrics on bass heads are pretty much like crayons outside the lines too. As always, it comes down to indiviidual implementations of circuit designs, and how many bean counters are involved.

GrisGris · #16 03-10-2011, 02:35 PM

i just made the upgrade from a combo and i bought a hartke he3500 from the tb classified am am super impressed. the amp was 125 shipped, but i have seen them im local pawn shops for like 150.

in my experience if you need more punch and already have **** then anything will be an upgrade. go pawn shop it and try out their stuff, find something a little wrong with it and act like you are a expert amd you can haggle down a bunch imo.

jeff7bass · #17 03-10-2011, 02:47 PM

What’s good about the Carvins (and likely the Peaveys) graphic EQ is that they’re switchable, which comes in handy for changing basses.
For instance, sound-check your active bass with the graphic EQ “on”, and your passive bass with it “off”, then just flip the switch when changing basses.

greenboy · #18 03-10-2011, 02:52 PM

Or for the same bass but different songs' tones - or fingerstyle and slap.

**IvanMike** · #19 03-10-2011, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenboy

Or for the same bass but different songs' tones - or fingerstyle and slap.

that is a useful feature to be sure. some of the better amps ( i think carvin does this) with graphics still have a decent 3 or 4 band eq on top of this.

greenboy · #20 03-10-2011, 04:09 PM

Usally a semi parametric or two on the always engaged main circuit, with maybe outer shelving and a couple of quick voicing switches.

I like this one a lot:

Some Ampegs have this type of flexibility too.