Headless Cab!!!

thebasskid · #1 02-28-2011, 04:47 PM

I just got a steal on a nearly new behringer ultrabass 210. But now my cash is depleted and finding a quality budget head is not as easy as i expected. I only have $250, and i need a head that can handle my 8 ohm 600W cab. the seemingly obvious choice would be an ultrabass head, but im hearing mixed reviews. Any suggestions on what to do?

coreyfyfe · #2 02-28-2011, 05:07 PM

Depends on how much you want to spend and what your tone goals are. Behringer will be cheap wattage, but they're also known to over state the wattage of their products and have reliability issues.

Search the classifieds here or shop used on your local craigslist. Any solid state head you find should be able to do 8 ohms no problem and 600 watts gives you a fair amount of breathing room as that's probably about the max that you'll get from most heads within a low price range.

faulkner1953 · #3 03-01-2011, 09:36 AM

I apologize if you already know this.... You don't have to get a 600w amp to drive your 600w rated speaker cab. You can drive it with any amp you desire. The 600w rating for the speaker cab is a maximum power handling for the cabinet. You could, for example, get a GK MB200 for $250 or less, brand new that would work in many situations. Or the used market would turn up many other choices.

doctorpunch · #4 03-01-2011, 09:38 AM

I'm not a big fan of my BX4500H, but it's a good head when you're tight on space/money. They go for about $230 new last time I checked.

Noose · #5 03-01-2011, 10:13 AM

I have done my share of experimenting with behringer stuff and to be honest I was not pleased with their cabs.
The 4500H head wasn't completely terrible In the sense that I had it for five years, beat the crap out of it and never had a problem. But, I could never get a good tone from it. It just sounded muddy and clanky no matter how I dialed it in. It also had a really annoying hum that was there the day it came out of the box. I was using it with a behringer 8x10. I replaced the 810 with a GK 410 and it sounded somewhat better, but still not great.

It seems that if you are lucky enough to find a behringer head that doesnt die on you out if the blue then it is decent as a practice/last resort gig head For 250 I think you can probably find something used that you will be happier with.

FYI I lived in constant fear that the behringer 810 had a blown speaker, even though it didn't. Every time I would turn up to even close to halfway, the speakers would fart out like crazy. Even though the head was supposed to be pretty weak for that cab, the cab seemed to struggle. I imagine the 2x10 might struggle even more especially if you use it by itself and you intend to play at anything other than bedroom practice level.
This is of course just my experience. I hope you have better luck than me. I have heard other people say they were pleasantly surprised with their behringer gear.

KramerBassFan · #6 03-01-2011, 10:14 AM

Get a used GK Backline 600.

father of fires · #7 03-01-2011, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KramerBassFan

Get a used GK Backline 600.

+1

perogato02 · #8 03-01-2011, 11:19 AM

Buy used, and give some old Hartkes or Peaveys a try!

I have seen those old Hartke 3500 transients go for that kind of money or even less

doctorpunch · #9 03-03-2011, 08:23 AM

Not a fan of GK, I played a backline when it was a....backline and I got horrible feedback.

Hartke....we've heard my stories about them.

PDGood · #10 03-03-2011, 08:32 AM

Feedback is not an issue associated with any brand of amp. It's caused by having the pickups close enough to the speakers that they pick up the sound coming from the speakers and create a loop.
I've played crazy loud and never had feed back of any sort through any amp except when playing with a hollow body bass.

funkinbottom · #11 03-03-2011, 08:53 AM

Older Peavey heads like Mark lll you can usually pick up for 150 to 250 bucks. These things are reliable old work horses with plenty of power to push your cab. I still have mine that I bought new back in 78-79? When it finally broke 4 years ago (kept blowing fuses) it was only a capacitor gone bad that cost me 18 bucks to replace.

gregoire1 · #12 03-03-2011, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KramerBassFan

Get a used GK Backline 600.

+1 then use the extra money left over to buy a quality speaker cable and strings.

MuzikMan · #13 03-03-2011, 11:11 AM

Amps don't handle cabs but there are cabs that can't handle amps

. If I were you I'd get another $50 somehow and buy an Ampeg PF350. If that isn't possible then just be patient and wait for the right deal in the classifieds here at TB.

armywalaby · #14 03-03-2011, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MuzikMan

...just be patient and wait for the right deal in the classifieds here at TB.

This.