Help with amps.

bassbrizzle · #1 05-03-2011, 08:38 AM

So I'm going to be getting my first head and cab. What are your thoughts on different brands? I'm looking in the $500-800 ish dollar range, and would like some tube involvement (probalby just a hybrid at this price range). I play anything from rock to metal to funk and acoustic stuff.

I'm playing through a borrowed SWR 350 Watt head and 410 cab but it seems like it's just not enough power to keep up with the two guitarists and drummer. We play loud so I'm wondering if I should get pretty much the highest wattage I can. I like the Hartke LH1000, it's cheaper, has the tube preamp and has the power. Is this overkill?

Are there any other amps you could recommend in that range? Even generalizations work well for me (even if it's offensive, i.e. "Behringer sucks!" or similar statements are welcome with explanation).

I'm trying to not be lazy about this, and I've done a fair amount of reading reviews and researching. A lot of people seem to say that 400-600 watts should be enough for anyone that's not touring in arena's and what not, but I know that watt's aren't linear so it seems like going from 350 to 500 wouldn't be that big of a jump, or am I just wrong in this thought?

Basically I just need a little guidance please.

BurningSkies · #2 05-03-2011, 08:42 AM

For your money, you should be looking at a used head. You're going to be able to purchase a better (possibly more powerful or optionful) head for the same money you'd spend on a lesser new one.

**Thor** · #3 05-03-2011, 09:00 AM

There is a SWR SM 900 FS in amps used. That has a 12Ax7 tube in the preamp section. That amp will take paint off the walls. It delivers twice the punch of the SM500 at not much more of a footprint, if you like the SWR sound.

BassmanPaul · #4 05-03-2011, 09:02 AM

Volume comes less from power and more from the number of speakers you use. If a 4x10 is not enough get a second identical 4x10 or sell the 4x10 and get an 8x10.

Downunderwonder · #5 05-03-2011, 09:09 AM

Sigh, you're dead right that a few extra watts isn't going to make much difference. An extra cab will make a big difference but the biggest thing is to get the overall volume under control rather than try to win the volume war.

Shindig · #6 05-03-2011, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thor

There is a SWR SM 900 FS in amps used. That has a 12Ax7 tube in the preamp section. That amp will take paint off the walls. It delivers twice the punch of the SM500 at not much more of a footprint, if you like the SWR sound.

+1. Those SM900 amps are LOUD.
Good luck.
Shindig

chadds · #7 05-03-2011, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downunderwonder

Sigh, you're dead right that a few extra watts isn't going to make much difference. An extra cab will make a big difference but the biggest thing is to get the overall volume under control rather than try to win the volume war.

True but the 350 can't push 8x10s effectively.
Yes get a used pro head. In the search for the "sound" a lot of pro gear is available used in barely used condition. You can recoup nearly all your money at resale minus say "$100, $150 yearly rental". So if you sell a head in a year for $100 less than you paid for it you rented it for $100 year or $8.33 a month. See?!
So try a Bass 750 or the 900. It's enough for most situations small to medium/large. After that there should be a big house system and in that case size won't matter.

bassplayerbob · #8 05-03-2011, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassbrizzle

So I'm going to be getting my first head and cab. What are your thoughts on different brands? I'm looking in the $500-800 ish dollar range, and would like some tube involvement (probalby just a hybrid at this price range). I play anything from rock to metal to funk and acoustic stuff.

I'm playing through a borrowed SWR 350 Watt head and 410 cab but it seems like it's just not enough power to keep up with the two guitarists and drummer. We play loud so I'm wondering if I should get pretty much the highest wattage I can. I like the Hartke LH1000, it's cheaper, has the tube preamp and has the power. Is this overkill?

Are there any other amps you could recommend in that range? Even generalizations work well for me (even if it's offensive, i.e. "Behringer sucks!" or similar statements are welcome with explanation).

I'm trying to not be lazy about this, and I've done a fair amount of reading reviews and researching. A lot of people seem to say that 400-600 watts should be enough for anyone that's not touring in arena's and what not, but I know that watt's aren't linear so it seems like going from 350 to 500 wouldn't be that big of a jump, or am I just wrong in this thought?

Basically I just need a little guidance please.

I own the lh1000 and I don't think its overkill. I use a hydrive 410 with it. Some gigs I will run it brdged @650 watts or just use one side @225 watts. I got to hear it through a Berg 410 this past weekend and all I can say is wow! The owner of the cab compared it to an agular head and I believe he now owns a Hartke.

bassclef216 · #9 05-03-2011, 09:52 AM

Your 350 watt head with a 410 should be plenty loud. Check the Ohms situation between the amp and cab. If the amp is 350 watts @ 4 ohms and the cab is an 8 ohm cab you'll lose some of the power capabilities of the rig and won't get all 350 watts tha amp has to offer. Just a thought. On the other end I have a Hartke LH500 with a 410 and I can't imagine it not being loud enough for anything but an arena. I have never had the volume knob above 3 or 4.

Downunderwonder · #10 05-03-2011, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chadds

True but the 350 can't push 8x10s effectively.

to that i say "bollox!" 350 W is a heap of power, more than a SVT even!

Quote:

Originally Posted by chadds

Yes get a used pro head. In the search for the "sound" a lot of pro gear is available used in barely used condition. You can recoup nearly all your money at resale minus say "$100, $150 yearly rental". So if you sell a head in a year for $100 less than you paid for it you rented it for $100 year or $8.33 a month. See?!
So try a Bass 750 or the 900. It's enough for most situations small to medium/large. After that there should be a big house system and in that case size won't matter.

Yes, but after 350W is dragged out by two cabs, drums need to be in the PA, so should the bass at that point so turn everything down!

bassbrizzle · #11 05-03-2011, 02:48 PM

Thanks, for all the advice. I'm actually not sure what the rating on the cab is, as I'm just borrowing it. Either way, it looks like the way to go is looking for the used pro gear to save some moolah and get quality at the same time. Also, I'm thinking a bump in wattage will do me well.

bassplayerbob how do you like the tone of the LH1000? I was kinda wondering if there is enough room in the eq?

Selta · #12 05-03-2011, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chadds

True but the 350 can't push 8x10s effectively.

Wow. Just wow.
In 1969/1970 Ampeg came out with the SVT amp. It's a "whopping" 300W. It was used with one or two 8x10 cabs.
Saying that 350W won't "effectively push" an 8x10 is absurd.

bassplayerbob · #13 05-03-2011, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassbrizzle

Thanks, for all the advice. I'm actually not sure what the rating on the cab is, as I'm just borrowing it. Either way, it looks like the way to go is looking for the used pro gear to save some moolah and get quality at the same time. Also, I'm thinking a bump in wattage will do me well.

bassplayerbob how do you like the tone of the LH1000? I was kinda wondering if there is enough room in the eq?

I think so. I use active and passive basses and I haven't had a bad sound night yet. I always start with the recommended settings and adjust for the stage I am on. It also handles effects well too. I can set it for a nice motown vibe and then engage the brite switch and get a sweet slap tone.

chadds · #14 05-03-2011, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray Salamon

Wow. Just wow.
In 1969/1970 Ampeg came out with the SVT amp. It's a "whopping" 300W. It was used with one or two 8x10 cabs.
Saying that 350W won't "effectively push" an 8x10 is absurd.

Ok I played those when they came out. A '69/'70 SVT will smoke an SWR 350.
I've owned two SM-400 at a time graduating to two Bass 750s with two GIIIs. I know what they can and can't do.
That SWR is a little shy on power. A bridged SM-400 will smoke it. The SWR Bass 750 is shy on power compared to an AG DB750. A true vintage SVT with one or two cabs is a monster.
What I said was "the" 350 meaning the SM-350.