Help finding a good gigging Combo.

[Ezmar]

So, I need a new amp. Well, an amp period. I have a 15W Fender rumble, but that's just a practice amp. I'm going to college next year, and I'm looking to start a serious band, and that means of course that I will have to gig, which means I need an amp. I played at a Jazz thing the other night, and there was an opening band there, and I talked to the bassist about an amp to get, and he gave me this list:

Gallien Krueger mb115

Ampeg BA 115

Fender Rumble 150

Hartke Kickback

Acoustic B200 w/horn

Peavey Tour TNT

I'm leaning towards the Acoustic or the Ampeg. My style is very Rush, I play a lot like Geddy, but I'm not looking to emulate his tone at all, I'm just looking for something that can emphasize the high end some, so it isn't so Boomy in the low end. I'm not limiting myself to those models specifically, and I'm looking for stuff mostly from Acoustic and Ampeg, like I mentioned. I'm trying to get a nice solid combo that won't break the bank, since I'm currently broke and don't have a job. (still need my driver's license) So any thoughts? I'm looking for something straight, without too much coloring, something that can put out enough sound for a medium sized gig with some headroom to spare, and that doesn't emphasize the fundamental too much. Again, I play very technically, more like Rush than say, Van Halen (Although I love them too). So I want something that has some of that high end. I think I've probably said everything about twice now, so I'll open this up. Any suggestions, comments on the listed amps, whatever? My choice as of now is the Acoustic B200, anything about that I could be aware of? Tips on searching? Anything is welcome!

[waleross]

I have and use Fender, as well as Ampeg and Genz Benz. Ampeg is great but costs , as does Genz and Fender. I would look the new Fender Rumble line of heads and cabs. I have the Pro line of both which cost a lot but these seem to have a more modest pricing. I would try them out and get feedback since they just came out recently.
Fender Heads And Cabs Bass at Guitar Center. | Search Results

[davegt666]

This is what I use:


It's a Fender Rumble 350. I use it in conjunction with my Ibanez SRX2EX2(See Above).

-2x10
-350W
-65lbs
-Direct Out
-Castors
-Overdrive (Footswitchable)
-Effects Loop
-Aux In

Pretty much a good overall amp for $499.99 advertised at Guitar Center. The guitarist in my band uses a Raven RG100, 100 watts solid state. At not even half the power it easily drowns him out. The only real gripe I have is the fan is a little on the loud side, but you can't hear it in a band setting at all. The tone is good too.

[Ezmar]

Hmm, okay, I have liked the way that the Rumble at my school sounds, I might give them a look. I could probably find one used a lot more easily than the others.

Can anyone say anything about the Acoustic? That's still my primary choice, and I really don't know that much about it, other than it's the first brand that the bass player I talked to mentioned. I looked up the specs on it, and I like what I saw, and mainly I like the way it looks better than a Fender or a Peavey or anything like that: Simple and clean. Does anyone know if it sounds anything like it looks, if that makes any sense?

[Runnerman]

I gig with the Peavey Tour 115 and it does a nice job. On it's own it can do pretty well but pair it with a cab and it becomes another animal. I play mid size venues typically. Lots of effects. Only downside is shape and size....basically a big cube. I am in the process of building a custom roller case for it.

[selftitled907]

Originally Posted by Ezmar

I'm leaning towards the Acoustic or the Ampeg. My style is very Rush, I play a lot like Geddy, but I'm not looking to emulate his tone at all, I'm just looking for something that can emphasize the high end some, so it isn't so Boomy in the low end.

if this is the case....stear clear of that particular ampeg, as its a 15 and will get very boomy, a well as ampeg's are known for being VERY tone oriented. if you want to emphasize the high end go with a 210 cab. those fenders are nice with a DI that will let you drop a line to the mixer if you just dont have enough vol. to get you even in the mix.

good luck on your hunt!

-Gabe

[Pilgrim]

If you're in college you will have limited space to work with. I strongly recommend the Genz-Benz Shuttle 6.0 or 9.0 docked on a 12T speaker. This combo weighs only 36 pounds and puts out 375W (Shuttle 6). You can add a larger cab, but this will do an amazing job.

I'd rather play this than ANY 1x15 combo - and I have spent a lot of time playing 1x15 combos.

This is not boomy, but it's clean, powerful, has a solid low end and you can push the tube preamp and get a nice tub-ish tone if you need to.

[saustindavis]

Originally Posted by selftitled907

if this is the case....stear clear of that particular ampeg, as its a 15 and will get very boomy, a well as ampeg's are known for being VERY tone oriented. if you want to emphasize the high end go with a 210 cab. those fenders are nice with a DI that will let you drop a line to the mixer if you just dont have enough vol. to get you even in the mix.

good luck on your hunt!

-Gabe

http://backstage.musiciansfriend.com...7000001000.sku

FTW!

[selftitled907]

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

If you're in college you will have limited space to work with. I strongly recommend the Genz-Benz Shuttle 6.0 or 9.0 docked on a 12T speaker. This combo weighs only 36 pounds and puts out 375W (Shuttle 6). You can add a larger cab, but this will do an amazing job.

I'd rather play this than ANY 1x15 combo - and I have spent a lot of time playing 1x15 combos.

This is not boomy, but it's clean, powerful, has a solid low end and you can push the tube preamp and get a nice tub-ish tone if you need to.

i couldnt agree more....i use that exact head. (shown in my sig) except i use it on an SWR 410 goliath (4ohm cab) its CRAZY huge sound with all the tone shaping one could want. and from what i have heard...those acoustics are really really nice. i like the sounds i hear from them all....however never taken the time to play on one, so i cant comment on the versatility however IMHO....they are a bit on the large size for only a 210. you can get more compact than that just like in this pic with very similar results.

[bassist4dalord]

I've greatly enjoyed my GK MB115.

[tdub0199]

GK MB115 is what I use to practice on... I love it!

[Bass_Pounder]

Originally Posted by selftitled907

if this is the case....stear clear of that particular ampeg, as its a 15 and will get very boomy, a well as ampeg's are known for being VERY tone oriented. if you want to emphasize the high end go with a 210 cab. those fenders are nice with a DI that will let you drop a line to the mixer if you just dont have enough vol. to get you even in the mix.

good luck on your hunt!

-Gabe

The size of the speakers has no relationship to the frequency response.

There are plenty of 10's that can outperform an 18", and there are plenty of 15's that are mid/high voiced - not all low end boom.

[Jimmy Blue]

You may want to consider a used Eden Metro, great stand alone combo. Put a 1-15 under it and you got wall shakin' thunder. The Metro is powerfull and has very good EQ, you can get a wide spectrum of sound from old school Mowtown to Marcus Miller zing.

[hdbassman2000]

dude, if you are rock player, then there is no question. go with the acoustic b200. i just got one myself and it turned out to do everything i wanted and more. for a smallish amp, it is solidly built with a good 15" driver and a very generous 200w. its got great lows and very likable mids because the eq section acts more like a parametric than a graphic. more like a shelving control rather than a boost/cut...the geddy tone is rich in mid tones and a little grindy and this amp will do that no prob. plus, the internal limiter circuit is very tube like and gives that tubish "squeeze" which is very cool. i love this amp. and for the $$$, you can't beat it....go to GC and take some time to demo...bring your bass, you will be surprized.

[HeadyVan Halen]

Ampeg BA 1x15 is my choice. Was my practice amp but slowly worked it's way up to Church giggin' amp.
Depending on size of room, and PA support, this little amp kicks it hard. A 100 watts might get kinda 'fuzzy' if you really have to lean on it for a long time though but the tone is like Sunshine in May.

[smcbass]

What is your budget?
How much weight are you willing to lug to the gig?

If you've got a lot of money, how about a Mesa Walkabout? You can get used ones on TB or ebay for less than $1000. 300 watts and light. If you want another speaker you can add an extension cab to make a 2x12 (or 2x15) stack in two relatively light cabs.

There is a Mesa Venture 2x12 combo on ebay now. Probably weighs more than 100 lbs. I think it's 600 watts. Local pickup in LA.

I own an Acoustic B200. I bought it for $240 including shipping ($40) on ebay. It weighs about 70 lbs. $1 per watt. No complaints yet, but I'm just using it for a practice amp.

[Russell L]

I got the Markbass CMD 121H. 300w, one 12", 39 lbs. Awesome tone, to me. I'm playing medium sized gigs with no PA support with it. It really does pretty good, although I'd enjoy another 12" cab, too, just for outdoor stuff.

[derridiandrift]

Ampeg B200R. They show up in the classifieds here on TB every now and then.

[brianrost]

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

If you're in college you will have limited space to work with.

Will you have a car for transport? When I was in college I had a Fender Bassman head and a very large Guild 2-12 bottom and no car to haul it around for jamming or gigs. There were no small and light bass amps back then and it was a total PITA.

The Genz Shuttle is a good suggestion if you can afford it.

The GK MB115 is a better choice than the Acoustic as it's a lot lighter. If you need to use public transport (campus shuttles) that will make a huge difference.

I must admit I'm a bit biased against Acoustic since it's really a GC/MF house brand that traffics on the name of the original and long defunct company.