Help me choose a cheap head for this $100 Bag End 1x15 I just grabbed

[pudgychef]

Hey All,

Was up a local store last week and found this Bag End S15C I believe its called?

8oh 1x15
200w
carpet covering

I had never had a chance to try a Bag End before and figured for $100 why not?

Have three heads I am considering for it (it will go to live in a rehearsal space out of town)

All Used:
800RB $399 - very used early 90s version
BL600 $199 - guy had it for a month wants an MB200
Bassman 250HD $199 also pretty marked and well used

I have had experience with 800RBs before and like them and I feel safe saying that is clearly the BEST of the bunch..also I am sure I have read that Bag End and GK tend to get along well - and its been well over a decade since I spent anytime on a GK.... but the $200 matters as well....

have a rumble 350 in one of my rehearsal spaces so I feel like the bassman 250 would basically do what that does....but I have nothing against that generation of amps and would be fine with it....

BL - never tried one but they seem to get decent reviews all in all, its reasonably light and it has a 3mth warranty.....can they sound anything like an 800rb? Part of me thinks this is the scariest option - but having a warranty is nice....

Other options I am considering - MB200, Ampeg Micro VR but they would be new......

I tend to like round/warm - but am I correct in thinking this cab is more designed for even response? Thought it could prove to be a solid bottom for small rooms.....

Trying all of them is an option - but requires a 250+ mile round trip as they are each about 90min-2hr away from me in 3 completely different directions......

any thoughts appreciated! thanks!

[IvanMike]

This cab's not an even responder, but IME they can reflect the character of a head really well. I think I'd jump on the GK if it has no issues.

[02Pete]

Bag End makes good equipment. If the S15C is in good working condition, I think you were able to buy it for a very favorable price, and got a good deal.

In deciding what to buy (and pay) for a head, you ought to consider how often you are going to use it, whether you are going to use it just for practice or for gigging, how often you are going to have to move the rig, and how much any of those considerations affects your willingness to pay extra money. If you intend to leave this rig out of town with another band member for occasional practices, you do not plan to gig with it, and you will probably not move it very often, then you might want to stick with the BL600 or 250HD -- it wouldn't be worth paying twice as much just to get a practice head that you wouldn't use very often. On the other hand, if you plan to use this rig for occasional gigs as well as practice sessions, and if you are going to have to transport it repeatedly, then it might make sense to buy a new MB200 for $250 because it would be easier to transport, or to pay the $399 for the 800RB because it would be a better amp for gigging.

[pudgychef]

good points 02Pete - thanks.

This head will likely be used once a week for rehearsals - and if I have a gig, in that town that is just a set - I would likely use it for that just for fun and lack of hauling gear when not required. You are right - this won't be my main head so why drop the $$.....if the 800RB was is better shape I would snag it with the intend of it becoming my main head....but that isn't likely to happen....

Tried it with an MB200 today - that was a totally workable set-up...also tried a 700ii I believe (like the little brother to the 2001....) they sounded great imho....

[ddbassGA]

Nice score! I ran one of these cabs with a GK 400mb for years (still have them). The 800 is too much. But you can find a 400 for $200 or less. In fact there was one on here this week for $175. Great head for this cab.

[MOTORHEADBANGER]

I would go the BL 600. I bought one last year as a backup, but it has become my main gigging head. Ridiculous amount of volume even at 8 ohms (I use an EV 1x15 by itself most of the time), definitely that defined GK tone, and quite reliable. Picked mine up for $150. It pretty close volume wise (not 100 percent, but fairly close) to the GK 800rb, lighter, and can cop the same tone. Some complain about the BL 600's tone, but most don't understand that with GK amps, the relationship of the volume knob, the boost knob and the master volume is crucial. If you set them right, you can get an extremely punchy and defined tone.

[LarryR]

Originally Posted by ddbassGA

Nice score! I ran one of these cabs with a GK 400mb for years (still have them). The 800 is too much. But you can find a 400 for $200 or less. In fact there was one on here this week for $175. Great head for this cab.

+1