I need a great head on a budget

panama · #1 07-13-2010, 11:41 AM

I've been using an Ampeg SVT-450h for a couple of years now. I got back into playing after a 5 year hiatus and it has done me well, but I'd like to move up to something nicer.

The plan is to sell the 450h, which should go for around $350 in my area. I also plan on selling an ESP Eclipse guitar for around the same price, which gives me $700 to play with.

I'm looking for something used in that range. Ideally I'll end up with tubes, but I am open to a hybrid. I want more head room for sure.

I like Ampeg, so the SVT-3 Pro and SVT-2 Pro are on my radar. Can a 2 pro be had for this much money?

What about the Peavey VB-2? It's tubey and priced well. Will 225 watts give me enough headroom?

What other tube jobs can I get around this price?

For reference I play indie/punk type stuff - hot water music, jawbreaker, etc.

hdracer · #2 07-13-2010, 11:42 AM

Go for the VB-2 It Rocks!!!

Zooberwerx · #3 07-13-2010, 11:45 AM

You know what you like and that's a plus! Have you considered going with a used Ampeg pre (CL, Pro, etc.) and a separate power amp? Think you'll end up with the aforementioned headroom, no problem.

Riis

carbonfold · #4 07-13-2010, 11:46 AM

+1 on the VB-2

funk generator · #5 07-13-2010, 11:48 AM

well theres some great mesa gear in the classifieds. personally i like the portable stuff alot (at least till i get a bigger car) so i use an Epifani Ps600 with a PS210 and it works great!

maevinj · #6 07-13-2010, 12:21 PM

I play indie/punk type stuff and I use a traynor yba200-2. Also may want to check out the orange terror bass. It's the next head I'll be purchasing.
And for reference my very first head was an Ampeg svt350h.

PeaveyPippin · #7 07-13-2010, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zooberwerx

You know what you like and that's a plus! Have you considered going with a used Ampeg pre (CL, Pro, etc.) and a separate power amp? Think you'll end up with the aforementioned headroom, no problem.

Riis

I agree 100%. You can get all your tube sound from a good ampeg pre and keep the sound you like, and then buy all the power you want/need.

Of course I wouldn't be able to sleep tonight if I didn't throw my hat into the rig for the VB2 as well simply because I haven't met a Peavey yet that I didn't love.

panama · #8 07-13-2010, 12:53 PM

THE SVP-CL seems like a relatively difficult find used and I would like to have my hands on a new amp within a week of selling my other stuff.

mrkreuzschlitz · #9 07-13-2010, 01:04 PM

Not a HUGE fan of the VB-2, but it's a good amp.

Plstrns · #10 07-13-2010, 01:22 PM

Tech 21 VT bass or Sansamp- Peavey IPR 1600- will bridge into 4 ohms, or run 2 4 or 2 ohm loads. +/-$450 or get a deluxe model of the pre's that include a DI +/-$550 Add $100ish for a shallow Gator FC.

With plenty of room left for cables in your budget.

HookerRoad · #11 07-13-2010, 01:25 PM

You seem rather biased towards having tubes. The Gallien Krueger 800RB is one of the punchiest heads I've ever played through and you should be able to find it new for about that price if you look around. I love the tone control it has. A very simple amp and it's about the loudest 400watt head you'll ever hear. My drummer called it "a beast."

As I sit and write this I'm waiting for UPS to walk up to my door with a new Bugera BTX36000 head... all 51 pounds of her. Yeah, I know... there are a lot of Behringer / Bugera nay sayers out there. I don't pay attention to ignorant biased opinions... I haven't heard one ill word from anyone that actually owns one. You might look at the Bugera Ultrabass BVP5500... it is basically an Ampeg SVT-3 for $400. I went for the BTX36000 because it's supposed to be a tone-king with power. All the reviews of it are very positive and most of them were blown away by it, even if they walked into the tryout with negative emotions. I got mine for $510.

Plstrns · #12 07-13-2010, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HookerRoad

As I sit and write this I'm waiting for UPS to walk up to my door with a new Bugera BTX36000 head... all 51 pounds of her. Yeah, I know... there are a lot of Behringer / Bugera nay sayers out there. I don't pay attention to ignorant biased opinions... I haven't heard one ill word from anyone that actually owns one. You might look at the Bugera Ultrabass BVP5500... it is basically an Ampeg SVT-3 for $400. I went for the BTX36000 because it's supposed to be a tone-king with power. All the reviews of it are very positive and most of them were blown away by it, even if they walked into the tryout with negative emotions. I got mine for $510.

Have you owned one previously?

nato101010 · #13 07-13-2010, 01:34 PM

Peavey nitrobass or firebass.

Plstrns · #14 07-13-2010, 01:39 PM

To add- The Peavey poweramp weighs around 7 pounds. It will produce 500W+ per side or 1600ish watts bridged into a 4 ohm load, 800W per side into 2 ohms. With an inexpensive case it'll be less than 10 pounds or so, with as much headroom as most enclosures will handle.

b4nny · #15 07-13-2010, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by panama

I need a great head on a budget

I hear Suzy can hook you up, she usually hangs out by the McDonalds after dark.

Plstrns · #16 07-13-2010, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b4nny

I hear Suzy can hook you up, she usually hangs out by the McDonalds after dark.

And I didn't even mention it...

I was this ll close too!

HookerRoad · #17 07-13-2010, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plstrns

Have you owned one previously?

No... but I know a few people that love their Bugera's. I'm a Behringer fan. My home studio is filled with the stuff and everyone that comes over is blown away with the clarity of the sound and quality in my productions. Behringer is a poor musician's friend. I have less than $8000 invested in my studio and it includes a Korg Triton Extreme keyboard and a $1500 electronic Roland TD-6 drum kit. My mixer is a Eurodesk MX9000... very hot board($999), and I mix through Behringer Truth monitors.

Most people don't realize that on many of the "Established" brands, you pay about 25% more just for the name. As Bugera and Behringer continue to carve their way into the market you will see these brand names lower their prices... or offer more "special deals." Meaning they CAN sell them for less but they choose not to because the HYPE engine is working. The truth is, there are a lot of great products out there to choose from. And some are better than others. The trick is finding the product that matches your play style. Some products like the GK are very versatile. I like GK too because it's awesome stuff and they don't charge an arm and a leg for it either. It is a little inflated value... but still reasonable.

ogunhe · #18 07-13-2010, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HookerRoad

Yeah, I know... there are a lot of Behringer / Bugera nay sayers out there. I don't pay attention to ignorant biased opinions... I haven't heard one ill word from anyone that actually owns one. You might look at the Bugera Ultrabass BVP5500... it is basically an Ampeg SVT-3 for $400. I went for the BTX36000 because it's supposed to be a tone-king with power. All the reviews of it are very positive and most of them were blown away by it, even if they walked into the tryout with negative emotions. I got mine for $510.

Seconded. And I have owned a Bugera before. Still do.
Original owner parted with it because he wasn't smart enough to change the drivers in the speakers or separate the head from the cab so that it could be used with different cabs if necessary.

Rocinante_x1 · #19 07-13-2010, 01:53 PM

SVT 3PRO.

Plstrns · #20 07-13-2010, 02:00 PM

You pay 25% more for the engineering of said product that wasn't stolen by a foreign company (forgeries). Purchasing products that carved into the market's share with reverse engineering is going to leave us all with a crap bag of products in the future.

IE-If all of the legitimate bass amp makers went out of business tomorrow, today would be the last day to purchase the most modern example available for the rest of your life.