n00b needs help!

JeremyK · #1 04-09-2011, 07:21 AM

Hi I'm Jeremy. I'm new here.

I need some help.

I'm pretty new to bass playing, at least in a band setting. I've just joined a band on bass after playing guitar for years and just messing with a bass at home.

My issue is this: I need an amp. I have no idea what to look for. I have no idea what kind of power I'll need. I have no idea what brands are good and which to stay away from. Do I need to go with a head/cab setup or would a combo suffice?

We'll be playing small to mid-size clubs/bars. That's about as specific as I can get, as I don't really know room size/number of people or anything like that. We're a sort of heavy alternative kinda band. Think Tantric and similar.

So... suggestions?

EDIT: I suppose it would be useful to add that my total budget for this is in the $500 range. Maybe up to $600 for something really cool, but I'd prefer to stay around the former.

JoeCBass · #2 04-09-2011, 07:35 AM

As I have said in other threads... I have had good luck with Peavey in the past. I'd say get at least a good 200 watts for starters. Anyone agree with me?

Mattosaur · #3 04-09-2011, 08:08 AM

I'm in a similar situation. I'm a newish player and am shopping around for my first "real" amp setup.

The recommendations that I've seen suggest 200-300 watts. If you shop used, I think you'll be able to stick in your budget pretty easily.

I'm leaning towards trying out an Ampeg Portaflex-350, since I liked the Micro-VR I tried but wanted more volume. These run $300 new, and they were just released, so you probably won't see them cheaper for awhile. I'm just waiting for a few more reviews (and I'm moving in July, so I'm delaying big purchases until after that in case something comes up financially).

For a cab, I'd suggest trolling craigslist or other local classifieds to find something used. If you're thinking new cabs, Avatar seems to get recommended a lot as a high value to price entry level cab.

blendermassacre · #4 04-09-2011, 08:48 AM

Craigslist is going to be your friend.

Gintaras · #5 04-09-2011, 10:05 AM

Check out the GK MB series combos. Lots of info on this site and lots of love. Do some searches. GK MB115, MB210 and MB212. Great value. I have a have the GK MB200 head and really like it and it was Cheap!!!1

RickenBoogie · #6 04-09-2011, 12:52 PM

Basic rule of thumb is an amp with at least 300 watts, paired with at least a 4x10. Should cover most any situation.

Munjibunga · #7 04-09-2011, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickenBoogie

Basic rule of thumb is an amp with at least 300 watts, paired with at least a 4x10. Should cover most any situation.

Yes. This may seem like a little too much right now, but you won't have to sell something else and buy this later (buy once, cry once). Also, 500 watts would be an improvement. Avoid Behringer.

Sartori · #8 04-09-2011, 01:13 PM

Shop used. Craigslist.

How much do you mind schlepping? Big cabs are usually cheaper than really powerful amps, and useful for getting nice and loud when you don't have much power available.

If weight is no concern, I'd look for some used Peavey gear.

Oh, probably stay away from Behringer.

shoot-r · #9 04-09-2011, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickenBoogie

Basic rule of thumb is an amp with at least 300 watts, paired with at least a 4x10. Should cover most any situation.

+1!

And I'll add a little different twist...Buy as much power and as many speakers as you can afford.
With bass you'll "never" regret having more power and a few more speakers available to you.

JeremyK · #10 04-09-2011, 07:07 PM

Thanks for the advice guys!

I don't mind weight at all, but size may be a concern, it'll need to fit in my little Honda.

I've got my eyes on either a GK something or other (and I can't remember where I saw it listed

) and a Markbass Little Mark III that I saw on another forum. And there's a couple of cabs on my local CL that I'll probably check out.

So what do you guys think of Behringer amps? They any good?

aaronhutson · #11 04-09-2011, 07:27 PM

Well alot of guys dont like the name.. But I have always like Behringer bass stuff. It can be harder to find, but its much cheaper and more reliable than alot of other names. My entire rig (minus extras like tuners and rackmount stuff) cost me about 400 bucks. And its loud enough for any show. I run the same sound that most guys run out of SVT's.

But thats just one brand. Other good ones would be Hartke Carvin, Peavey can have some decent stuff if you know what your doing, Gallien Krueger is good, and maybe even acoustic.

Sartori · #12 04-09-2011, 08:12 PM

Is your Honda two door, or four door? And does the passenger seat fold down?

Sartori · #13 04-09-2011, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeremyK

So what do you guys think of Behringer amps? They any good?

From what I've seen and heard, they're not that reliable.

skaerkrow · #14 04-09-2011, 08:39 PM

I'd recommend head/cab personally (Craigslist is your new friend). It allows for more options to customize. The important thing to make sure you pay attention to is your ohms. Make sure that your head and cab(s) match up!

Mine for example, I have an Ampeg b2-re. It runs at 250w @ 8 ohms or 450w @ 4 ohms which means if I have only one cab plugged in, it'll be running 250w @ 8 ohms to that cab. If I have 2 cabs plugged in, it'll be running 450w @ 4 ohms to both cabs. This is because the resistance is now split between the 2 channels. It's best to keep the the wattage close, but it doesn't HAVE to be. Just know that if your amp is at a higher wattage then your cab(s), you can blow your cab(s). Check if your amp has a limiter. If you're amp is a lower wattage than you cab(s), you're gear will be ok except that you probably won't balls your cab is offering.

This site has posts about impedance and wattages already. Just browse around the FAQs for a minute and you'll find more help there as well.

One piece of advice, what ever you get, invest in a NY Tech 21 Sans Amp Bass Driver pedal. They only cost $200 new, $100 used if you look. You could be playing on a 2x4 with twine through a janky 100w combo and it'll make your tone sound like you're playing through the best sound system around. I bought one about a year ago and I'll never play without it again. The difference is night and day.

pocketgroove · #15 04-09-2011, 08:57 PM

Combos can be more convienient, especially if you are mainly playing smaller gigs. With that price range, I've always found it hard to get a nice head and cab. My first amp was a Behringer, and it was terrible. Everytime I would push it, the whole room would start to smell like burning electronics. Plus, most of the frequencies on the EQ had no effect whatsoever on the sound, because they were in the wrong frequency range.

Peavey Tour TNT 115 | Sweetwater.com
Peavey.com
I have one of these, and it's great.

An advantage to buying new is that you get a warranty; that's typically not the case with something you buy off Craigslist.

GrowlerBox · #16 04-09-2011, 09:22 PM

I would second those who have suggested separate head/cab setups -- if you find one component you like, you can always upgrade the other. With that in mind, I would recommend getting the best cabinet you can afford. This is the end of your signal chain, the last thing between you and your ears (and possibly the audience's ears, if you don't have PA). The best amp head in the world will sound like garbage through a lousy cabinet (dare I say Behringer), whereas a decent cab will extract the best your head can deliver.

Do not audition cabinets with your eyes -- speaker cone diameter has no bearing on tone, which is the result of a complex interaction between cabinet construction and the speakers (which are themselves described according to around 20 parameters). You don't necessarily need to understand all the ins and outs of cabinet design to make your purchase (I sure as hell don't, but it's a fascinating field of enquiry), but you do need to understand that those who will give you pat advice in the form of simplistic platitudes without explanation are misleading you, whatever their intentions.

That said, a few general pointers -- on the whole, the way to achieve louder volume is with more speakers, not more power from your amplifier (in short, a linear volume increase requires an exponential power increase). Ensure that your cabinet impedance ("ohms") is not lower than the minimum allowed by your head (assuming a solid state head). Most currently available heads are rated at 4 ohm minimum; I would advise buying an 8 ohm cabinet to start with, with a view to adding another later as required (for a total of 4 ohms). Ignore those who will tell you that you need "to get the maximum power out of your head" -- see above.

That'll do for starters.

will33 · #17 04-09-2011, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeremyK

So what do you guys think of Behringer amps? They any good?

They're not reliable. Guys I know who picked them up because they were cheap all ended up with something else in a years time. My personal experience with their mixers is "if you need 12 channels, buy 16, you're going to lose some along the way". I wouldn't buy them again.

The other guys advice here is good as far as power/speakers, etc. The "300 watts and a 410" thing will handle most any gig you'll likely have for quite a while. More is always better. Rather have too much and turn down a little than not have enough.

Sartori · #18 04-09-2011, 11:25 PM

Listen to Growlerbox.

Munjibunga · #19 04-09-2011, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeremyK

Thanks for the advice guys!

I don't mind weight at all, but size may be a concern, it'll need to fit in my little Honda.

I've got my eyes on either a GK something or other (and I can't remember where I saw it listed

) and a Markbass Little Mark III that I saw on another forum. And there's a couple of cabs on my local CL that I'll probably check out.

So what do you guys think of Behringer amps? They any good?

Re-read post #7.

Tracebassplayer · #20 04-09-2011, 11:33 PM

This topic is sooooo repeated...
If you need more volume - add speakers.
I can take a 250 watt head and 2 4x10 cabs and whoop a 500 watt cab and 1 4x10 cab ALL DAY LONG.

You would be fine with something like this..Trace Elliot 7210-H GP7 Bass Amp Amplifier Celestion
Item condition: Used
Time left: 5d 17h (Apr 15, 201114:32:09 PDT)
Price: US $295.00
Buy It NowBuy It Now

1

And if you need to be louder, add a 2x10 or 4x10 cab maybe a 1x15...