Need advice on a rig

funkycoldmedina · #1 09-26-2011, 07:24 AM

Looking for a new amp. Please help with recommendations based on the criteria below. Will include my own ideas afterward. Thanks

Background: My old rig was a gk 700rbi half-stack but I had to sell it due to hard times..

Style: Smooth Jazz, Funk, R&B/Soul, and blues/light rock. Only effects used are octave pedal, and envelope filter.

Sound: Clean sound with a nice top end. I'm moving to shortscale/medium scale basses and want to retain a clear slap sound while still being able to have that solid low end.

Needs: To be loud enough for up to at least medium sized outdoor gigs and anything smaller. Has to be heard over one guitar, drums, and at any given time either a sax, piano and/or Vox. So not a giant wall of hard rock guitars

Budget: Preferably under $800. Need to save some money so the wife doesn't kill me

Buying used is tough for me, because I live in KS and so there isn't a huge used market here and shipping can be a hassle so I don't see many people jumping to ship amps..

Some ideas I had that I would like your opinion on.

GK MB212 or 210. Fits in my price range well with 500watts (I think) and the option of adding a nice extender cab for not too much money. I just wondered if a combo would be enough power for what I need. I like the gk tone, I've just never really branched out of it..

Acoustic 200h w/4x10 cab (maybe a 1x15 too?) I've never used acoustic amps, but I like the tonal options of the frequency knob I saw in a demo on

youtube

But would 200 watts be enough power? Would I need to add the 115 too to get more power or would that even help?

All right, I leave it in your hands.

funkycoldmedina · #2 09-26-2011, 12:19 PM

I know everyone hates threads asking for advice... I'm Sorry

I just don't have a lot of experience with not having amplification provided for me. Any advice you guys have would be much appreciated bump

MyMusic · #3 09-26-2011, 01:20 PM

The standard here is min. 300 watts with a 4x10 cab. Check the classified section of this forum. I just picked up a Carvin BX1500 amp for about half of your projected budget. There is gear there right now that could help you.

Mktavish · #4 09-26-2011, 02:28 PM

Have you looked at the GK backline head ... I think its $300 range???

I dont agree 200 watts cant power a 410 though. Its just that you will push them to their potential better beyond 300 I think.

If your dead set on a 410 (like me) consider that GK backline , the one just beyond the MB200 ultralight price. sorry im to lazy to cut and paste it for ya.
I cant really give you any good hands on advice for that amp. But it does sound like a good work horse for the money.

I recently was shopping the same setup ... 200watts and a 410 ... But then I ran accross a Nemesis NC200 410 combo.

Alex1984 · #5 09-26-2011, 02:34 PM

GK MB212 would be nice and light, easy on the budget. The PF500 + PF cabs seem to be well received and looks pretty classy. If you can't buy used locally, you can always try the For Sale forum on here.

**jmattbassplaya** · #6 09-26-2011, 02:36 PM

You definitely don't want a GK Backline. It's a very underpowered and dark sounding head.

RickenBoogie · #7 09-26-2011, 02:37 PM

The GK combo's mentioned in the op are fine, but only the 210 version can add an ext cab. That's not a bad rig, GK MB210 combo with a matching 210 ext cab gives you a 300 watt 210 combo for inside, and a 500 watt 4x10 for more volume. But, general guidelines are 300-500 watt head, paired with a 410, or a 212, leaving room to add a 2nd cab if needed.

tdub0199 · #8 09-26-2011, 02:39 PM

Check out the used section at Guitar Center online, You could possibly find another GK 700RB II for around $300.00....

impactwrench · #9 09-26-2011, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmattbassplaya

You definitely don't want a GK Backline. It's a very underpowered and dark sounding head.

First time I've heard of a GK called underpowered. People gig with 400RB and 800RB all the time. BL600 is no quieter than those.

jeff7bass · #10 09-26-2011, 02:41 PM

For around your price range you can get a Carvin BX500 + Avatar B212 and be cooking. If you get the 4 ohm version of the cab, you’ll be pushing the full 500w.
Another option is the Ampeg PF-500 head and the Avatar (good cab).

Mktavish · #11 09-26-2011, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmattbassplaya

You definitely don't want a GK Backline. It's a very underpowered and dark sounding head.

I stand corrected , but like I said I have no actuall experience with that head.
For some damn reason (I guess advertiseing) It seemed like a good amount of watts for the money.

Thanx for the correction jmatt ...

**ChrisCassisi** · #12 09-26-2011, 02:50 PM

I scored a SWR pre fender USA SM500 for 250$. Its an awesome head and sounds great with the styles you play.

Go for a 4X12. I used to use a 4X10 and a 1X15 and got tired of lugging 2 cabs around. The 12s are the best of both worlds and you can find a solid 4X12 for cheap if you look. I bought 4 PS12 speakers from Carvin for 50$ a piece and found a empty 4X12 cab really cheap. Totally investment for cab and head where 500$ and its one of my most used half stacks out of my 7.

Cheap doesn't mean crappy. I have seen guys build solid rigs (bass, amp, cab and pedal board) for less then 1500$

streetknight · #13 09-26-2011, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdub0199

Check out the used section at Guitar Center online, You could possibly find another GK 700RB II for around $300.00....

This....I buy a lot of used stuff from GC online, shipping isn't usually bad, they only charged me $40 to ship a 210 cab from Seattle to Atlanta. Didn't like the cab, took it to my nearest GC for a refund (they won't refund shipping)

If you liked the 700RBII, hold out for another, I know there's one on GC for $325, saw it the other day.