need amp with power for a good price

jarrydee · #1 12-03-2011, 10:02 AM

I know there are 1000's of these questions asked on hear and believe me I have read almost all of them, so forgive me for starting my own thread! I need a new amp, I am fairly new to bass but I have been gigging with an ashdown mag 300 combo and it is not loud enough, it craps out on me when trying to keep up with the stage volume and I blew a speaker!!! I dont have much money at all, and thats why I need to get my gear at American musical, I have used their payment plan many times and thats the only way I can afford an amp, payments can not be over 150.00 a month..so basically 500 dollars and under for the amp, thats what I can spend....I have to rely on all of you because I have no experience with bass amps, nor do I really understand the power ratings..all I know is I need to keep up with a 4x12 guitar stack and a drummer! Thank you in advance for your valuable help!!

CL400Peavey · #2 12-03-2011, 10:10 AM

Ditch combos.

You want a lot of bang for your buck? Find a used Peavey half stack. 350 watts is more than enough, you need speaker area for volume. A tvx 410 will get you the volume you are looking for. If you really want the volume look for an 810 cab.

jarrydee · #3 12-03-2011, 10:16 AM

would a TC Electronic BH500 work good with a 1x15 cab and a 2x10 cab?

CL400Peavey · #4 12-03-2011, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jarrydee

would a TC Electronic BH500 work good with a 1x15 cab and a 2x10 cab?

a single 410 will put out as much if not more volume if all the other specs are the same.

CL400Peavey · #5 12-03-2011, 10:19 AM

also look at ALL the threads about not mixing cabs.

jarrydee · #6 12-03-2011, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CL400Peavey

also look at ALL the threads about not mixing cabs.

yup, your right, I have seen these threads...thank you very much! would it be possible to get good volume out of my mag 300 if I just used a 4x10 cab instead of the 2x10 thats in the amp?

gjbassist · #7 12-03-2011, 10:23 AM

Check out the Ampeg PF 500 head.

Ampeg PF500 Portaflex Bass Guitar Amplifier Head at AmericanMusical.com

Pair it with the PF cabinets or get a good used cabinet. If you go with a 4 ohm cabinet you will get the full 500 watts out of the head.

jarrydee · #8 12-03-2011, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gjbassist

Check out the Ampeg PF 500 head.

Ampeg PF500 Portaflex Bass Guitar Amplifier Head at AmericanMusical.com

Pair it with the PF cabinets or get a good used cabinet. If you go with a 4 ohm cabinet you will get the full 500 watts out of the head.

I actually have looked at this head before, the only problem is, I could either get the head, or the cab, but not both

it would be really nice if this ashdown mag 300 would cut it with a good cab, but I dont see that happening

CL400Peavey · #9 12-03-2011, 10:29 AM

Dont worry about wattage. 100 watts sounds the same as 500 if you have more power than your speakers can handle.

jarrydee · #10 12-03-2011, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CL400Peavey

Dont worry about wattage. 100 watts sounds the same as 500 if you have more power than your speakers can handle.

so you think I can salvage this mag 300 if I got a good 4x10 cab?

CL400Peavey · #11 12-03-2011, 10:35 AM

More speaker area equals more volume. 10,000 watts through a single 15 speaker is still going to be limited by the physical properties of the speaker. If you want volume and like your tone currently, then you need to get more speaker area to push more air.

jarrydee · #12 12-03-2011, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CL400Peavey

More speaker area equals more volume. 10,000 watts through a single 15 speaker is still going to be limited by the physical properties of the speaker. If you want volume and like your tone currently, then you need to get more speaker area to push more air.

Thank you for your time and for being so helpful, I know trying to explain things to a noob like me can get frustrating, so I appreciate your help a lot! So it looks like I will be looking for a nice cab to go with my amp then!

This one seems a little to cheap to be any good, please tell me I am wrong Peavey Headliner 410 Bass Guitar Amplifier Cabinet at AmericanMusical.com

or how about this one, is it worth the extra money
TC Electronic BC410 Bass Guitar Amplifier Cabinet at AmericanMusical.com

CL400Peavey · #13 12-03-2011, 10:49 AM

I would go with the peavey if it were me and I was truly on a budget, but I would still encourage you to find something used.

CL400Peavey · #14 12-03-2011, 10:51 AM

Just gonna throw some math at you about speaker area (all units are square inches)

115 cab = 707
210 cab = 628
212 cab = 905
410 cab = 1257

I use an 810 cab with a 400 watt head. I never fail to be heard.

DerTeufel · #15 12-03-2011, 10:52 AM

+1 for used. You can find 4x10 cabs used for around $200 bucks.

oldcatfish · #16 12-03-2011, 11:14 AM

I agree about needing more speaker area, if you really need more volume.

Looking at the site mentioned, you could possibly get a Hartke or Fender Rumble head and 4x10 cab, if you went for the "factory resealed" or whatever they call their returns. Or you could also go with a larger combo--with an amp stand to point it at you, and use the DI out for larger venues.

If you don't have to go through that site--Guitar Center's used section has many selections that would work. My local one has both used GK and Hartke heads & 4X10 cabs, and you could get either for under $400.

The real issue comes down to this--you guys are playing too loud. "Stage volume" should be just loud enough to hear yourselves...the louder that everyone is, the worse that your sound will be out in the audience. That's why most pro's use in-ear monitors now. But there are many ways to reduce volume without in-ear monitors. A good start would be for your guitar player to turn down and your drummer to use hot-rod sticks.

jarrydee · #17 12-03-2011, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldcatfish

I agree about needing more speaker area, if you really need more volume.

Looking at the site mentioned, you could possibly get a Hartke or Fender Rumble head and 4x10 cab, if you went for the "factory resealed" or whatever they call their returns. Or you could also go with a larger combo--with an amp stand to point it at you, and use the DI out for larger venues.

If you don't have to go through that site--Guitar Center's used section has many selections that would work. My local one has both used GK and Hartke heads & 4X10 cabs, and you could get either for under $400.

The real issue comes down to this--you guys are playing too loud. "Stage volume" should be just loud enough to hear yourselves...the louder that everyone is, the worse that your sound will be out in the audience. That's why most pro's use in-ear monitors now. But there are many ways to reduce volume without in-ear monitors. A good start would be for your guitar player to turn down and your drummer to use hot-rod sticks.

you are right, I think we play way to loud and always have trouble getting a good sound out front.....so I am going to look for a used 4x10 and that should be enough with my MAG 300 to play a gig....right?

oldcatfish · #18 12-03-2011, 11:29 AM

I'm not familiar with that particular amp. But if it really is 300 watts, it should be loud enough to hear yourself with a 4 x 10 cab.

CL400Peavey · #19 12-03-2011, 11:39 AM

I did a small amount of digging, but didnt find what sort of impedance you want with that head.

jarrydee · #20 12-03-2011, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldcatfish

I'm not familiar with that particular amp. But if it really is 300 watts, it should be loud enough to hear yourself with a 4 x 10 cab.

the amp says on the back.....300 watts RMS....500 peak....4ohm minimum