Need a bass amp for an old blues man

[Figaro]

Well, I'm 54, which really isn't old... but I feel old.

I haven't played bass in 15 years but I've been invited to play bass in a 4 piece blues band. I bought a Squire Classic Vibe Jazz bass that seems to be a great bass for the money.

I'm a little out of touch with what's available in bass amps. I would like a lightweight but powerful bass amp, or a head and a lightweight cabinet. I'll probably put casters on whatever I get if it doesn't come with wheels.

I don't really want to spend over $350 so I guess I will be looking for a used amp. The Ampeg BA115 combo seems to get good opinions, but I'm thinking I might need more than 100 watts?

Please tell me what used combo or head/cabinet would be a "best buy" for me. Your opinions and recommendations are appreciated.

[Mark Olson]

There's a lot of people who would tell you that a 100 watt 1x15" combo wouldn't be enough, but I did hundreds of blues gigs on various solid state 100 watt combos when I first started playing and was always able to summon up enough volume.

Personally if I was going to go that route again I'd go with one of these:

Buy Orange Amplifiers Crush PiX Bass Series CR100BXT 100W 1x15 Bass Combo Amp | Solid State Combo Amps | Musician's Friend

if you could afford it. I found when I've played them the Ampeg BA115's hard to use because of the tweeter. Personally I really, really do not want a tweeter for a blues gig. Plus the Orange has a built in tuner so you could have that, your bass, a cable, and that's it.

[Jim Campbell]

Originally Posted by Figaro

Well, I'm 54, which really isn't old... but I feel old.

I haven't played bass in 15 years but I've been invited to play bass in a 4 piece blues band. I bought a Squire Classic Vibe Jazz bass that seems to be a great bass for the money.

I'm a little out of touch with what's available in bass amps. I would like a lightweight but powerful bass amp, or a head and a lightweight cabinet. I'll probably put casters on whatever I get if it doesn't come with wheels.

I don't really want to spend over $350 so I guess I will be looking for a used amp. The Ampeg BA115 combo seems to get good opinions, but I'm thinking I might need more than 100 watts?

Please tell me what used combo or head/cabinet would be a "best buy" for me. Your opinions and recommendations are appreciated.

if 2 of the other pieces are half stacks and the drum dude likes to beat on stuff......i'd look for something i could add to if needed

[waleross]

Spend more get more, how about a 215 cab by Fender Pro and then a Fender TB1200 head, I know expensive but it will sound great and not need to be replaced for a long time. The blues is having to replace stuff you shouldn't have bought in the first place (just to save money)......

[dhomer]

I had a less than impressive experience w/a BA115. Dimed everything that could impact volume, and a not-so-loud drummer drowned it right out.. Might be ok as a personal monitor while sending a direct out to the PA, but as something to fill the room, look elsewhere

[Pilgrim]

Depends on the volume of the group. I play in a surf band and the only gigs I can't play with a 100W combo are outside. BUT - I do like having reserve power.

You won't find it in your price range, but I'm 60 and I know the back doesn't get any happier with moving heavy gear around. I bought Genz-Benz Shuttle 6.0 with a 12" docking Shuttle speaker - 375 watts in a total package of 36 pounds. Later I added a Shuttle 2x10 for another 32 pounds. With the tube preamp, the Shuttle series (3, 6 and 9) all can sound pretty bluesy with the gain cranked up on the tube preamp.

If that doesn't work you might look for one of the old Peavey solid state heads that pushed 200+ watts, or for a bit less weight (15 lbs), the Gallien-Kruger 400RB that's loved by many. That head is in your budget - not sure a cab will be.

[bombpop14]

Maybe a used GK backline or 400RB and a used 4x10 or 1x15 from Carvin/Peavey etc.

You could find these for under 400 total if your patient.

[Jim C]

Used Peavey combo; possibly used on more beat blues gigs than any other in recent years

[Pilgrim]

The Peavey BX 115 is a good single 15" cab, but it's bulky and weighs more than 70 pounds. But if you find a good one they're available under $100, and they do sound good.

[mark roberts]

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

The Peavey BX 115 is a good single 15" cab, but it's bulky and weighs more than 70 pounds. But if you find a good one they're available under $100, and they do sound good.

+1 here. The PV BX 115 is a very good straight-up 1x15 w/great sound. Can be had used for reasonable $. Put a nice used head on it, whether PV Session Bass or GK400RB or SWR Studio 220 and you could be within your budget and have a nice "small-ish" rig for what you want to do with GREAT tone. 2 PV BX 115s and these heads would be dynamite. Good luck from another like-aged bassist.

[SlingBass4]

Used Carvin gear is resonable, reliable and often times (depending on the model) easy to trasport. Well worth the investigation on Craigslist, eBay, or even this site.

[Figaro]

I really don't want an amp/cabinet over 40 lbs.

I really like my Samamp guitar amp because it has a Neo speaker, it sounds great and it's really light. Is there a bass amp/cabinet with a 1x15 Neo speaker? If so, how much $? If a Neo speaker amp/cabinet is too much $, who makes a really lightweight bass amp/cabinet?

[SlingBass4]

Originally Posted by Figaro

I really don't want an amp/cabinet over 40 lbs.

I really like my Samamp guitar amp because it has a Neo speaker, it sounds great and it's really light. Is there a bass amp/cabinet with a 1x15 Neo speaker? If so, how much $? If a Neo speaker amp/cabinet is too much $, who makes a really lightweight bass amp/cabinet?

Just what the doctor ordered...

Carvin.com - Guitars, Amplifiers & Pro Audio: BX Micro Bass Amps

[Figaro]

That Carvin MB15 looks good, especially for $359. Has anyone tried one?

[Deluge Of Sound]

Originally Posted by Figaro

I really don't want an amp/cabinet over 40 lbs.

I really like my Samamp guitar amp because it has a Neo speaker, it sounds great and it's really light. Is there a bass amp/cabinet with a 1x15 Neo speaker? If so, how much $? If a Neo speaker amp/cabinet is too much $, who makes a really lightweight bass amp/cabinet?

See, that's a problem.

You can find old Peavey 2x15/4x10 stacks for 300-ish all day, but they're definitely heavy.

[will33]

Lot's of good suggetions for 115 combos but the important question is, "how big of places are you planning on playing and can they run you through a real PA or are you depending on your rig to play to the audience and not just the band?"

That could mean the difference between a 112 combo and a big cab/2 smaller cabs and some power.

Oh, and also a difference of a few hundred bucks.

[Jim C]

Originally Posted by Figaro

I really don't want an amp/cabinet over 40 lbs.

Is the BA115 you originaly suggested that much lighter than a used 1x15 Peavey Combo?
Light, cheap, and quality audio are not a reasonable expectation at $350 IMO.

[Figaro]

I'm realizing that I'm going to have to spend more than $350 to get what I want, probably areound $500. I'm also going to have to end up with an amp that weighs more than 40 lbs. Even the Ampeg BA115 is 65 lbs.

I like the idea of a separate head and cabinet to make it easier to carry. Some of the heads these days are so small! What would be a good USED head to go with? Looks like a head like the Markbass Little Mark III would be in my price range. How does it compare to other heads?

[pj-mike]

The Markbass head would be great. But the cost of a head and cab might blow your budget. I switched to a Markbass combo for the weight but love the tone as well. Keep looking for used gear. There's lots of stuff out there. Lots of 8 ohm cabs. A 200-300 watt head will run 120-180Watts at 8 ohms if its rated for 4 ohms. Cabs with Neodym speakers will be lighter. You should find something in your price range.

[dubstylee]

Genz-Benz SL600- sounds fantastic for blues. I use it with an Ampeg SVT 210AV, sounds fantastic for blues. Fat and warm yet articulate. Head is a bit of $, but the cab can be had for cheap. I like sealed cabs