Need to buy amp and cabinet on a tight budget for playing shows... Thoughts?

peterelliott05 · #1 01-26-2012, 06:54 PM

I am in a hardcore/screamo band and we have started to play shows. I don't have my own bass amp and I have been borrowing other bands amps that play after us but so far there equipment has been awful/not loud enough and I can't hear myself.

All in all, I need to get my own set up, but on a tight budget, not much funds to put into this at the moment. Does anyone have suggestions on brands to buy for an amp head and cabinet set-up that wouldn't rip apart my wallet but would still sound great!

I am thinking a 4x10 set-up for the cabinet.

Also suggestions on amount of watts I would need from the amp would be nice, so I can start hearing myself and stop ending up with blood blisters on my fingers after we play shows!

Any suggestions would be great!

PunkRocker33133 · #2 01-26-2012, 06:57 PM

Get old peavey gear, loud and lasts forever. I play hardcore too, and that's what I used to use. (also, I have an old nitrobass up for 150 shipped)

bassgod0dmw · #3 01-26-2012, 07:00 PM

Please define "wouldn't rip my wallet apart..."

dog1 · #4 01-26-2012, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PunkRocker33133

Get old peavey gear, loud and lasts forever. I play hardcore too, and that's what I used to use. (also, I have an old nitrobass up for 150 shipped)

Jump on the nitro bass (450 watts at 2 ohms) and then PM me about a 2 ohm 410 for 150 bucks. If you can't afford 300 bucks, then you can't afford an amp that will keep up.

peterelliott05 · #5 01-26-2012, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassgod0dmw

Please define "wouldn't rip my wallet apart..."

Around 500

turbo2256b · #6 01-26-2012, 07:10 PM

I have a friend with a couple 4x10 setups for sale at a good price. one is 350 or 450 wats biampable. The other is like 750 wats 4x10 both have tweeters will get pics and specs if interested. Were are you located

Gearhead17 · #7 01-26-2012, 07:10 PM

410 and 500 watts is a good start. Search Craigslist.org and let us know what you find within your budget. We can definitely help you decipher what is decent gear and what is not going to work for your needs.

A trick to hearing yourself live is just reducing the low end heavily and NOT reducing the midrange in any way. You can turn your amp louder this way - a very obnoxious tone to say the least, but you will hear yourself. Send the sound guy your tone of just your bass and use the stage rig for hearing yourself.

arthur31686 · #8 01-26-2012, 07:11 PM

Ah punk bands with ****** bass gear that gets buried. I was the bassist with a bad amp for a while when I was in high school.

My ampeg ba115 was my workhorse and got the job done until I got older and started playing with guitarists who could afford tube amps. Ah memories.

First off, what amp is the guitarist using? If his gear isn't over the top you can get a smaller save some money.

Second, what's your budget?

I think a regular old Ampeg 410 with an appropriate head will work. Go into a music store and play around with some of the ampeg amps they have there to get an idea of what sounds and volumes you're going to be getting. After that just get addicted to Craigslist and hop on some used gear.

bassgod0dmw · #9 01-26-2012, 07:11 PM

Start scouring CL and the classifieds section, you won't have the pick of anything you want, but if you're patient you will find something more than decent. It's always tough to give specifics but Peavey is known to be a good bang for the buck.

You can easily find a GK 800RB for about $300, which leaves $200 for a cab. That's probably the route I'd try to go. GK would work very well for what you're doing...

Scott549 · #10 01-26-2012, 07:13 PM

Used GK Backline 600 can rock pretty well for about $150. Spend the rest on the cabinet.

peterelliott05 · #11 01-26-2012, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turbo2256b

I have a friend with a couple 4x10 setups for sale at a good price. one is 350 or 450 wats biampable. The other is like 750 wats 4x10 both have tweeters will get pics and specs if interested. Were are you located

I am located in Portland, Oregon

FarkusSWR · #12 01-26-2012, 07:39 PM

Ampeg SVT-III 3 Bass Amp
SWR Triad Bass cab 400-Watts 4-ohms 15"+10"+horn. Sounds great!

That ought to do it, if you can scrounge up another $100.

peterelliott05 · #13 01-26-2012, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arthur31686

Ah punk bands with ****** bass gear that gets buried. I was the bassist with a bad amp for a while when I was in high school.

My ampeg ba115 was my workhorse and got the job done until I got older and started playing with guitarists who could afford tube amps. Ah memories.

First off, what amp is the guitarist using? If his gear isn't over the top you can get a smaller save some money.

Second, what's your budget?

I think a regular old Ampeg 410 with an appropriate head will work. Go into a music store and play around with some of the ampeg amps they have there to get an idea of what sounds and volumes you're going to be getting. After that just get addicted to Craigslist and hop on some used gear.

He is playing with a Peavey 6550+

**lowendfriend** · #14 01-26-2012, 07:43 PM

GK MB500 and 212MBE 8 ohm cab....used if u can find.

JimWasHere · #15 01-26-2012, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peterelliott05

I am located in Portland, Oregon

I'm also in Portland... And I brought home a $150 4x10 from craigslist just yesterday.

countrybass007 · #16 01-26-2012, 08:11 PM

It would be a good idea to look at some of the 212 cabs, as they would work well in your screamo band.

CL400Peavey · #17 01-26-2012, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PunkRocker33133

Get old peavey gear, loud and lasts forever. I play hardcore too, and that's what I used to use. (also, I have an old nitrobass up for 150 shipped)

THIS!

Go find some used PV gear. A lot of the older heads are 2Ohm stable to you wont be restricted with the cabs you can use. I would always tell people to match their cabs, but if sheer volume is what you are looking for then more speakers the better. Just keep it above 2 Ohms and if you are going to mix cabs make sure the impedances are right (i.e. you can mix an 8 Ohm 210 with a 4 Ohm 410, but stay away from a 4 Ohm 410 and an 8 Ohm 410)

peterelliott05 · #18 01-26-2012, 08:30 PM

what do you all think of these I just found?

Maybe one or both?

***CARVIN Bass Speaker Cabinets***

Gearhead17 · #19 01-26-2012, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peterelliott05

what do you all think of these I just found?

Maybe one or both?

***CARVIN Bass Speaker Cabinets***

The 410 would be decent, but at only 400 watts, seems like it would give up a little too fast for your needs. The 1x18 would be useless in a screamo setting. Keep looking.

Unless I am mistaken about that series of Carvin speakers...

peterelliott05 · #20 01-26-2012, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gearhead17

The 410 would be decent, but at only 400 watts, seems like it would give up a little too fast for your needs. The 1x18 would be useless in a screamo setting. Keep looking.

Unless I am mistaken about that series of Carvin speakers...

What are some specs you think I should be looking for then?

Watts..

Cab size...

??