New Amp? What Should I get?

[Stinger5]

Well basically i'm thinking about getting a new amp head and cab, what are peoples thoughts on what i should consider?

[PauliePower]

Possibly a little more info is required.

How much do you want to spend?
How big a cab do you want?
What style of music will you be playing?
Etc etc.

Otherwise you'll just get everyone's favourites. Some will say Ampeg SVT and 8x10. Others will say tiny Genz-Benz and 1x12. I'd say anything old an Peavey.

[RickenBoogie]

Yup, otherwise, answers will be as open-ended as the question is.

[countrybass007]

Get out and try as many as you can, there are lots of great choices out there. Orange, GK, Phil Jones, Ampeg, Genz-Benz, just to name a few of the great amps and cabs now available to bass players.

[Stinger5]

I play most things but mainly classic rock and metal. I don't want anything over 1000 watts and the budget is debatable.

[PSPookie]

I was playing my GK 700RB-II through my Genz Benz Uber 212 last weekend at practice. It just plain killed for the classic rock, reggae, and funk tunes were playing.

I also occasionally use my Peavey VB-2 -> Aguilar DB115. Huge bottom and you can get some nice tube OD tones going. A pair of the DB115s would be earth-shaking.

My advice is to find a cab that you absolutely love and then pick a head that compliments it.

Good luck in your quest.

[HeadyVan Halen]

If your looking at a 4x10, I'd say Hartke Hydrive. Hands down.

1x15, I'd say Ampeg or Acoustic.

[RNV]

Carvin has nice packages for a great bang/buck rig. I'd stay with the BRX cabs. You'll find that Carvin has a love/hate reputation here on TB, but I think most of the people who have negative things to say about them are basing their opinions on older gear. Their newer B/BX series heads and BRX cabs are amazing and bulletproof. Stay away from the RL stuff.

[dtaylor]

If you're playing metal you absolutely have to have a massive amp. An SVT or Mesa Titan V12(the name even sounds huge). and a guitar strap with some skulls or metal studs.

[Blah114]

I have owned LMIIs, Ampeg SVT 3, Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0, Mesa MPULSE 600... they were all CRUSHED by the Ampeg SVT CL.. so, Ampeg CL is my answer.. it's a tube head.. but it sits in a mix, live, well.. everyone compliments my tone when I have used it.. You can get them used for $500- $1200 USD.. depending on the condition.

for cabs.. I cannot say enough great things about Bergantino.. anything from Berg is great. based on my personal experience.

[the yeti]

Originally Posted by dtaylor

If you're playing metal you absolutely have to have a massive amp. An SVT or Mesa Titan V12(the name even sounds huge). and a guitar strap with some skulls or metal studs.

+2 (meaning a stack on each side of the stage!)

and sigged

[JMBassist]

Well, I am a little suspicious...I just love the Ampeg sound.

So, if budget doesn't represents a problem, go for a Ampeg SVT-CL, plus a SVT 410 and a SVT 15

[jmarnett]

I would say something like a Hartke head and an Ampeg 410 or 610 cab or a newer Peavey 115, I'm assuming you're not playing huge gigs, but both would work either way. I find a sansamp compliments them well.

[Stinger5]

cheers guys, this has been a real help in my quest for a new rig