Newb looking for amp insight

themorningzoo · #1 12-17-2010, 01:56 AM

Hey everyone, how's everything?

Long time lurker, looking for some insight on a few questions (I have searched but haven't quite found what I am looking for)

First I attempted to play guitar back when I was younger but never really got into it. For one I always wanted a Bass but ended up with a Guitar somehow.. Figure that one out.. Plus in HS and until now I have always played sports and been busy doing other things, but now I have a void that I need to fill and Music seems to be what I want to take up.

So regardless I picked up a 06 MIM Fender P for around 200 and will be looking for an amp down the line. Most likely initially I will get a small combo just to practice with at home (right now I am using a Guitar Combo I have from before). Down the road if I progress to where things would be a priority I would invest in a Cab + Head.

So my question is, can someone give me a general characteristic of amp tones/sounds? By this I mean what tones can you expect from certain brands, what are their stereotypes? For example I have lurked and found that Orange are known for their "dirty" and distorted "muddy" tones, GK's are "aggressive", Ampeg's (tube) seem to be a favorite for their "warm" tones. I have a general idea of solid state vs. tube, but more or less since I am new to Bass I want an idea of what I would look for?

Generally speaking I enjoy a lot of types of music ranging from Metal, some Punk, Rock, Alternative, and some classic rock. I generally like Novoselic, Timmy C, Pnut, Joe Principe as far as tones are concerned (nothing too fancy), and kind of like Stick to Your Guns, 311, etc. as music to play.

Seems like a lot of the music I listen to most play Ampeg, which is a popular choice, but what OTHER amp characteristics are out there?

Long post, but thanks for your guys help

bobostein · #2 12-17-2010, 02:25 AM

Get a Peavey, there cheap, reliable and will last you forever. Im on my 5th Peavey.

jefwho · #3 12-17-2010, 02:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobostein

Get a Peavey, there cheap, reliable and will last you forever. Im on my 5th Peavey.

I'm still on my first. I have only had it 3 years, but it was 20 years old when i got it.

OtterOnBass · #4 12-17-2010, 02:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobostein

Get a Peavey, there cheap, reliable and will last you forever. Im on my 5th Peavey.

That is pretty funny.

themorningzoo · #5 12-17-2010, 02:12 PM

Yeah most likely I will go the Peavey route for a combo with decent wattage but nothing spectacular.. From what I have seen they are cheap, reliable, and built like a tank. Tone wise I don't really know what to expect though, and that seems to be people's gripe with Peavey. They are loud but flat aren't special? Regardless shouldn't matter because I won't be gigging anytime near soon haha.

But back to the original question, just so I have a general consensus and don't have to ask again (down the line) what is the general brand characteristics of their amps?

GK? SWR? Eden? Ashdown? Fender? ETC.

Thanks again guys

canadian*eh · #6 12-17-2010, 02:24 PM

I am Very Much a GK Man when it comes to head so i will always say GK i have been using them for the past 12 years love them clean,punchy,loud combined with the ever so lovely GK Growl!!!That all being said a good head needs a great cab it has as much to do with your sound as anything you can have a great head but crappy cab makes whole thing sound crappy and Visa versa!! Now all That being said dont just get a head whether it is a GK or Peavey or eden or ampeg, SWR..ect.. just because some one else said it was good head...i could care less if it is a good head for them....is it a Good head for you??...is it going to sound the way you want it to sound is it going to do what you want it to do?? It is good to ask other what they think but in the end if you just get cause they say so and not because you tried it and liked it then your a fool. Go out there and try them out. A/B them side by side find what sound you like then when you have found it get it!!! That way we wont have to hear a post a few months down the road say i got this head cause everyone else said it was good but it is not sounding right to me what should i do. Lets your Ears and your ears only guide you and you will never go wrong!! All The best Hope i did not unload on you too much!! Cheers Mate!!~Elliot

SlavaF · #7 12-17-2010, 02:32 PM

Ask this guy: My new bass rocks out loud!

Anyway, Peaveys are great amps to start out with. My first amp was a Marshall 25 watter, it got the job done for a little bedroom amp. If you want to spend a little more, the 50 and 100 watt Ampeg combos sound pretty decent.

T. Alan Smith · #8 12-17-2010, 02:41 PM

I highly recommend a Peavey to start out with. Get comfortable with what it can give you, then add a pedal like a Sansamp down the road. Then, allow yourself to get some experience on those other brands once you've got home real world experience under your belt with the Peavey. Looking back, you'll be surprised how your ears have matured.

themorningzoo · #9 12-17-2010, 02:52 PM

What would be the best bang for the buck as far as Peavey goes? Used I am guessing, see lot's here that are cheap. Combo-not sure what wattage, but prolly >50, and I don't care too much about distortion. Sure Overdrive is nice, but basic EQ is fine. Assuming I can get something bigger cheap used > new at your typical GC or MF.

What are some ideal models then since I have no idea, newer or old

RickenBoogie · #10 12-17-2010, 05:58 PM

You can't make broad generalizations like this, because of all the factors that account for "tone", including your very own fingers. But, if you spend some time reading the amps forum, you'll get a general idea re: various manufacturers design goals.

martyman5000 · #11 12-17-2010, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobostein

Get a Peavey, there cheap, reliable and will last you forever. Im on my 5th Peavey.

I think one would have been more convincing

BigOldHarry · #12 12-17-2010, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OtterOnBass

That is pretty funny.

Jess... Methinks the irony was not intentional...

lbwdog · #13 12-17-2010, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigOldHarry

Jess... Methinks the irony was not intentional...

LOL! It rarely is....That's what makes it so funny!

BTW...I'll put my vote in for G-K. They make great pro-line products at prices below the norm. I've never been a huge Peavey bass amp fan even though they're from from home state.