Newcomer seeking advice

Boleyn1895 · #1 10-11-2011, 10:47 AM

Hello all.

Probably not the best first post to make but unfortunately I need an answer and I became aware of this site via Google while trying to find the answer so I suppose it is a good first post

I'm looking at buying an amp that will be used as my main amp for small to medium sized venues as well as my practice one at home.

I would like to stick to a budget of around £500 and preferably get a head and cab setup but would consider a combo and will probably buy new.

Music wise I play mainly hard rock/heavy metal.

I have been looking at many posts here but they usually compare one amp I'm interested in with one I'm not.

Currently I'm looking at:

Marshall MB450H with a Marshall MBC 4x10 Cab - £479
Hartke LH500 with a Peavey 410 TVX EX - £514

I chose the Marshall's as it is a package deal for the 2 of them (£542.70 separately) and seemed like a decent price and the Hartke/Peavey based on many posts here and elsewhere that seem to suggest they are the best in their price range but again these were based on someone else's comparison with other products.

The problem is there are many heads and cabs similarly priced and it gets very confusing when choosing one brands head and another brands cab.

So I was wondering if anyone here has been in a similar predicament and has any suggestions on a good head/cab or combo for around £500.

Many Thanks.

bassbombs84 · #2 10-11-2011, 10:49 AM

Buy used. A 410 is a good idea. Get Tubes if at all possible. The magic is in the tubes

pbd · #3 10-11-2011, 10:54 AM

^^^^ used amps will save you some cash and if you don't like what you bought its easier to get most of your money back out of it when you resale.

I like you thoughts about a seperate head and cab too, will give you some flexibility going forward

Todd

RickenBoogie · #4 10-11-2011, 10:58 AM

+1 buy used, stretch the budget. Basic guidelines are: head @ 300-500 watts, which particular one will come down to personal preference, so play alot to get a feel. Cab, one LARGE 4 ohm cab, (8x10, 4x12, 2x15, etc), or 2 smaller 8 ohm cabs, (2x12, 4x10, etc), also personal preference, but- Don't Skimp ON the Speakers. Consider 60% of the budget for speakers, and if you must skimp somewhere, make it the amp, not the cab(s). Good luck.

Boleyn1895 · #5 10-11-2011, 11:08 AM

Thanks guys.

The Marshall MBC 4x10 Cab is 4 ohms while the Peavey can be either 4 or 8 ohms so that pushes the Peavey to the front.

Now for the head...

RickenBoogie · #6 10-11-2011, 11:53 AM

The Peavey is either 4 or 8, not both. Impossible.

Boleyn1895 · #7 10-11-2011, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickenBoogie

The Peavey is either 4 or 8, not both. Impossible.

Not sure what you are getting at. I already said in my post that it was either 4 or 8.

For more clarity I meant that it comes in either 4 or 8 ohms and that the Marshall only comes in 4 ohms.

rpsands · #8 10-11-2011, 01:11 PM

Look at the GK MB-series combos.

mountainmike · #9 10-11-2011, 01:25 PM

I think the Peavey cab is 350w and the Marshall cab is 600w. But that doesn't always tell which one is better, louder or can take more punishment. Raise your budget to 600-650, buy used, and you may be satisfied for many years.

Boleyn1895 · #10 10-11-2011, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rpsands

Look at the GK MB-series combos.

Thanks I'll take a look but would still prefer a separate head and cab.

I'm certainly open to used I just don't want the headache of it breaking down a week after I buy it and trying to get a refund from a private seller.

Right now I think I'm leaning towards the: Hartke LH500 with a Peavey 410 TVX EX new from my local shop (with warranty) unless anyone else has any further advice.

Many Thanks.

rodl2005 · #11 10-11-2011, 03:56 PM

It means the Peavey cab comes in EITHER 4 or 8 ohms. Not both!
The Hartke amp & Peavey cab sound good. Get the 8 ohm cab if you think you might need to add another 8 ohm 410 cab to it later, for an 810 monster rig!!
If you think one 410 cab will do ya, grab the 4 ohm

Sneakypete · #12 10-11-2011, 04:26 PM

Go to Basschat and look in the classifieds - some really good stuff there - everything from practice combo's to full stacks and it may even be local (ish). A budget of £500 opens up a whole lot of options and you should expect to get kitted out properly for that sort of money. Or it could just be even more confusing! Good luck.

Boleyn1895 · #13 10-12-2011, 04:52 AM

Thanks.

Will take a look at Basschat.

Unless I find anything there I'm almost certainly going for:

Hartke LH500 with a Peavey 410 TVX EX (8 ohm)

or would a Hartke cab be a better choice?

There are 3 in my price range:

VX410, 410XL & 4.5XL

Or would something else be a better choice?

Sorry for going over the same old thing. I just want to get it right now - won't have another chance to get all this stuff for a very long time.

Many Thanks.

degroove · #14 10-12-2011, 08:33 AM

I vote for the Marshall Rig. I feel it gives you the most volume, tone, and bang for the buck for your music style. You can always add some overdrive, fuzz, or flat out distortion to beef up your tone. No problems going new!

My first rig was an Ampeg B2R -->> Ampeg SVT 410 HLF 4ohms . That head at 350 watts was not loud enough and I was playing with two loud guitarists doing classic rock covers. I now have a 550 watt head and a 8 OHm 210, 8 Ohm 115 rig. It is plenty loud.