Novice player seeks advice for first rig

[maches]

Okay to start off I am fairly new to the forum, first thread, third post. This forum has a vast amount of information, and a great community. I have already spent hours reading various threads here. I played guitar for a couple of years and switched over to bass about 6 months ago and I think I have found my instrument. I currently am playing through an Acoustic B20 at home with either a Squier VM Jazz, or a Squier P-Bass. It works fine while playing alone, but I have a drumset in my garage and it cannot keep up. I play mostly jazz, blues, classic rock, some electronic stuff that requires a lot of deep bass.

I am thinking about really two rigs.A small one for home practice either alone or in the garage with a drummer and a larger rig for a rehearsal space or possibly gigs in the future. I am also about to start taking a jazz performance class at my local JC, which if I need to bring an amp it will have to be small, light and portable. My budgets are approx $500 and $1500 accordingly, the less the better. I have been looking into getting separate heads and cabs for more versatility. I have checked out GK, MB, GB, Eden, SWR, Avatar, LDS, etc.

I don't have a big vehicle (toyota corolla) to lug anything too large so I am leaning towards a GK MB200 and a 4ohm Avatar 210 for my small rig, and a Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0 or 9.0 and a 4ohm Avatar 410 for my bigger rig. I'm not set on what ohm cabs I am going to get, or those amps and cab matches. I just want some input on what is good for what I intend to do. Any other advice on other brands, or other ideas at all are wanted.

[blastjv]

For what you describe, and a budget of $2000, I think I'd suggest a used Aguilar AG500 (usually about $700), and a couple of used 8ohm Aguilar GS212's (usually about $400-500 each)

It's not a 'lightweight' head, per se, but it's only 18lbs. Has 2 channels and can do ultra clean modern sounds, warm tubey vintage sounds, aggressive overdriven sounds, and outright distorted sounds. The 212 cabs with this head should make for a great, portable rig that could do just about any gig imaginable.

You'd even have enough leftover to grab a GS112 for smaller gigs...


Also, I'd keep the B20, it's a great practice amp.


-JV

[Foz]

http://greenboy.us/fEARful/

a 12/6 would kick you up a couple notches in both quality and output in the cab department and be highly portable. Even adding a quality SS head or decent preamp/power amp rack you should be well under $1k especially if you look in the used market.

+ a 12sub to follow when/if you need the extra boom you could stay inside your $1.5k budget envelop.

[RickenBoogie]

With that kind of money, you can do pretty well. i'd suggest you go try out as many amps as you can, and get a feel for how they differ. Stick with the good brands, (Ampeg, SWR, GK, Mesa, Genz benz, MarkBass, Aguilar, etc, etc) and you'll do very well.

[maches]

Thanks for the quick responses guys. I know I can't really go wrong with a $2000 budget, but I just want ideas. I think I will head over to a few shops and check out some gear. I had a chance to play the GB Shuttle 6.0 with the 210 cab last week and was pretty impressed. I haven't played the MB200 yet, but I really want that as more of a backup/home amp, and something I can plug into a practice room at school and use with headphones in between my classes. I haven't checked out Aguilar before, the GS 500 seems like it could be a good fit. I might have a hard time finding one used, at least locally but I'm not in a huge hurry so if one pops up on CL I might give it a look. I wasn't planning on spending that much dough on a single head. It could work though if I just buy one cabinet and the GS500, and MB200 to back it up. I can always buy another cab later.

I've seen the fearful cabs before. Great design, but I'm not that proficient with woodworking tools, and I don't think I have the time necessary to source the parts and find someone to put it together for me.

[fivestringgecko]

Hey maches,

Welcome to Talkbass! It's an awesome resource.

Check your PM's!

5sg.

[lomo]

Since you're looking for ideas, here's mine :-)
New Avatar TB153 3-way 15/6/tweet cab and used micro head of your choice that puts at least 500 watts into 4 Ohms. Even if you get a new GK500MB this will total about a grand. Then get a smaller cab for grab'n'go....you'll have a superb gig rig and plenty of cash left for another small cab or a small combo for practice and drumerless jams.

[Phalex]

My .02; Look for a high powered combo. The things they are doing with combos these days are amazing. You can pick up a 15" 500W combo that weighs about 50lbs. Good for garage or the big stage.

[Touch]

Here's my two cents. I'm more of a separates guy. The great thing about a microhead like the GB Shuttle is that they are super easy to "schlep". I use a Shuttle 9.0 with one of three different cabinets depending on the size of the room.

For my super-compact rig I use an EA VL-110 cabinet. Larger shows get an Acme B2 and the biggest get an LDS 2X12.

With your budget I would bet you can get at least two different cabinets along with a Shuttle 6 (or 9). Leave one cab at your practice space. Plenty of great options for micro-heads these days. Good luck and welcome to TB.

[Russell Bergum]

Originally Posted by lomo

Since you're looking for ideas, here's mine :-)
New Avatar TB153 3-way 15/6/tweet cab and used micro head of your choice that puts at least 500 watts into 4 Ohms. Even if you get a new GK500MB this will total about a grand. Then get a smaller cab for grab'n'go....you'll have a superb gig rig and plenty of cash left for another small cab or a small combo for practice and drumerless jams.

+1
I have the TB153 and it will handle large venues, and it is a great cab. If you need something smaller for practice/school, etc, I would also get a 2x10. The Avatar 2x10 gives a big bang for the buck. Another option would be to get two 2x10 8 ohm cabs and stack them (vertically) for large venues, and use one alone for small venues.


Can't go wrong with the new "micro" heads. I would get either a Markbass LMIII or F500. Look at the Genz Benz Shuttle 9.0 and the Aguilar Tone Hammer 500 too.

[maches]

Thanks for all the great advice guys. Keep it coming!

[sleepytime]

+1 to two Avatar 210s. An idea for amps would be an MB200 and an MB500. This would give you:

MB200 - Practice and backup
MB500 - Gigs
Avatar 210s - One for practice, one or both for gigs

You would have 2 basses, 2 amps and 2 cabs. No worries about breakdowns, easy to transport (one trip if you are a big guy, or use a cart), and all situations covered. Cost for everything purchased new, about $1500. Less if you buy used.

ETA: Might be a good idea to get a gig bag that holds both basses.

[Russell Bergum]

Originally Posted by sleepytime

+1 to two Avatar 210s.

ETA: Might be a good idea to get a gig bag that holds both basses.

Get a nice gigbag with a big pocket, so you can put your head in it. My iGIG bag easily holds my LMII and all cables and accessories with no problem. With the basse and amp in the gigbag, you can schlep it all in one trip, even if you have a larger cab, or the two 2x10's.

[dmrogers]

Some good replies so far. So, I'll throw in an option:

Get a Genz Benz ShuttleMax 12

Get a good 2x12 8 ohm cab.

Geg a good 1x12 8 ohm cab.

The Shuttlemax will easily handle either cab in a single configuration or you could power both cabs if needed.

Look at the options:

ShuttleMax + 2x12 for medium/large gigs.

ShuttleMax + 1x12 for small/medium gigs/practice.

ShuttleMax + 1x12 + 2x12 for demolition work.

Easy to transport too!

I love a modular setup. Heck, with the ShuttleMax, you could even go with 3 1x12 cabs.

If you shop used, you could have some coin left over as well.

Good Luck!

[fivestringgecko]

I have a similar rig to what dmrogers is talking about. Only differences are I have a Shuttle 6.0 and 2x10 / 2x12 cabs instead of the 1x12 / 2x12. Works GREAT. Modular, light weight, loud and punchy. Like he said, I can use either cab or both depending on what I'm doing. Awesome versatile rig!

5sg.

[BigOldHarry]

1) Buy used gear - it will save you a ton of money
2) Always play before you pay - particularly if you're new and aren't familiar with the gear;
3) I use two 2x10 cabs - this lets me do small & big gigs with no problem, lots of flexiblity. Avoid combo amps - they are NOT flexible. Get a decent head and two smallish cabs and you'll be set.

[kosmicwizard]

Originally Posted by Phalex

My .02; Look for a high powered combo. The things they are doing with combos these days are amazing. You can pick up a 15" 500W combo that weighs about 50lbs. Good for garage or the big stage.

This definitely could work. I am a head/cab(s) man myself, but I wouldn't say no if someone offered me a MESA walkabout combo with extension cab for example, BTW the head is removable. Cheers.

[Low Class]

Originally Posted by BigOldHarry

1) Buy used gear - it will save you a ton of money
2) Always play before you pay - particularly if you're new and aren't familiar with the gear;
3) I use two 2x10 cabs - this lets me do small & big gigs with no problem, lots of flexiblity. Avoid combo amps - they are NOT flexible. Get a decent head and two smallish cabs and you'll be set.

+1!! Except I'd recommend 2 1x12" cabs. A little easier to move around.

You're going to get a ton of recommendations here that may not suit what you need. I'd suggest to keep researching. Check out what the players that play similar styles are using. If rock players lean toward a certain amp it may not work for jazz.

[Foz]

I've seen the fearful cabs before. Great design, but I'm not that proficient with woodworking tools, and I don't think I have the time necessary to source the parts and find someone to put it together for me.

PM TB Member: vlad335 - He has built 2 fEarfuls for me and they are both top notch. Or, hit the fEarful thread and ask for recommendations on a builder.

You will never regret owning a fEarful... never.