Practice Amp Combo !

PrimoBass · #1 12-14-2010, 10:22 AM

Just cleared the garage and ready to get back into this after 20 years. Bought a Used Schecter Custom 5 Blonde....350.00 delivered...now looking for a Combo Amp...what do you guys recommend on the 250.00 range.

blastjv · #2 12-14-2010, 10:59 AM

Congrats, man!!! I took the better part of 10 years off and kick myself every day for letting that slip by...giving it all I got now, though!!!

What will you be doing with it? You "GETTIN THE BAND BACK TOGETHER!!!" or just playing alone in your garage, or playing in a jazz trio, or a metal band...

What type of sound do you want?

-JV

PrimoBass · #3 12-14-2010, 12:55 PM

For now..I'm just trying to get back into it. I'm looking for something jazz oriented that can also be utilize to practice Latin Jazz and the more exotic genres (think Miami sound Machine). I have a bunch of guys in Montclair, NJ that like some of my poems and think they would make great songs so, no band, just want to JAMMMMMMM....right now. I got the bug again...BTW....I haven't unpacked the Schecter yet, it is still in the box...if I look at it...I'm gonna build a rig...guaranteed...so I gotta pick up a combo.

pbasswil · #4 12-14-2010, 01:42 PM

I've been waiting and waiting for Gallien-Krueger to finally ship their MB112 combo. The rest of that line is really good; I have the bigger MB212, and that one's 38 lbs of dynamite.

This 1 x 12 version should be great for practice and small gigs. It's got the usual, tasty GK 4 band EQ, and an extremely useful aux-in for sticking an iPod or computer/beat box audio in, for convenient practice. It's like 28 lbs (!), and I think it's going to list for $299.

PrimoBass · #5 12-14-2010, 02:53 PM

Funny ! I've been waiting for guitar center to have them in stock...I'll definitely look into it....Thanks.

**kenstee** · #6 12-14-2010, 03:07 PM

A real bargain are amps from Acoustic. Have a very classic tone. They are available from Guitar Center and online. For $250 you could get a lot of amp. Especially if you don't mind buying used from here, Craigslist, etc. Everyone has an amp opinion and some are brand snobs, etc. So don't expect any consensus. Best to try before you buy if at all possible. If you buy new you should also have a return period to bring/send it back if you don't like it.

Acoustic: http://www.acousticamplification.com/ I see you are in North jersey. Here's a 200w/15" one that's currently on CL in NYC and a real bargain at this price..http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/msg/2112389716.html. It's $200 - usually $350. Not my listing but I posted it to TB Hot Deals a few minutes ago.

P. Aaron · #7 12-14-2010, 03:59 PM

Not to hijack but, is there a light-weight combo that has a tube pre & SS (IE: like the Hartke LH series) innards with any speaker configuration?

sleepytime · #8 12-14-2010, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P. Aaron

Not to hijack but, is there a light-weight combo that has a tube pre & SS (IE: like the Hartke LH series) innards with any speaker configuration?

Mesa, Ashdown...

Edit: I see the Ashdown I was looking at weighs 37 kg, not 37 lbs. Not exactly light weight.

groove pump · #9 12-14-2010, 05:23 PM

If you look around in the used market for more bang for your buck, I'd encourage you to watch for an SWR Workingman's 15, maybe a G-K combo, or even a Nemesis if you find one. Nemesis is Eden's more affordable line and some of their combos (1x12, 1x15, or even 2x12 layout) have serious power onboard.

Worst experience I've had with a combo was with the Ampeg BA-112. Nice tone, but much too quiet to play with anyone else. As far as I know, their larger BA-115 is a lot more capable.

Genz-Benz also has a more affordable line of combos which are their M-Line models. I have an older 1x12 M-Line for practice that will stand upright or kick back like a wedge, it sounds terrific for me, and its Godzilla loud (for its size) if I need to turn it up. I've also tried an M-Line 2x10 combo a while back and just shook my head when it was turned up. It sounded simply gi-normous.

**dmonroe** · #10 12-14-2010, 05:34 PM

Get a Hartke A35. You're in pretty much the same spot I was in a few months ago.

http://www.samsontech.com/products/p...1670&brandID=3

Delivers 35 watts to its specially designed 10-inch aluminum bass driver
Specially designed cabinet for flat floor use or kickback positioning
High-quality 4-band equalization
Line level effects loop send and return jacks for connecting to outboard effects processors
Dedicated CD input to hook up portable CD or MP3 player
Headphone output
Rugged construction for supreme durability
Dimensions: 429mm/16.9" (H) x 381mm/15" (W) x 320mm/12.6" (D)
Weight: 17kg/37.4 lbs

Sav'nBass · #11 12-14-2010, 06:17 PM

I was in the same place in 2001 after a 15 or so year layoff.. been playing pretty regularly since.. and loving every minute of it..

I know you said around $250 but..

Gallien-Krueger MB115 1x15 200W Ultralight Bass Combo Amp $400

Ampeg BA112 50W Single 12 Bass Combo $280

Ampeg BA115 Bass Combo $380

Among a few.. If I were in your shoes again and I had it all to do over with what I know now I would consider something that is at least 200 watts and with an XLR out.. When I first started playing again I got an SWR La-15.. I was impatient and it was all I could afford at the time.. but since then I have come to better understand what I need.. and for me portability and flexibility are key.. There was no way to hook this amp directly to a soundboard.. it was a decent practice combo.. but as my needs expanded it didn't do the job.. I used an Ampeg BA115 at my church until someone blew out the speaker then I decided to get my own gear. You want something that you can grow into.. and by that I mean something that will meet your needs as the rust comes off and more opportunities open up.. and they will as long as you keep chipping away at that rust..

At least that's my take.. from my limited perspective..

You might also want to consider the TB classifieds.. I have got my amp and my cabs from there, and also a Boss GT-10B.. all in great shape with no hassles at all.. I have a bag for my Shuttle coming that I got for $25.. and I sold a few items there as well.. all without a hitch. There are some pretty decent folks on these boards and some pretty good deals as well..

In any case.. good on you for diving back in...

P.S. I found a Hartke kickback 12 in a local pawnshop... sounds great.. even the low B on my 5 ... it's a little dusty but that's it.. I am thinking of getting it for my son @ $220..

Come to think of it.. looking at the CL posting that kenstee made... that is a great find for that price.. you cant beat it with a stick..

NKUSigEp · #12 12-14-2010, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PrimoBass

Just cleared the garage and ready to get back into this after 20 years. Bought a Used Schecter Custom 5 Blonde....350.00 delivered...now looking for a Combo Amp...what do you guys recommend on the 250.00 range.

Used is the only way to go - A Fender Rumble 2x10 or a Line 6 LD150 are the best practice amps I've come across and in that price range as well.

PrimoBass · #13 12-14-2010, 09:34 PM

Thanks for the imput guys..just opened the package and my Shecter 5er arrived safely and for being a blind buy, it looks great...a few minor light surface scratches from belt buckles, but overall not bad....feels like a fast neck and setup should not be too much of a problem. Love the look of the custom 5.

Although, in my search..I fell in love with Ken Smith Basses....wow... even started a little fund to save up....putting in 100.00 bucks a paycheck until I get there ! Let go see this CL listing..actually found a Crate BT100..I think...for 150.00 bucks at a pawn shop today...clean and not so heavy. I'll keep you guys posted..however, if anything you guys might have lying around becomes a problem or in the way....I'm not in a rush as I have to have this thing setup and waiting on a Hardcase the wife ordered for me..amazing...original hardcase from Schecter for 80.00 new.. Looks like am back...baby....I can hear the GROWL>>>>now.