Quality Combo Amp Purchase... Help & Suggestions Needed

[OldBrdNew4]

Hi Folks, new guy here that has always been ending up here during my searches for information.

I have a Peavey Axcelerator Plus (1994) 4 String that I bought (used Mint). When I picked it up, also picked up a small Peavey Max112 combo amp... well, this combo isn't cutting it for me. Maxing out the gain/volume, crackling - I guess pushing it to far, and cannot use the dual tone controls on my bass except for flat... too much distortion! Frustrating..

I am in search of an immediate amp replacement. I have always been an audiophile type, love music, appreciate much quality and clarity while doing so. Always highend stereo amps, speakers, and cables... plagued with a discriminating ear. So... here's my dilemma and sorry for the length here.

I want a quality combo amp that I can get for approx. $1000, need direction, and assistance to match up with my 4 string active bass. I looked at a Fender 'Bassman 250/210', mint, demo, on floor for 1-2 months for $450. Would a 15" be more suitable? If so, considering the Fender , 'Bassman TV 15' ?

Any suggestions, tips, advice?

I thank you in advance....

[BassmanPaul]

Why a combo? Most combos are a set of compromises between design and marketing. Generally the cabinet is too small for the driver and you usually can't use additional cabinets.

For a grand you'll be able to get a separate head and cab. Look at the used market like Craigs List. You could even try Carvin.com - they are my first stop if I am looking for anything.

[OldBrdNew4]

Originally Posted by BassmanPaul

Why a combo? Most combos are a set of compromises between design and marketing. Generally the cabinet is too small for the driver and you usually can't use additional cabinets.

For a grand you'll be able to get a separate head and cab. Look at the used market like Craigs List. You could even try Carvin.com - they are my first stop if I am looking for anything.

Paul, Ease of use, portability, and cost has been my thinking..

[bassplayerbob]

Originally Posted by OldBrdNew4

Hi Folks, new guy here that has always been ending up here during my searches for information.

I have a Peavey Axcelerator Plus (1994) 4 String that I bought (used Mint). When I picked it up, also picked up a small Peavey Max112 combo amp... well, this combo isn't cutting it for me. Maxing out the gain/volume, crackling - I guess pushing it to far, and cannot use the dual tone controls on my bass except for flat... too much distortion! Frustrating..

I am in search of an immediate amp replacement. I have always been an audiophile type, love music, appreciate much quality and clarity while doing so. Always highend stereo amps, speakers, and cables... plagued with a discriminating ear. So... here's my dilemma and sorry for the length here.

I want a quality combo amp that I can get for approx. $1000, need direction, and assistance to match up with my 4 string active bass. I looked at a Fender 'Bassman 250/210', mint, demo, on floor for 1-2 months for $450. Would a 15" be more suitable? If so, considering the Fender , 'Bassman TV 15' ?

Any suggestions, tips, advice?

I thank you in advance....

Checkout the genz Benz shuttlemax series. I got the 3.0-10t for 799.99 and love it. It also has an ext speaker output on it so you can add another 8 ohm cab. The 6.0 is more watts and money too, but they are very nice combos.

[countrybass007]

Check out Phil Jones amps, if you like high quality sound they're the best. I got my Suitcase for a grand.

[OldBrdNew4]

One influence, besides the mint condition, in my decision for getting the Peavey Axcelerator was that it was made in the USA. I took a peek at the Carvin line, USA made as well.. that's pretty cool and rare! I noticed that the largest speaker/driver was a 12" though....

[Bass_Pounder]

Originally Posted by OldBrdNew4

One influence, besides the mint condition, in my decision for getting the Peavey Axcelerator was that it was made in the USA. I took a peek at the Carvin line, USA made as well.. that's pretty cool and rare! I noticed that the largest speaker/driver was a 12" though....

Then you are not looking hard enough................

Plenty of combos with 15's, and plenty of 15" cabs.

http://www.carvinguitars.com/bassamps/

As was said before though, if you are supposedly an "audiophile" type of guy - the LAST thing you would want is a combo specifically for the SAME reasons you say you want one. "Ease of use, portibility, and cost" all relate to corners being cut at the expense of tone.

Is it really that much harder to plug in one more cable (speaker cable between head and cab) ?

[SolaiBassist]

Try the ampeg pf 500 head ($300) and pair it up with a 4 ohm gallien Krueger neo 212-II ($550)if you play in small to medium gigs. This will give u portability and quality tone with 500 watts. I own the pf 500 with an acoustic 4x10 cab (entry level cab) and am amazed at the tone of the ampeg. Was having head room problems with the acoustic bh200 head and i could not believe the difference in tonal quality when i tested the ampeg. It is seriously underpriced. Then you can upgrade to TC electronics RH750 with their corresponding RS cabinets that you can stack up to three to easily handle any out door gig but that will run you over 1000. Am on a tight budget and have done a lot of research. It is true that phil Jones and even Genz Benz have great amps but you will pay and I don't mind having them but just can't afford them at the moment. Planning to upgrade to the RH 750 when I can afford them but I will never get rid of the pf500. Will just get a better cab for it

[dbhokie]

Trace Elliot 1210 and 715 are two combos I enjoyed playing through, that a studio friend of mine has. They are a little pricey, but good quality and great sound IMO.

[QuintrKD]

Originally Posted by countrybass007

Check out Phil Jones amps, if you like high quality sound they're the best. I got my Suitcase for a grand.

+1. I've got a Phil Jones Flightcase (250 watts) that can hold its own against any other combo amp in comparable wattages, and its very versatile in being able to go between acoustic and electric basses. Phil Jones products make a strong case that you cannot always judge an amp by speaker size (he uses 5" speaker arrays). Ed Friedland has a great demo video of the flight case that you can easily find by internet search. I got mine as a demo from Bass Central (I highly recommend them) for $800, so if you patiently shop around, you can find deals on them.

[bobbybass85]

I'm an Ashdown fan myself.

I currently use the Mag 2x10 combo and have 1x15 that goes with it. You could get both of those fro around $1k

I'm looking to step up into the ABM range to get the tube in the pre-amp and footswitchable features (Sub-Harmonics etc, they aren't foorswitchable on MAG). But the ABMs on Ebay are right at $1050 for the 210 combo.

Some people quesiton the quality, but I've never had an issue. Mine's been dropped, spilled on and cranked all the way up and hasn't failed once in 5 years. Plus the customer service side has always been great to me as well.

[OldBrdNew4]

Originally Posted by Bass_Pounder

Then you are not looking hard enough................

Plenty of combos with 15's, and plenty of 15" cabs.

Carvin.com - Guitars, Amplifiers & Pro Audio: Bass Amplifiers

As was said before though, if you are supposedly an "audiophile" type of guy - the LAST thing you would want is a combo specifically for the SAME reasons you say you want one. "Ease of use, portibility, and cost" all relate to corners being cut at the expense of tone.

Is it really that much harder to plug in one more cable (speaker cable between head and cab) ?

As I say.. I am new, 1st Bass, 1st instrument ever, I don't know... this is why I ask.

[OldBrdNew4]

Does my 4 string bass being ACTIVE and NOT PASSIVE have any influence on my decision? For the above mentioned bass amps?

[bassplayerbob]

Originally Posted by OldBrdNew4

Does my 4 string bass being ACTIVE and NOT PASSIVE have any influence on my decision? For the above mentioned bass amps?

What type if music are you interested in? If you get with folks with big guitar amps and a loud drummer, you may find yourself lost in the noise. Just a thought.

[OldBrdNew4]

Originally Posted by bassplayerbob

What type if music are you interested in? If you get with folks with big guitar amps and a loud drummer, you may find yourself lost in the noise. Just a thought.

Rock primarily... but a long ways to go before I am gig ready LOL, beginner. I want something in terms of an amp that I can grow with, that I can have for a long while serving as a practice amp but yet could jam with, friends band, etc. That is why my thoughts have been of something like the Fender Bassman TV 15, or the Bassman 250/210 at the cheaper price of $450. But am taking all the suggestions into consideration.. you folks have walked my baby steps at one point long ago as well. All ears, and very appreciative of the input given me.

[SolaiBassist]

It does not matter if ur bass is passive or active. Most amps will provide a input or switch to toggle between active and passive basses to compensate for the different output levels. I personally prefer active coz u can use it as a preamp and it generates more signal strength.

[C.Linton]

Originally Posted by OldBrdNew4

Rock primarily... but a long ways to go before I am gig ready LOL, beginner. I want something in terms of an amp that I can grow with, that I can have for a long while serving as a practice amp but yet could jam with, friends band, etc. That is why my thoughts have been of something like the Fender Bassman TV 15, or the Bassman 250/210 at the cheaper price of $450. But am taking all the suggestions into consideration.. you folks have walked my baby steps at one point long ago as well. All ears, and very appreciative of the input given me.

There is at least one thread here dedicated to the Fender Bassman TV amps (the 210 and the 115) and they have nothing but good things to say about them.
Ed Friedland did a video review of them on Youtube, he gave them good marks and they sounded pretty good as far as I could tell thru my TV/stereo. Check it out.
If you were looking for a vintage tube sound, that's what I would get in a combo (the 115 being my preference) if I could afford it. They cost just about a thousand bucks for a 350 watt amp.

[RickenBoogie]

+1 skip the combo's, as they are full of compromises, go for a good amp and cab instead. So many choices, go forth and get some hands on experience.

[Stumbo]

Here are a few links that may help you gather more info on the topic prior to your decision:

Combos vs Head/Cab
Pre-amp/Power Amp vs Head/Cab or Combo

>30 light-weight cabs,amps, combos
"Light weight" heads
TB micro-amp tone reviews

1 Buying a combo
2
Opinions/experiences-great small combo amps
The ultimate custom built combo?

1 Happy with my rig
2
Gig rigs
Micro-rigs of doom
Mini-rigs of doom

[QuintrKD]

Originally Posted by RickenBoogie

+1 skip the combo's, as they are full of compromises, go for a good amp and cab instead. So many choices, go forth and get some hands on experience.

Consider this required reading material if you go with a head and cab (or go to a reputable dealer):
Ohms FAQ