Rock amp, -$500, suggestions?

mr_goodbomb · #1 08-07-2010, 04:41 PM

I play in a sort of indie/poppy rock 3-piece. I recently purchased an M-2000 for this band, as I love the tone on the early Green Day albums, but the amp is damaged, so I'm hoping to return it. I'll need something to replace it.

I wouldn't mind going hybrid or solid state. I use an Ampeg SVT Classic for my other band, and it sounds fantastic, but it's so expensive to retube. Having another of the same cost would suck.

I'll have around $500, maybe a bit less, for a new amp. I have 4 ohm 2x10 cab, 350w RMS to go with it.

I have three considerations at the moment.

A used Ampeg head (not the rack style, but a full head), like the 350. Unsure about them, but I trust Ampeg fairly well.

A GK. I won't buy Backline, had one break on me, but maybe something higher end.

A Fender Bassman head or 4x10 combo. It's what the guitarist uses, and when my amp had been unavailable, I've used it. Works well.

Aesthetically, we're a vintage gear kind of band. Sound wise, the guitarist uses vintage gear but gets a fairly modern tone... not entirely, but somewhat, lots of overdrive pedals. For bass, something very alive and prominent would be great. Not flat in the slightest. I really like the tone the guy from this band gets: www.myspace.com/hnmtf

Suggestions? Thanks guys.

RickenBoogie · #2 08-07-2010, 05:52 PM

First, have the M2000 fixed. That'll be alot cheaper than buying another head. And second, your weak link is the 4 ohm 2x10. If you want to be loud, you need more speakers. A 4x10 is sort of the basic starting point. Having 2 2x10's would be great, but they'd need to be 8 ohms each. Throwing all your wattage into a 2x10 will never get you loud, I honestly don't know why they even make little 4 ohm cabs.

Jim Campbell · #3 08-07-2010, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr_goodbomb

I play in a sort of indie/poppy rock 3-piece. I recently purchased an M-2000 for this band, as I love the tone on the early Green Day albums, but the amp is damaged, so I'm hoping to return it. I'll need something to replace it.

I wouldn't mind going hybrid or solid state. I use an Ampeg SVT Classic for my other band, and it sounds fantastic, but it's so expensive to retube. Having another of the same cost would suck.

I'll have around $500, maybe a bit less, for a new amp. I have 4 ohm 2x10 cab, 350w RMS to go with it.

I have three considerations at the moment.

A used Ampeg head (not the rack style, but a full head), like the 350. Unsure about them, but I trust Ampeg fairly well.

A GK. I won't buy Backline, had one break on me, but maybe something higher end.

A Fender Bassman head or 4x10 combo. It's what the guitarist uses, and when my amp had been unavailable, I've used it. Works well.

Aesthetically, we're a vintage gear kind of band. Sound wise, the guitarist uses vintage gear but gets a fairly modern tone... not entirely, but somewhat, lots of overdrive pedals. For bass, something very alive and prominent would be great. Not flat in the slightest. I really like the tone the guy from this band gets: www.myspace.com/hnmtf

Suggestions? Thanks guys.

use the svt for both projects,and spend the dough on another cab.....re tubing is not an every day thing....

rpsands · #4 08-07-2010, 06:28 PM

GK MB500.

mr_goodbomb · #5 08-07-2010, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickenBoogie

First, have the M2000 fixed. That'll be alot cheaper than buying another head. And second, your weak link is the 4 ohm 2x10. If you want to be loud, you need more speakers. A 4x10 is sort of the basic starting point. Having 2 2x10's would be great, but they'd need to be 8 ohms each. Throwing all your wattage into a 2x10 will never get you loud, I honestly don't know why they even make little 4 ohm cabs.

I'll return the M2000. I'm not paying to have an amp I just purchased, which was said to have no issues, repaired.

I'm fine with a 2x10, thank you. The band I listed for reference, and the other big local act, tour with a single 2x10.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Campbell

use the svt for both projects,and spend the dough on another cab.....re tubing is not an every day thing....

It's the issue of hauling it back and forth. I currently don't drive, I got into a car accident and haven't been driving since. I travel with my band mates. Hauling that 85 pound head, and the 120+ pound 4x12 cab I use with it, between practices every day (there have been multiple points where each band was practicing every other day, meaning I practiced with one of them daily) is... just silly. That's why I bought two amps.

JEDI BASS · #6 08-07-2010, 09:22 PM

Used Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0?? Weighs like 3.5 lbs IIRC and sounds great, especially w/ a tube upgrade.

powellmacaque · #7 08-07-2010, 10:00 PM

Go for a used 400RB, 700RB, or even 800RB by Gallien-Krueger. GK is in my opinion the best solid state for rock. It acts like a tube amp, but doesn't try to emulate a tube amp. The 700RB is my amp, and I get a great sound out of it. Plus you can't beat the cost of GK, nor the reliability.

babebambi · #8 08-07-2010, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by powellmacaque

Go for a used 400RB, 700RB, or even 800RB by Gallien-Krueger. GK is in my opinion the best solid state for rock. It acts like a tube amp, but doesn't try to emulate a tube amp. The 700RB is my amp, and I get a great sound out of it. Plus you can't beat the coat of GK, nor the reliability.

THIS!