Sell it all!?!?

[BassInThePlace9]

Im in need of a change and an upgrade.

Here are my basses:
1. Ibanez Roadstar II 5 string w/ Ibanez active pups
2. Esp F-155DX 5 string w/ ESP acitive pups

I play both basses through two setups:
1. Line 6 LD150 combo
2. Hartke HA2500 though the VX410

Im looking to get rid of both basses and upgrade to something much better. Getting a new bass is the easy decision. But Im struggling on whether or not i should keep 1 of my amps or sell them both. The Line6 is nice but doesnt have enough volume to keep up with my crazed drummer and the two 150watt guitar amps i play along with. The VX410 is loud but doesnt have the tone im looking for, its punchy but isnt very deep at all (Deff a funk slap amp). I play a mix of rock and metal/thrash music. Ive been playin bass for about 2 years so im still very new to it all. Having somthing portable like a 2X10 or 2X12 Combo might be a good idea if its got enough volume and the tone im looking for. Lemme know what ya think...thanks

[Bass_Pounder]

I really don't think a combo is going to do anything for you.

You need at least 4X the wattage the guitards are using, and at least matching speaker area to compete.

That means a 2X10 is never going to compete with 100 watt+ guitar amps running through 4X12's - no matter how much wattage you throw at it.

[RickenBoogie]

Volume is a product of the speakers. More speakers is louder than less. Wattage-wise, 300-500 is plenty, but to make it loud, you want more, (and better) speakers. Consider 60-75% of the budget to go toward the speakers. An 8x10, or 2 4x10's should be more than enough. Even a pair of 2x12's should do- but a 2x10 or 2x12 alone will never be loud, no matter how many watts you have.

[BassInThePlace9]

Originally Posted by Bass_Pounder

I really don't think a combo is going to do anything for you.

You need at least 4X the wattage the guitards are using, and at least matching speaker area to compete.

That means a 2X10 is never going to compete with 100 watt+ guitar amps running through 4X12's - no matter how much wattage you throw at it.

im sorry i guess i didnt explain it enough but i understand what your sayin though. However my two buddies both have 150watt *2X12* combo guitar amps. They dont play on the highest settings but its still over powers my 150watt 1X12 all day thats why i was considering keeping my 4x10 and tryin to get a better sound out of it considering a new bass with some better pickups would help. But im still dissapointed in it.

[BassBrass]

Those Hartke amps have more tonal options than some realize. Those 2 contour filter knobs on the right side? Set the treble at 11o'clock and set the low one at 3pm! Lower the treble and it's dub capable. I've seen lots of used HA3500 heads for $200 or so. It's a loud amp. But those speakers...I didn't know they made a 4/10 that only handles 400w! That's just 100w per speaker. Toy like. Not enough. A 4/10 with celestion deltas is 1400w. Avatar makes one like that. At least you are just running at 8 ohms so blowing them is difficult, but you need more speaker surface and higher watt speakers.

[jowens004]

Sell it all. Find a used mesa boogie m6 or m9. Find a good used 4x10 or 6x10. Go check out a G&L jazz bass. There hot as fire a d sound amazing. Also check out a music man stingray 5 2 pickup model with actives. Then the guitars will be begging for mercy.

[BassBrass]

Originally Posted by BassInThePlace9

im sorry i guess i didnt explain it enough but i understand what your sayin though. However my two buddies both have 150watt *2X12* combo guitar amps. They dont play on the highest settings but its still over powers my 150watt 1X12 all day thats why i was considering keeping my 4x10 and tryin to get a better sound out of it considering a new bass with some better pickups would help. But im still dissapointed in it.

"Better pickups"? Aren't those active basses w/ humbuckers? You can get a mellower tone, but probably less volume. And the "better" is not objective...you might believe they are better though. Placebo effect rules.

[waleross]

Hartke seems to be your best option. Used or even new.

[Marko5657]

Adding another VX410 to that head, even at 250 watts should be enough for playing with sane people, but…

Otherwise, yeah, sell it all and get a head with maybe 500 watts and cab up with as many matching speakers as you can afford.

[BassInThePlace9]

Originally Posted by BassBrass

"Better pickups"? Aren't those active basses w/ humbuckers? You can get a mellower tone, but probably less volume. And the "better" is not objective...you might believe they are better though. Placebo effect rules.

there is now way that my $300 esp has humbuckers, i picked up a ibanez at gc the other day with active emg's in it and played it into the same line 6 amp i own and it was a world of difference

[T. Alan Smith]

Originally Posted by jowens004

Sell it all. Find a used mesa boogie m6 or m9. Find a good used 4x10 or 6x10. Go check out a G&L jazz bass. There hot as fire a d sound amazing. Also check out a music man stingray 5 2 pickup model with actives. Then the guitars will be begging for mercy.

This is what I'd do.