Starting a Rig.....Help!

[SkyCaptain]

Hi, this is my first post so bare with me.
I want to start playing bass. I've been playing guitar for a while and recently it hasn't felt like the right thing for me. I'm looking to spend about (give or take) $1,200 on the entire rig - buying mostly used gear. but I don't really know much about bass gear. I think I want a 410 cab and a tube/hybrid head (though I haven't completely ruled out SS) companies I've been looking at include Ampeg, Markbass (the new york 604 ad 804 look sick), and Peavey. All Ideas/suggestions are welcome. I plan on playing punk, noise, garage, and alternative (I hate genres). Oh and i want whatever i get to be able to handle dist/overdrive. sorry for the long post and thanks in advance.

[Hopkins]

I personally would recommend GK, I use a GK 700RB head, with 410neo and 410sbx cabs. But the most common answer you will receive around here is to play through as many amps and cabs as you can and buy what you like the most. Its the most common answer because it is the best one

[playerunk]

Do you have a bass ? If not i think a used MIM Fender P or a squier VM would do nicely.

As for the amp part you have to try all the gear you can get your hands on. Peavey can be found cheap used and are the workhorses of the starting bass player. If you know you will play gigs right off you can go for the 410 but otherwise i suggest a 210.. plenty for practice and rehearsal and you can add a 210 later on if needed.

For your effects if you dont know for sure what you want get a used zoom unit and try a bunch..after you get a clearer picture you can jump on single pedals.

[SkyCaptain]

Oh sorry, I forgot to mention the bass itself. I was thinking a Fender Precision mim (used). Thanks for the replies!

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by Hopkins

I personally would recommend GK, I use a GK 700RB head, with 410neo and 410sbx cabs. But the most common answer you will receive around here is to play through as many amps and cabs as you can and buy what you like the most. Its the most common answer because it is the best one

it's true. i'm a fender/ampeg dude but i'm not you, so trust your own tastes. you should be able to get quite a nice rig for $1200, though.

[fingerbun]

Precision - excellent choice.

Amp - a lot of people love Markbass but I personally think they sound cold. I've had a great run from a Peavey head I bought in 1980, but I bought one of their combos a couple of years back and wish I hadn't. Reliable but not a good enough rock and roll sound and too big for jazz gigs. If you are interested in Ampeg I would consider Ashdown instead.

[powellmacaque]

A used 800rb for the head.

Whatever cab size/speakers you like for the cab.

[SkyCaptain]

Has any one here used a Markbass 410/NY 804 cabinet (or any Markbass cabinet for that matter)? Thoughts? Pros/Cons? Thanks!

[ThunderousFunk]

Also, owe it to yourself to check out Genz-Benz too. Especially if you want a 410, try the Neox212 cab. Alot lighter, and same performance as most 410's

[christw]

My opinion is a combination of the above:

Gallien Krueger head, a 700RB or 800RB probably (I use a 1001 but it's probably more than you need. It was overkill for me with an 810 and a metal band.)
Genz Benz cabinet, my personal favorite cabs

Those things just eat up the overdrive, no matter how nasty or over the top. I'd also look at the Genz Benz streamliners, a new micro hybrid that's making a huge splash now that it's hit the market. I'm looking at getting one myself, budget allowing.

[bassplayerbob]

Don't rule out Hartke. I just upgraded my lh500,349.99 new, for a lh1000, 499 new. They are great heads.
Just got this rig this weekend. 1100.00

[christw]

^Hartke are great value. They have low costs, high reliability, and a killer warranty. You'll see Larry Hartke post on this forum in threads where people have issues with his products. He usually leaves his cell phone number or his amp tech's number for those with issues.

[My name is Mudd]

Originally Posted by SkyCaptain

Has any one here used a Markbass 410/NY 804 cabinet (or any Markbass cabinet for that matter)? Thoughts? Pros/Cons? Thanks!

I have an 8 ohm Traveler 102P now, and want a second one so I can bring my amp up to full output.

I know that some here aren't really high on Markbass cabs, but I love mine! I'm definitely in the full-range/high fidelity/'my cabs have tweeters by choice' side of the tone discussion - the 102P pairs perfectly with my Trace head, cranking out that wonderful-to-me, sorta-nasal-sounding full range British bass tone that Trace helped develop. GC usually has a few Markbass cabs on their sales floors for demo'ing...

And Jimmy's right...with a $1200 budget, you should be able to put together a nice rig!

[jeff7bass]

I would get these;
==============
One Carvin B500 head
One Avatar TB153 cab, 4 ohm version
One GK MB15 combo amp.

The Carvin head with the Avatar cab is a SMOKIN half stack. 500w into a killer 3-way cab that can handle it.
The GK combo would be a great backup/rehearsal/small gig amp.
Now you’re ready for anything. Total costs around 1250 bucks.

[fingerbun]

With amps, what sort of gigs will you do? Usually the bass goes to FOH via DI, so spending a fortune on an amp with killer tone is a waste if bass goes through PA.

If that will be you look at preamps like the SansAmp to colour your sound.

[Fair Warning]

Check C.L. and search for Ampeg. Dial up a SVT 410HLF ($300-$500), and dial up a SVT-3 Pro ($400-$600). As for the guitar, there are so many entry level basses that sound good and are built well. My fav are the ESP basses for sound ($200-$300). There ya go, we made your budget, and in 6 months, if you change your mind, you are not left with a bunch of junk.....I would have held its value and you can get your money back.

[SkyCaptain]

I'm looking for punch and growl - does that narrow down the search at all? Thanks

[SkyCaptain]

Bump