Super economic heads: how are those?

[Avezzano]

Just wondering: does anybody have a first hand impression about these puppies (look at the prices!!!) ???

HARLEY BENTON BA250H - Thomann Cyberstore Italiano

BEHRINGER BXR1800H - Thomann Cyberstore Italiano

[jungleheat]

You get what you pay for, especially with new gear (except when stuff is just overpriced to begin with).

Better bet if you want super cheap stuff is to go used. It helps if you can find something that's good quality but isn't "in" or where the person just doesn't know what they have.

[riotorgun]

i have the kustom hd300 head thats pretty cheap but its holding up well after hard gigging,id get a good speaker cab though

[Dustin Teel]

+1 to getting a good speaker cab.

You can generally get away with a budget bass and a budget head and find a "usable" tone.

That is not the case with cabs. Cheap, budget cabs/speakers will be the downfall of your rig.

[RickenBoogie]

Yes, step one, buy quality used gear, and HUGE +1, don't skimp on your speakers.

[Avezzano]

Sure: get a good speaker and buy used, thanks for the suggestions, pals, but I have already everything I need; the topic started because I was just noodling browsing and wondering about these two heads that I found at Thomann. In specific about the (compact) Harley Benton: I searched a bit around and saw that this brand has been created by Thomann self to sell their own line of chinese made products (guitars amps etc.). Looking at the specs it does not seem too bad for the price, and its quality should be comparable to, say, the MB200 G&K that is also done completely in China and costs 100 euro more...???

[Munjibunga]

The name-brand companies have fairly strict quality-control guidelines for their Chinese products. Store brands may have lesser resources to ride herd on the factories. I would avoid store brands (with the possible exception of MarkBass) and I'd steer way clear of Behringer. As someone else said, you get what you pay for. Or less.

[JimmyM]

There is some budget gear that's pretty good and some that's great, but the bottom tier stuff usually isn't it. Especially the cabs. Best to go with good cabs and an inexpensive head.

[Avezzano]

look what I've found:

BETA AIVIN BT250 H - #1905783 | su MercatinoMusicale.com in Amplificatori - Testata / Cassa

(these guys price it more than the G&K MB200!) now check it against the Benton:

HARLEY BENTON BA250H - Thomann Cyberstore Italiano

funny, uh? I assume that for double price the first one is........ twice as good!!!!!!!!!! Secrets of globalisation!!!!

[Jazz Ad]

Oh yeah you can have fun with name-brand companies.

[Avezzano]

Wow! But do they price those more or less equally or there is a substantial difference?

I would avoid store brands (with the possible exception of MarkBass)

you are right, as general criteria, but as I progress searching on the net, it seems that Thomann made their own brand so to have actually more control on their products line!

BTW: Markbass is not a "store brand" but a real manufacturer-builder that makes its own stuff, then distributes in Italy and overseas; I don't know if they manufacture everything in Italy or subcontract something to somebody else, too... but this is pretty common for every builder lately...

[Oobly]

I'd go for the Harley Benton before the Behringer. They list 180W at 4 Ohm for the Behringer and that company is notorious for overrating the wattage of their amps. Into 8 Ohm I doubt it would give you more than about 100W.

The HB amp may be worth trying if you have a cab for it. Not very expensive, nice set of features and looks like it could be capable enough for small gigs. It is Thomann's own brand, so I would send them an email asking for more information, such as how much wattage it can put out with an 8 Ohm load.

[Jazz Ad]

HB stuff is usually decent. Thomann is pretty serious about their reputation.

[Avezzano]

I'd go for the Harley Benton before the Behringer.

HB stuff is usually decent. Thomann is pretty serious about their reputation.

Thanks! I don't REALLY need another head at home (!!!) but the more I look at the specs, the more I think that I will actually see 149 euro flying out of my wallet pretty soon.......... resisting.... come on: another head?..... yes, for those club dates, you know?....

Oh, boys!!!!

[Munjibunga]

Originally Posted by Avezzano

Wow! But do they price those more or less equally or there is a substantial difference?



you are right, as general criteria, but as I progress searching on the net, it seems that Thomann made their own brand so to have actually more control on their products line!

BTW: Markbass is not a "store brand" but a real manufacturer-builder that makes its own stuff, then distributes in Italy and overseas; I don't know if they manufacture everything in Italy or subcontract something to somebody else, too... but this is pretty common for every builder lately...

Have you ever seen MarkBass anywhere but GC in the U.S.?

[bongomania]

He's in Italy. Additionaly, there is a big difference between a "store brand", where the store owns the brand, and an "exclusive dealer arrangement"--which is the relationship between GC and MB. GC has plenty of brands they actually own: Acoustic, Delta Lab, several others.

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

Have you ever seen MarkBass anywhere but GC in the U.S.?

Are you saying that makes it a "house brand?" I would disagree with you if you are.

[bongomania]

Also, the name Harley Benton is a house brand of Thommann, but the actual products are sold around the world under dozens of other brand names. They just have the HB logo stamped on them for sale at Thommann.

[Avezzano]

Have you ever seen MarkBass anywhere but GC in the U.S.?

as above said, I live in Italy and... 60 miles from the Markbass factory!!! I can assure you that Marco De Virgiliis runs his own business and sells amps and cabs worldwide!!!

[Johnpjm]

With bass rigs, it really comes down to your bass, your speaker cab, but the biggest one is YOU. ****** player? ****** tone. Aside from that, I think you could easily get away with an economy head.