Using multiple amps?

Andy.mpeg · #1 09-13-2010, 08:50 AM

I've just recently joined a band, and I'm going to have to invest in a new amp. What I'm using now is a Rumble 15 which is only 15 watts into an 8" speaker - quite insufficient.

I'm wondering if it would be more economical to buy a second smaller amp (probably slightly larger than my 15w), and use them both simulatenously, rather than buying and using a single larger amp.

Apparently this can be done with an A/B/Y splitter. Does anyone do this, and are there any problems that can ensue? I've read through a few threads on a guitar forum and somebody mentioned "grounding problems". I don't know much about grounding, but would this actually be a problem?

Perhaps I'd be better off just using one larger amp, but I just thought this would be the logical solution for a teenager without too much money to throw around. I also thought it'd be cool because each amp would sound different and I could mess around with their EQs separately. Any advice would be much appreciated.

Cheers!

somegeezer · #2 09-13-2010, 09:04 AM

Scrap the 15 watts and buy 300 or more watts with a 212 or larger speaker cab.

**colcifer** · #3 09-13-2010, 09:06 AM

Yeah, it could be cool but probably not. I'd say you're best off poking around on craiglist for a used SWR or something like that. Old combos aren't too pricey and they sound great.

And welcome to TB.

Andy.mpeg · #4 09-13-2010, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by somegeezer

Scrap the 15 watts and buy 300 or more watts with a 212 or larger speaker cab.

Yeah, that's probably a good idea. I'll try to sell it for a bit of extra cash. That's a fair bit of power though, is it really necessary for my purposes? How much do you reckon that'd set me back? Oh and one more question; would I be better off with a combo or a head and cab?

edit: Thank you, colcifer

JimmyM · #5 09-13-2010, 10:23 AM

300w is always a good number to go with if you're not sure because 300w amps are everywhere and not too expensive. and i recommend a 410 because it's a good loud cab with some good bottom end, plus you can find them everywhere for dirt cheap. i've seen people put together perfectly good giggable rigs for $300. buy used and wait for good deals on quality gear.

RickenBoogie · #6 09-13-2010, 10:58 AM

Yes, a head and cab, at 300 watts and a 4x10, is ALWAYS better than a combo amp. And, shopping used will stretch your money.

NKBassman · #7 09-13-2010, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy.mpeg

That's a fair bit of power though, is it really necessary for my purposes?

That depends on what your purposes are. What kind of a band are you in? Do you have two screaming guitars playing brutal tech metal riffs through 100W Mesa Boogie full stacks, or will you be playing coffee house gigs with an acoustic singer-songwriter?

Either way, 300W is a good starting point for practicing in the garage with a drummer. Remember, you can always turn down if it's too loud. I'd also recommend getting seperate head and cab. That way you can upgrade one at a time as your needs may change.

panama · #8 09-13-2010, 11:13 AM

Look around for a Hartke HA3500 head with 410.

somegeezer · #9 09-13-2010, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy.mpeg

Yeah, that's probably a good idea. I'll try to sell it for a bit of extra cash. That's a fair bit of power though, is it really necessary for my purposes? How much do you reckon that'd set me back? Oh and one more question; would I be better off with a combo or a head and cab?

edit: Thank you, colcifer

You can find 300 watts cheap. Depends what you get really though. A combo or head and cab is entirely up to what you prefer. 300 watts is never too much power. Unless your speakers can't take it.

Andy.mpeg · #10 09-14-2010, 02:07 AM

Thanks for all your opinions, it seems like you all pretty much unanimously agree that 300w is the way to go.

One more thing, are there any brands in particular that I should avoid? I've read some bad things about Behringer.

iamdenialNJ · #11 09-14-2010, 02:15 AM

Get a 4x10 bass cab and and a 300watt head minimum and you're good to go for 90% of gigs.

iamdenialNJ · #12 09-14-2010, 02:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by panama

Look around for a Hartke HA3500 head with 410.

The HA3500 was my first real bass amp and that thing would not die despite being dropped from cars and the top of my cab. Great amp and plus it has a tube preamp.

tom once dead · #13 09-14-2010, 02:22 AM

Look for a used Peavey or something like that.

panama · #14 09-14-2010, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy.mpeg

Thanks for all your opinions, it seems like you all pretty much unanimously agree that 300w is the way to go.

One more thing, are there any brands in particular that I should avoid? I've read some bad things about Behringer.

Do not go with Behringer or Bugera. there are too many great amps you can buy used from Peavey, Hartke, and GK to justify buying crap like behringer.

Din Of Win · #15 09-14-2010, 08:31 AM

Lotsa solid-as-a-rock amps from the 70's and 80's out there. Keep an eye out for old Peavey, Sunn, and GK stuff. Also, old Kustom and Acoustic stuff is AWESOME... but they both have 'new versions' which, IMHO, pale in compairison to their original makes.

Din Of Win · #16 09-14-2010, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by panama

Do not go with Behringer or Bugera. there are too many great amps you can buy used from Peavey, Hartke, and GK to justify buying crap like behringer.

To be honest... i'm still very intrigued by some of the samples i've heard of a bass through a Bugera 1960 tube head....

elavate7 · #17 09-14-2010, 08:50 AM

i dont care what nobody says, but dont sleep on seismic audio cabs! they have great cabs for the money.

brokensilence11 · #18 09-14-2010, 10:18 AM

I would go with maybe a 100 watt combo. I am in a band and use a Acoustic B100 combo and it does pretty good. it gets loud, but sometimes its a bit difficult to get to a loud setting that sounds really good. overall its a great amp and you probably would like it. I got mine for around $250 i think. If u can spend the extra money id go with like a Gallien Krueger or something though. Try out a bunch at your nearest music store or somewhere 1st.

Andy.mpeg · #19 09-14-2010, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brokensilence11

I would go with maybe a 100 watt combo. I am in a band and use a Acoustic B100 combo and it does pretty good. it gets loud, but sometimes its a bit difficult to get to a loud setting that sounds really good. overall its a great amp and you probably would like it. I got mine for around $250 i think. If u can spend the extra money id go with like a Gallien Krueger or something though. Try out a bunch at your nearest music store or somewhere 1st.

Yeah, maybe I would be better off with a 100w combo. I took a look at the local pawn shop today, they have a Rumble 100 for $500. Not sure if I'll go with that particular one cause it's a bit pricey. But anyway, I think 300w might be a bit too powerful and 100w might be more reasonable... Hmm.

Decisions decisions.