Vox Pathfinder 10 Bass or Orange Crush 20B?

[aussiebasshero]

I'm picking up my SR400QM this weekend and for all intents and purposes intend on walking out of the music store with a new amp (currently own a 15W Behringer practice amp but I hate the tone)

I've limited my price range to $200AUD max, and have so far narrowed it down to these two. I'm leaning towards the Vox but I'll definitely be testing both in store. Are there any serious flaws/goodies about either of these two amps that comes with experience?

Thoughts please

[RickenBoogie]

Either will amplify your bass to a point, and be useful as bedroom practice amps. Neither will be suficient to play with a band at any level. It'll come down to which you like better.

[aussiebasshero]

I'm quite torn - the Orange I can get for $175 but the Vox is only $99 (although half the wattage - does 10W really make that much difference in a casual noodling/jam with a few friends scenario?)

[BassBob1]

Originally Posted by RickenBoogie

Either will amplify your bass to a point, and be useful as bedroom practice amps. Neither will be suficient to play with a band at any level. It'll come down to which you like better.

this pretty much covers it. thats about the only use you'll get out of either amp.

When you say jam with friends, do you mean they also have really small very low wattage amps? if thats the case and there isn't a drummer either amp will be fine.

[aussiebasshero]

Originally Posted by BassBob1

When you say jam with friends, do you mean they also have really small very low wattage amps? if thats the case and there isn't a drummer either amp will be fine.

Most of my friends have low wattage amps (Pathfinder 15R/equivalent) and there definitely won't be drums.

[recreate.me]

I have owned both, personally the Vox sounded way better, but room position did effect its sound since its open back.

The Orange was really trebley, and never really sounded good to me. The vox, could get a really nice low tone i was really surprised with. But distortion sounded pretty bad, since the speakers were so small it was like a guitar fuzz..

I had to choose i would pick the Vox.

Also i have owned the Orange Crush 35B, which was amazing, it was so much better then both of the other two. I only paid 199 CDN new for it as well.. something to consider, and it did keep up with drums and guitar.

Oh, the Vox keeps up with a Vox 15R (i had that as well, and my guitarist used it while i played the pathfinder) it also plays well with acoustics.

I liked it. Go Vox

[aussiebasshero]

Interesting...I just got a call from the guy at the music store to say my bass is in (YES ) anyways, conversation moved onto amps, I asked him about the Vox and the Orange, he reckoned the Vox is rubbish I don't know to what extent I should be prejudiced into believing him, but I guess if he runs his own music store he does have some weight behind his words.

He suggested either a Peavey Max 110 or a Laney RB 2 within my price range - thoughts on these?

[recreate.me]

My thoughts are you need to play all of the amps in question. I had my music store order my Vox, i played it in the store (they let me stay after hours and we all rocked out on my Vox) and they were amazed. Basically the opinions were "holy sh*t, your playing that little Vox right? Can i try ?"

I have never played the other two, but everyone will tell you the same thing. Try before you Buy.

[aussiebasshero]

That's the problem - amps can be very personal, so rest assured I'll be trying all of the above this weekend before I commit to buying one - try before you buy is always a wise motto with anything musical!

[recreate.me]

lol I say to do it, but honestly.
I have not tried a single piece of bass equipment before buying haha

I have bought 5 basses, like 7 cabinets, about 4 combo amps, and 3 heads....

I have only been disappointed with the Orange Crush 20B, and a 100$ Legion Sound 15" Cab... Everything else sounded good for what they did, not all of those things were designed to do what i wanted though.

In the end with an amp that size, I think you will be happy with whatever you get, but at the same time not happy because no amp that size will sound amazing...

[aussiebasshero]

Originally Posted by recreate.me

lol I say to do it, but honestly.
I have not tried a single piece of bass equipment before buying haha

I'm gonna go on the record and say I've also bought a few musical items without trying them (Vox bass amPlug is the most recent I can remember ) - plus with the appeal of buying online, it really does make it an effort to go and try stuff out before you commit the bucks.

[4StringsEnough]

Laney RB2 is frankly amazing at the price. While the Vox is cute and great value for money, the Laney is the cheapest way to get anything approaching a real bass sound. That's what I'd go for - easily worth the extra.

[Electricblue]

Im a big fan of ashdown, get the Perfect 10 combo.

30w, may be enough for your mindless noodling, not enough to compete with a drummer.

[ThisisCraigP]

Orange fo sho.

[aussiebasshero]

So I ended up buying a Peavey Max 112 35W amp for $300 - down from $400, I think I've done well - very happy with the sound!