What amp should i get for small gigs?

[tazthewonderdog]

Alright, so I'm looking for an amp to play small shows, like bars, basements, small venues, etc. Places that would hold 200 people at the most. Anyway, I'm looking for an amp that will sound decent --especially on the really low end-- (I.E. drop-B) be loud, and, most important... not kill my wallet I'm an unemployed teen without a source of income , and I don't know what to look for... if anyone in Saskatchewan has a used one to sell me, I'm down to buy it. Anyway, I need suggestions. I'd like to say I have a thousand bucks to spend, but if that was true I'd have walked to Long & McQuade (Oh yeah, I was there earlier today. Nothing good used.) and picked up a Marshall stack. I have about $400 to spend, at the very most.
I had looked at a few inexpensive amps, but they sounded like crap, so I didn't buy them.

I've googled a lot and haven't been able to find a straight up answer as to how much speaker size and/or power I'll need to play small shows, can someone help me with that?

Also, please don't just say *condescending tone* "Well, you see, sonny, most venues and such will have a thing called a P.A. system. Now, that's said pee-yay. Now, that mea..." etc. As stated, I'll be playing basements and such.

From reading all I could, I've figured I probably want a combo, not a head/cab (although I'd love one).

So, summary;
Good low end
good volume
inexpensive
combo


I know, I know- I'm asking a lot, right?
Good. I want to learn a lot. I started bass ten months ago, I'm 15 and learning. I want to learn more. Please, if possible, don't condescend to me. It makes me want to quit bass, I don't want to be lumped into the "all-knowing-conceited-old-guys" category-- which it seems a lot of guys are.

Final question... does a Marshall MB60 sound like it'd work for me? I saw a used one for $249... but I know nothing about them, and nobody's said "Yes, that will be big enough." or "No, that won't be big enough." all the salespeople say is "Yeah, well OH MY GOODNESS, LOOK AT THIS STACK. YOU SHOULD BUY IT, USE OUR FINANCING PLAN, GO INTO DEBT, IT'S SO WORTH IT" etc. etc. haha

If anyone actually takes the time to answer me, I'll be so very greatful- thank you in advance.

-Austen

[JoeyZ]

If you can find a used GK Backline 600, and pair it with a used Hartke 410.. You'd be just in under your limit.
generally the BL600 can be found used for around 200 and I've seen hartke 410's for as low as $125..

Just gotta keep an eye out, and jump on things when the pop up. As far as Combo's go, I've seen a lot of bands using Fender Rumble100, I use the guitar player in my bands Hartke combo for shows since my half-stack is at my other bands practice spot..

[coreyfyfe]

Originally Posted by tazthewonderdog

From reading all I could, I've figured I probably want a combo, not a head/cab (although I'd love one).

Only if you want to severely limit your options. Your budget is small, but you could probably find something in the way of a cheap amp and a halfway decent 1x15, 2x12, 2x10 or maybe even a 4x10 cab. That would be your best bet, IMO. Gives you much more ability to expand in the future.

[robbotbass]

Hartke HyDrive 112C Combo Amplifier | Sam Ash Music 1-800-4-SAMASH

my fist suggestion I know it's a little more then 400 but you might find a used one about 4 bills. If not try

Hartke Kickback 12 | Sam Ash Music 1-800-4-SAMASH

[soulman969]

Look at the GK series of combos. The MB115, MB112, are both in your price range and sport an honest 200w which is enough for the smaller venues you're talking about. I own a MB112 and it's worked just fine that way and I couldn't be happier with it's sound and features. It cost me a little less than $300 brand new and the MB115 can be had for just a little over $300. One of the best buys for the dollar in the small combo market.

[gregoire1]

I'll second the GK bl600. I bought mine used for $130 (including shipping). Then just find a cab.

[Turock]

Find an Ampeg B100R.

[GuyMcee]

The amp I have from Roland isn't so bad, and it was around 250 dollars...
But I have the cube 20XL and I've heard that the normal 30 watt version sucks.

[sad_katz]

Roland Cube 120XL (or used 100W version). GK MB115. (used) Ampeg B100R. Carvin Micro Combos.


Yeah, you're really limiting yourself by choosing combo only. An Acoustic stack like the B200H 1x15 stack can offer the same amount of volume and provides expandability in the future.

Definitely scour the used markets or TB's classifieds for used combos and stacks. I'm a beginning bassist too and shopping for decent amplification almost drove me mad. But then I found a sweet deal on an amp head here on TB and all is good

[Spaldo]

Get a GK MB112

I A/B'ed this against a bunch of other combos. This was the only one that gave me 'the eyebrows'....you can carry it halfway across town to get to a gig (which I did last Friday) and you can turn it up when you need to and it won't 'fart'

That's not me in the pic, BTW. I'm much more unattractive.

(Msg to vin*tone : can't believe you sold this )

[JimmyM]

Now how do you expect us to help you if we can't condescend?

Anyway, nobody can give you a straight answer because it's not that easy. Some of us can get by on the smallest of rigs, some of us need something pretty serious with a lot of wattage and a big cab. Generally, though, a pretty safe bet is 300w and a 410. Not too big, not too small, should handle all but the loudest of gigs, and widely available used. If you're a little bit patient and look for deals, you could put together a rig like that for $400. You could also go the combo route, but there aren't many 410 combos. Still, for some, a 210 or a 115 is plenty for a medium gig. So it all depends on your situation and how loud you want to be.

[SpecialBlender]

I see your in Canada eh.

Look around for a used Yorkville XS400TC combo. I bought mine used for $350.00. 250 watts into 8 ohms (the 2 - 10's built in) or 400 watts @ 4 ohms with extension cab, tube pre that you can blend with your input gain, 5 band eq with sweepable mid, scoop adjustment, built in DI with pre/post switching.

Its not very light @ 80 lbs but with a set of wheels who cares.

Very versatile amp and Yorkville builds all their amps like tanks.

[tazthewonderdog]

Thank you all for the responses-
Blender, I hate the sound of Yorkville. I know they have a good low end and are loud, but the ones I've played have had no tone definition t all.

[krstko]

Ampeg combos; BA115 or BH115 should be more than enaugh

[JASON221]

All the way Thank you

[RC52]

Ampeg B100R !

[hufe]

Some have mentioned the Gallien Krueger Backline 600 and I agree. It's a great value, good enough for live playing and durable. I've seen they usually go for less than 175 used on ebay and then you can find a cab to go with it.

[BassmanPaul]

OP in your position, but without the angst in your post, I would look at the www/Carvin.com website. Their equipment is new mostly. You pay a bit extra in shipping but you don't get hit by import duties as Carvin handles those from their end. Most of the stuff I use came from them including a BX1500, a DCM1000L power amp, three six string basses and much more. You could well find something there you'd like.

[BulbousMoses]

Used Ampeg Micro VR and SVT210AV. Out of curiousity, what kind of bass are you using and what kind of music will you be playing?

[tazthewonderdog]

Moses, I'll have three basses to play through it.
A Barracuda brand P-bass copy, which is about as good as a Squier. That would stay in standard tuning, or maybe drop-d on special occasions. An Ibanez GSR200, which is CGCF, and (my baby) a Schecter Riot-5 neck-through with EMGs, tuned A-E-A-D-G. I will be playing pop-punk with the P-copy, and likely metal/hardcore/death metal with The Schecter. The Ibanez will be used to fill both rolls, seeing as it plays and sounds amazing in standard and dropped tunings. It's a nice bass to just jump around with and stuff.

Paul, the "angst" in my post is because I hate forums, whenever I ask for info I get a million replies, all stating different things, and I'm an easily-stressed guy. Also, I'm in Canada, so "a bit extra in shipping" is magnified by border crossing.

Would a 2x10 cab work for me? That's what I've been looking at, and then getting a used head online.
Nobody has answered my most important question though-- what size of speaker and amp do I need for pup gigs? 2x10? 1x15? 8x10? It's impossible to get answers online. :/

Thank you all for your suggestions, but either I can't find used ones nearby, or they're out of my price range, or I've read too many negative reviews on them (Yorkvilles).

If I can get the answer I need from this forum, I'm going to trip so hard.