Amp options <$400

[jthuma94]

I have been playing upright bass for a little over a year with a bluegrass/folk/acoustic rock band and am tired of running through the PA. It just isn't cutting it with a 5 piece band.

I am looking for an affordable ($400 or less) setup... I have a Mavis and a King, both plywood, with a K&K pickup. I play slap bass for the most part.

I have been looking at the Ampeg BA115 and Behringer BXL3000 but am open to other setups (SWR, GK).

Suggestions?

Also with these setups should I run a preamp?

[stingray56funk]

In your price range I'd look at an SWR Workinman's 12 or 15" combo. I'd probably stick with the 12" combo as it would be better suited for the DB. Also...you can use the combo easily if you are doing to double. There is a good EQ on the unit...easy to carry...and put out 120 watts. You can pick them up used for a really good price.

[MR PC]

Originally Posted by jthuma94

Also with these setups should I run a preamp?

Absolutely ,if you are going to use a piezo pu. A pre amp with a least a 1 megohm input impedance will help to match your pu to the input of the amp, resulting in better feel and tone. Most of the amps you mentioned are designed with electric bass magnetic pickups in mind. Some of those GK backline series work really well for upright.

Although I have no experience with it, another poster here (fdeck) sells a preamp for about $40 that has been getting very favorable reviews from players. His website has a whole bunch of good advice on selecting an amp too! (Though I love my current setup, I wish I had seen his webpage before purchasing a few things) Another preamp/pedal that's looking good (and affordable) is the Boss LS-2 Line Selector.

[Johnny Atomic]

a used GK 800rb will run about $350, and used 400rb about $200~$250. I think both sound good for rockabilly slap bass in a band.

Johnny

[bribass]

http://www.traynoramps.com/products....&cat=61&id=369

[jthuma94]

Thanks for the responses! I should have clarified that I do not have speakers so I need a combo or head and speaker in the above mentioned price range. Also we play a lot of smaller venues so I need something more than a practice/monitor sized combo amp. Thanks again!

[bribass]

Originally Posted by jthuma94

Thanks for the responses! I should have clarified that I do not have speakers so I need a combo or head and speaker in the above mentioned price range. Also we play a lot of smaller venues so I need something more than a practice/monitor sized combo amp. Thanks again!

http://www.traynoramps.com/products....&cat=64&id=370

A larger one , 100 watts w/ a 15" speaker. Lots of tone for the $ about $400.

They have a Traynor line of bass amps now that look like a good value as well.
Search on their site under Products.
They make bass combos in several speaker configs and wattages.

Yorkeville makes good quality rugged stuff for very reasonable $ and a great two year warranty. I have an older version of their 50 watt (WAY more than a practice amp -BTW) that I've used professionally w/ double bass for 9 years w/o any breakdown. I've used the 100 watt one above on gigs on the road several times and always got some great tone from them. A student of mine loves his for bass guitar as well.

I own one of their smaller PA systems that I like equally as much.

SWR makes some nice combos as well,but IMHO the Yorkville stuff sounds better.

BG

[kid w]

I have been using an Eden 1x10 combo for the last 5 years or so. I found it on ebay for somewhere in the $400 range. Mine is called the Time Traveller, model is WT330. Eden seems to change and update models about every 5 minutes. I think they now call it the cxc110, although I'd check with the company to see if it's the same animal. I use a Kay bass with Clef guts and a Rev II solo transducer pickup with no preamp. I play mainly bluegrass so volume is not usually an issue. It's the best sounding amp I've ever heard for upright. Weighs about 40 lbs. and is loud enough to compete with drums and electric guitar if need be. Sounds great with electric, as well

[bassist1962]

I have used the BA115, and it works well. Although I think a 12" speaker is better suited for upright, I would look at the BA112, but it's only 50 watts, unless that is enough for your needs.

[bassbuddy]

You know what I'd do? Keep an eye on the EB sale board and pick up a used Yamaha BBT110 speaker cab. Small, but it really puts out and sounds great with URB, and generally sell for about $150. Then pick up a used GK head - maybe an RB400, or even a used Backline 300. I used to tun the guitar floor at GC, and every single slap player who came through and tried all the amps ended up leaving with a GK rig.