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Combo Bass Amp options ($300-450)

NaH

NaH

Supporting Member
Mar 14, 2010
2,216
4,275
#1
Hope this is the right place to post this. I'm looking to get a Combo Bass Amp in the $300-450 range so I can leave it at church. We have about 60-100 any given Sunday, so I figured I'd do fine with 100-200 watts, especially if I get one with line out.

I was originally going to get a Peavey Tour TKO, but now they are delayed until Mid-May. I also heard that its not really 400w, more like 150w when rating w/RMS.

From what I see, in this price range is:

Trace Elliot 715 (pre-2009, now discontinued)
Galien-Krueger MB115

Both are 200w. I can get either for $400.

Looking for opinions on the brands (or other suggestions). No, I can't justify the $1000+ rigs right now, though I like to drool on them. Leaning towards the Trace Elliot at this point.
 
#4
The Trace is killer! I have it, and it is awesome! A little heavy is the ONLY complaint. Just played a small "retirement party" gig at work, and the tone was awesome! It's a full 200 watts as well. No extension possible or needed. Speaker is 4 ohms. Good luck.

NaH said:
Hope this is the right place to post this. I'm looking to get a Combo Bass Amp in the $300-450 range so I can leave it at church. We have about 60-100 any given Sunday, so I figured I'd do fine with 100-200 watts, especially if I get one with line out.

I was originally going to get a Peavey Tour TKO, but now they are delayed until Mid-May. I also heard that its not really 400w, more like 150w when rating w/RMS.

From what I see, in this price range is:

Trace Elliot 715 (pre-2009, now discontinued)
Galien-Krueger MB115

Both are 200w. I can get either for $400.

Looking for opinions on the brands (or other suggestions). No, I can't justify the $1000+ rigs right now, though I like to drool on them. Leaning towards the Trace Elliot at this point.
Click to expand...
 
#7
My thought is a used SWR Workingmans 12. I played one for a long time in our church which seats 300. XLR out, easy to read dashboard, all you need.

None right now on ebay; check the TB Amps For Sale forum. They're around.
 
#9
So many good options these days. Any of your choices are good options. Each has its benefits(GK modern tone and light weight, Peavey incredible durability but heavy, Trace-traditional trace tone). You really need to check them out to find what you like. You may find something you prefer to any of them. The truth is that modern amps have so many more options and are much more dependible than they used to be. You may have too many good choices, but there are worse problems.
 
#11
I have a Hartke Kickback 12 than I have been using in church for years. It says 120 watts on the front panel, not sure if that is RMS or not.

Has a good active EQ (cut/boost) and and XLR out to go to the board if you want.
 
#14
NAH, I agree with the folks who say to buy used. But we may need to know what ideas you have about tone. 2 good choices at the opposite end of the tone spectrum: SWR Working Man's combo's - very modern tone (scooped mids) and the Ampeg B200R combo - very old school warm tubey sound. Both are well within your budget used.
 
#16
MODELL said:
NAH, I agree with the folks who say to buy used. But we may need to know what ideas you have about tone. 2 good choices at the opposite end of the tone spectrum: SWR Working Man's combo's - very modern tone (scooped mids) and the Ampeg B200R combo - very old school warm tubey sound. Both are well within your budget used.
Click to expand...

I'd probably say I prefer a warmer, rounder tone, not too much punch or attack. My current practice amp is a Peavey Max 112 is set for Vintage. I pretty new, so I don't have a lot to compare it with. I have played Roland and Line 6 at the music store, but thats about it. The one Behringer I've played doesn't count - I wouldn't buy that. :scowl:

I've always thought that buying used amps was not a good idea (don't know how much the speaker, etc. has been abused). Things I should watch out for when buying used? :help:

Thanks for everyone's help.
 
#17
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#18
Another vote for used. I bought a Fender Bassman 400 2-10 yesterday for $400. It's in perfect condition, only missing the rack panel under the electronics (I had one on hand, so that's replaced).

It has 350 watts, two 10s and a horn, but weighs 80 lb. I bought it so I wouldn't have to constantly haul my Mesa/Boogie to a friend's house when we play: it'll stay there, so the weight's not really a problem.
 
#19
Stay away from the Acoustic 1x15 combo, at least for now. MF has loads of them in broken condition for sale; it appears the amps die.

And older BXR 200/300 would also fill your needs nicely, though by now they might do well with a filter capacitor replacement (just did that on my 200).
 
#20
Finally got a chance to try the Peavey Tour TKO (higher powered than the TNT). The sound was a bit modern for me and when it is setup as a kickback, reaching the controls is a joke. Weight was also a factor. I had an Ampeg BA200 briefly, but had to return due to power issues (damage in shipping). I did like that tone, but ultimately decided to spend more money and bought a used Markbass Little Mark III head and Markbass Traveller 102P cab. I'm very happy with it.
 

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