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$1000 for a larger (used) rig - recommendations?

S

sealord

Jul 9, 2009
4
0
#1
First... Hi!

Looking for a rig for our new guitar player turned bass player for a new project.

The band is sabbathy/stoner sort of metal... more vintage type sounds, tuned down a few steps.

Looking for as much of a tube rig as possible (I realize we're probably talking just a tube pre amp at these prices) and preferrably a 2x15.

Totally into used and more bang for the buck.

So far what I've noticed as possibles are the SVT3 Pro and the Mesa Walkabout and an old V4B as head contenders, and maybe a Mesa 2x15?

It needs to be able to keep up with some fairly cranked Marshalls.

Needs to be around $1000 total.

Any thoughts?
 
#2
Mesa 2x15 sounds like a great cab if there is a cheap one available to you.

Head... Ashdown MAG 600, Kustom Groove Bass 1200 ($600ish) should be plenty of power and good quality on the cheap. Traynor YBA 200 if you don't mind a little grit ($400-600 used) at volume.

I am not a big fan of the SVT-3, though it's a perfectly good head. Just think there are better values out there.
 
#4
Here's what I got.

Power amp, preamp and rack: $500 (You can get a Sansamp RBI/RPM for $200, poweramp and rack for $300)

Ampeg SVT810e $550.

$1050 total, but you can get stuff cheaper than that. My rig is WAY too loud, but I still get grit thanks to my sansamp.
 
#5
sealord said:
First... Hi!

Looking for a rig for our new guitar player turned bass player for a new project.

The band is sabbathy/stoner sort of metal... more vintage type sounds, tuned down a few steps.

Looking for as much of a tube rig as possible (I realize we're probably talking just a tube pre amp at these prices) and preferrably a 2x15.

Totally into used and more bang for the buck.

So far what I've noticed as possibles are the SVT3 Pro and the Mesa Walkabout and an old V4B as head contenders, and maybe a Mesa 2x15?

It needs to be able to keep up with some fairly cranked Marshalls.

Needs to be around $1000 total.

Any thoughts?
Click to expand...

+1 on the Mesa 2x15, IMVHO, one of the best sounding 2x15 cabs out there, especially the Diesel.

The V4B is a great head, but in my experience, considering you'll need to keep up with "some fairly cranked Marshalls", I think you'll be a bit disappointed in how early the amp breaks up. I loved playing mine in a little blues trio I had going at the time, but I could never get enough clean headroom when playing in my rock cover band (drummer, singer, 2 cranked guitar half stacks), and that was using the Mesa 2x15.

I think the SVT-3Pro is also a very capable unit, but again, I think you may find headroom to be an issue there as well.

I've never had the opportunity to check out the Carvin B1500 or the 1200, but buying the cab used, you'd probably be real close to your $1000 mark, and these heads get a lot of love around talkbass for being great bang for the buck.

Hope this helps. :cool:
 
#6
I agree, the Mesa Deisel 215's are fantastic cabs, and you can find them used in good shape for around $400. That leaves 600 for a head, and that shouldn't be a problem, either. But, for the grind, I would suggest looking for that in a stompbox, rather than trying to find an amp that'll make you happy with that built in. Much easier to just find an amp with decent power, and shape the tone externally.
 
#8
I just bought a Carvin BX1200. It has a Drive control (which is more than just a Pre Gain). It does a great job of giving a good growling sound (ala GK) for a solid state.

And it has gobs of power (1200 watts) bridged and is very versatile. If you want some tube sound you could use a VT pedal with it.

Only $549 new.

Link Removed

You can read more about it in my thread here...

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=558055

That would leave you some cash for a good 215 cab to go with it.
 
#9
I have a Peavy Pro500 and it does the job fine, i just saw one on e-bay for $300. It;s not bi-ampable but does the job. Canbinets abound there too. I saw a couple 2-15's for around 3 to 500 bucks but all the shipping runs it up.
 
#10
While I whole-heartedly agree on the Mesa 215... if you seek diligently you can find whatcha need for much less than $1K

Prime Example: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Just scour the local CL ads and try BEFORE you buy.
If you see something you think you like, read up on it here & @ Harmony Central so ya know if ya gotta be aware of any issues.

HTH

Oh and fwiw.. it took me many months, but I got my Mesa 215RR for $200 just by being patient
 

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