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$1400 to spend on a loud rock rig

Aug 14, 2008
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ghostjs
Disclosures
Unofficially Endorsing: D'Addario, Lakland
so my guitarist acquired a Line 6 Full Stack recently and my band intends on booking many shows locally very soon and i'm going to be in the market for a new amp in late november.
so far i basically settled in hopes to buy an 810 with a loud enough head to power it. (will i need any special equiptment to power it though?)
so my budget is around $1400 and not a penny more.

so what is a good combination? i was thinking about the Peavey VB-810 and a GK 700rb 2, but im still open to many suggestions

note: i play hard rock, punk and funk.
but i mainly play hard hitting loud rock.
 
get a used SVT setup, friend.

almost any local craigslist will have a SVT 8x10 for $500 or less,
and there's a SVT CL buy it now on ebay right now for $860 shipped.
boom. there ya go.

it's the sound of classic rock, and the resale value will hold as well as anything.
I don't know about the GK head, but good luck selling a Peavey fridge ever.
 
Get 2, 4-10's or 1, 4-10 + 1,2-12

They will be easier to lug around and won't scare the smaller clubs.

His guitarist has a full stack, scaring of clubs is already occurring...

Many find a single large cab easier to move, as you never have to pick it up. Tilt in and out of carrying vehicle, wheel around in between.

Spend the money on cab first, then spend what's left on a head. Be happy with your cab. Many things will suffice as a head if you have what you need in a cab. Anything from a LM2 to a LH1000 or a Carvin bargain. I personally love the 700RBII sound in a rock mix so no issue there. I recommend you go try some big cabs and see what you like.

As is obligitory on talkbass, try and find out if anyone near you has a Fearful 151566... You will not get owned by any guitarist with that.
 
Personally I would do two 4x10 cabs or a 4x10 and 1x15. More flexibility. For smaller gigs you could easily get by with just the one cab then add the second when needed. Not to mention easier to transport! If you want new check out Carvin.

This would be a nice set up and under your budget:

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get a used SVT setup, friend.

almost any local craigslist will have a SVT 8x10 for $500 or less,
and there's a SVT CL buy it now on ebay right now for $860 shipped.
boom. there ya go.

it's the sound of classic rock, and the resale value will hold as well as anything.
I don't know about the GK head, but good luck selling a Peavey fridge ever.

+1
 
thanks for the replies guys! i was deeply interested in the peavey mainly for the tone, durability and also it being lighter than a lot of 810s (111lbs)
i would like to try out that carvin though...
 
Many find a single large cab easier to move, as you never have to pick it up. Tilt in and out of carrying vehicle, wheel around in between.

Then you get to the stage at the Webster in Hartford. It's 5' high with no ramp and the steepest stairs you've ever been on...

I totally see your point, I'm just playing devils advocate. My next cab will more than likely be a 6X10...so I'm not really one to talk.

I will say that moving smaller cabs is much easier on me than moving large cabs. I'm a pretty strong guy, it's just the hassle of cramming them into a car, trying to fit through doorways without smashing fingers, and then lifting them by yourself when nobody is around to help. Pressing an awkward 100 lbs over your head is pretty hard (aforementioned Webster Theater) even for somebody that lifts all the time.
 
Then you get to the stage at the Webster in Hartford. It's 5' high with no ramp and the steepest stairs you've ever been on...

I totally see your point, I'm just playing devils advocate. My next cab will more than likely be a 6X10...so I'm not really one to talk.

I will say that moving smaller cabs is much easier on me than moving large cabs. I'm a pretty strong guy, it's just the hassle of cramming them into a car, trying to fit through doorways without smashing fingers, and then lifting them by yourself when nobody is around to help. Pressing an awkward 100 lbs over your head is pretty hard (aforementioned Webster Theater) even for somebody that lifts all the time.

At that point you need help whether it is a 410HLF or an 810... A 60-70 pound 410 is one thing, up over that 80ish pound range and it gets real awkward for me at least. I don't have long arms, which is part of it.
 
Then you get to the stage at the Webster in Hartford. It's 5' high with no ramp and the steepest stairs you've ever been on...

I totally see your point, I'm just playing devils advocate. My next cab will more than likely be a 6X10...so I'm not really one to talk.

I will say that moving smaller cabs is much easier on me than moving large cabs. I'm a pretty strong guy, it's just the hassle of cramming them into a car, trying to fit through doorways without smashing fingers, and then lifting them by yourself when nobody is around to help. Pressing an awkward 100 lbs over your head is pretty hard (aforementioned Webster Theater) even for somebody that lifts all the time.

Haha yeah the underground's stage at webster is a pain. I would have hated to have to lug an 8x10 up there.
 
I mean, are you physically able? I feel like this argument of larger cab vs smaller cab comes down to older rocker vs younger or more physically able rocker vs not physically able(no disrespect to the older dudes! Ill get there myself! Its just a fact though!)

Do you want the best tone you can have? Or do you want to "save space" and "energy"? I think if you can move it, its MORE than worth it to 'lug' around an 810. Which I actually find easier to move around then my old ampeg 410! With the 410, once kicked back on its wheels, you have the bend down and its just awkward to wheel all bent over. The 810 feels more natural to move around without bending down all weird.

Get the 810 =)
 
thanks for the replies guys! i was deeply interested in the peavey mainly for the tone, durability and also it being lighter than a lot of 810s (111lbs)
i would like to try out that carvin though...

I know I'm repeating myself, but if you're on a budget,
don't buy a new Peavey 8x10".
A used Ampeg 8x10" will be cheaper, just as good (probably better),
and you can sell it later for what you've paid.
the Peavey is just not much of an investment.

if you're open to cabs that aren't 8x10"s, there are more options.
Ampeg 4x10"s or 1 Mesa Diesel 2x15" or 2 Mesa Diesel 1x15"s will hang with any guitar stack
if you have enough amp and will easily fit your budget.
if you want to hear what those Mesas sound like,
go check out the new Orange 1x15"s.
same design, sound almost exactly the same.
gotta be a Diesel, though, the newer stuff is not the same.
 
Good call on the GK head (700RB-II if you like to get that grind/snarl from running the amp closer to the rails, 1001RB-II if you like gobs of clean headroom). I might also throw a Hartke LH1000 into the mix. Similarly, the 2x410 or 2x12 advice is sound, IMHO, but 8x10's or 4x12's can be fun, too, if moving them is not an issue. Peavey or GK are both great cab choices in that price range, but of course, used gear can really give you the most bang for the buck.