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1st Post, need quick advice

B

Bigben55

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Apr 16, 2015
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#1
Hi all, first post here. I've played guitar for 27 years, and just recently acquired my first bass. Its a cheapo, a Squier Affinity P-bass, cost me $65 used. While I cant foresee bass becoming my #1 instrument, I WANT to learn it, get proficient enough to play blues/rock/country bass.

Anyhow, I need a bass amp, a cheap Craigslist special bass amp. Have researched extensively, and it seems for under $150, an older Peavey is most probably what I'm looking at. A bass player friend of mine told me get as many watts as you can, but 100 watts thru a 15" or 2x10" should be the absolute lowest you go for playing with a band, and even thats questionable volume wise. So I found 2 amps, both Peaveys, one a TNT115S from @1995(150 watts, Sheffield 15" speaker) and a Combo 300 from @1985-89(300 watts, Black Widow speaker). So, which one to buy and why? I'll be buying one of them tonight.

I appreciate the whole "save up for a good amp" argument. I play my 3 G&L guitars thru a Dr Z. I totally get that. But here, right now, cheap but usable is what I want. If I take a serious liking to bass, I'll buy a G&L and an Ampeg, I promise:-) Thanks!
 
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#4
Ummm used both extensively in the 80's. I bought a Flight Case with wheels for the Combo and did large shows with it. Propped it up on top of the flight case behind me and never needed to be in the mix. It was that loud. The Black Widow is the Diesel Mack Truck of the Peavey side. For its day the Combo was quite a beast itself. If taken care of, those old American made Peaveys don't have an expiration date! I have half a dozen Peaveys in my shop and my original mini-combo the Minx from 1986.

Yup, get the Combo. But better get a dolly or a flight case!

If by chance the Combo is sold, you will not be going wrong with the TNT. That would be my second choice. But both good choices!
 
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#8
iualum said:
No, the Widow is a worse driver. It's really poor. That's why I recommended it. Sheesh :rollno: . Next time just throw darts.
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I'm sorry if I didn't put enough "1st post, I don't know jack about bass and bass gear" disclaimers up front. I was just relating it to guitar gear, where I know some speakers may be better than others but not markedly better based on the sound one is looking for. I don't have "bass tone trained ears" yet, ain't looking for a particular "sound" but know bad bass tone when I hear it. Thats about all I know right now. So, I will take that as a yes, the BW is way better than the Sheffield for bass in general. Thanks
 
#9
iualum said:
Both pretty decent. Go for the one with the Widow.

G&L, A.O.K.

For my bucks, I'll pass on Peggys :D.
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Bigben55 said:
I'm sorry if I didn't put enough "1st post, I don't know jack about bass and bass gear" disclaimers up front. I was just relating it to guitar gear, where I know some speakers may be better than others but not markedly better based on the sound one is looking for. I don't have "bass tone trained ears" yet, ain't looking for a particular "sound" but know bad bass tone when I hear it. Thats about all I know right now. So, I will take that as a yes, the BW is way better than the Sheffield for bass in general. Thanks
Click to expand...

No, I clearly said the Sheffield is nice, too, but the BW is better.
 
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#11
Peavey combos of that era are workingman musician specials.
Not the greatest but good enough for what is needed with plenty of power.
My suggestion would be the 300 and get yourself a used pedal of some sort to get a better sound out of it.
Joyo, Sansamp, Hartke Attack, Zoom, Tone Hammer, etc.
 
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#16
tbirdsp said:
Agreed - get the Combo 300 if you can, but the TNT is fine too. I recently played at an open jam with an ancient TNT 150 - sounded really good.
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OMG you said ancient. Ma, get me ma teeth... and cane.. we're going uptown today.. LOL... :laugh:
I still remember those 80's gigs with my Peavey's like yesterday...
 
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#19
Still got all my teeth for now, sometimes could use a cane though :laugh: I had a Mark IV with a 215 as my main rig in the early 80's.

Even have a pic my brother took from the jam with the TNT 150. It was "Black Widow Equipped". I was impressed with the sound when I did the little solo part on "All Right Now".

MikeJamAkron_zpsl14ggx4u.jpg
 
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