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$300 head

tubatodd

tubatodd

Oct 31, 2004
2,456
4,424
Birmingham, AL
#1
There are quite a few good bass amp heads for around $300. I'm looking for one to pair with my Hartke 210XL (200W@8 ohms). I believe I have it narrowed down between the Carvin BX250 and the TC Electronic BH250. I still haven't tried th BX250 yet, but the specs are perfect and I've like what I've heard. What say ye TB nation??


EDIT:

I guess I need to clarify my original post. I am looking for something class D and light weight. I'd like for it to slip into my bass gigbag. I only need it to drive my single 210XL cabinet. If Hartke made a lightweight small form-factor head, I'd likely get it. The GKMB200 has been on my list, but it is 200W at 4 ohms. So at 8ohms (which my cabinet is) it would only run at 125W. That would be basically the exact same as my kickback combo head. The Carvin BX250 runs at 200W @ 8hms, which seems perfect. I couldn't find the 8ohm spec on the BH250.
 
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#8
.. might want to be a bit careful what you are crankin into a 210XL, I realize it is rated at 200 watts, but I have used these pretty extensively and even with 'conservative' EQ'ing, I like about 50 watts (60-70 watts max) into each driver ... many of the used $300 heads recommended above will have the potential to eat this cab up if you are not very careful, and there are no replacement drivers available other than on the used market ...

GK 400RB and MB200 were my choices to run with these cabs (or top amp of 800RB), and both are pretty bullet proof and available used @ just a bit over half of what you are looking to spend, and if you dont like it you will immediately get your money back out of it via resale ... just buy wise, like from someone on here with plenty of good feedback and track record of being a straight shooter and you shouldn't need to be worried about warranty either ... JMHO
 
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#10
Deepwoods said:
Buy used! Mb500, lmii, bx500, 700rb, pf500...Bang for the $. TB classifieds is your friend!
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tubatodd said:
My only problem with used is no warranty and no ability to return it if I don't like it.
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I have gotten 4 heads, 5 cabs and one bass among other things sight unseen from TB.. two other bases I got from here were local so I was able to play them first. TB is a good place to buy from. If that is not something you are comfortable with then I would go with a Carvin.
 
#12
tubatodd said:
There are quite a few good bass amp heads for around $300. I'm looking for one to pair with my Hartke 210XL (200W@8 ohms). I believe I have it narrowed down between the Carvin BX250 and the TC Electronic BH250. I still haven't tried th BX250 yet, but the specs are perfect and I've like what I've heard. What say ye TB nation??
Click to expand...

tubatodd said:
My only problem with used is no warranty and no ability to return it if I don't like it.
Click to expand...

Yeah but you'd get much more bang for the buck if you bought used from a reliable seller.

Anyway, both the BX and BH amps seem to be liked about the same and since you're buying without test driving first... just flip a coin and order either one first and if you don't like it, return it and order the other one.

PS: I'd get a GK MB200.
 
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#16
tubatodd said:
My only problem with used is no warranty and no ability to return it if I don't like it.
Click to expand...
Honestly, Talkbass is by far the best "all bass" music store in the world. BAR NONE! Sellers and buyers here all have feedback. Buy used from someone reliable, and not only will you save a ton of money, but will have a very easy time selling it if it's not your thing. The depreciation is already figured in the price. Every, and I do mean EVERY piece of gear I currently own, (way too much to list) was purchased used, here on TB. I've also sold a ton that I either no longer used, or wasn't thrilled with after I bought it. Buy right, sell right, win/win!
 
#17
I love the BX500. One nice thing is if the tube fries, you can push a button and run "tubeless". The Pre-amp is amazing with ton's of versatility. However I use my Hartke LH1000 exclusively and keep the BX500 as a backup.
 
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#20
I guess I need to clarify my original post. I am looking for something class D and light weight. I'd like for it to slip into my bass gigbag. I only need it to drive my single 210XL cabinet. If Hartke made a lightweight small form-factor head, I'd likely get it. The GKMB200 has been on my list, but it is 200W at 4 ohms. So at 8ohms (which my cabinet is) it would only run at 125W. That would be basically the exact same as my kickback combo head. The Carvin BX250 runs at 200W @ 8hms, which seems perfect. I couldn't find the 8ohm spec on the BH250.
 

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