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300 watts loud enough for band?

#62
wow why do so much bass players hate Marshall? I was also considering the fender bassman that has about the same watts, but what I liked about the marshall was the 2 channels, the "classic" one (or tube one) being really neat. But if most of you think fender is the way to go, then...I might consider that.
 
#63
$700 to work with?

Used GK Backline 600 and an Avatar 410. Done. This will blow the face off that Marshall POS and outlast it by a lifetime. Expandable if you need more, salable if you change your mind. Not to mention lighter.

You are going to buy the Marshall, aren't you?
 
#64
williamk said:
wow why do so much bass players hate Marshall? I was also considering the fender bassman that has about the same watts, but what I liked about the marshall was the 2 channels, the "classic" one (or tube one) being really neat. But if most of you think fender is the way to go, then...I might consider that.
Click to expand...

No hate here. No experience either but a bassist buddy of mine whose opinion I trust said those 450's sound great. I'm not too into hybrids, but he said they get a pretty swell tube-y tone. I'd like to try one myself based on that, FWIW.
 
#65
williamk said:
wow why do so much bass players hate Marshall? I was also considering the fender bassman that has about the same watts, but what I liked about the marshall was the 2 channels, the "classic" one (or tube one) being really neat. But if most of you think fender is the way to go, then...I might consider that.
Click to expand...

It's not hate. For $700, you really have to make the most of your money so far as reliabilty, versatility, ability to get the job done, and resale value. There is equipment out there that is proven. That combo isn't the one, IMHO.
 
#68
williamk said:
wow why do so much bass players hate Marshall? I was also considering the fender bassman that has about the same watts, but what I liked about the marshall was the 2 channels, the "classic" one (or tube one) being really neat. But if most of you think fender is the way to go, then...I might consider that.
Click to expand...



Because, as you've been told - although Marshall is fantastic for guitar, they're pretty mediocre for bass... I gigged for 15 years as a working guitarist before playing bass - and have owned plenty of Marshall guitar amps, so it's not like I'm biased against the company... IME, there are far better bass amps than Marshalls - plain and simple...



- georgestrings
 
#69
sleepytime said:
$700 to work with?

Used GK Backline 600 and an Avatar 410. Done. This will blow the face off that Marshall POS and outlast it by a lifetime. Expandable if you need more, salable if you change your mind. Not to mention lighter.

You are going to buy the Marshall, aren't you?
Click to expand...


Too bad the other genius in this thread didn't pick up on this vibe, instead of taking a shot at me...



- georgestrings
 
#70
if so many of you think marshall is a bad idea, I don't think I'm going to buy it, but here again, the facts are:
-I don't want to buy used because I have a 200$ rebate at my local music store
-In the NEW stuff, I can basically just afford a combo.
-I tried different combos, the Marshall had a sweet distortion channel that none other had.

That's it. I never said my mind was set. If everyone tells me Marshall is going to be a piece of crap and that it's not going to last long, I won't get it. But my other options are another combo, or maybe really cheap head+ cab, but probably cheap in sound too.
 
#71
When you ask for advice on the internet you're going to get a bunch of people arguing over whats the best. Remember - opinions are like #ssholes, everyone's got one. :)

Here's what I would do. Go down to the shop and spend some time playing through it. Turn it up loud if you can. If you like it - buy it. Its not like Marshall is a bad company and is going out of business soon so you should be able to sell it if it turns out not to be the right thing.
 
#72
jro said:
When you ask for advice on the internet you're going to get a bunch of people arguing over whats the best. Remember - opinions are like #ssholes, everyone's got one. :)

Yeah I know, and the best part is I never actually asked "which amp would be better than this marshall I'm planning to buy?" or "can everyone suggest me your favorite amp model?". I just asked if 300 watts was loud enough to play with a band.
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#73
The only problem I see is that you have not cranked it up to practice or gig volume yet.

It may sound good at the volume you tested it at, but you may find that the speakers they use run out of gas quickly.

You are going to be asking alot of that combo, so you need to know if it can deliver - BEFORE YOU BUY
 
#75
The Watts are not as important as what you do with them. The G-K BL600 is well rated at 300 watts and into a good 410, 212 or 215 cab or 2 410's two 212's a 410 and 115, 410 and 212, 210 and 410 or a 810 will carry you just fine. Some amps are rated more in "continuous" or "peak" power, those at 300 watts will struggle to keep up. JIMHO the BL600 is the best value on the market and it has a distortion channel you seem to like having?
 
#76
will,
300 watts will do the job... " if "... you give that 300 watts enough speakers to work through.
For many years, (22), I used a G.K. 800 head, (300 watts into 4 ohms), into a 4 ohm Ampeg SVT 8-10 cabinet.
Having enough volume for 99.99999% of the jobs we played was never a problem!
I'd suggest a used G.K. 800, 700, or 1001 head into a used 4 ohm 810 or depending on your tonal tastes a 4 ohm 2-15 cab.
Either of those cabs with the head matched with the right impendence will be "VERY" loud and full.
I'm still gigging that same G.K. 800, and 300 watts has been plenty.
I just match the cabs I need for the gig and if needed also run a line to the mixer.
 
#77
williamk said:
wow why do so much bass players hate Marshall? I was also considering the fender bassman that has about the same watts, but what I liked about the marshall was the 2 channels, the "classic" one (or tube one) being really neat. But if most of you think fender is the way to go, then...I might consider that.
Click to expand...

Because many of us had horrible experiences with the amps they built in the 80's that were advertised as serious pro bass amps. The 450 watt unit I had was underpowered and had horrible tone.

No stores in my area (GC included) carry them so it's impossible to try new ones.

If it sounds good to you; buy it.
Keep in mind that you asked for advice, and out of this very large community, these products are not highly regarded; doubt that it's just do to distribution.
 
#80
Just want to repeat, the 300 watts is not the issue, it's the 210 speakers in the smallish box that are the problem with your plan. Get the combo, but be prepared to also get an ext cab to go under it. Having enough speaker is more important by itself, than any other factor. I'm sure that Marshall combo will make you happy, so long as you don't expect it's internal 210 to carry the whole load.
 

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