500 bucks to spend - which Combo Amp or Amp & Cab?

[MakoMan]

Pretty much as the title says. I'm ready to upgrade my amp and have about $500-600 to spend.
Right now I am seriously looking at a new Fender Rumble 150 head paired with a Fender Rumber 4x10 cab which will come in at about $550. It's a nice rig, but is there something better out there for the dough?

 

[CL400Peavey]

Go used... get more for your money.

 

[stambroker]

For that budget you could get an infinitely better rig if you looked used. For $500-600 you could snap up absolutely AMAZING half stacks on the TB classifieds or Craigslist.

Keep an eye out for:

-Hartke head + HyDrive cabinet
-GK 700RB (or microhead) + Neo cabinet
-SWR 350x/550x head with comparable cabinet
-Trace Elliot AH250 head with comparable cabinet

IMHO you'd have to be crazy to buy a Rumble rig over any of the above.

 

[MakoMan]

I appreciate the used suggestions. But just a question... How do music stores in your areas stay in business?
I'm feeling like supporting my local store on this purchase as they have been extremely good to me. I know I can probably save money looking used but for this particular purchase I'd like to go new.

 

[CL400Peavey]

I appreciate the used suggestions. But just a question... How do music stores in your areas stay in business?
I'm feeling like supporting my local store on this purchase as they have been extremely good to me. I know I can probably save money looking used but for this particular purchase I'd like to go new.

What kind of music store are you talking about? If its GC, then the real money they make doesnt stay local. If its a mom and pop type place then thats a different story.

 

[MakoMan]

It's mom and pop. They'll match the prices of any big box store. I'm in a small town, they are the only game in town and we're extremely lucky to have them.
I buy lots of used stuff and they are always happy to set it up or repair it for me. I'd feel a bit guilty buying a nice rig and bypassing them, particularly as how they often do the sound setups for anywhere I'll be playing.

 

[countbassiedad]

I always buy new stuff but watch for coupons at the big retailers. You should be able to get 15% or more off easily.

If you do some comparison shopping I'm not sure the rumbles would rank that high in terms of value for $.

I'd buy an American Fender bass but for amps would look at other major brands, some named by others here.

 

[worshiprocker]

For that budget you could get an infinitely better rig if you looked used. For $500-600 you could snap up absolutely AMAZING half stacks on the TB classifieds or Craigslist.

Keep an eye out for:

-Hartke head + HyDrive cabinet
-GK 700RB (or microhead) + Neo cabinet
-SWR 350x/550x head with comparable cabinet
-Trace Elliot AH250 head with comparable cabinet

IMHO you'd have to be crazy to buy a Rumble rig over any of the above.

Great suggestions

I appreciate the used suggestions. But just a question... How do music stores in your areas stay in business?
I'm feeling like supporting my local store on this purchase as they have been extremely good to me. I know I can probably save money looking used but for this particular purchase I'd like to go new.

Well a lot of smaller music stores don;t have the selection which leads a lot of people to guitar center or sam ash or best buy.

If new .. GK has some well priced cabs in the MBE series and there are a lot of heads in the $300 range.... the question is.. "how loud do you need the rig to be?"

and you can always buy used from a music store

 

[RC52]

Ampeg PF500 paired with the PF115HE fliptop cab.

Price is $800 but GC would sell it at 15% off at coupon time, if your store would match that . Still a bit over your budget, but a ridiculous great setup it would be!

 

[stambroker]

Ah, well you're perfectly justified in buying new, Mako! Honestly the most ideal offerings nowadays appear to be the:

-GK MB200/500 head coupled with an MBE cabinet
(Or you could compromise and get a bran new head but nab an excellent used Neo cabinet as a step up from the MBE line)

-Peavey Tour series is great as well

-Carvin products are great quality for relatively cheap, very good to their fans

-Hartke products will always be encouraged for great care, reliability, and consistently good tone

 

[bherman]

It's mom and pop. They'll match the prices of any big box store. I'm in a small town, they are the only game in town and we're extremely lucky to have them.
I buy lots of used stuff and they are always happy to set it up or repair it for me. I'd feel a bit guilty buying a nice rig and bypassing them, particularly as how they often do the sound setups for anywhere I'll be playing.

I understand your conviction - we have a great local store here too, but to be honest your budget is pretty small for new gear. $500 won't get you much and those of us suggesting used on TB are trying to stretch your $$.

I would avoid combos unless your needs will always stay modest - go modular so that you can add as you go. How about buying a new head (the new GNZ BNZ Shuttle 6.2 looks incredible) and a used cab to tide you over - can add more cab later? Or vice-versa, since cabs are heavy and cost alot to ship?

 

[MakoMan]

Thanks folks! Some great advice and suggestions here!
I really do appreciate that people are trying to save me money with their used suggestions. I'm a internet used music items troll so I'm pretty good at finding deals.
I will say though that a couple of times I have really gotten taken on used items, and probably the most used items I've had trouble with were used amps. It's not a great deal if it doesn't work as it should.

 

[carl h.]

Ampeg PF500 paired with the PF115HE fliptop cab.

Price is $800 but GC would sell it at 15% off at coupon time, if your store would match that . Still a bit over your budget, but a ridiculous great setup it would be!

Buy this head and a used cab from your local store. You will be money ahead by getting this head now and buying a better cab later.

 

[bassguppy]

Ampeg PF500 paired with the PF115HE fliptop cab.

Price is $800 but GC would sell it at 15% off at coupon time, if your store would match that . Still a bit over your budget, but a ridiculous great setup it would be!

this.


Also look into a used PF500 & either the PF210HE or PF115HE. there a couple here in the TB classifieds now and should hit anywhere between $550-$600. Down the road save up some more $$ and get a 2nd cab to utilize the full 500 watts of the amp.

 

[bherman]

Thanks folks! Some great advice and suggestions here!
I really do appreciate that people are trying to save me money with their used suggestions. I'm a internet used music items troll so I'm pretty good at finding deals.
I will say though that a couple of times I have really gotten taken on used items, and probably the most used items I've had trouble with were used amps. It's not a great deal if it doesn't work as it should.

Understand your concerns, but TB classifieds is ddifferent. You're dealing with people who know their stuff and there's sort of a code of honor here about full disclosure. I've bought and sold multiple amps and cabs (too many!) with confidence.

 

[Crockettnj]

I 'get" that, but you are also supporting an actual person when you buy used.

To show my support, I buy small items with huge markup at the music stores: strings, cables, pics, etc.

I buy large ticket items used, almost exclusively. Thats cool if you want to or have to go new... but the first buyer takes the biggest hit!

I appreciate the used suggestions. But just a question... How do music stores in your areas stay in business?
I'm feeling like supporting my local store on this purchase as they have been extremely good to me. I know I can probably save money looking used but for this particular purchase I'd like to go new.

 

[bassguppy]

Understand your concerns, but TB classifieds is ddifferent. You're dealing with people who know their stuff and there's sort of a code of honor here about full disclosure. I've bought and sold multiple amps and cabs (too many!) with confidence.

I would buy with confidence on TB. of the THOUSANDS of items sold here over the years I can only think of 1 or 2 occassions where the buyer was not satisfied. TB also has a feedback system, let that be your guide.

 

[MakoMan]

Understand your concerns, but TB classifieds is ddifferent. You're dealing with people who know their stuff and there's sort of a code of honor here about full disclosure. I've bought and sold multiple amps and cabs (too many!) with confidence.

Unfortunately I'm in Canada so the TB classifieds won't work for me. Shipping a cab from the US to Canada would probably cost more than the cab itself even before taxes and customs duties were added in. My only option used is the local classifieds.

 

[MakoMan]

I 'get" that, but you are also supporting an actual person when you buy used.

To show my support, I buy small items with huge markup at the music stores: strings, cables, pics, etc.

I buy large ticket items used, almost exclusively. Thats cool if you want to or have to go new... but the first buyer takes the biggest hit!

As mentioned, I buy used all the time. But now and then I like to buy something nice and new at my local music store. Now that I've gone through their amps at the store, tried a few out, I'd hate to buy a Rumble 410 and amp used and end up playing it at the bar next door. I truly believe that what goes around comes around.

 

[stambroker]

Unfortunately I'm in Canada so the TB classifieds won't work for me. Shipping a cab from the US to Canada would probably cost more than the cab itself even before taxes and customs duties were added in. My only option used is the local classifieds.

Best of luck, then! Hopefully the local sales do you well! Either way hope we all helped with suggestions and such. Since you're in Canada, Traynor products could probably also be happened upon fairly easily.