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

[ksandvik]

If you buy a Rumble most likely you will look for a new amp/cab three months from now.

 

[bassguppy]

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.

Not sure where in Canada you are but maybe it would be your best option to buy locally new or used. I think MF ships to Canada and it's free shipping if your cost is $500 or more. They also have a 14% off coupon for valentines day but I'm not sure how it works with customs though.

 

[MakoMan]

Either way hope we all helped with suggestions and such.

I've always gotten fantastic suggestions and great advice from TB. Just the other day I bought a Korg Pandora as a practice unit based on recommendations from members here. I even got it used LOL!

 

[MakoMan]

If you buy a Rumble most likely you will look for a new amp/cab three months from now.

Really? I thought most of the reviews I had read on the 410 cab and the 150 head were pretty darn good. With the cab selling brand new for $300 it seemed like a heck of a deal!

 

[pbass888]

hartke kick back 15 inch aluminium cone... yeah thats what you want!!! or the hydrive. both great and in your price range (here in the US at least).

 

[carl h.]

Really? I thought most of the reviews I had read on the 410 cab and the 150 head were pretty darn good. With the cab selling brand new for $300 it seemed like a heck of a deal!

I work in a store that carries Fender. My PF500 and SVT 410 is head and shoulders better than the fender rig in terms of tone (IMHO) and build quality.

I bought the PF as a backup and used it exclusively up until this past weekend when I pulled out my "main" rig. Main rig is currently for sale so I can pick up another PF500 or maybe a 350, I'll see what happens.

Even paying retail, I'll choose the Ampeg over the Fender I can get at cost.

 

[ksandvik]

I work in a store that carries Fender. My PF500 and SVT 410 is head and shoulders better than the fender rig in terms of tone (IMHO) and build quality.

I bought the PF as a backup and used it exclusively up until this past weekend when I pulled out my "main" rig. Main rig is currently for sale so I can pick up another PF500 or maybe a 350, I'll see what happens.

Even paying retail, I'll choose the Ampeg over the Fender I can get at cost.

Yes, those new Ampegs are really sweet. Now, the new Fender Pro Bassman line looks very promising but I have not tested that one yet. Rumbles is the low-end and you get what you pay for.

 

[tdub0199]

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.

First & foremost always look out for yourself.... I won't tell ya what to buy but def. don't go with a Fender Rumble series......

 

[stambroker]

I mean, if you dig the sound then go for it! Rumbles are hardly terrible in the Behringer/Crate/Legion/GK Backline sense, and certainly viable. I just don't think it's worth the new price.

 

[worshiprocker]

I mean, if you dig the sound then go for it! Rumbles are hardly terrible in the Behringer/Crate/Legion/GK Backline sense, and certainly viable. I just don't think it's worth the new price.

I've played through behringer stuff I've liked better than the fender rumble series..... look into Acoustic also... they aren't built as good as they use to but I still like the sound you get from them

 

[MakoMan]

OK guys, thanks for the advice. It is as always greatly appreciated. I did not realize people were so down on the Rumble series. I've crossed the Rumble 410 cab with the 150 amp off my list. I think I will stick with my old Yorkville Bloc80 combo for now until I'm sure any upgrade would be worth it.
This store also carries Ampeg, Roland, Line 6 and a few others. I thought of an Ampeg but they are actually dropping Ampeg due to significant quality issues the past two years. I'll bring them some of the suggestions from this site and see what they can do.

 

[stambroker]

OK guys, thanks for the advice. It is as always greatly appreciated. I did not realize people were so down on the Rumble series. I've crossed the Rumble 410 cab with the 150 amp off my list. I think I will stick with my old Yorkville Bloc80 combo for now until I'm sure any upgrade would be worth it.
This store also carries Ampeg, Roland, Line 6 and a few others. I thought of an Ampeg but they are actually dropping Ampeg due to significant quality issues the past two years. I'll bring them some of the suggestions from this site and see what they can do.

Fender recently announced an updated bass line that looks extremely promising, so maybe you're better off saving up and splurging at this point...

 

[ksandvik]

It's always worth saving up to a better level as then you get more mileage of the investment. Plus if you ever want to re-sell it you get a better price than trying to sell low-end gear.

 

[Sav'nBass]

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?

What other gear does this store sell. I'd go with Hartke before Fender. Especially the Rumble stuff.I wasn't impressed.

After reading the last post of yours. Consider the L6... Idont know much about Roland amps.

 

[zon6c-f]

..As always: Listen to opinions, then use your own ears for deciding.

My choice in that $$ range is GC Acoustic B200 Combo..and plenty left over for strap & cord, or GC Acoustic B200 Head and which ever cabinet: 1X15 OR 4X10.

I own the combo; Very gig-able. Plenty of power, no B-string issues, 6-band semi parametric tone bank, DI Out to PA. Light in overall weight in my opinion. Frankly, the separate head & cab separately is lighter, but takes 2 load trips.

 

[Jwood]

OK guys, thanks for the advice. It is as always greatly appreciated. I did not realize people were so down on the Rumble series. I've crossed the Rumble 410 cab with the 150 amp off my list. I think I will stick with my old Yorkville Bloc80 combo for now until I'm sure any upgrade would be worth it.
This store also carries Ampeg, Roland, Line 6 and a few others. I thought of an Ampeg but they are actually dropping Ampeg due to significant quality issues the past two years. I'll bring them some of the suggestions from this site and see what they can do.

I wouldn't cross it off your list. If you try it out and it works for you I say go for it. I understand that the Rumble gear isn't the best out there but it's certainly a good bargain.

I'm kinda in the same situation you're in. I need a decent sized combo so I don't have to lug my Trace or Ampeg gear everywhere I go, and I want to support my local guy so... I'm going to purchase a Rumble combo.

BTW... I'll be too busy laying down the grove to notice people turning their noses up at my Rumble amp

 

[ksandvik]

..As always: Listen to opinions, then use your own ears for deciding.

My choice in that $$ range is GC Acoustic B200 Combo..and plenty left over for strap & cord, or GC Acoustic B200 Head and which ever cabinet: 1X15 OR 4X10.

I own the combo; Very gig-able. Plenty of power, no B-string issues, 6-band semi parametric tone bank, DI Out to PA. Light in overall weight in my opinion. Frankly, the separate head & cab separately is lighter, but takes 2 load trips.

YOu should seriously test the new generation Acoustic ones. The sound is not like the old generation. For me the three times I played one on a gig I had a hard time getting any nice tone out from them. Anyway, just my opinion.

 

[ksandvik]

I wouldn't cross it off your list. If you try it out and it works for you I say go for it. I understand that the Rumble gear isn't the best out there but it's certainly a good bargain.

I'm kinda in the same situation you're in. I need a decent sized combo so I don't have to lug my Trace or Ampeg gear everywhere I go, and I want to support my local guy so... I'm going to purchase a Rumble combo.

BTW... I'll be too busy laying down the grove to notice people turning their noses up at my Rumble amp

Biggest problem with the Rumbles, even with the 350W combos, is that they just don't cut in a band situation. So yes, most likely people will not notice your bass playing. If you don't believe, do a google search with site:talkbass.com Fender Rumble combo keywords.

 

[Jwood]

Biggest problem with the Rumbles, even with the 350W combos, is that they just don't cut in a band situation. So yes, most likely people will not notice your bass playing. If you don't believe, do a google search with site:talkbass.com Fender Rumble combo keywords.

I will counter and argue that it depends on the application. I don't plan on using a Rumble combo with a four piece rock band. If my Rumble combo won't cut it while jamming with a single guitarist I'll do one of two things:

Stop playing with mentioned guitarist, or, jump on the bandwagon and bash the hell out the Rumble amps.

 

[ksandvik]

I will counter and argue that it depends on the application. I don't plan on using a Rumble combo with a four piece rock band. If my Rumble combo won't cut it while jamming with a single guitarist I'll do one of two things:

Stop playing with mentioned guitarist, or, jump on the bandwagon and bash the hell out the Rumble amps.

Yes, those rumbles might work in a restaurant jazz band...