70-100W Combo amp under $300?

[josiah goldfish]

Hi guys,

I borrowed an Orange Crushpix 100W amp recently and, much as I like it, it seems quite big and cumbersome for a 100W amp (also, the guy I borrowed it from wants £200 for it).

Borrowing this amp made me realise that, realistically, I only need between 70 and 100 watts of power in the locations I play at the moment (typically small halls). I had the Orange at 1/4 volume and 1/2 gain, and it was more than loud enough, and if I need more there's PA support too.

So, given my situation and £200 ($300) what small combo amp would you buy for small hall gigs and the occasional small jazz gig (bearing in mind that a double bass is loud enough acoustically)?

Cheers,
Joe

 

[Downunderwonder]

Don't be too sure how much you need. My 50w tube amp was fine in jazz rehearsals but gigs go to the next level with the excitement and it ran into overdrive, with full PA support.

 

[Jughead6]

Realism and amp power are rarely used in the same breath on TB. I once made the mistake of posting on TB saying I thought my TC BG250 had enough power, only to discover that TC watts are inferior and I really needed 3 or 4 coupled SVT's with matching 810's to cut through.

You are probably right. 100W is probably enough. But there'll be a bunch of (possibly hearing impaired) folks here trying to tell you otherwise.

End rant.

 

[moody]

We really need a club.

45 watt solid state combo with efficient 15" speaker here. Washburn. Cost me $21 on ebay.
(Dead preamp, I run pedals into the effects return).

I do have more power which I generally use for gigs but it actually is enough. Loud hard rock band (yes really).

 

[moody]

Ps, my amp is 65 watts, but that is only valid for 4 ohms. When buying check what the actual wattage to the internal speaker is.

 

[Linnin]

Here ya go! Invalid Link Removed

Fender gives you a full 100 honestly rated watts in the lightest; loudest, and best sounding 1x12 combo in it's class.

 

[josiah goldfish]

Here ya go! Invalid Link Removed

Fender gives you a full 100 honestly rated watts in the lightest; loudest, and best sounding 1x12 combo in it's class.

Nothing from Fender please! Bad experiences with Fender amps have turned me off them.

Any other suggestions? How's the Hartke A70? The Warwick BC80?

Also, thanks for the advice about actual wattage.

Cheers,
Joe

 

[Linnin]

Joe, what music stores do you have? Laney is good.

 

[josiah goldfish]

Joe, what music stores do you have? Laney is good.

In England? Thomann, Gear 4 Music, GAK and a local one called Bonners.

I can get most music gear in the UK, just have to shop around or get it ordered in.

 

[Linnin]

Hartkes aren't bad. They don't float my boat, but you might like them. If you like that kickback monitor design (I do) nothing wrong with the A70 or A100. They've been around for 10 years so compare them to the newer HD series and see which sounds best to you. The thing is that Hartkes are heavy.

 

[tubster]

Amdertons have a 2x8 180 watt Eden for 199. Might be worth a look? Andertons. Sorry

 

[josiah goldfish]

Amdertons have a 2x8 180 watt Eden for 199. Might be worth a look? Andertons. Sorry

Ooh nice, if I had the cash right now I'd jump on that! They have a 115 for sale at the same price, too.

 

[Lync]

Nothing from Fender please! Bad experiences with Fender amps have turned me off them.

Any other suggestions? How's the Hartke A70? The Warwick BC80?

Also, thanks for the advice about actual wattage.

Cheers,
Joe

Love my Fender Rumble 100. And I own/have owned plenty of combos (always on the lookout for a light/giggable amp that sounds good). Fender did a real nice job with the current Rumble line.

 

[steamthief]

Here ya go! Invalid Link Removed

Fender gives you a full 100 honestly rated watts in the lightest; loudest, and best sounding 1x12 combo in it's class.

Nothing from Fender please! Bad experiences with Fender amps have turned me off them.

Any other suggestions? How's the Hartke A70? The Warwick BC80?

Also, thanks for the advice about actual wattage.

Cheers,
Joe

Your loss, bro. That amp stomps everything else in its class.

 

[rtslinger]

Peavey Max 110

 

[rtslinger]

I suggested peavey only because you cry foul on the rumble 100 but I have mine new since it first released never an issue and great tone

 

[TripleDouble]

Realism and amp power are rarely used in the same breath on TB. I once made the mistake of posting on TB saying I thought my TC BG250 had enough power, only to discover that TC watts are inferior and I really needed 3 or 4 coupled SVT's with matching 810's to cut through.

You are probably right. 100W is probably enough. But there'll be a bunch of (possibly hearing impaired) folks here trying to tell you otherwise.

End rant.

I recently gigged a borrowed BG250 and Sqiuer P bass and played a 3.5 HOUR blues and funk set that was really, really fun. No PA, pretty big pub with lots of loud drunkards, it all sounded awesome, kept up with a guitarist and a Nord/Hammond guy, and not a single bass player charged the stage to tell me I didn't have the coolest gear. I loved that amp for that night and would pick one up used in a minute.

 

[Linnin]

Ooh nice, if I had the cash right now I'd jump on that! They have a 115 for sale at the same price, too.

If you can get one of these for 200 pounds, I'd romp on it as they are $400 here. To some Edens are cold and sterile. To me they are fairly transparent, and remind me a lot of the now defunct SWR. The only reason Eden is alive today is because owner Marshall keeps them alive.
Invalid Link Removed

 

[josiah goldfish]

Your loss, bro. That amp stomps everything else in its class.

OK, maybe I'll go and check one out, but I'm not going to rush out and buy a Fender combo because I haven't liked the ones I've used in the past and, quite frankly, I don't like Fender very much (yeah yeah, blasphemy, I know! )

I appreciate the suggestion, but that doesn't mean I should limit myself to that one option.

 

[josiah goldfish]

If you can get one of these for 200 pounds, I'd romp on it as they are $400 here. To some Edens are cold and sterile. To me they are fairly transparent, and remind me a lot of the now defunct SWR. The only reason Eden is alive today is because owner Marshall keeps them alive.
Invalid Link Removed

So long as they still have one in stock when I have the money, I think I might have to do that! I've played an Eden stack before and really liked it.