I think the Hartke rig has to be "sleek", that's why my wife prefers the Stage 800 over the regular 500... LolHey, Can I borrow your wife for about an hour... so I can buy a bigger Hartke rig? I will return her when we leave Sam Ash, promise. Or maybe have your wife talk to my wife ...
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800$ limit on gigging rig
- Thread starter MrKeef
- Start date
It's friday so I'll add to the mix. Basically everything you've read so far are sincere recommendations made by people who've had good luck with their amp and wish to help you out. If you're looking for exactly what you want, it's a great suggestion to drive the 60 miles and do some serious listening. I put way more attention into listening when I'm about to buy versus just looking. The nif you find something awesome you can buy it right there on the spot, or order it through your fave online service.
Obviously the Fender Rumble series is the majority choice, but I agree with the post that said it's not for every ear. If you liked the 100 (which i own) and 200 you might be already half way to a purchase. The 500 combo is a solid unit that you may never need to add to, but could with their 210 cab. It'll be lighter than if you pick up (pun intended) the 410 cab.
That being said, I'm also an Ampeg guy, who uses as a PF-800 amp with a Portaflex 115 and 210, either separate or together depending on the gig. I still like the Ampeg tone better than the Rumble's, and that's my opinion. My point is there are a number of brands that deserve your audition, especially if you're not in a hurry to buy. If you are, then, again, anything you've read in this thread would be a fine fit for your criteria.
Lastly, avoid the hyper-pressure sales pitches that some TB members love to bombast every person who are asking for a recommendation. I myself am much more likely to listen and be influenced by someone who avoids hyperbole and strong-arm tactics to try and get you to buy immediately. Take your time and enjoy the ride. For me, it's the best part of the journey.
Good hunting and keep us posted!
Obviously the Fender Rumble series is the majority choice, but I agree with the post that said it's not for every ear. If you liked the 100 (which i own) and 200 you might be already half way to a purchase. The 500 combo is a solid unit that you may never need to add to, but could with their 210 cab. It'll be lighter than if you pick up (pun intended) the 410 cab.
That being said, I'm also an Ampeg guy, who uses as a PF-800 amp with a Portaflex 115 and 210, either separate or together depending on the gig. I still like the Ampeg tone better than the Rumble's, and that's my opinion. My point is there are a number of brands that deserve your audition, especially if you're not in a hurry to buy. If you are, then, again, anything you've read in this thread would be a fine fit for your criteria.
Lastly, avoid the hyper-pressure sales pitches that some TB members love to bombast every person who are asking for a recommendation. I myself am much more likely to listen and be influenced by someone who avoids hyperbole and strong-arm tactics to try and get you to buy immediately. Take your time and enjoy the ride. For me, it's the best part of the journey.
Good hunting and keep us posted!
I like to collect TBs opinions on things then spend some time listening to or trying out the suggestions. I know the Ampegs and Rumbles are both highly suggested, I'm slightly more drawn to a Head/Cab rather than a combo. I'll be trying out the Portaflex if I can find one nearby.
If you can push your budget just a bit, I would recommend the Quilter 800 and Peavey Headliner 410.
I saw a band perform two months ago and the bassist ran that head with a 210 Peavey cab. Couldn't believe how tight, punchy, and good that rig sounded. I believe going head/cab will give more flexibility down the road.
I saw a band perform two months ago and the bassist ran that head with a 210 Peavey cab. Couldn't believe how tight, punchy, and good that rig sounded. I believe going head/cab will give more flexibility down the road.
I would look at the Genzler 350 combo. Hands down the best gear I've used with huge tone and clarity. Professional rig all the way.
I would go with something like this:
Peavey MiniMax ($350) and two Peavey 210s ($230 a piece)
or
Ampeg PF 500 ($400) and an Eden 410 ($350)
or
TC Electronics 250 ($254) two Eden 112s (@ 8 ohms $260 a piece) note: not the 4 ohm.
Or if you have the flexibility the MiniMax and the two Eden 112s. Modular is great and flexible and you can use all the power out of the head. Plus it is easier to load into a car.
You could always go with a good combo, the Rumble for example, and spend the extra money on a good DI to run to the PA.
Peavey MiniMax ($350) and two Peavey 210s ($230 a piece)
or
Ampeg PF 500 ($400) and an Eden 410 ($350)
or
TC Electronics 250 ($254) two Eden 112s (@ 8 ohms $260 a piece) note: not the 4 ohm.
Or if you have the flexibility the MiniMax and the two Eden 112s. Modular is great and flexible and you can use all the power out of the head. Plus it is easier to load into a car.
You could always go with a good combo, the Rumble for example, and spend the extra money on a good DI to run to the PA.
IF WEIGHT is NO issue....
Scour your local CL and find a Peavey 410TVX for about $100. It's the loudest and most underrated cab ever made. But it weighs a ton.
Then spend $700 on a fantastic head at zzounds amd move enough air to stun small animals at short distances.
Seriously, if anyone anywhere near you is selling one of those cabs for the market value ($100-$150), and you don't care about weight, run, don't walk, to your car to drive over there and get it.
Years ago a friend owned an SVT II and an Ampeg 410. He wanted a louder rig for bigger shows so he bought a 410TVX used for next to nothing to stack with it. It smoked that Ampeg cab in every way imaginable.... tone, volume, moving air.
Scour your local CL and find a Peavey 410TVX for about $100. It's the loudest and most underrated cab ever made. But it weighs a ton.
Then spend $700 on a fantastic head at zzounds amd move enough air to stun small animals at short distances.
Seriously, if anyone anywhere near you is selling one of those cabs for the market value ($100-$150), and you don't care about weight, run, don't walk, to your car to drive over there and get it.
Years ago a friend owned an SVT II and an Ampeg 410. He wanted a louder rig for bigger shows so he bought a 410TVX used for next to nothing to stack with it. It smoked that Ampeg cab in every way imaginable.... tone, volume, moving air.
If I can find one I would absolutely jump on it, unfortunately my market is small on used bass gear. Plenty of guitar stuff, of course.
Would 190$ shipped be worth it for a 410TVX? Spend the other 600 on a good head. Haha
Allow me to editorialize off this statement and suggest it is a good idea for OPs to declare in the very first post the country or state/city where they are located, for the simple reason there often follows three pages of people saying "For the best bang-for-buck, try your local Craigslist," before OP finally returns around post #47 to clarify, "Oh, I forgot to mention, I'm in Albania." This is usually followed by four more pages heavily peppered with suggestions to try Craigslist.
Well, I'm about 3-4 hours South of Chicago. Not local at all, but the biggest city nearby is Peoria, IL. You're right, I should have put that first. Would have to be an insane deal to get me to go near Chicago, hate driving near/around ChiTown.
^^^
I love looking at Craigslist in cities I ordinarily never would, such as Peoria.
Not a ton of gear, but better than a many towns.
The only piece that catches my eye is this SVT 3 Pro, 450 watts at 4 ohms, racked with a tuner for
$450. It has been there a month and the seller says he has no need for the amp having upgraded to
900 watts, so my play would be to offer the guy $325, saving the rest for a suitable cab.
These heads sound great.
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But then again if you're playing metal, I would steer you toward a used SVT 7 as it rocks 1000 watts,
or even better, a used SVT 5, which is not that popular and thus shows up under $500, yet has an overdrive channel
that can be blended with the clean for all kinds of sick overdriven tones, also at 1,000 watts.
I love looking at Craigslist in cities I ordinarily never would, such as Peoria.
Not a ton of gear, but better than a many towns.
The only piece that catches my eye is this SVT 3 Pro, 450 watts at 4 ohms, racked with a tuner for
$450. It has been there a month and the seller says he has no need for the amp having upgraded to
900 watts, so my play would be to offer the guy $325, saving the rest for a suitable cab.
These heads sound great.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
But then again if you're playing metal, I would steer you toward a used SVT 7 as it rocks 1000 watts,
or even better, a used SVT 5, which is not that popular and thus shows up under $500, yet has an overdrive channel
that can be blended with the clean for all kinds of sick overdriven tones, also at 1,000 watts.
Chambana is a couple hours south, but not a bad trip for that stack!
That would be a good combination. And you could just use the DI sometimes if the situation allowed it.
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Find something good used, either cab or head, then buy the other optimally. Save up to replace or supplement the used gear.
The Fender Rumbles are good, but that Quilter 800BB is a monster amp.
The Fender Rumbles are good, but that Quilter 800BB is a monster amp.
