A first-upgrade bass amp

[Mister Boh]

Don't forget Craigslist for used stuff. You can really score a deal and if you take reasonable precautions it's really unlikely you'll end up as a human skin lampshade or something. Just arrange to try it out somewhere public, no need to buy new gear.

I agree the rumble 500, Pf350 or MB200 would be good choices.

 

[Wfrance3]

I picked this up in the TB classifieds a couple years ago to use as a home practice rig. Its a MB112-II combo with a 112MBP powered cabinet. I paid under $500 for the stack. 400 watts and two 12's.

Sounds great and is decently lightweight. I think around 35lbs per cabinet. It now lives at our rehearsal space and easily keeps up with a four piece rock band.

I have other rigs for gigging but would not hesitate to play small to medium sized gigs with this setup if the need ever arose.

I was going to suggest this very thing, but someone beat me 2 it!! The powered extension cab is great way to "pay as you go".

 

[cchorney]

Fender Rumble 500 2 x 10 combo would be my choice for your described needs. Also, I liked your shopping protocol as it matches mine. And that bass is a great bass for him. there's lots of love for those Squier Vintage Modifieds.

 

[tubedude]

That solved, it's time to work on that space! Carpet for sure, floor and walls if possible. A Gramma pad for each amp to isolate them from the floor. And some traps to control reflections. Another TB'er had made some effective ones on the cheap using stacks of towels from a thrift shop or the starvation army store. Basically the towels were layered and mounted in a frame made with 2x4's. A grill cloth stapled on front and done. Several of these will help dramatically, and can be a father n' son bonding project. Paint the wooden frame, and select a colored cloth to match the room and they aren't obtrusive, and gain a higher WAF.

 

[ExaltBass]

Gallien-Krueger G-K MB210 or MB212 - used. Either are great amps, and can be found used within your budget.

 

[basslifter]

I found a GK MB212 combo (500 watts) a few years ago used locally for a really good price and have used it ever since. I think paid $350 or $400 for it. Light and loud

 

[packhowitzer]

I picked this up in the TB classifieds a couple years ago to use as a home practice rig. Its a MB112-II combo with a 112MBP powered cabinet. I paid under $500 for the stack. 400 watts and two 12's.

Sounds great and is decently lightweight. I think around 35lbs per cabinet. It now lives at our rehearsal space and easily keeps up with a four piece rock band.

I have other rigs for gigging but would not hesitate to play small to medium sized gigs with this setup if the need ever arose.

I'm using the 15" version of this stack. It was under $1000 new, and I would imagine could be had used for probably around $600 or so. I can use just the top amp for a single 200 watt amp, or add the powered extension cab for twice the speakers and wattage. And it's hard to get a bad sound out of it. Great for new musicians or experienced ones.

 

[Turnaround]

Wow, that's a lot of love for the Fender Rumbles! I was personally leaning toward the Ampeg SVT, and my son seems enamored with the TonePrint function of the TC Electronic BH250 (plus, the black and red cabinet design is undeniably cool looking -- which, again, is a factor that he places WAY too much value on, in my opinion).

It's easy to get sidetracked by gimmicks. IMHO tone prints should be the last consideration when deciding on an amp. Right next to "cool looking".

 

[musicartguy1]

Hands down for me is the Hartke KB12 1 x 12 combo. Its 500 watts, has a huge tone, very easy to dial in a good tone, has a direct out, lays back to point the speaker at your head, and it weighs 28 lbs. Clocks in around $450.00. Love it, I use it for practices, but I could easily play any gig with it. Loud as hell.

 

[two fingers]

Welcome to TalkBass!

I'm going to throw you a curveball.

1) I taught bass lessons for almost a decade. Most of my students were kids.

2) I sold music gear, especially pianos, for the same decade or so.

Human nature being what it is, go with the TC. Why? Gadgets. (They are fine rigs anyway.)

Now, the finger waggers will be along any minute to say "He shouldn't be playing with buttons and switches! He should be studying theory and doing scale exercises over, and over, and OVER AGAIN!" But let's get real. Kids are into technology. (My girls are 5 and 8 and they already teach their grandparents how to use a phone.)

While I was selling pianos, digital pianos made a huge leap in quality of sound, feel and buttons and whistles. At the time, all kinds of studies came out that showed kids who can practice with more interesting sounds will practice longer. If it comes with a headphone jack, that's a bonus. Even more studies show that kids who can practice with headphones practice longer and take more risks while practicing....in other words they "stretch" themselves more because they aren't afraid of making a mistake anyone else can hear.

Lifetime amp? Scratch that off of your list of considerations in my view. Since I began playing in clubs at 15 years old (46 years old tomorrow) my tastes in music gear have changed dozens of times. I have owned countless rigs. Your son will need to explore what HE likes when HE gains more context of what is and isn't important to him. So get him something he can use now and don't worry about how long it lasts in his musical career. He'll be fine getting something else a few years down the road.

You are one cool parent. My parents were very supportive of pretty much anything I wanted to try and that alone made me what I am today. Best of luck with it.

P.S. The Fender Rumble crowd are an enthusiastic bunch. You could ask what kind of garden hose to buy and they would stand up and yell "FENDER RUMBLE!!!"

 

[Relsom]

Welcome to TalkBass!

I'm going to throw you a curveball.

1) I taught bass lessons for almost a decade. Most of my students were kids.

2) I sold music gear, especially pianos, for the same decade or so.

Human nature being what it is, go with the TC. Why? Gadgets. (They are fine rigs anyway.)

Now, the finger waggers will be along any minute to say "He shouldn't be playing with buttons and switches! He should be studying theory and doing scale exercises over, and over, and OVER AGAIN!" But let's get real. Kids are into technology. (My girls are 5 and 8 and they already teach their grandparents how to use a phone.)

While I was selling pianos, digital pianos made a huge leap in quality of sound, feel and buttons and whistles. At the time, all kinds of studies came out that showed kids who can practice with more interesting sounds will practice longer. If it comes with a headphone jack, that's a bonus. Even more studies show that kids who can practice with headphones practice longer and take more risks while practicing....in other words they "stretch" themselves more because they aren't afraid of making a mistake anyone else can hear.

Lifetime amp? Scratch that off of your list of considerations in my view. Since I began playing in clubs at 15 years old (46 years old tomorrow) my tastes in music gear have changed dozens of times. I have owned countless rigs. Your son will need to explore what HE likes when HE gains more context of what is and isn't important to him. So get him something he can use now and don't worry about how long it lasts in his musical career. He'll be fine getting something else a few years down the road.

You are one cool parent. My parents were very supportive of pretty much anything I wanted to try and that alone made me what I am today. Best of luck with it.

P.S. The Fender Rumble crowd are an enthusiastic bunch. You could ask what kind of garden hose to buy and they would stand up and yell "FENDER RUMBLE!!!"

I voted Rumble since it was on the list of contenders. I don't own one, but of the 3 lines in question, that's what I would choose. BTW - I do in fact need a new garden hose. Thanks for the reminder.

 

[scadh]

I'm taking in all of this as quickly as I can! I have taken heed to every comment, including the Carvin 20% off sale (have investigated), that John Paul Jones now plays TCE (he's a half-decent player!), lots of love for the GK MB210 and 700RB (dig them both, but out of price range unless I find one used), the need for additional room treatment and isolation of amp from floor (adding to my long list of projects) and ideal nature of the Vintage Modified Jaguar SS for a guy not yet 5' tall (agree completely, went for the candy apple red and he loves it!).

Most of all, though, I'm encouraged by all the comments along the lines of, "All else being equal, get him the TC amp that HE likes". More and more, I'm inclined to agree. Of all the factors that weigh into this decision, none can be more important than "how much will he play it?". ANYTHING that stretches a practice from 30 minutes to 45 has tangible value, even gimmicks. I've taken this same approach with his drum set. We bought the kit 4 years ago after upgrading from a starter electronic kit. We've periodically added new auxiliary pieces just to help keep his interest high. A new splash cymbal or cowbell here, a better drum throne there, etc. There are fewer bells and whistles to add to a bass rig, but I think the same concept applies here. When he watched the Uriah Duffy demo video of the BH250, his eyes got wide when he held his phone to the pickups and beamed the effect to the amp. More from the coolness of the tech than the tones, probably. I think he might even believe that the phone is somehow "teaching" the guitar to play those tones ...

He and I are going to stop by a local Guitar Center tonight so he can play several amps. He wasn't with me when I tested them out a few days ago, so I'm anxious to hear his thoughts!

 

[Mammoth_Bass]

I'm taking in all of this as quickly as I can! I have taken heed to every comment, including the Carvin 20% off sale (have investigated), that John Paul Jones now plays TCE (he's a half-decent player!), lots of love for the GK MB210 and 700RB (dig them both, but out of price range unless I find one used), the need for additional room treatment and isolation of amp from floor (adding to my long list of projects) and ideal nature of the Vintage Modified Jaguar SS for a guy not yet 5' tall (agree completely, went for the candy apple red and he loves it!).

Most of all, though, I'm encouraged by all the comments along the lines of, "All else being equal, get him the TC amp that HE likes". More and more, I'm inclined to agree. Of all the factors that weigh into this decision, none can be more important than "how much will he play it?". ANYTHING that stretches a practice from 30 minutes to 45 has tangible value, even gimmicks. I've taken this same approach with his drum set. We bought the kit 4 years ago after upgrading from a starter electronic kit. We've periodically added new auxiliary pieces just to help keep his interest high. A new splash cymbal or cowbell here, a better drum throne there, etc. There are fewer bells and whistles to add to a bass rig, but I think the same concept applies here. When he watched the Uriah Duffy demo video of the BH250, his eyes got wide when he held his phone to the pickups and beamed the effect to the amp. More from the coolness of the tech than the tones, probably. I think he might even believe that the phone is somehow "teaching" the guitar to play those tones ...

He and I are going to stop by a local Guitar Center tonight so he can play several amps. He wasn't with me when I tested them out a few days ago, so I'm anxious to hear his thoughts!

While many say the toneprint etc is stupid, I thought it was kind of cool and think it will reel your son in. Plus the red will match his bass! the great thing about gear is you can always sell and recoup much of its value back. My parents were great with my musical instrument and I remember picking out my first bass and amp. In hindsight not the best gear but it's their support that I remember and appreciate

 

[Josh Kneisel]

I'm not being paid to endorse GK, but I swear with how often I tell people to get one I should be... GK 2x12 or 2x10 would be my suggestion

 

[JimmyM]

I'm not being paid to endorse GK, but I swear with how often I tell people to get one I should be...

Well if you can prove a lot of people are buying GK stuff based on your word and you have a decent enough gig, maybe they would. Not the easiest thing in the world to make happen, though. Not a doubt in my mind I never would have gotten hooked up with Ampeg if I'd have actually tried

 

[AHaze]

I normally wouldn't throw my 2 cents into a thread this long but I was in almost the same situation as you. I played piano first, then drums. My kid is now 15 and spends nearly every spare minute he has behind the drum kit (he's better than me now) so I built a music room in the basement. I then started playing bass so we could hang out and jam down there. I picked up a used Crate BX100 (100W 1X15 SS combo) and it keeps up with the drum kit but is pretty much maxed out. Not sure it would keep up if we added a guitar in that room. When the time comes to replace this amp, I will be looking for 200W+ and the ability to add an extension cab in parallel (the Crate has an extension jack but it's in series with the internal speaker so it's basically useless).

 

[scadh]

When my son and I went to the nearby Guitar Center this evening, he played every amp they have and his favorite was the PF350. It's the used one that I previously thought might have an issue but upon closer inspection, I noticed the high frequency attenuation switch was set to -6. The moment I switched it off, the amp sprang to life and volume increased significantly (though it still wasn't nearly as loud at the Rumble 200). My son preferred the PF350 tone over the Rumble 200. He thought it sounded cleaner. I'm fairly sure his preference was based at least 50% on the cool design of the 210HE cabinet and the fact that the amp surface mounts to the flip-top, but I do agree that it sounded really good.

He still wants to hear the TC before deciding but I think it's going to be tough to find one. There are 3 Guitar Center's in town and none have one in stock. The Musician's Friend worldwide distribution center is here, too, and I believe they have a small retail store next to the warehouse, so I'll call them and every other guitar shop I can find tomorrow to see if anyone has one he can play. If we have no luck, I think we'll probably buy the PF350. If GC would give us $25 or something trade-in credit for his BA108 plus the 10% discount they give on a purchase with a trade-in, that would make the PF350/210HE about $365. I can live with that, and I think he'd love the new rig.

 

[basscooker]

That will be a good rig for him for some time to come.

Plus I'm pretty sure it will operate at 4 ohms: meaning that if the need arises, it can push a second (8 ohm) speaker cabinet. It would then be much louder due to an increase in power output (lower impedance) and increase in cone surface area (moving more air).

All of your short-list from the OP will operate in this fashion, I believe, but buying Ampeg sort of allows "his tone" that he will find can grow with him. By that I mean as he grows into bigger and more powerful rigs (inevitable lol) he won't be straying far from the tones he'll be dialing in on the pf350. Ampeg stuff all has a kind of baked-in tonal profile that to a reasonable degree is in the DNA of all of their amps.

 

[scadh]

Wanted to close the loop on this thread by thanking everyone again for the response. My son is now the proud owner of an Ampeg PF350 and PF210HE cabinet. He loves it! It's a game-changer for us. Sounds amazing, has plenty of power in our small studio, and it passes his eye test with flying colors. He's already begun talking about a pedal board, which my wallet doesn't love but which sends my Dad-o-meter through the roof. On Saturday, I was working on a new original tune in the studio when he came in and asked if if he could come up with the bass part. A single tear rolled down my cheek.

For our first practice of a School of Rock song with the new rig, I ran a line out of the amp into Studio One and recorded it for posterity. I then sync'd it with a phone video:



If I might indulge upon your generosity one last time, please offer him some tips for his "bass face" -- as you can see it needs serious help!

Thanks again, everyone. Cheers!

 

[JimmyM]

A great choice So to stave off his need for a pedal board slightly longer, tell him that he can get some pretty cool overdrive out of it by cranking the gain past where the red light comes on.