Advice on AMP purchase?

[Tmonsterdog]

Hello! Need a little input please! I am looking at buying a AMPEG BA300 210 for $550, I've looked at reviews and it seems there are about 1/2 bad 1/2 good? Seeing how this amp goes for $750 I thought this was a good deal. Also looking at the Line 6 Lowdown400, Fender Rumble 350. Playing in a country rock band, what would you suggest with a budget of $600? Thanks for any help!!

 

[RickenBoogie]

Honestly, I'd suggest shopping for used gear, and looking for a head and cab. Your money will go much farther, and you won't be limited by the inadequate speakers in most combo amps.

 

[Alex1984]

+1. Look for a nice 4x10, should run you around $350, and check out some of the micro heads out there.

 

[S.B.]

I bought used Mark Bass II amp and Avatar Neo 410 for $550. Use it all the time and love the sound.

 

[Tmonsterdog]

Thanks for the suggestions so far! I have waded through the Ampeg PF500 & PF350 for the last 2 hours and STILL not sure!! Seems alot of folks are complaining about them not being loud enough? I just don't know. And what about Ampegs micro vr? I don't think I have to worry alot about being super loud, just want to get something that soungs good and will be loud enough. I should say that I have been a guitarist for last 20 something yrs, just picked up bass for a good paying long term gig with a country rock band. Been playing through a peavey tnt 130 that sounded fine to me until it died. So maybe the micro Ampegs would be fine? Would they be as loud?

 

[redlikejazz]

Check out the Acoustic B200h + the acoustic 410. Really great sound for not much dough. My main rig is a b600h with a hartke 410, but I use a tnt 130 for everything else, but truly for the money these new acoustic amps are good buys IMO. Also, they have a 3 year replacement warranty. Just an alternative thought.

 

[JimmyM]

Thanks for the suggestions so far! I have waded through the Ampeg PF500 & PF350 for the last 2 hours and STILL not sure!! Seems alot of folks are complaining about them not being loud enough? I just don't know. And what about Ampegs micro vr? I don't think I have to worry alot about being super loud, just want to get something that soungs good and will be loud enough. I should say that I have been a guitarist for last 20 something yrs, just picked up bass for a good paying long term gig with a country rock band. Been playing through a peavey tnt 130 that sounded fine to me until it died. So maybe the micro Ampegs would be fine? Would they be as loud?

The PF500 would definitely be fine, and so would the PF350 most likely. And maybe even the Micro VR would, too, but it could go either way with that one. The real world volume difference between 500 and 350w isn't much, but you do get a little clean headroom that you wouldn't have otherwise. The difference between the Micro VR and the PF500 is a bit more pronounced, though. I love my Micro VR rig but while it's loud, it may not be loud enough for some. It really all depends on your situation and the musicians you're working with.

Also, if you need to get loud, more cab works a lot better than more wattage.

EDIT: Sorry, didn't notice this before...if you said a TNT130 was fine, then in all likelihood any of those rigs would be fine, even a BA115.

 

[Tmonsterdog]

Thanks all for replies, suggestions & advice! I'm gonna try the Ampeg PF500. I've read lots of good reviews on it and it seems to be a great bang for the money! Will be ordering it this week and should have it by next week.
I have a friend that has some bass cabs he's not using, peavey 4X10 and 15. From what I've read on here the 4x10 would work best. Is that the general consensus? I'll eventually get an Ampeg cab, just not sure if I'll want the matching PF2X10 or an svt 4x10? Hope the peavey cab will work for now.
Thanks again for the help. I can tell I will be able to learn a lot from this forum. I will post my results when I get this rig together. Any additional input greatly appreciated!