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Advice on upgrading?

dcalde78

dcalde78

Apr 17, 2012
172
7
Scotland
#1
For the most part of the time I've been playing bass (roughly 2 years), I've owned a Harley Benton HBW-80, an 80 watt combo, on Thomann.de's in house brand. It should be noted that I've only ever gigged this thing once, the rest of the time I've had amps supplied (the local arts company has a few amps they hire out, an Ampeg SVT Pro-6 and some kind of Ashdown 2x10 combo). More recently, I had to use my tutor's Line 6 LD400 Pro.

Now, I do of course love the tone of the Ampeg, as well as the Ashdown. However, the Line 6's modelling of the old SVTs and a Marshall Super Bass is awesome, and I really like the sounds and tones I can get from them (I was really surprised when I tweaked the settings around a little).

I know I'm gonna catch a lot of flak for saying this, but I'm really tempted to get one of the Line 6s. The biggest attraction is the price, Thomann.de are selling them for £231 at the moment, which is unbeatable for the power you get.

I live in a very isolated place, on an island in the middle of the North Sea. The secondhand market here is virtually useless, and I've looked around on Gumtree, but that really isn't that much of an option anyway due to most people not wanting to ship an amp rig (understandably so).

I was wondering what input I could get from the community here to help me make a decision on choosing my next amp, as it's going to be the one I stick with for the next few years, minimum. Budget is really quite low. £500 max really.

I currently only play with a hard rock band, but I've had people approach me for other projects (hence why I'm gravitating towards the Line 6 more, ultra versatile!). I also play a Kramer Disciple D-1, with an EMG MMCS and BTS preamp system.
 
#2
It's easy to like the Line 6 stuff until you listen to it critically. Then you realize it's a relatively low sampling rate version of an Ampeg emulation. Sure, a lot of people use it, and it's decent, but I'm not knocked out by it. Now I could be talked into getting a POD if I were in your shoes since it does have a lot of different tones you can get, but no way I'd get their full-on amp. Once you pick up on the differences between it and an amp with an analog preamp, you'll be glad you just got the POD and not the amp.
 
#3
JimmyM said:
It's easy to like the Line 6 stuff until you listen to it critically. Then you realize it's a relatively low sampling rate version of an Ampeg emulation. Sure, a lot of people use it, and it's decent, but I'm not knocked out by it. Now I could be talked into getting a POD if I were in your shoes since it does have a lot of different tones you can get, but no way I'd get their full-on amp. Once you pick up on the differences between it and an amp with an analog preamp, you'll be glad you just got the POD and not the amp.
Click to expand...

+1.
 
#4
JimmyM said:
It's easy to like the Line 6 stuff until you listen to it critically. Then you realize it's a relatively low sampling rate version of an Ampeg emulation. Sure, a lot of people use it, and it's decent, but I'm not knocked out by it. Now I could be talked into getting a POD if I were in your shoes since it does have a lot of different tones you can get, but no way I'd get their full-on amp. Once you pick up on the differences between it and an amp with an analog preamp, you'll be glad you just got the POD and not the amp.
Click to expand...

I have sampled a POD, there was one lying around in my college classroom, but I wasn't all that blown away by it. I just found it confusing to operate and there was too much in it, in my opinion.

I've been looking around at loads of different setups, ranging from Kustom, Hartke, back to more of Thomann's own brand stuff (250/500W heads and own brand cabs to fit, 2x10 and 1x15). I really don't know what to do, or what to get. I know the Harley Benton stuff isn't really worth getting (bang for your buck again).

The Hartke 2500 is really appealing, but I'm just worried that it won't have enough power to suit my needs. I really want to get an LH500, but it'd be just out of reach due to lack of funds.
 
#7
The Hartke 2500 is a ton of bang for your buck. That amp with a decent cab would cover all but the largest gigs. I am not saying this to insult you but just guessing because you only have 2 years experience you probably will not be playing those 10% of places that would require a more powerful amp.

I play the Hartke 2000 which is the older version for about 15 years (still have it and it still works). I only bought another amp because I wanted all tube (had to do it once).
 
#8
As I said, the 2500 is the most tempting of the lot that I can afford, but I really don't know if it could provide enough volume. Would it be able to cope with a drummer at full tilt and 2 loud rock and roll guitars, Marshalls, at that.

I know that the number of speakers can also massively affect the amount of noise made. What would be a good recommendation, speaker wise if I did go for the Hartke?
 
#9
B-string said:
How are the MarkBass prices or G-K prices there?
Click to expand...

Realistically, the only GK I could get is the MB-200, or at a stretch, the Backline 600. As for Markbass, the cheapest one I can find is the Little Mark, and that's over £300, which is really too much.

Tractorr said:
The Hartke 2500 is a ton of bang for your buck. That amp with a decent cab would cover all but the largest gigs. I am not saying this to insult you but just guessing because you only have 2 years experience you probably will not be playing those 10% of places that would require a more powerful amp.

I play the Hartke 2000 which is the older version for about 15 years (still have it and it still works). I only bought another amp because I wanted all tube (had to do it once).
Click to expand...

I completely understand your saying that. I've also been going by both of my tutor's advice (they've been gigging bassists for years, they're both in their 40s, on the go since they were teenagers). But that's only 2 people. I did want to get a general consensus about what to do.
 
#10
Sounds like the Hartke would be the choice unless you are satisfied with the sound of the Line6. After all it is YOUR ears that need to be pleased, not anyone else here. Lots of non cork sniffers have been happy with Line6 for years?
A good 212 or 410 with the Hartke. Hydrives, G-K NEO or MBE cabs.
 
#11
Of all the brands you've mentioned, I'd only consider Ampeg and Hartke. I am more of an "old school" player, so I prefer Ampeg, but have owned and enjoyed Hartke, too. Larry's (Hartke) customer service is just about the best anywhere, and his build quality is just as good. I simply prefer the Ampeg voicing. Since you mention that you like the Ampeg tone, that really does pretty much narrow down your options. I wouldn't get the Line 6. I had one, and was (very) not impressed.
 
#12
If I were to choose the Hartke, what cab(s) should I get to run it best? From reading the Ohms FAQ, I've gathered that I can run 2x8 ohm cabs to get the full amount of power. Should I run this at max with 2 cabs, or just run it at the lower level with 1 cab? And does it automatically change the impedance? There's no switch or anything to change it.

The whole cab and ohm thing really confuses me.
 
#14
B-string said:
Sounds like the Hartke would be the choice unless you are satisfied with the sound of the Line6. After all it is YOUR ears that need to be pleased, not anyone else here. Lots of non cork sniffers have been happy with Line6 for years?
A good 212 or 410 with the Hartke. Hydrives, G-K NEO or MBE cabs.
Click to expand...

Quoting myself again ;) Get 8ohm cabs so you CAN add a second later if one won't provide enough volume. You get more sound from doubling speakers than doubling watt output from the amp.
 
#15
I see! So essentially, I can just add a cab later down the line? That's awesome. What rating amp should I aim for now? Jump in prepared for upgrading later and just get one that can handle the full 250W? Or one that can handle something like 200W, and upgrade both later on? Or just get a 4x10? I'd rather not go down the 4x10 route though.
 
#16
Figure the cab "rating" at least double the amp output, so cab rated for 400 watts at 8ohms. If the cab is rated for 600 watts (like a 212) no problem, it is the amp head that supplies power not the speaker cab. The thing you don't want is a low power rated cab that will hit it's mechanical power limits before your amp reaches its full output.
 
#17
So my best option is really a GK cab? It seems to be anyways. I was hoping to find something a little cheaper than that, but I can try and look used for a cab on its own, it's more likely that I can get one of them rather than a full amp setup.
 
#19
+1 you can skimp on alot of stuff, but NOT on the speaker cab. In your situation, I'd be ;looking at a good 8 ohm 2x12 as a starter cab. With 200-400 watts of amp, that should cover most any gig. later, if you need more volume, add another identical cab for full power, and a 6dB increase in sound.
 

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