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Affordable beginner rig

S

stewart8980

Apr 11, 2008
371
3
Rhode Island
#1
Hey guys. I haven't had the joy of being in a band yet despite playing for almost 4 years now (which i find sad), but since I'm heading off to college next year, I was hoping maybe you guys would have suggestions on a good amp/combo/whatever that I could gig with. Right now, this is all I have:

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It's an Acoustic B100. For me so far, it's been wonderful, and I absolutely love it. But I fear that it simply isn't going to be loud enough to play in a venue with. I own no pedals, or any crazy addons. All I have is a MIM Jazz and that amp, a 15 foot cable, a tuner and a hardcase. My budget will be whatever I can make this summer, so probably under $500-600 would be best. If it helps, I tend to favor a thumpier vintage sound over brightness and clarity, but I understand that muddiness can be a problem on loud amps.

Any ideas?
 
#2
Maybe the ampeg micro stack? Later you could add a second cab for more oomph if needed, but 200 watts isnt a whole lot of power. I like the GK tone so I'd also suggest a Backline 600 (dirt cheap used!) and a 2x10 or 1x15 cab. It allows for more expandability.
 
#7
On the ohms question, there is an ohms faq in the amps faq sticky.

Regarding heads, I agree that used is the way to go, but make sure it's known-reliable. As others have said, GK and Peavey are that, for the most part. Early GK 400s are nice. Peavey Firebass amps are nice, too, and will peel your neighbor's paint off his walls. GK Backlines, not so sure. There was a run of bad ones long ago; from what I know of it, it wasn't a design problem but rather a manufacturing problem. Older (sled) Carvins are ok, too, but they sound somewhat characterless compared to the others, but then again the old Peaveys can sound that way, too. Hey, that's what effects are for, though. The lightweight Carvins had some growing pains so I'd pass on those, because there's no outward-facing revision mechanism to inform you of what you're buying.

For cabs, a used Avatar sounds like a good idea. But read up on them in this forum beforehand. Invest the time. Pay attention to a) earlier crossover design vs newer crossover design, b) mid-scoop, and c) neo vs heavy-magnet drivers.
 

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