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All-purpose amp suggestions?

F

FruityBard

Mar 21, 2011
4
0
#1
I don't have much know-how regarding bass amps apart from 'lead goes in, loud noise comes out'. Most of the time I don't even bother with the equalization, putting all of them on 12 o'clock so please bear with me.

Well I'm in a band (as most of us are) and am looking for an amp that can handle practicing in a five-man band, as well as deliver a good sound in a small venue (like a bar or something) on the off-chance we get a gig. I suppose I'll be looking for a combo for their portability as well as price. Price range would preferrably be around US$700 - US$1000. I don't really bother with distortion and effects but it would be cool the amp had overdrive.

So yeah. Just looking for an amp that gives a nice thick tone that's loud enough to be heard (or rather felt) over two screaming guitars, a thundering drum kit and a crooning singer.

Any suggestions?

Cheers :D
 
#3
+1 to the idea above. That is a decent combo, unlike other combos out there. Typically, bass combos are using cheaper speakers, which make the combo barely loud enough to compete in a band setting. Always try out a combo amp with the same brand's amp head and speaker (separates) next to it to hear out the difference. See which one is going to work best for you.

Keep in mind, if it's too loud in the store, it will be great for the band! You can always turn it down.

I also suggest learning how to use EQ properly. It really is easier than you think and just putting the knobs at 12 O' Clock is not necessarily a neutral tone. A popular knob: "Contour" "Enhance" or "Scoop" at 12 O' Clock is generally removing some of the low midrange (200hz-400hz) out of your tone while boosting the lows and highs. The low mids are what you will need to cut through with your band. An easy way to do EQ is playing one string at a time on your bass and adjust one knob at a time and try to figure out what it does with your ears. That is how I learned.

In your situation, I would not look at anything lower than a 410.
 
#6
FruityBard said:
hey would a fender bassman 250 combo cut it?
Click to expand...

From all of my experiences and shows, I would say no. I never found those combos loud at all and I feel the speakers are cheap. If you take all of the low end out of the speaker and boost the mids and highs - you might be heard, but it will sound raunchy as can be. (Edited because I was too tired to finish the sentence)

Get the LH1000 and a Hartke 410. Look used stuff. Seriously, that rig will get you heard. The Fender Rumble 250 is going to get murdered by the drummer alone.
 
#9
FruityBard said:
cool thanks for the suggestion. i'll look for that model in my local dealerships, but if i can't find that exact model i'll be looking for 4x10 combos instead.
Click to expand...

You'll get great bang for your buck in the used market, but that can take a bit of shopping around to find what's right for you.

To hang with a pair of loud guitars and a heavy drummer, I think that you're on the right track looking for a 4x10. Just keep in mind that a combo with that layout won't necessarily be convenient, since it's an all-in-one big box.

Not a whole lot of 4x10 combos out there either, at least compared with the option of getting a head and separate cab. Lots of heads can run lots of cabs and given your price range, you ought to be able to find a half way smokin' setup for yourself. I run a pair of 2x10 cabs together just because they fit in my car - the old 4x10 was too chunky. Having the pair of smaller cabs also gives me the option to use to use a smaller rig in a tighter setting or for a practice where I don't need the whole shabang. Not saying that you need this for yourself, but it's one way to go.

There's even the possibility of getting a decent 2x10 combo with the power to also drive an extension cab - ideally another 2x10 or maybe a 1x15. That's just another way to have both a smaller and a bigger layout in case you want that.
 
#10
groove pump said:
You'll get great bang for your buck in the used market, but that can take a bit of shopping around to find what's right for you.

To hang with a pair of loud guitars and a heavy drummer, I think that you're on the right track looking for a 4x10. Just keep in mind that a combo with that layout won't necessarily be convenient, since it's an all-in-one big box.

Not a whole lot of 4x10 combos out there either, at least compared with the option of getting a head and separate cab. Lots of heads can run lots of cabs and given your price range, you ought to be able to find a half way smokin' setup for yourself. I run a pair of 2x10 cabs together just because they fit in my car - the old 4x10 was too chunky. Having the pair of smaller cabs also gives me the option to use to use a smaller rig in a tighter setting or for a practice where I don't need the whole shabang. Not saying that you need this for yourself, but it's one way to go.

There's even the possibility of getting a decent 2x10 combo with the power to also drive an extension cab - ideally another 2x10 or maybe a 1x15. That's just another way to have both a smaller and a bigger layout in case you want that.
Click to expand...

Right on with the idea of looking at used, and double to the idea of not getting a combo if you can help it. Also, a 410 combo is going to be a beast to move. However, you may find one that works for your needs. I would slso recommend checking out a few of the threads in the FAQ sticky for general amps info. They really won't give you any idea of what brands offer the most bang for the buck as that can be quite volatile, but it should give you some food for thought.
 
#11
fender bassman 250 will be heard over the drums... a fender rumble on the otherhand wont. we have the bassman 250 combo some dude left it at our drummers house we have practiced with it because it was easier to use that then bring my cab and amp. and the dude is rich and doesnt seem to care because he has a gk 8x10. but anyway its a great 2x10 its loud enough for practice and would be loud enough for shows with pa support. but for shows id rather just take my swr 6x10 and hartke lh 500.
 
#12
What's your current rig?

Here are a few links you may want to check out:

~Amps, Heads, Rigs, Speakers, Cabs
Amp FAQs
Watts: How many do you gig with?(poll)
Watts: Amp "watts" vs. cab "watts"
>30 light-weight cabs,amps, combos


"Light weight" heads
TB micro-amp tone reviews
1 Buying a combo

2
Opinions/experiences-great small combo amps
The ultimate custom built combo?
Combos vs Head/Cab

Pre-amp/Power Amp vs Head/Cab or Combo
1. 2 ohm capable heads
2.
"I want a monster amp!"
Powerful,reliable rack amps
10s v. 12s v. 15s v. 18s

2
4x10 vs. 2x10/1x15
2
Benefits of vertical speaker cabs
1x10's that do the job

Full range cab (Carvin LS1503)
1x15/6.5 custom cab
Big cabs
Low B reproduction/speakers/cab thread
Rig for low F#
1 Happy with my rig

2
Gig rigs
Micro-rigs of doom

Mini-rigs of doom
Rigs of doom
Cheap rigs of doom
Ulitmate fantasy rig
Amp FAQs
 
#13
thanks for the sugesstions guys really detailed and helpful. i'd love to give the 5410C a spin but i just can't seem to find one brand new or used.

living in new zealand my options are quite limited.
brand new these are what i'm looking at:
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#15
FruityBard said:
thanks for the sugesstions guys really detailed and helpful. i'd love to give the 5410C a spin but i just can't seem to find one brand new or used.

living in new zealand my options are quite limited.
brand new these are what i'm looking at:
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Click to expand...

Thats expensive prices
I'm in oz and just got a go mb200 delivered from the state for $ 280 - they are asking $475
Other gk amps like the fusion 550 can be swapped over to 240v
 

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