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Amp advice

IAmLiamF

IAmLiamF

Guest
Jul 17, 2013
16
2
#1
I recently switched from guitar to bass to join a band, and am in need of a decent, giggable bass amp. My budget, so far, is £350 but am in no rush to buy, so I can save up for whatever I need. I'm in a three piece band, guitar, drums and bass, and we're all big fans of Biffy Clyro, Muse, You me at six and just rock/alternative rock in general, so I'm after something that is simple, straight forward and will get it done, haha!

At rehearsals, I use a Musicman Sterling SUB Stingray 4 into an Ashdown MAG 300H, which has prompted me to go for an Ashdown ABM500 half stack, but I'm still not 100% sure, hence this thread!

I've looked on locals selling pages, Gumtree, Craigslist etc, and all I've found is an Ampeg SVT450H and an Ampeg SVT410 cab for £650... Is that a good deal for this type of amp?

Sorry for the wall of text, I'm just anxious to find a decent amp so I can relax and not have to deal with guitarshop salesmen, haha!

Cheers
 
#2
I'd suggest finding maybe just a second speaker for your current amp (if it has the output connector for it), and keep saving. If it won't take a second speaker, then why not go for a really good amp head, and keep saving for a cab. You can borrow/rent cabs until then, if you hit any gigs that your current setup can't do. IMO.YMMV.
 
#3
basscooker said:
I'd suggest finding maybe just a second speaker for your current amp (if it has the output connector for it), and keep saving. If it won't take a second speaker, then why not go for a really good amp head, and keep saving for a cab. You can borrow/rent cabs until then, if you hit any gigs that your current setup can't do. IMO.YMMV.
Click to expand...

The thing is mate, the Ashdown isn't actually mine, it belongs to the rehearsal rooms that we rent out, so I don't actually own an amp. Every gig my band has done I've had to go straight into the PA, which results in me being inaudiable for the majority of the gig... Haha!
 
#4
My advice with bass gear is that if you buy cheap, you buy twice. I would save for a seriously nice piece of pro kit and then stick with it. My current rig is now 15 years old and I still love it. But the head cost me a pretty penny but it has repaid me in consistency and reliability. Get an amp head with more watts than you really need at the moment...so that if you need more in the future...you already have it.
 
#5
GMC said:
My advice with bass gear is that if you buy cheap, you buy twice. I would save for a seriously nice piece of pro kit and then stick with it. My current rig is now 15 years old and I still love it. But the head cost me a pretty penny but it has repaid me in consistency and reliability. Get an amp head with more watts than you really need at the moment...so that if you need more in the future...you already have it.
Click to expand...

Say if I save up for an all tube/all valve head, like an Ampeg SVT-CL or Ashdown CTM, if it isn't used frequently at loud volumes, could that damage the tubes/valves?
 
#7
GMC said:
My advice with bass gear is that if you buy cheap, you buy twice. I would save for a seriously nice piece of pro kit and then stick with it. My current rig is now 15 years old and I still love it. But the head cost me a pretty penny but it has repaid me in consistency and reliability. Get an amp head with more watts than you really need at the moment...so that if you need more in the future...you already have it.
Click to expand...

While I agree on this, you can buy used, and save some money. That way, you won't lose that much if you re-sell.

However, if you can wait and save up, and are serious about making music, a good amp will get you a lot of mileage down the road.
 
#8
I'm in a similar position to you (I have a home practice amp but need something closer to the ashdown practice room set up for gigging).

I you like the tone your getting from the ashdown then stock with it. It would be good to be able to mirror your practice room tones and gig tones exactly.

I'm not going to open the can of worms here but you need to consider wattage vs speaker size vs headroom vs distortion.

This will refine what you need in terms of head output and cab output. There's loads of info on here if you look for it.

Given the type of music you like its quite easy to jump the gun and get a 500+ watt head and 8x10 can (as that's what the bands you mentioned would have) but given the size of places you will likely be playing this will be a bit over the top.

I have near enough settled on a 300/350 head into a 4x10.

Hope this helps
 
#9
B-string said:
Nope. Loud volume levels shorten tube life slightly.
Click to expand...

So if it gets used at low volumes, it won't make a difference? Apart from tonally, of course :p

Iheartreverb said:
I'm in a similar position to you (I have a home practice amp but need something closer to the ashdown practice room set up for gigging).

I you like the tone your getting from the ashdown then stock with it. It would be good to be able to mirror your practice room tones and gig tones exactly.

I'm not going to open the can of worms here but you need to consider wattage vs speaker size vs headroom vs distortion.

This will refine what you need in terms of head output and cab output. There's loads of info on here if you look for it.

Given the type of music you like its quite easy to jump the gun and get a 500+ watt head and 8x10 can (as that's what the bands you mentioned would have) but given the size of places you will likely be playing this will be a bit over the top.

I have near enough settled on a 300/350 head into a 4x10.

Hope this helps
Click to expand...

Thank you man! I have considered that, and am only planning on a 4x10!
 

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