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Amp or Stack for Church?

J

jwk1151

Jun 3, 2010
33
0
Maryland
#1
Well, continuing from my last post, i have found that i really need an amp that can be heard, (Church PA just broke/ Can't handle bass input anymore).

I have about a $350-$400 budget, so would i be better off getting a 200 watt combo, or a cheap stack (i.e. the Acoustic B200H 200W Bass Head and B115 250W 1x15 Bass Cab Package)?


I would like it to be pretty easy to transport, since i live on the third floor of my apt (Yes, i have really considerate neighbors :D), so would the stack be way too heavy?

and which combo/stack would you recommend? please dont say used, i live 3 hours from my closest guitar center, and my local shop doesnt know the difference between a Jazz and a Precision bass (no really, i took my jazz in, and he asked what kind it was, and if it was a popular brand)

i searched, but i couldnt exactly find what i was looking for ^^;;
thank you!
 
#4
You haven't said whether you've played some equipment in the past: are there brands and models you like? Hate?

I'm still a fan of separate head and cabinet, especially if you're going to lug it up three flights of stairs.

As for used gear availability, there isn't much help we can give here. You may have to look farther afield to find used equipment. Driving three hours is a pain, but you'd only have to do it once. Naturally, call the GC directly to see what they have in stock.
 
#9
jwk1151 said:
ok, thanks for the help, so the stack is favored i suppose. actually, the only amp brands i dont like are peavey, i can live with the rest of them.
Click to expand...

Is there any particular reason why you dislike peavey? I wouldn't discredit some of their amp heads...aside from the expected fuse failure on my VB2, they are phenomenal stuff.

But if you are looking for a good church rig with solid tone...this GK combo is a wicked steal (might get one myself just for convenience)

http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend...x15-200W-Ultralight-Bass-Combo-Amp?sku=581052

or if you want to go the stack route, look for a good solid-state head on eBay or here, since they cost less to ship than a whole cab does, and just buy a cab from Avatar or get a used one from a pawn shop or guitar store in the area. My suggestions on a head would be a Gallien-Krueger Backline 600, Acoustic 200H, GK MB200 (when it comes out), or a carvin bx500. I would also check out some carvin bass cabs as well.

GK Backline - http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Gallien-Krueger-Backline-600-Bass-Head?sku=482534

Acoustic - http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Acoustic-B200H-200W-Bass-Head?sku=482904

GK MB200 - http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend...200-200W-Ultra-Light-Bass-Amp-Head?sku=423658

Carvin - Invalid Link Removed



The carvin link has a video too, its a bit more but you can find some used ones on here. Hope this helped! :bassist:
 
#10
Isn't the obvious question how big the sanctuary is? Then, what style of music is it? Third, what is the other instrumentation on stage (how loud is everything)? Live drums, or electric drums?

Beyond that, in your situation sounds like you take what you can get based on remote location. I know there could possibly be lots of response to this, but cab choice is pretty important based on your application. I've used a 1x15 combo and find that it can provide some decent presence, but gets lost in the mix as far as providing some clarity and distinction. You might consider a 1x8 or 1x10 and 1x15 cab. As far as head and cab for $300-$400 Peavey might be your best bang for the buck (though you've already ruled them out for some reason). You can also find a pretty cheap Carver power amp with a BBE or Sans amp that will get you pretty close to your halfway price (used through internet, both light components). You could actually build the cab using plans on here.

Food for thought.
 
#12
#14
Get the Stack !!! At church you should be felt and not heard, IMO...
You have some good links to see what is out there. Personally I like the GK line over the Acoustic.....I would buy a new head , spending a little more and then try to get a used cab to start off. After this weekend some of the big stores might be overstocked from trade-ins...you might get lucky.......say at GC .....good luck ;.. .
 
#16
thank you very much for the responses!

well, i cant fix the system, since its the L1 boss thingy, and they wont let me go anywhere near it because it was so expensive (?!?) i'm just concerned about moving the stack up and down 3 sets of stairs 4 times a week >< and the church is pretty big, i want to say about 200-300 people? but im really bad with estimating numbers like that.
I know stacks will be alot better in the long time run, but that GK MB115 seems really appealing, im running a CRATE 100 watt combo, so im guessing that it will be enough.

oh, and btw, i found a Hartke stack for $350 used, it has a 4x10 cab, and i think it came in a set, not sure seems like a 3500 series, any one know anything that would be similar to that?
 
#19
Yea, the cab might be a bit much >< and nope not my fault, just too cheap ^^ people from another church messed with it and now it's sorta dead. Yea, I think I'll go for a combo or just drive a few hours to the guitar center. any thoughts one the TE 715?
 
#20
Do they know exactly what's wrong with it? Can they have a professional check it out?
Because buying a louder amp to compensate for a broken sound system is hardly a good solution to the problem.
And what are they going to do about the drums? Or keys?
 

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