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Amp Questions?

jessicabass

jessicabass

Dec 22, 2009
575
291
38
ohio
#1
Hello all, im a long time visitor who just signed up.
I have been playing for about 6 years and i have a few questions i hope you all can help me with.
I recently bought a Hartke 8x10 at a garage sale, im now playing in a band and am trying to get some good gear. Im using a crappy Crate 220h at the moment but am looking for upgrade desperatley. Ok questions
What is the deal with watts? Why is it that a 500 watt amp will sound weak while a 250 watt amp of another name sounds huge? I notice say a Kustom 1000w head costs 400$ on ebay but yet a 200w Trace Elliot is 700$
I have a 500-600$ budget to get a head and need some help. What is something that will give me true watts to run my 8x10 800w speakers to its fullest? Ive just recently started learning about gear and basses but for the past 6 years ive been using the crate, it was just something my brother had in the attic when he was trying to learn before he quit. I refuse to go to guitard center, they are jerks. Id rather buy used off ebay, but you cant try it out first that way. thanks
 
#2
Bass gear is like cars, the prices vary GREATLY depending on marketing, desirability, age and availibility. I think you might need to break-down and go to GC. (maybe wear a disguise), but first, (don't listen to what others say, unless its someone your really trust, and they know their gear), decide what you DON'T like about your Crate, then see whats available to correct the problem. So, what is it yu don't like?
 
#3
QUALITY!! Trends!! etc... Some amps are rated at 500w etc & are really only 350w or so when a BASS is played thru 'em - or sumthin like that. I DO know that an all tube amp of 300w like an SVT-CL will SLAY a solid state 300w amp but a watt is a watt so...????? Just have to try as many as poss. Older Ashdown EVO 575w amps are good for a hybrid. Mark Bass LMII great li'l amp. Or if going for the tube route an older Ampeg V4, V4B, or V4BH are all 100w but KICK A$$ thru an 810 cab!!!!!!! Traynor YBA200/ or YBA200-2 are a GREAT budget all tube amp as is the newer Peavey VB-2 - I use a YBA200 thru a 6x10 cab & it's LOUD!!!!!!!! SO it the Mark Bass LMII- very versatile li'l amp with plenty of guts(500w) try try try & preferable AT gigs or at rehearsal- i.e. in a band setting... makes all the diffference!!!!!!!!!!!
 
#4
decide what you DON'T like about your Crate, then see whats available to correct the problem. So, what is it yu don't like?[/QUOTE]
In my opinion it just seems like when you turn it up more than half way, it tends to sound farty? I want a nice clean boomy kind of tone. Also the highs are way to high if you know what i mean, even when i try to use the eq to extremes.
 
#5
the extremes of the EQ WILL sound "Hi" or make most cabs 'fart out' if U add HEAPS of bass at a loud volume. If the Crate is sounding thin & farty at higher levels- U probly need a more powerful amp. Does it do this even thru your 8x10" cab?? What impedance(ohms) is the 8x10 cab?? 4 I s'pose. The Crate is putting out 220watts most probly into THAT cab so you probly are after sumthin around 500w in S.S. or Hybrid amps or 200-300 in all tube.
 
#6
Given you have the Hartke 8X10- I'd check out the Hartke 3500 or 5500 head. I've owned many of the boutiuqe gear, Aguilar DB750, Trace V-6, SWR, Sunn 300T, Divided by 13 etc..I have had two heads that I have kept long haul a Mesa 400+ which I will go to my grave with, and the Hartke 3500. It is NOT- exotic, fancy, botique, or any of the above- but it got me through highschool and college- coupled with two trace cabs, it always sounded great, was plenty loud, and I could easily dial in my sound. Used they can be had for about $300- less than a dollar per watt- mine was indestructable- and had every bad thing you could imagine happen to it- and it always worked- plus the LED's on the grapic EQ look really cool on stage!!Good luck! and happy holidays!
 

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