Bergantino cabs of your choice, the tweeters are excellent for slapping. Mate them with a Berg Forte HP if you can find one, or a Mesa WD800, D800+ or TT800.
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Amp Recommendations
- Thread starter Cam Buchanan
- Start date
If I were in your shoes, here's what I would get - and probably have some money left at the end of it;
1) Aguilar TH700
2) two 1x12 cabinets from Revsound or from Bergantino. Revsound made me a 1x8" and it's a killer little thing. I've not read anything bad about his cabs ever. Having said that, I have two Bergantino 112's and couldn't believe how much of an upgrade they were over my old Eden 2x10 and 1x15 cabs..
That may leave you with some $$$ left and a KILLER rig and modular too.. bring one 112 if you only need or bring both if you need the extra oompf
Regards
Mark
1) Aguilar TH700
2) two 1x12 cabinets from Revsound or from Bergantino. Revsound made me a 1x8" and it's a killer little thing. I've not read anything bad about his cabs ever. Having said that, I have two Bergantino 112's and couldn't believe how much of an upgrade they were over my old Eden 2x10 and 1x15 cabs..
That may leave you with some $$$ left and a KILLER rig and modular too.. bring one 112 if you only need or bring both if you need the extra oompf
Regards
Mark
- Feb 12, 2006
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- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
I do recommend either trying some proposed rigs out before you buy, or buy from a shop that has a good return policy.
I’m rocking a Markbass 121p with 121 extension and it’s great, but yeah, the Mesa is a real winner and definitely something I may have to acquire down the road, just a killer rig.
If you don’t go with MB, Mesa all day!
JeezyMcNuggles
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If you're in the US, I have an ampeg pf800 for sale.
For Sale - Ampeg pf800
You'd need a cabinet, but it pairs well with anything. Clean, light, powerful
To the OP
You need more that 60 watts and you need more than a 8" speaker to get any booty to your sound. Markbass makes fine stuff but you can not expect a micro amp to move much air. The are so many great amps and cabs out there.
As Aged Horse wisely points out, buy an amp from a retailer that will allow you to return it after you have auditioned it if it is not your sound.
Amps and cabs add flavor to your sound. That makes selection a very personal choice. Perhaps go shopping on Youtube for live recordings where you can see what the bassist is using and see if you can identify possibilities.
Your Helix is a huge plus.
You might consider buying an amp that is very clean and not a ton of identifiable color.
The fact that you own a Helix, opens up a lot of possibilities in that you can buy a very clean and loud amp and then decide you want it sound like an SVT, Marshal, GK, Ampeg B15, an Aguilar.... Add tube drive, scooped eq, model an 810 cab or a single 15, you have a lot of ways to create the amp you want.
One preset I have created uses HiWatt Guitar amp through a Sunn cab and get a very convincing John Entwistle sound using my Helix to do that.
You own the Helix, use it to make whatever amp you buy, sound like whatever works for the genre, song, etc.
You need more that 60 watts and you need more than a 8" speaker to get any booty to your sound. Markbass makes fine stuff but you can not expect a micro amp to move much air. The are so many great amps and cabs out there.
As Aged Horse wisely points out, buy an amp from a retailer that will allow you to return it after you have auditioned it if it is not your sound.
Amps and cabs add flavor to your sound. That makes selection a very personal choice. Perhaps go shopping on Youtube for live recordings where you can see what the bassist is using and see if you can identify possibilities.
Your Helix is a huge plus.
You might consider buying an amp that is very clean and not a ton of identifiable color.
The fact that you own a Helix, opens up a lot of possibilities in that you can buy a very clean and loud amp and then decide you want it sound like an SVT, Marshal, GK, Ampeg B15, an Aguilar.... Add tube drive, scooped eq, model an 810 cab or a single 15, you have a lot of ways to create the amp you want.
One preset I have created uses HiWatt Guitar amp through a Sunn cab and get a very convincing John Entwistle sound using my Helix to do that.
You own the Helix, use it to make whatever amp you buy, sound like whatever works for the genre, song, etc.
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I agree with you on this. V4-B for price and weight trade-off is, overall, a great choice. two 2-12 or two 2-10 is best versatility and mobility when playing out. Another option is to get the PF-50T, and a class-D amp to boost the watts when needed (MESA or Quilter). But you're right about the V4-B. I just don't like the form factor, but they sound killer. prob my fav amp.
I wish I could find the EQ chart showing the D-800+ response. It was basically flat and seems a good match for modelers that I see you have. My suggestion - go with a D-800/800+ or D-350 and a Mesa Subway 112. Then add another cab if you need the volume.
Actually, combo amps are "powered cabinets", aren't they? The Ampeg RB500 sound great, and are inexpensive.
I played through one last summer at at festival and was blown away by the sound. They are very affordable as well.
JeezyMcNuggles
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Yeah. I always thought that it was a little wide. But, it's made to fit perfect in their cab cups. So... is what it is.
I gigged an Aguilar TH 500 paired with Bergantino 210 and 410 cabinets for years. The TH is a really nice amp - for a slightly more "classic" fingerstyle tone out of a class D. Where it falls down for me is with slap. As soon as I switch to thumping and popping it's as if my strings are totally dead. A few months ago I decided to try something new and bought two Mesa heads: a WD-800 and a D-800+. Wow - what a difference. Tight, punchy, warm - and slap heaven. While both Mesa amps sound fantastic they each have their own flavour. To me the WD is a more "elegant" amp, with a lot of upper harmonic presence. Response-wise it's a bit more "pillowy" (I've heard the sound/feel referred to as "chewy"). The D-800+, on the other hand, hits harder and has more "slam" to the note. With slap it will give you that "hard" quick response that provides an attack with a lot of authority. The "voicing" control on the D-800+ is wonderful and, for me, took the sound of the amp from really good to great. I'll add that for living room use I prefer the WD-800 but live I've been favouring the D-800+ because of its authority in a mix. I'm still using the Bergantino neo cabinets and love them. I will say that the one Mesa cabinet I tried out in-store sounded fantastic.
Another thing to consider with Mesa is the five year warranty and the amazing support provided here on TB by agedhorse (who designed the amps). If you're curious about the Mesas I'd encourage you to check out the Mesa Subway thread on TB and ask any questions you might have. Back in November or December I asked about the difference between the WD-800 and the D-800+ and received a lot of helpful responses.
Official Mesa Boogie Subway Series Club | TalkBass.com
I'd love to be able to comment on the Bergantino amps but I've never tried one. I've heard good things though.
Another thing to consider with Mesa is the five year warranty and the amazing support provided here on TB by agedhorse (who designed the amps). If you're curious about the Mesas I'd encourage you to check out the Mesa Subway thread on TB and ask any questions you might have. Back in November or December I asked about the difference between the WD-800 and the D-800+ and received a lot of helpful responses.
Official Mesa Boogie Subway Series Club | TalkBass.com
I'd love to be able to comment on the Bergantino amps but I've never tried one. I've heard good things though.
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This isn't what she wants to hear . . . but . . . I got tired of dragging lots of heavy gear to shows every weekend last summer, and have been using this in place of my 800W + 6-10 rig:
Outdoors, I use a TC Electronics BAM 200, and two BC208 cabs, stacked vertically, off the ground by 24" (stacked on a plastic milk crate). Loud enough. light enough. I don't dread the set-up/take-down part of gigging anymore.
And it all fits into the cab of my pickup. And I didn't spend a lot of cash. I make money with this little rig, and don't give it all back to GC or Sweetwater for gear.
Outdoors, I use a TC Electronics BAM 200, and two BC208 cabs, stacked vertically, off the ground by 24" (stacked on a plastic milk crate). Loud enough. light enough. I don't dread the set-up/take-down part of gigging anymore.
And it all fits into the cab of my pickup. And I didn't spend a lot of cash. I make money with this little rig, and don't give it all back to GC or Sweetwater for gear.
Yeah, gotta love the purple sparkle finish. Seriously.After seeing your bass I can recommend you speak with @LadyLoveStingRay5.
I'd buy one just like it if I didn't think my wife would invoke eminent domain and take it for herself.
I'm surprised no one has mentioned it yet, especially with the budget you have. Barefaced! Get a Barefaced Big Baby II for a remarkably powerful, easy to transport and amazing sounding all-in-one cab.
I've tried a variety of heads with my BBII, and they all sound great:
Eden
Mesa
Aguilar
I've tried a variety of heads with my BBII, and they all sound great:
Eden
Mesa
Aguilar
This is a serious problem here in the USA. I was at my local Guitar Center the other day to buy some FastFret and took a look in the bass department. No GK, Acoustic (c'mon it's the GC house brand!), Ampeg, Fender...all of which used to be stocked at that location. There was one MarkBass combo, a used Hartke and two used Acoustic cabs.
Unless you're in NYC, LA, Nashville, etc. the old days of hitting local stores to check out gear are long gone...there isn't anything on the floor, you have to special order it.
Thanks for everyone’s responses!
a LOT of love for MESA out there!
I didn’t mention it but I just wanted a louder amp to keep up with a live drummer for fun jam sessions. I mainly just play in my basement along songs that inspire me to play.
I decided to give the Markbass 102P a shot, it’s not as fancy or high end as I could get but it’s what I know, light, and can get the volume I want. If I don’t like it I’ll probably just return it and give the mesa a shot. I’m excited to see how the markbass is with my Helix.
Also, as a plus I’ve got extra spending money for a new bass, I’m eyeballing a sire P5 for the collection or waiting for a stingray fretless.
thanks again!
a LOT of love for MESA out there!
I didn’t mention it but I just wanted a louder amp to keep up with a live drummer for fun jam sessions. I mainly just play in my basement along songs that inspire me to play.
I decided to give the Markbass 102P a shot, it’s not as fancy or high end as I could get but it’s what I know, light, and can get the volume I want. If I don’t like it I’ll probably just return it and give the mesa a shot. I’m excited to see how the markbass is with my Helix.
Also, as a plus I’ve got extra spending money for a new bass, I’m eyeballing a sire P5 for the collection or waiting for a stingray fretless.
thanks again!
Yeah, the only reason I go to GC anymore is to pick up strings (occasionally) or picks. I feel like morale is really low at my local store, and the selection is the same every time.
I feel like you would have a better chance hearing other gear if you just went to local shows and asked if the bass player could demo it for you.
Cam, it would help if we knew more about what kind of music you want to play.
Are you planning to go beyond jamming into gigging any soon (within two years)?
Will you have to move your amp every time you go to jam (i.e. are size and weight an issue)?
What kind of car do you own (an SVT stack will not fit into a Kia Soul or a Toyota Corolla
)?
EDIT While I was writing this post you replied about jamming in the basement. You should look into a moderately powered combo amp to compete with the drummer. No reason to spend a lot of money because until you get to the point where you will leave the basement for a stage you won't need most of the rigs being suggested here.
Are you planning to go beyond jamming into gigging any soon (within two years)?
Will you have to move your amp every time you go to jam (i.e. are size and weight an issue)?
What kind of car do you own (an SVT stack will not fit into a Kia Soul or a Toyota Corolla
)?EDIT While I was writing this post you replied about jamming in the basement. You should look into a moderately powered combo amp to compete with the drummer. No reason to spend a lot of money because until you get to the point where you will leave the basement for a stage you won't need most of the rigs being suggested here.
i know right! Mine looks to keep at max one MarkBass combo on hand. Last I looked there was one small ampeg rocketbass and a couple of small acoustic combos, and a boss combo. Never any real stingrays and just one high end p-bass. Everything else is beat to poopie. I literally grabbed a cheap sterling and the action had to be at least 1 in” from the fretboard!
meanwhile the guitar section was loaded. I just think the bass gets no love in stores.
