Ampeg BA115 100w V.S. Carvin BR15 120w

You should look at Ashdown, Acoustic, GK, etc. There are many combo amps in that price range. The most bang for your buck is always going to be buying used gear. I just sold an old SWR WM12 for $200.
Here's a nice looking Peavey combo, for example:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Peavey-Combo-210TX-Bass-Amp_W0QQitemZ150319093431QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item150319093431&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A0%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50
Try out everything you can find to get an idea of what you like and want. Then keep your eyes and ears open for a deal.

 

I have the Ampg, it's good.

The guy at GC will tell you it's better because he doesn't sell Carvin. I would try out a Carvin if I were you. Heck, try out a bunch! You have quite a few choices as others have pointed out and half the fun of getting new gear is in the shopping and trying it out.

 

Orange stuff, assuming it is also tube (I don't know this), is going to be louder than a 35w solid state amp. Orange does have a good reputation, their website has clips to listen to so you can have an idea. This still isn't that much juice if you're going to play with others. I am debating getting a tiny terror for when I play guitar.

 

No 100 watt bass amp will keep up with a 100 watt guitar amp. Look for more juice, like 250-300 watts, and at least a 15" spkr.

 

the orange 35B is a solid state amp. it sounded nice to me- a nice vintage tone. but its not going to get that loud

 

+5

If it is a 100 watt tube guitar amp, and he plays with it at like more than 1-2 you need a lot more. I have actually been blown out of practices with my previously owned 350 watt swr head where 1 player had a tube stack he played pretty loud.

 

Orange is definitely boutique, you either need a fat wallet or gigs lined up to help pay for one of their lod hand wired tube dealios.

Brian

 

Carvin makes good stuff that is well worth the money. They have stores in larger California cities, check one out somehow. Their stuff is often firesale cheap used.

 

I had great success with a Hartke Kickback 15 for about $400 slightly used; if it's goign through a PA, it's all you need. 120W, but would need some PA support for a larger room, whcih I always had.

 

I would take Carvin over ANY Ampeg product. The stuff is made in America by Americans. I own a lot of Carvin stuff and found it well made and totally reliable.

Paul

 

Try a Fender Bassman, I have the 150 and its loud enough for jams. its really portable, not too huge, 40 lbs. easy to carry around. mid parametric eq, line out. I had the BA115 and it didnt work for me.

 

I've owned both Carvin and Ampeg and getting a nice combo amp that will serve your needs from either is just going to be a matter of your personal taste or circumstances. I genuinely like my Carvin and Ampeg amps that I have and would recommend them to anybody.

Carvin is moderately reliable and they have a reasonably good customer service reputation. Ampeg used to be good in both departments but there is a debate about whether or not that is still true. I have no opinion on the matter and it's probably a good idea to just search one of the many, many threads here at Talkbass where the opinions run rampant rather than repeat them here.

Still, with about 100 watts from either of these two solid state combos you listed, you'll be hard pressed to keep up with a 100 watt tube guitar amp unless he keeps it turned down to "1".