Any appreciation for inexpensive amps?

[chungweishan]

Because of the thread about inexpensive basses, I'm curious on everyone's thoughts about amps. Obviously, that's a bit more difficult considering what venues you are playing at (room size, FOH), preferences in size/weight, etc, specific tones, combos vs. head+cabinets.

My inexperienced thinking is that a bit more concern should be used when buying any amp. While I do believe tone starts with technique, the end result is what comes out of that speaker.

A lot of forum members do recommend the more expensive (to me) amplifiers for certain reasons. Currently, owning a Fender Rumble 150, I'm aware that it may be inevitable to get a more powerful amp. But for time being, I am satisfied with it's tone and volume as I haven't had the need to max it out yet.

(On the guitar side, I have always loved my Fender Princeton Chorus. Clean or dirty channel, I'm just used to that tone and I like it. Knew a guy with a $1000 boutique amp, could never get a good tone out of it. These things happen.)

 

[gary m]

Really like my Ampeg BA108 (modified) for small gigs. Incredible tone in a small 25 watt combo.

 

[mpdd]

i like my pignose hog 30, something about the 8" speaker just works for a really nice low volume playing with precision style basses, it also sounds amazing with my rat tail and the jazz, sometimes the mesa is just way too loud, deep sounding, and heavy for my needs

 

[Joe Louvar]

I'm really liking my little tiny 21lb, 100w, GK MB110 bass combo amp. Cheers

 

[CL400Peavey]

What is expensive? It is all about the perception of value. I think I got a great deal on my Peavey Classic 400. Others wouldnt pay anything for it.

 

[adi77]

warwick pro-fet 5.2, i got it for $330 brand new... very worth it.
...and warwick really helped me when the amp needed servicing.

 

[warrplayer]

Really like my Ampeg BA108 (modified) for small gigs. Incredible tone in a small 25 watt combo.

Yeah, I was trying out a Roscoe at Sam Ashe through one of these and ended up buying it. Sounds great. Another one you can pick up cheap on Ebay (though it doesn't come up often) is the Vox T-15.

http://www.voxshowroom.com/uk/amp/t15.html

15 watts isn't really enough for gigging, but if you like to mic up an amp when you record it sounds great.

 

[will33]

I have an appreciation for anything inexpensive, which usually means something "good" bought used, like my 400rb I got for $150, or my Tmax I paid I think $180 or $200 for.

 

[GBassNorth]

I bought an inexpensive used (now vintage) Musicman HD150 amp and it has appreciated in value vs what I bought it for several years ago. It really is a great amp and has separate inputs and tone shaping for both guitar and bass. Get one while they're still relatively cheap. I think they look cool too.

 

[orangejulius3]

$180 used GK 800RB
$200 used GK MB200
$200 used GK 400RB-ll

 

[dalkowski]

If it's inexpensive and doesn't sound like poo, I'm appreciative.

 

[itchyfingers]

I have a TC Electronic BH250 that I got for just over $200 new. Great little head with DI out, built in tuner, nice EQ, and Toneprint capability. Sounds great with every cab I've hooked it up to.

Also pretty impressed by the bass mode on my Yamaha THR10. Great for late night practice or recording. I picked that amp up USED for the price of a booteek pedal!

 

[johnpbass]

As CL400 said earlier, for me "inexpensive" has a lot to do with perception of value. I consider my Genz Focus cabs to be "inexpensive", but they sound fantastic regardless of price. I also consider most Ampegs to be a great value, for example, the 210AV cabs.

 

[jnewmark]

I've come to love Carvin amps over the more expensive ones, and I have tried quite a few " expensive " heads.

 

[Red Four]

The value of an inexpensive amp is that it allows one to get out there and kick butt. Any amp that gets you out and moving and playing is better than one that has to be saved up for or excessively protected. The most praise I ever got for my bass sound at a gig was, believe it or not, playing through an old Peavey TKO 75 combo. I was pushing it hard, playing my EBMM Sterling through it with intensity, and it roared its low-wattage heart out to great effect. The inexpensive-amps-that-could have a place of honor in the halls of bassdom.

 

[RDUB]

Some of the inexpensive amps have hit on good useable tone. I used a small GK for quite a while. A one trick pony, IMHO, but a solid sound. Others, not so much. I did a rehearsal lately through a small Traynor, and really didn't like it. There is quality out there for a low price, but it takes some looking!

 

[bluesdogblues]

Some of affordable Peavey amps that I (had to) use in the past were surprisingly good IMHO.

 

[buldog5151bass]

It only matters whether you like it.

 

[The Nameless]

I like buyin once expensive but not anymore amps. I have a rig that boggles the mind, in a way. SWR SM-400s, Eden wt-600, Music Man 412, Eden 210 an 215 XLT cabs an I paid less fer all that than my friend did fer a TecAmp 900 new. I grew up wishin I could afford all that. Now? I can. An great tone never ages. Both my heads sound as good as ANYthin bein currently offered, an better than said TecAmp. An several others I've played next to. I play a Peavey Mark VIII w/a Behringer 410 at a rehearsal gig. I have a Hundred watt solid state Fender Head wit a matchin 80s 115, too. And an SWR Workinman's 110 combo that keeps up wit a drummer an has a D.I. All this gear is older, inexpensive, sounds great. I don't have to lift much, either. Cuz stuff is so inexpensive? I leave a rig everywhere! Carvin Acoustic, Behringer all sound great fer limited funds. An deals in used gear are everywhere. Yes. I like all inexpensive gear. Jus play. It up to me to make any gear sound great. No amp will be responsible fer my sound. I am. An it is fun to have lots. One boutique head? Or a full, Modular Eden stack? Or, a new Carvin mini stack?. I'm takin the most fer the least every time.

 

[lakefx]

I have a TC Electronic BH250 that I got for just over $200 new. Great little head with DI out, built in tuner, nice EQ, and Toneprint capability. Sounds great with every cab I've hooked it up to.

Yeah, I'm quite happy with my BG 250, which is the 15" combo version. Paid $300 brand new and I've never had to turn it up past 5. I'll probably upgrade some day, but I have no reason to any time soon.