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Apples, Oranges, or Bananas?

Apples, Oranges or Bananas?

  • Apples

    Votes: 5 31.3%

  • Oranges

    Votes: 11 68.8%

  • Bananas

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    16
J

Joetheschmoe

Dec 20, 2009
21
0
31
West Virginia
#1
In a bit of a pickle here. My current rig isn't cutting it anymore. I need to fill the room with low end, and my B100 can't do it. I'd love to spend as little as I can (who wouldn't?), but I want a good sound, and enough volume for a three piece blues band. (think SRV, and a little hint of ZOX.) I would love to buy used, but my local craigslist is a ghost town. Ebay isn't out of the option, but I would really like to try it if its used.

Apples:
GK MB 212, or maybe 210.
I can't try before I buy, and have been going off of fellow TBer's reviews.
Pros: Lots of power, good price, very light, good tone.
Cons: To good to be true? I can't play it to find out. Not loud enough?

Oranges:
Hartke 3500a/410XL
I played this amp, WOW. Nice tone. Flat, it made anything I played sound good. Lots of mids, and I liked it.
Pros: Good sounding, try before you buy.
Cons: Heavy, bulky, Price is a little steep.

Bananas:
GK backline/Acoustic 410
Musiciansfriend's favorite duo. I can't play this either. I know GK is well regarded around here, but I have not seen much about the cab.
Pros : Price, Power, liked.
Cons: No trying, heavy, bulky.
 
#3
I would say look up reviews. For now, Hartke sounds the best. I've heard things about the Backline's not being as good as the Goldlines, or whatever the more expensive/deluxe line is. A 210 or 212 might not be enough for you, and a 410 can always be versatile and move a lot of air if it's a good cab. If there are any music shops, try those for used things. Check craigslist for local bass amps you can try.
 
#6
So, how much is "as little as I can?" If you can, try out one of the Hartke LH500s. For a cab, I'd either go Avatar 2x12 or maybe a used Peavey TVX. Three piece SRV style blues and combo amps? I wouldn't bother.
 
#7
As little as I can, means bang for my buck. Cool designs, and flashy features are cool and all, but not what I'm looking for.

I can get the Hartke for $750USD total. So, the highest I might go is $800.

How does the LH5000 compare to the 3500a? Tone, size, weight, features. I see that it's smaller, and can read up on it, but I would like someone who has played both tell what the real differences are.
 
#8
lh500 is a better amp, but the 3500 is no slouch. excellent little amp for the money. not a fan of the cabs except hydrives, but out of those 3 rigs, the hartke would be the one for me. except $750 used is too high. you can get rigs like that for $400 if you're patient.
 
#9
I'd stay away from the gk backline head. I played through one at a practice space we rent out from time to time and although they put a lot of power out its tone shaping wasn't cutting it. Very muddy and hard to put out a clear tone.

Im not sure a 210 or 212 would be loud enough, I wouldnt feel comfortable pushing a 210 or 212 too hard...

Id say go for the hartke. I've tried those heads and they sound decent, and I bet a good bass makes them go a long way.
 

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