• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

are there any good affordable heads and cabs

I've recently been looking into upgrading my amp from a partially busted Hartke B900 combo amp to a small to midrange sized head and cabinet. any suggestions on what would sound good together, tubes versus solid state, and overall value?
 
I don't know enough to know enough but I got a Hartke HA2500 on ebay for £82 and im well pleased with it. Seen an HA3500 go for about £180.

Cabs not always so easy to come so prob gonna have to buy new and unless I imagined it (which is quite possible cause I cant find the link again lol) one of the Hartke Hydrive models is a 12" for about £200.
 
Need a lot more information before we can even start. Budget? Type of band you play in? Type of gigs you play?

Thanks for all the advice, but to answer your question I play in a band with many different styles including metal, indie, alternative, and a fair amount of funk. Id like to spend under a thousand dollars, but preferably more like seven to eight hundred. and most gigs are smaller to midsized venues, i dont need something super powerful.
 
I don't know enough to know enough but I got a Hartke HA2500 on ebay for £82 and im well pleased with it. Seen an HA3500 go for about £180.

Cabs not always so easy to come so prob gonna have to buy new and unless I imagined it (which is quite possible cause I cant find the link again lol) one of the Hartke Hydrive models is a 12" for about £200.

I played a Hartke HA3000 for years before I upgraded fairly recently, it did pretty well, they're good sounding little amps. Tell you what though, if I could go back and get something else I would pick up a used MarkBass Little Mark II and some sort of 6x10, or 4x10 + 1x15.
 
If I could go back and start saving from then I could pick up a markbass lol. I'm experimenting at the moment mostly for portability. Got a little ashdown after eight for home cause it looked cool - not bad for headphone use. Got my eye on an ashdown 350watt little giant and theres a 1000watt version.

I say portability cause my other rig is a trace elliot multi stack GP11 mk V with a 1x15 and a 4x5 bright box (both angled cabs like giant monitors). It has it's own gravity field.

I really like the idea of the new ampeg portaflex range but i've heard mixed reviews.
 
Check out this, it sits right in your price range, is modular so you can expand as you need it, and is a versatile rig. I use the BX600 and a 2x10 to play in a few different bands, with just a few knob twists it goes from jazz to funk to blues to indie. The big difference between this and mine besides the wattage and amount of speakers is that the bx500 has a tube preamp, but from what I've heard in videos and from reviews is only a good thing:

Invalid Link Removed
 
7-800?
You have a TON of options, I'd consider that midrange, not budget.

I like used gear personally, and $800 will get you a heckuva rig in the classifieds here.
Right now... there's a MarkBass LMII for under $400.
Pair that up with the cab(s) of your choice and rock 'n roll. There's a couple nice 2x12 cabs in there right now in your price range.
 
Ampeg PF350 + Avatar B212 NEO around 750 bucks.
Ampeg PF500 + Avatar TB153 around 900 bucks. **
Carvin BX250 + Avatar B210 NEO around 650 bucks.

** Killer half stack would suffice just about any size gig.

:hyper: