• 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 free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Bass amp newbie needs help

M

mandobear

Dec 16, 2008
25
0
#1
Hello everyone. I've just recently started playing small gigs with my band and all I'm using is a Fender Rumble 100watt amp. Obviously this amp just doesn't cut it when it comes to playing live so I've been looking into purchasing the Ampeg B2RE Bass Head and B410HLF cab.
Before I make this purchase is there any recommendations for another head and cab within this price range that would be louder and punchier than this ampeg half stack?
I'm sure you've seen this questions hundreds of times and I thank you for taking the time to helping me out.
 
#2
For the money a B2RE costs, you can get a much better head. The B2RE is not a good amp, IMHO. Some people like it, but in comparison to other amps in its price range, almost all of them are better sounding.
 
#3
ampeg solidstate heads arent very sought after, it'll do the job but i think you'll get sick of the tone after a while.

For head, I'd suggest a markbass little mark II as an amp. Or maybe a Gallien-Krueger 800RB.
For cab, i dont think that ampeg one would be the greatest either. Check out Avatar cabs.

Also, are you sure you like the 10" speaker size? Its pretty standard, but try 12s and 15s too, you might like them better.
 
#6
StyleOverShow said:
What makes you interested in the B2RE?

BrettF is pretty much on the mark too with the GK.

-richard
Click to expand...

Well I noticed that this particular half stack was within my price range and its an Ampeg and from my limited knowledge I thought it was the standard brand for bass amps.

I was looking at reviews for the GK 800RB and a lot of people have problems with this particular head overheating on them. Its a bit concerning to me.
I am interested in the MarkBass little Mark II.
The Avatar cabs are pretty cool too.

So If I were to want to upgrade to a full stack then I should get the 8 ohm Avatar cab right? Or would the 4 ohm cab be best for me seeing that I'm only doing small shows at bars and clubs?

I'm not too sure what the difference is between 4x8" and 2x12" other than a big price difference. I just thought I'd go with the 4x8" cus it was a bit more expensive. Are the lows more prominent with the bigger speakers?
My style is heavy metal greatly influenced by Steve Harris of Iron Maiden so I would like to have plenty of mids and highs for that clank sound I get when the strings bounce off my fret board.
Hopefully my questions can be answered. Thank you all for helping me out.
 
#7
I'm totally biased having bought one a year ago and thoroughly loving it, so in saying this I'd totally recommend the LMII for volume and clean tone. If you've got a good bass it'll make it sing. It's freq response is fantastic, but it does rely a lot on your source tone as it doesn't really add a lot of one thing or another like some other amps do.

And after a couple hours at a gig under lights in summertime in this sub-tropical climate I live in and running it at high volume (which only seems to be around the 9 o'clock mark) the thing is barely even warm to the touch.


If you want more mids and highs, go the smaller speakers. A general rule of thumb is the smaller the speaker the higher the frequency response, the larger the speaker the lower the freq response. Plus 4x8's should be louder than 2x12's (provided they're at the same output and impedance) as they're physically moving more air (8x4=32, 2x12=24. This is a very simplistic way of looking at it but it often applies to be true).
 
#8
Jake of Bass said:
I'm totally biased having bought one a year ago and thoroughly loving it, so in saying this I'd totally recommend the LMII for volume and clean tone. If you've got a good bass it'll make it sing. It's freq response is fantastic, but it does rely a lot on your source tone as it doesn't really add a lot of one thing or another like some other amps do.
Click to expand...

I'm actually leaning toward getting the LMII over the GK. Most people seem to be happy with their markbass gear from what I've seen on the net.
I'm also thinking of going with a 410 Avatar neo.

Could someone help me out with this questions?
So If I were to want to upgrade to a full stack then I should get the 8 ohm Avatar cab right? Or would the 4 ohm cab be best for me seeing that I'm only gigging small bars and clubs for the time being?
 
#9
my 2 cents...

Are you talking about buying a new Ampeg B2RE and B410HLF?
If you are, that is just over $1,000 new. You could buy a smokin rig for $1,000.

I have an Ashdown ABM C115 500 combo with an ABM 210T extension cab that rocks. A 575 watt, tube hybrid amp that would annihilate that Ampeg rig. I'm selling my rig to get an Ashdown preamp or ABM900.

I'll go ahead and 2nd the Markbass although I'm not personally fond of it just because so many TB'ers love it.

Again, assuming you were buying new for the Ampeg rig, you can get a lot more rig on the used market and do better than that particular Ampeg rig. Although Ampeg does make some fine amps at a more pricier level.
 
#10
mandobear said:
So If I were to want to upgrade to a full stack then I should get the 8 ohm Avatar cab right? Or would the 4 ohm cab be best for me seeing that I'm only gigging small bars and clubs for the time being?
Click to expand...

I think you've got it right. Assuming you get a head that has a 4 Ohm minimum load (which is the case for most heads), you'd be able to get an 8 Ohm cab now and add another one later. If you don't think you'll ever want to do that, then go for a 4 Ohm cab. If there's any doubt, I say go for the 8 Ohm cab.
 
#11
Chickencha said:
I think you've got it right. Assuming you get a head that has a 4 Ohm minimum load (which is the case for most heads), you'd be able to get an 8 Ohm cab now and add another one later. If you don't think you'll ever want to do that, then go for a 4 Ohm cab. If there's any doubt, I say go for the 8 Ohm cab.
Click to expand...

Cool cool. Thanks so much for the response.
Now I just have to think on what I need more.
I'm pretty sure I'm gonna go with the LMII head.

The Avatar website says that if I go with an 8 ohm cab instead of 4 ohm that the sound would only have a 3 db drop which is barely noticeable. Would you guys agree with this? Would I not notice too much of a difference between 4 and 8 ohm?
I am thinking of upgrading to a full stack sometime in the future but in the meantime I don't want to get one 8 ohm amp that is weak sounding and won't cut through my guitarists and drummer.
Again thanks so much for all your responses.
 
#12
Running the LMII @ 8ohms means it's output is 300watts.
Running the LMII @ 4ohms means it's output is 500watts. It's the way the head is designed to work.


A note about ohms: A 3db increase is a doubling in output power. In terms of volume it is noticeable, but definitely not double the volume. 300watts @ 8ohms is usually plenty of power to easily keep up with your typical rock band. For example, I used to play in a pretty heavy rock band with two guitars, one through a Marshall Mode IV (4x12 cab plus head) and 100 watt Marshall combo usually miked up plus kit and vox. I'd power a lot of the time straight from my (at the time) old Fender BXR 300watt head and 15" cab. No problems at all keeping up with the volume and retaining tone. So I wouldn't stress it with your band either, considering the gear you're looking at purchasing is much better than a now 15 year old rig!

http://www.sweetwater.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23435

In terms of the cab options think of it this way: 8ohms is a level of impedance, 4ohms is half that level of impedance. Impedance is similar to electrical resistance in a circuit board. So halving the impedance = double the output. Yes, it will sound a bit louder, but it also means you can't hook up a second speaker if you wished to do this down the track, as a second speaker would halve the impedance of the cab to 2ohms, which is pushing the limits quite considerably, unless it has been rated as such.



I think I got it all right, correct me if I'm wrong though...
 
#13
Great wealth of info Jake of Bass. Thank you for your time in explaining it to me.
I feel better about getting an 8 ohm Avatar 4x10 cab with the Mark Bass LMII head.
I do believe this is what I will be investing in and down the line getting another 2x12 avatar cab to complete my stack.
Thank you so much everyone for your help.
 
#14
A 2x12 would work well with the 4x10. Then you'd have a little more bottom end and likely a second horn to play with.

Just make sure both cabs are 8ohms, as hooking two up to the head halves the ohms load to 4. Most cabs can run at 4ohms if rated at 8, but running a cab at 2ohms is getting into the danger zone unless the maker specifies otherwise. But ask your local music shop for more details on this as it's their job to know the ins and outs of their products.
 
#15
Good choice with the LMII. Ampeg bass amps are the standard, but only their tube heads. They make pretty good hybrid heads too, but (apologies to Jerrold Tiers because I think he helped design it) the SS B2RE is not a good amp by comparison. If you like the Ampeg sound, the LMII is the SS amp to own.
 
#16
I agree w/ most posts here. Now A big suck up to Jerrold... I don't think the B2R/RE is that bad an amp. I had the B2R & while I DO think there ARE better amps in the same class out ther for the same $$$, the B2R had a nice sound & was reliable & versatile, & plenty loud enough at 350w..
BUT IMO- go w/ the LMII & an 8 ohm cab- then get another 8 ohm cab later-to get full 500w outta the LMII- or if U don't wanna worry about getting 2 cabs, simply get a 4 ohm 410 or 2x12 & U got the LMII performing at full potential straight away!!! Thats probly what I'd do. I don't think you'd NEED 2 cabs w/ the LMII at 500w- one 4x10" AVATAR should be HEAPS!!!
 
#17
LMII. a very groovy amp.
i'm currently playing all tube for bass and I think this is the only solid state amp i'd be happy with. it really is the best for the money in my opinion. to top it off, it's super portable which is always nice if you're gigging. go for it!
 
#20
Jake of Bass said:
I'd power a lot of the time straight from my (at the time) old Fender BXR 300watt head and 15" cab. No problems at all keeping up with the volume and retaining tone. So I wouldn't stress it with your band either, considering the gear you're looking at purchasing is much better than a now 15 year old rig!
Click to expand...

Sorry to go off topic here.. but those BXR 300 amps are loud!! I have the combo version and have never had issues with it being too quiet. I've owned it for 10 years and at this point it's so beat up and since they have very little street value I guess I'm keeping it.

But if you want something cheap, and you run across one of these.. take a look and you might be surprised.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back