Beginner Seeks Advice

[jazzbass76]

Hi all!

I am a beginner bassist. I have loved the bass for many, many years and as of today am the very happy owner of a Gio Ibanez Soundgear bass guitar. I picked it up for only $50 at a garage sale. I have played the tenor sax for 25 years and have played acoustic guitar for about 15 years, so I am knowledgeable about music in general (especially jazz), but I am new to the bass. I've messed around on some bass guitars before, and know a few bass lines, but I want to get serious about it and hopefully start a band with a drummer friend of mine and also do some in home recording.

So, my question is, what suggestions do you all have?

Specifically, I still need an amp. What would you recommend for a new, inexpensive amp? A practice amp? Or, something more for gigs?

Thanks for all of your advice!

 

[Joe Louvar]

Welcome to TB. BTW, posting your "budget" may help get more replies. Maybe checkout the pawnshops, TB’s classified, Craigslist, ebay, etc for a 100w combo bass amp.

 

[VerryBerry]

Hi Jazzbass, and welcome to TB!
Since I too am a beginner bassist, I can only offer you limited advice. I'll relate some of my experience here and hopefully it will help guide you in your choice of amp, etc.

Just over 3 months ago, I bought my Squier Standard P/J. Thought I'd wait before I bought an amp and just play it through my computer soundcard/speaker system for starters. That actually worked well due to a good subwoofer, but soon after, I walked into a music store and they had a pile of Peavey practice amps at a really hot price. Wow! I thought. I just had to have one. But I didn't have an idea of what I really needed. I just picked the biggest one, a Peavey MAX 115 - out of the pile and was happy - for a while.

I realized the shortcomings of my decision - not because I got a combo amp - but because I got a combo amp that was over 60 lbs. and hauling it around with strap handle on top was awkward. So, nothing against combo amps, but there are amps and cabs out there that are significantly less than 60 lbs. total, with higher power output and more features.

So now I am going through the trouble of selling my combo unit so that I can shop for something like the Ampeg Micro VR head (200 Watts/10 lbs.) and SVT210 mini-stack (26 lbs.) or a GK MB200 head (200 Watts/2 lbs.!) and a GK cab of some sort. the GK cabs I am looking at are around 30-35 lbs. Both these heads make great practice amps with MP3 inputs/headphone output. Both have balanced line outs for slaving or recording.

This is the direction I'd recommend - separate micro head and lighter-weight cab. If you do the math, you will see that either of these rigs come in at just over half the weight and have 3 times the power output (into 4-ohm load) of my current combo which is 60 Watts. You save money by skipping the traditional combo "practice amp" which can end up collecting dust once you get your next upgrade.

Hope this helps you some.

All the best.

 

[mikenel169]

I played out of an ampeg micro -CL combo today and man i tell ya this thing is sweet for 100 watts!!! its a micro head with a 2x10 cabinet and nice and small to keep any where, not to pricey either $350.00 at your local Guitar Center. I was impressed.

 

[murphy]

An ampeg PF115e is only $350-399. and a used markbass littlemark II is about 3 or 400 dollars.
Or a used gallien Krueger 400rb
or the new Ampeg PF350 head is cheap.$299....Jimmy M uses the Ampeg cab and head
That would be good to jam and gig.
Ibanez Promethian 110 combo....$599 light, cheap and good.......can add another speaker later
Genz Benz makes a good selection of combo amps and have incredible customer service
Use the search function in this forum on specific amps and you will come accross some great opinions and advice.
Decide how much you want to spend and how much weight you are willing to schlep.
Do you require new or used?
If possible to rent something and see how you like it?
Also depends on your style, sound needs.
Ampeg used to make a diamond Tolex Rocket combo amp..B100R...people raved about
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If you have a local store with good return policy and trade in deals, you might want to get something there and then trade in step up later.

Hartke might be a very good starting place ..Great guy ..and a good range of reasonably priced products
Hartke — Kickback 15

I would not get anything below a 15 or a 410. unless you are in the higher end gear.
Of course it all depends on how loud your drummer and guitar will be and a 100 to 200watts minimum.

I have used a Yorkville 400watt combo 15 that can be found cheap and has got the job done. But not their 200watt version...yuk!!

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