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Best amp <$500

#102
Sludgewhale said:
Hey guys,

So i've been looking at all the wise comments on TB about combos that are sick, why not to get combos, etc, before making a decision to purchase an amp. Its been a year since I got back into the bass game and everytime I see the combo i'm using now (dare I say the silvertone bax 20 watt savage that I got 16 years ago) I realize more and more that I am in serious need. So i'm looking at combos in the range of 150-200 watts to be able to jam with my friends. I play all types a rock and metal mostly sounds resembling isis, big business and mastodon. I currently have a zoom b3 which I use the SVT effect with every patch because I like the tone.

The four that I have been looking at are:

Fender Rumble 200 1x15" 200-Watt Bass Combo

Orange Crush Pix CR100BXT 1x15" 100-Watt Bass Combo Orange

Ampeg BA-115v2 1x15" 150-Watt Bass Combo with Scrambler

Gallien-Krueger MB115-II 1x15" 200-Watt Bass Combo

I know the orange is only 100 watts I just wanted to see what you guys had to say. Also i'm not opposed to getting a head and cab if there is anything worth is for my budget. Thanks guys.
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TC Electronic BG250-112 or 115. If you like punchier tone, get the 210. Costs a bit more. With the tone prints and the zoom b3, you'll have amp modeling and effects for days with enough power to cut through in band rehearsals or small gigs.
 
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#103
None of the TC Electronic BG250 are appropriate for metal.
They are non expandable combos.
OP please disregard them.

Whether or not they sound like platinum records and bikinis they just aren't up to the task.

If you can't at least add another cabinet a bass combo amplifier is worthless for any sort of heavy music.
 
#104
Downunderwonder said:
What's weird is suggesting putting a 500w amp up a 1x15. That'll end in tears.
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If you are referring to my post I was suggesting a 500w amp with 2 15's. The single 15 combo has a rating of 500w into 4 ohms and the internal 15 is 8 ohms; it is receiving 300w internally.
Now, that said, I have run more than a 500w amp regularly into a 15 for about 7-8 years, AND no tears for me. And I played it loud as sin. Still working and sounding fine. If a person actually knows what they are doing it should never end up in tears. Sorry it has happened for you.
 
#106
No there is only one tri-state area.

And pretty much any city if you can get more than 50 miles from it before hitting another one, you will hit the uncivilized world. It's like the city mouse and the country mouse and things really are just different. Which is not NECESSARILY to say better or worse.
 
#108
pcake said:
200 watt combo for metal? maybe really quiet metal :D
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Of course my personal preference is jazz-rock fusion country-honky-tonk beyond-death-into-the-Light metal. That is medium loud metal for those of you who don't keep up with the scene.
 
#117
Just got back from GC at Ridgehill of Yonkers if any of you are nearby go check that out its quite the store.

I was lucky enough to try out most of the combos that were stated on this thread besides the carvin and the 450 ampeg. To put it short I really liked the GK MB115 and wasnt a fan of the rumble, HOWEVER the only rumble that I tried was the 200 1x15 just didnt do it for me so I'm wondering how I would like the rumble 500 2x10.

Also I cranked up the peavey max 115 300 watts and the GK mb115 and was amazed at how much louder the GK was, I could feel it deep in my plums! And the peavey was as though 6-9 was the same maxed volume.

So as of now i'm gonna try to find somewhere I can check out both 2x10 450 and 500 watt ampeg and fender respectively. I feel that just checking out their smaller counterparts didnt do them justice. And I havent forgot about the carvins!
 
#119
Sludgewhale said:
Just got back from GC at Ridgehill of Yonkers if any of you are nearby go check that out its quite the store.

I was lucky enough to try out most of the combos that were stated on this thread besides the carvin and the 450 ampeg. To put it short I really liked the GK MB115 and wasnt a fan of the rumble, HOWEVER the only rumble that I tried was the 200 1x15 just didnt do it for me so I'm wondering how I would like the rumble 500 2x10.

Also I cranked up the peavey max 115 300 watts and the GK mb115 and was amazed at how much louder the GK was, I could feel it deep in my plums! And the peavey was as though 6-9 was the same maxed volume.

So as of now i'm gonna try to find somewhere I can check out both 2x10 450 and 500 watt ampeg and fender respectively. I feel that just checking out their smaller counterparts didnt do them justice. And I havent forgot about the carvins!
Click to expand...

If you didn't like the Rumble 200, you probably won't like the 500. I have played shows with my 200 and the next band had a 500 and they didn't sound very different to me but hey, I'm probably half deaf. It is worth noting (if someone hasn't already) that the Rumble 200 puts out 140 watts as a combo and the full 2oo watts with an extension speaker. The 500 puts out 350 watts as a stand alone and the full 500 with the extension. The extension speaker makes all the difference in the world in my experiences with my 200. Also - it's really light and manageable.
 
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