I have a rogue practice amp that has 50 watts and is fine for practice but now my band is gigging more and i'm looking into getting something bigger with better tone. So what should I look into? I've been looking at craiglist but I'm not exactly sure what's good. I'm looking to spend about $500 but I don't want to go over $600.
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Best amp for $500?
- Thread starter Veed
- Start date
Ashdown makes great stuff you can get an ashdown 300 watt ss amp and an ashdown 4x10 cab for 600$
Do yourself a favor and focus more on volume and reliability than perfect tone. $500 isn't going to get you an amazing amp, but it will get you something functional. For that, I say look for a 4x10 half stack. It's going to get you more volume and headroom than comparable options, like a 1x15 combo or a 2x10 half stack, but remain reasonably portable. Don't get caught up too much on people's opinions of sound, but DO pay attention to efficiency and reliability.
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There's an ashdown 4x10 combo for $600:
4x10 Bass Amp - Ashdown MAG C410T-300 EVO II Combo - $600 (Dodge County)
Reply to: [email protected]
Date: 2008-07-26, 3:10PM CDT
This amp is barely used and in great condition. Only played a handful of gigs and well cared for. Below is the information directly from Ashdown's offical website. Please feel free to email any questions. Serious inquiries only.
The MAG-C410t 4 x 10 + tweeter combo features a potent new fan-cooled 307 watts RMS power section. Rotary bass, middle and treble controls are supplemented by smaller rotary controls providing 15dB of cut and boost at 220Hz and 1.6kHz, providing a comprehensive 5 band EQ section. Additionally, front panel push switches for Bright and Deep settings provide instant access to attacking and warm, rounded sounds respectively and, on the subject of low-end response, the trademark Ashdown sub-harmonic generator is ready and able to deliver truck loads of earth moving tone if called upon. Inputs are provided for active and passive instruments and the front panel also features an effects send and return, a tuner/line output and a balanced DI output for direct connection to a mixing console.
With the MAGs now achieving EVO II status, the amplifier also includes a built-in compressor with precision sonic control.
Power is delivered through custom Ashdown BlueLine speakers – famous for their controlled and extended low end performance, exceptional midrange attack and bright top end.
The cabinet is protected by a tough carpet covering.
Specifications
Power Output (RMS) 307W
Power Requirement 230 / 115V
Speaker Configuration 4 x 10" BlueLine speaker+ tweeter
Frequency Response -3dB at 17Hz and 30KHz
Speaker Outputs Minimum impedance 4 Ohms
High Instrument Input Impedance 3.9MOhms / Input range 150mV - 20V p-p
Low Instrument Input Impedance 10KOhms / Input range 300mV - 40V p-p
Line Input Impedance 22k Ohms / Input level 0dBu nominal
DI Output 600 Ohms balanced / Level -20dBu nominal
Tuner Output Impedance 22k Ohms, level 0dBu nominal
Signal to noise Better than 80dB (EQ flat)
EQ Bass +/-15dB @ 100Hz
Lo Mid +/-15dB @ 220Hz
Middle +/-15dB @ 660Hz
Hi Mid +/-15dB @ 1.6kHz
Treble +/-15dB @ 7kHz shelving
Deep +8dB @ 50Hz
Bright +10dB @ 10kHz
Effects Send Impedance 22k Ohms, level 0dBu nominal
Effects Return Impedance 22k Ohms / Level 0dBu nominal
Distortion Less than 0.5% THD
H x W x D (mm) 768 x 610 x 335
Weight (kg) 44
* Location: Dodge County
* it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests
PostingID: 770981762
There's an ashdown 4x10 combo for $600:
4x10 Bass Amp - Ashdown MAG C410T-300 EVO II Combo - $600 (Dodge County)
Reply to: [email protected]
Date: 2008-07-26, 3:10PM CDT
This amp is barely used and in great condition. Only played a handful of gigs and well cared for. Below is the information directly from Ashdown's offical website. Please feel free to email any questions. Serious inquiries only.
The MAG-C410t 4 x 10 + tweeter combo features a potent new fan-cooled 307 watts RMS power section. Rotary bass, middle and treble controls are supplemented by smaller rotary controls providing 15dB of cut and boost at 220Hz and 1.6kHz, providing a comprehensive 5 band EQ section. Additionally, front panel push switches for Bright and Deep settings provide instant access to attacking and warm, rounded sounds respectively and, on the subject of low-end response, the trademark Ashdown sub-harmonic generator is ready and able to deliver truck loads of earth moving tone if called upon. Inputs are provided for active and passive instruments and the front panel also features an effects send and return, a tuner/line output and a balanced DI output for direct connection to a mixing console.
With the MAGs now achieving EVO II status, the amplifier also includes a built-in compressor with precision sonic control.
Power is delivered through custom Ashdown BlueLine speakers – famous for their controlled and extended low end performance, exceptional midrange attack and bright top end.
The cabinet is protected by a tough carpet covering.
Specifications
Power Output (RMS) 307W
Power Requirement 230 / 115V
Speaker Configuration 4 x 10" BlueLine speaker+ tweeter
Frequency Response -3dB at 17Hz and 30KHz
Speaker Outputs Minimum impedance 4 Ohms
High Instrument Input Impedance 3.9MOhms / Input range 150mV - 20V p-p
Low Instrument Input Impedance 10KOhms / Input range 300mV - 40V p-p
Line Input Impedance 22k Ohms / Input level 0dBu nominal
DI Output 600 Ohms balanced / Level -20dBu nominal
Tuner Output Impedance 22k Ohms, level 0dBu nominal
Signal to noise Better than 80dB (EQ flat)
EQ Bass +/-15dB @ 100Hz
Lo Mid +/-15dB @ 220Hz
Middle +/-15dB @ 660Hz
Hi Mid +/-15dB @ 1.6kHz
Treble +/-15dB @ 7kHz shelving
Deep +8dB @ 50Hz
Bright +10dB @ 10kHz
Effects Send Impedance 22k Ohms, level 0dBu nominal
Effects Return Impedance 22k Ohms / Level 0dBu nominal
Distortion Less than 0.5% THD
H x W x D (mm) 768 x 610 x 335
Weight (kg) 44
* Location: Dodge County
* it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests
PostingID: 770981762
You can find a nice 12" or 15" combo amp in that price range, esp if you consider used. I've seen Peavey BAMs for $400 if you like modeling. 2X10 is also a good solution.
Reply to Stumbos' profiling questions, it'll help a ton to get best advice.
Reply to Stumbos' profiling questions, it'll help a ton to get best advice.
Hartke VX3500 Combo Bass Amp - $600 (West Madison)
Reply to: [email protected]
Date: 2008-07-20, 2:22PM CDT
Haven't used it much. Live in an apt. Never turned up past two. Now I have a baby and could use the money. Price is negotiable within reason. This amp has never left my home and is as close as you can get to brand new. Here are the specs:
The VX3500 combo combines the best selling classic Hartke 3500 amp with a killer new Hartke speaker cabinet loaded with four 10" Hartke VX paper cone speakers and a high frequency driver. It is the ultimate 350 Watt bass combo, perfect for any style of bass playing.
3500 amplifier section with 350 Watts of classic Hartke power
Amp section features tube and solid state preamps, bass, treble and contour controls, 10 band graphic EQ and variable compression
Cabinet features 4 x 10" tradiional paper cone drivers and a high frequency compression driver
Solid braced cabinet construction, recessed side handles, and heavy duty casters
* Location: West Madison
* it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests
PostingID: 762631726
Reply to: [email protected]
Date: 2008-07-20, 2:22PM CDT
Haven't used it much. Live in an apt. Never turned up past two. Now I have a baby and could use the money. Price is negotiable within reason. This amp has never left my home and is as close as you can get to brand new. Here are the specs:
The VX3500 combo combines the best selling classic Hartke 3500 amp with a killer new Hartke speaker cabinet loaded with four 10" Hartke VX paper cone speakers and a high frequency driver. It is the ultimate 350 Watt bass combo, perfect for any style of bass playing.
3500 amplifier section with 350 Watts of classic Hartke power
Amp section features tube and solid state preamps, bass, treble and contour controls, 10 band graphic EQ and variable compression
Cabinet features 4 x 10" tradiional paper cone drivers and a high frequency compression driver
Solid braced cabinet construction, recessed side handles, and heavy duty casters
* Location: West Madison
* it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests
PostingID: 762631726
ok, thanks for all the replys.
4x10 sounds good. I'm playing a G&L Tribute L-2000, my drummer isn't too loud
guitarists use epiphone les pauls and hollowbodys
we play rock, reggae, funk, and a VERY little metal. mostly the first three.
We have a PA, but it's the guitar player's and i'm not exactly sure how it's set up.
4x10 sounds good. I'm playing a G&L Tribute L-2000, my drummer isn't too loud
guitarists use epiphone les pauls and hollowbodys
we play rock, reggae, funk, and a VERY little metal. mostly the first three.
We have a PA, but it's the guitar player's and i'm not exactly sure how it's set up.
i would recommend a line6 lowdown, they're great amps, i have the LD150 and it's incredibly versatile and has plenty of power
New stuff:
Acoustic B200H 200W Bass Head and B115 250W 1x15 Bass Cab Package $400
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product?sku=483494
Fender Bassman 250/115 Bass Combo Amp for $600 or 2x10 for $650
Link Removed
Acoustic B200H 200W Bass Head and B115 250W 1x15 Bass Cab Package $400
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product?sku=483494
Fender Bassman 250/115 Bass Combo Amp for $600 or 2x10 for $650
Link Removed
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The above mentioned Ashdown seems like the best deal by far, I'd recommend that.
Just don't go with Behringer whatever you do, unless you want it to blow up in the middle of your first show.
Just don't go with Behringer whatever you do, unless you want it to blow up in the middle of your first show.
all right! thanks for all the replies...looks like it's time to choose one.
that ashdown 4x10 and hartke VX3500 are lookin' sweet.
that ashdown 4x10 and hartke VX3500 are lookin' sweet.
