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Best Amp For Reggae- Small Venues

REGGAE_UNDERBASS

REGGAE_UNDERBASS

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Nov 11, 2014
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#1
I'm in the need of a an amp for a new reggea band I'm in. We are going to be playing small venues with no more than 60 people tops. We have a lead vocalist, four background singers two guitarists a drummer and percussions.

I don't want to be too loud but I want to be felt! I'd rather be felt than heard if that makes any kind of sense, LOL!

I am on a shoe string budget but have a nice peice of change tucked away. I'm not into name brands and knob twisting to find a miracle tone, I just need something inexpensive to get the job done. No combo amps please, had too many bad experiences with being buried at live get togethers and parties.

A decent head and 2x10 would be perfect, as long as people could feel the bass! It's really important to the feel of our band!
 
#4
I would agree a 1x15 combo can be found pretty easily and quite affordable used on CL. If possible a 2x10 extension cab would be a option in a combo I would consider. Just play through it with your bass before buying so you get the tone you are looking for. I used a SVT II non pro or a Ampeg SVT 3 pro and bag end 2x10 or a traynor yt 2x15 in my day.
 
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#5
There's a used Fearless 15" cab for sale in the classifieds, pair it with a nice warm hybrid or tube amp of around 300-500 or so watts ans you'll be able to be felt and heard.

Unless you are talking about high end modern cabs designed around new generation drivers a 210 is a bit less than I'd want to use even for small rooms.

You really want speakerage and some power behind you to lay down that convincing supportive cushiony but tight bottom that supports a reggae band so well. It doesn't mean you have to drown everyone out, but the punch comes from having enough headroom to handle the attack and give you that big fat bottom that eats up watts.

Unlike most other genres your band mates will probably appreciate you having a good solid stage level as well.
 
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#6
REGGAE_UNDERBASS said:
I'm in the need of a an amp for a new reggea band I'm in. We are going to be playing small venues with no more than 60 people tops. We have a lead vocalist, four background singers two guitarists a drummer and percussions.

I don't want to be too loud but I want to be felt! I'd rather be felt than heard if that makes any kind of sense, LOL!

I am on a shoe string budget but have a nice peice of change tucked away. I'm not into name brands and knob twisting to find a miracle tone, I just need something inexpensive to get the job done. No combo amps please, had too many bad experiences with being buried at live get togethers and parties.

A decent head and 2x10 would be perfect, as long as people could feel the bass! It's really important to the feel of our band!
Click to expand...
Sounds like you need a lot of volume really - so I'd say 2x10 will generally be too quiet - being FELT takes volume, even if the frequencies are below hearing they need a lot of power. In fact, the lower the frequency, the more power it needs to be reproduced and with a "small cabinet" like a 210 will need even more power again.
 
#7
Thanks for your help guys! My budget is $600 sorry forgot to mention that.

Can combo amps get the effect I'm looking for? That would be ideal or two small peices like a head and cap I can just scoop up and leave when I'm done! A lot of er uhm things go on after the show that I dont partake in...
 
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#8
In your case and with your budget, I'd be looking at something like a 4x10 or 2x12...used. I'd play through whatever you can get your hands on locally to see if it does what you need. You don't have to go terribly deep, just deep enough. ;) I'd look to spend about half your cash on the cab then be looking at heads. For 300$ used, you should be able to find a decent head in the 400-600w range. I'd be looking at some of the slightly out of popularity 'old technology' heads of the 90's. Hartke Transient attack 3500 or 5000, GK RB, etc, maybe some of the Peavey stuff from that era (not the big gnarly 70's/80's stuff but some of their rackmount heads)
 
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#15
I agree with NightCat about the Ampeg B100R!! I also think the Fender Rumble 200 would be perfect for you. I have one and the 15 inch speaker can be felt! For even larger groups than you are talking about, it'd do great. Lightweight and inexpensive and powerful.
 
#17
I'd get a used Ampeg PF-500 and PF-115. It is basically a combo, since they can be mounted together. It will give you good lows and projection for the price and you should be able to get both for a total of less than $400. I just sold one, and it had plenty of power/projection and lows to do reggae. Turn off the tweeter and turn down your trebles, you're ready to rock steady.
 
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#19
If it's in your budget, I'd consider the Invalid Link Removed combo:

markbass-cmd-151p-jeff-berlin-655401.jpg
 
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#20
Versatile RUMBLE for practice, rehearsal or the stage.

The new Fender RUMBLE 200W 1x15" bass combo is an ideal choice for practice, studio, rehearsal or stage, with its power, great tone and easy-to-use controls. In addition to the 15" Eminence speaker, its features include an aux. input, headphone output, XLR line out, FX loop and three-band EQ.

Re-engineered from the ground up, RUMBLE amps are lighter and louder than ever, with even more power and a classic Fender vibe. A newly developed foot-switchable overdrive circuit and versatile three-button voicing palette deliver powerful tones ideal for any gig. Additional upgrades include Eminence drivers and premium HF compression tweeters.

Features
  • Power: 200W @ 4Ω (with extension cab); 140W @ 8Ω (internal)
  • Speaker: 1x15" Eminence; one compression tweeter with on/off switch
  • Single channel
  • Aux. input
  • Headphone output
  • XLR output
  • FX loop
  • Dimensions: 23" x 19" x 14"
  • Weight: 34.5 lb.
image.jpg
 
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