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best amps within $250-$300

#22
I'd agree with used for sure, though I'd say if you're on a budget, and are going to be on a budget for awhile stay away from tubes (as much as I like them) when I was 20 and scrapping by, washing cars for a living I got together every penny I could spare and bought an SVT... all was great but it had a bias problem that didn't become clear until I had some cooked 6550s... more living off kraft dinner... I don't think tube amps are a maintanence nightmare, but buying used you never know. save those for when spending money on tubes won't be a big deal. I'm sure there's used traynor or peavey stuff kicking around in that price range that will keep up with a drummer, it won't be tone nirvana but it'll hold you over until you can upgrade.
 
#23
Go used. There are so many awesome deals right now with so many bassists dumping their heavy rigs in exchange for the new digital class D amps. I would go find a nice reliable, heavy G-K or SWR. Since it is your first rig, I suggest sticking with Guitar Center online or in-store because you don't want to get screwed on Craigslist by someone trying to sell you a broken amp. You're an easy target for a scammer if you don't know what you're looking at. At Guitar Center, I think you'll get some protection and they probably do some tune-up to make sure the gear works.
 
#26
jeff7bass said:
oooooh, you might want to jump on this before the prices go up. They will. The NEW Peavey Max 115, 300w, 300 bucks.

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I been checking that out :D it's hard to find reviews for it being a new product and such. Looks like it's perfect for jamming with my buddies and small gigs. Me and friends might start a band soon but i have no bass amp, so been using my guitar amp(bad idea i know) carefully at low volumes. Played guitar for 5 years so i didn't have to learn a whole lot of new fretting-hand techniques, picked up slap and fingerstyle super quick. Anyway, Nice amp for the money i'm sure this is what i'm going for unless somebody changes my mind lol so i'll keep an eye on this thread thanks.
 
#27
pokengkong said:
Go used. There are so many awesome deals right now with so many bassists dumping their heavy rigs in exchange for the new digital class D amps. I would go find a nice reliable, heavy G-K or SWR. Since it is your first rig, I suggest sticking with Guitar Center online or in-store because you don't want to get screwed on Craigslist by someone trying to sell you a broken amp. You're an easy target for a scammer if you don't know what you're looking at. At Guitar Center, I think you'll get some protection and they probably do some tune-up to make sure the gear works.
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Yeah there's no way you can tell if something works or not on sites like Craigslist or ebay, and who doesn't love a trip to GuitarCenter? I am in no way going pro lol so i don't need a big Ampeg or G-K stack, just something nice and gets the job done. Thanks for your advice.:)
 
#32
Dugachug said:
I am in no way going pro lol so i don't need a big Ampeg or G-K stack, just something nice and gets the job done. Thanks for your advice.:)
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yes, but good tone will inspire you on days when you really don't feel like picking up your instrument, we all have those days :D

No one's saying you have to get a full on early 70s SVT 810 (not that I wouldn't mind one myself if I had the room ;) )

If you can up the budget a bit you'll be able to get your hands on something very satisfying in the long run.

And if you don't like it you can always get your money back.
 
#34
I imagine you guys calling people off CL and testing all these amps.

That's a huge waste of time unless you are looking for something rare and high end.

For a cheap bass combo I'd rather get in on a sale from Musicians Friend.

The Gallien Krueger MB115 is $399 it is 200w into a 15". If I was looking into a new combo I would start there.
 
#35
Didn't read all the responses so I don't know if you made a decision already, nor if this has already been said. These are the things you need to consider if you're looking for band for your buck.

Do you want the the loudest you can get for $300?
Do you want the best sounding you can get for $300?
Do you want the best quality, most reliable you can get for $300?

IMO experience, which is quite a bit actually, the quality thing is a crapshoot. I owned a behringer, and a peavey that I beat the crap out of and never had a problem. Actually, the peavey did give me some problems, but that was 25 years after it was gigged heavily. On the other hand I've owned gks that gave me nothing but problems, and you'll find talkbass full of people's stories regarding how their "high end" gear crapped out on them.

Given the other 2, I'd always go for the loudest, because if you're ever going to be using the amp in a band situation an awesome sounding $300 amp is going to sound like complete crap if you throw it into a mix and have it competing with drums and guitars. If I were only planning on doing acoustic gigs, or using the amp in the house or for recording, then I would go for best sounding, but that wouldn't be my deal.

So.... iffin this were me, I'd be looking for volume, and if that's what you want and you want the most you can get for $300, then what you stated in the OP I think is best. Peavey, or Behringer. I'd get the most watts and biggest speaker my money would buy. Was paging through the MF catalog last night, and even though I have more amp right now than I'll probably ever need - I got a bit of a gas pain when I saw the 300 watt 1X15 Peavey combo. :) Looks sweet, I'm sure it can handle any club gig (and aything it couldn't would have to go through the board anyhow), and yeah..... that's what I'd do if I were you.
 
#36
PS - if you ever got to A/B one of the GK MBs, with a behringer or peavey of $100 less, the peavey and behringer would bury it in terms of volume and beef. And if anyone wants to argue that, I urge you to take them into a band situation and AB them before defending the GK. I so much wish I had videotaped my experience with that amp, in an A/B amp situation, but alas - I didn't. After 45 minutes of fiddling with knobs on the MB with a band in the studio, I wound up plugging into an old yamaha 115 that blew it to pieces.
 
#39
Id either look into the peavey 115 or get an accoustic200h head and bargain shop CL,ebay and whatever else for a decent cab.
I run the accoustic 200h into a hartke 410xl and it has no problems doing anything at all.
I'm rarely above 4 on the volume.
Anything bigger...I'm through the board anyway.



Good luck.
 
#40
I'm GASing right now for the TCE BG250 to replace my Peavey MAX 110. Its selling for $399 everywhere and open box/used @ GC & MF for around $350. This 250 watt (that's TC watts), with tons of features, and 15" driver weighs in @ 35 lbs. Check out Link Removed

This is the only amp out there that you can add new sound possibilities (TONEPRINTS). I have not heard this amp yet, but some TBers that I respect have, and say this is a very good sounding amp with lots of POWER, lightweight, and LOADED.

Sorry, GAS ... getting real bad... must go play it out. :bawl:...:bassist:
 

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