Best cheap amp...

Cheap...meaning? I assume you want at least 100 watts to cut through and be heard.

GK Backline 210, 115 or 112

Also Nemesis Silver line Combos, The Blue Lien is great but more expensive...

Mesa Walkabout Scout is also great but very expensive.

Fender Combos work for some people, it's not my taste but they are also affordable

Peavey makes some good stuff also.

 

Peavey Peavey Peavey.

Get yourself to a city and comb the shops for used. I got my bass while living in London. I get the feeling that Europeans tend to shun big, heavy stuff (refrigerators, cars, etc.) maybe there are some old '80's solid state tanks that nobody wants that will throw down the watts for you and make your overdrive pedals sing.

 

The SWR WorkingPro's 15 is just a few bucks more than that... but it's a heck of an amp. Ashdown has a couple of combos in your price range too.

 

Ashdown is for you bro

 

If your in the UK i'd say to look at the Ashdown Mag stuff, i've got one of their combos and their great, plenty loud, great tone and control, easy to move....

 

If you can find one, a used Peavey Basic 60 is a great bass amp for the money. Also some of the smaller Crate stuff. I also had an awsome Trace Elliott 210 combo for years (until someone thought they needed more than me and stole it!) And +1 to the GK stuff!

 

A sansamp bdi, or a line6 pod or something with a cheapo pa power amp (maybe 2nd hand), combined with a cheap cab (avatar, behringer paper cones,...), or if you're a bit handy, an eminence kappalite in a diy cab (or two).

 

And actually, go 2nd hand! If you're done with it, you sell it for almost the same price (if it isn't too beaten up off course )

 

You want to be under $600? i take it your meaning you have a £300 budget? (we pay almost double what the yanks do, so usually a £300 would only equate to being able to buy $600 in the US).

Id say go with Peavey.

Look second hand, ive seen Peavey Firebass amps going for about £200 (often less aswell), and you can get Peavey cabs for dirt cheap. 2x10s are usually about £100, 4x10s are usually about £120-£150. But as its all used, the prices can vary quite a bit. But if you got a setup like that, you would be pushing 475 watts (at 4ohm) through a 4x10, 2x10 or 1x15. With a good sounding and reliable amp!

Hell, if you keep your eyes open, Peavey 2x15s go for pennies and are magnificent, mine was only £75 (and it is better than Ampeg, Marshall and Trace Elliot 2x15s ive tried!)

Ebay is wonderful



If you want to go with Ashdown, Sound Control are currently selling Ashdown SuperFly amplifiers off for either £150 or £199

 

Used Peavey.

 

Used Peavey.

Edit - I did not see the post above mine before I wrote that.

 

Yep... go for those undeniable "Peavey watts" that will help you hear yourself clearly so you can lock in with your drummer. Far from being 'designer' amps, Peavey amp are built rather well and most of the time you'll get your money's worth.. Of course patiently run the amp thru it's paces before you put your quid on the countertop.

 

Ashdown MAG all the way, you can get a 300 watt 1x15 combo for underf £300 and thats new with warranty! Its a no brainer considering the great sound too!

 

you need to do this well mate and choose to do one of a few things;

1. Get a amp designed by bass specialists - not all rounders
2. Trace elliot, Ashdown, Ampeg or Hartke do not settle for ANything else!
3. Get as big as possible!

My drummer beats the living death out of his kit and as we play very chilled music and very heavy music on the same events i have a cunning set up.

Heavy set up
Epihphone thunderbird with a Trace elliot GP11 mk5 (so loud!)

Chilled set up
Peavey International bass with a Ashdown perfect 10 mini rig

I hAVE 2 amp set ups for the different styles of music but i have been very patient and been very lucky to spend only £100 for both of my amps!

im well chuffed!

Ebay is great for getting Hartke at the moment A100 are going for £150 ish maxand these amps rock!

£300 will get you a great amp

send me a personal message with your email address/or add eme to your buddy list and ill scout ebay with you and we will get you a great bit of kit!

No offence guys but cheap end peavey amps are not great sounding kit!


You may want to take it apart and check the horns and drivers - cheap crap im afraid!

 

depending on how little money you would like to spend a GK or Peavey combo are probably your best bet. i know peavey made a 200 watt 1x15 for like $200.

 

The peavey firebass is hardly a lower end bass amp, its a really good amp. Have you ever used one?

IMO blows away Ashdown, Hartke or TE amps (other than the all valve ones). Also, i think you will find Ashdown, especially the lower end amps, have been pretty badly riddled with failures recently.

Take them apart and think what you think, but Peaveys reputation in recent years for ultra reliable amps cannot be denied, so, the parts cant be that cheap can they. Also, judge a sound by the sound, not by the things making that sound.

Also, have a look around for general reviews on the 2x15 i recommended, its a very highly aclaimed cabinet . . .

 

if your going for cheap dont expect great performance but laney and behringer they seem to be cheap