Best loud (250W+) combo amp for under $600

[Vendetagainst]

Hi all,

I currently have a Carvin MB210, and that amp just isn't cutting it anymore in my band. It doesn't have enough headroom, our drummer is loud, and we're going in a heavier direction so I'm gonna be engaging my Rusty Box way more. The problem is, I'm a student so a.) I don't have a car (so no head + cabs), and b.) I don't have a lot of cash. What's a good combo amp that suits my needs?

Side question: I found an Ashdown Studio 210 for $600 on Reverb, is that a good deal?

Thanks y'all!

 

[shoot-r]

I currently have a Carvin MB210, and that amp just isn't cutting it anymore in my band. It doesn't have enough headroom, our drummer is loud, and we're going in a heavier direction

I don't have a car (so no head + cabs), and b.) I don't have a lot of cash.

Going to the Ashdown 210 combo is just changing same for same, you still will only have two 10" drivers to work with.

I'd suggest your first try adding either a 8 ohm 210 or a 8 ohm 115 extension cabinet to your Carvin MB210 plugged into the combo's extension cabinet out.

Depending upon which 8 ohm extension cab you choose that'd give you either four 10's or two 10's and a 15" driver and the MB's full 250 watts to work with.

(Using a extension cab will give the MB a 4 ohm load allowing it to give you it's full 250 watts and more headroom.
Using just the MB's two internal 10" drivers is giving a 8 ohm load, the amp is producing only somewhere around 150/160 "clean" watts at 8 ohms.)

The adding of more drivers will make the biggest difference. More drivers, more db's output levels.

Watch the TB Classifieds, Facebook, Craigslist, ect., if you go used your dollars will go much further.

It'll be more hassle having another cab to deal with but it'll definitely make a difference.

You also might consider the Ashdown combo and the Carvin combo daisy chained and used together. That would also double the drivers for you to work with.

 

[buldog5151bass]

You aren't going to find a replacement anywhere near your price range than will do much more for volume. Get an extension cab.

Also, a separate head and cab isn't any more to carry. Most class d heads will fit in the pocket of your gig bag, or a backpack with you cables.

 

[Jeff Scott]

Best loud (250W+) combo amp for under $600​

Does it have to sound good, too, or just be the loudest?

 

[Vendetagainst]

You aren't going to find a replacement anywhere near your price range than will do much more for volume. Get an extension cab.

Also, a separate head and cab isn't any more to carry. Most class d heads will fit in the pocket of your gig bag, or a backpack with you cables.

You know, I didn't think about just having a separate backpack for a class D amp lol, will def take a look into those. Thanks!

 

[Vendetagainst]

Does it have to sound good, too, or just be the loudest?

Sound good too, but maybe I'll look into a class D head with a cab now.

 

[Vendetagainst]

Going to the Ashdown 210 combo is just changing same for same, you still will only have two 10" drivers to work with.

I'd suggest your first try adding either a 8 ohm 210 or a 8 ohm 115 extension cabinet to your Carvin MB210 plugged into the combo's extension cabinet out.

Depending upon which 8 ohm extension cab you choose that'd give you either four 10's or two 10's and a 15" driver and the MB's full 250 watts to work with.

(Using a extension cab will give the MB a 4 ohm load allowing it to give you it's full 250 watts and more headroom.
Using just the MB's two internal 10" drivers is giving a 8 ohm load, the amp is producing only somewhere around 150/160 "clean" watts at 8 ohms.)

The adding of more drivers will make the biggest difference. More drivers, more db's output levels.

Watch the TB Classifieds, Facebook, Craigslist, ect., if you go used your dollars will go much further.

It'll be more hassle having another cab to deal with but it'll definitely make a difference.

You also might consider the Ashdown combo and the Carvin combo daisy chained and used together. That would also double the drivers for you to work with.

Yeah, you're probably right. An extension cab may be too much bulk but I'll look into maybe a class D amp with a cab.

 

[shoot-r]

Yeah, you're probably right. An extension cab may be too much bulk but I'll look into maybe a class D amp with a cab.

If your located anywhere near the Southern Illinois area there's a listing that has a GK MB500 class d head with carry bag and a Bergantino CN212 cabinet with a padded cover for sale.

Says head in mint condition, cab in very good condition, $850.00 (firm price, no shipping.)

PM me if you're anywhere close and interested and I'll get the seller's number to you.

(I gig with a Bergantino cabinet powered with a GK MB Fusion 800 head so I can vouch for the GK/Berg combination in a live band setting, they're great.)

 

[Vendetagainst]

If your located anywhere near the Southern Illinois area there's a listing that has a GK MB500 class d head with carry bag and a Bergantino CN212 cabinet with a padded cover for sale.

Says head in mint condition, cab in very good condition, $850.00 (firm price, no shipping.)

PM me if you're anywhere close and interested and I'll get the seller's number to you.

(I gig with a Bergantino cabinet powered with a GK MB Fusion 800 head so I can vouch for the GK/Berg combination in a live band setting, They're great.)

Ah unfortunately I'm in the Pacific Northwest, but thanks for the offer!

 

[MindinAction]

I just saw one of these live and it sounded great. Cut through the mix perfectly with keys and two guitars. No affiliation, etc.

Hartke KB15 Kickback

 

[definenredefine]

I can also vouch for GK class D heads. I have an MB500 and it's more than loud enough for my needs/wants. Sounds great too. They're used to be a good number of them used for less than $300 (I got mine for like...$250) but there seems to be slim pickings right now...

 

[beaglesandbass]

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] is what you want. Full 500w going into 2 12"drivers (no extension cab needed). 10% off in cart brings it under $600. Shipping and tax might get you closer to $700 ( it says $679 for me), but stretch your budget. You won't need another amp. Great sound and LOUD.

 

[buldog5151bass]

You know, I didn't think about just having a separate backpack for a class D amp lol, will def take a look into those. Thanks!

A laptop backpack may have a padded area the right size. I found two on clearance at Staples for $5'thay were the perfect size.

 

[RattleSnack]

If it's volume you need, go for bigger driver surface like 2x12 or 2x15, also 4x10, in any package.
E.g. you can get used amp head and pair of 12", or even pair of 15" cabs. If you go that way, focus your budget on two same good cabs, because they are limiting factor. Almost any decent amp head will work (I don't remember ever playing on own, rented, or backline amp head that I couldn't get usable sound out of, but cabs...)
Or get something like GK MB212 combo, if you want to keep things simple.

 

[Stylee Mousse]

When do you move the amp? If you aren't gigging yet then where does the amp live?

I got my first big amp when I was 16 and it was an awkward 215 and a tube head that weighed about 50#. Its weight was no problem in the drummer's basement but a challenge transporting to bar gigs in random borrowed cars!

 

[Gervais Cote]

In my area, many bass players want to get rid of their 4x10 cabs so I would grab one for a few hundred bucks and find a good used amp head of 200 to 500 watts to drive it. That would be loud !

I saw lately some 410 cabs from Peavy, Hartke, Ampeg and even GK that were dirty cheap and some heads from Peavy, Ampeg, Carvin, Fender and Randal that were very affordable. Some of these amps just need a contact cleaner shot in their pots and they are good to go.

 

[pbassnut]

Hi all,

I currently have a Carvin MB210, and that amp just isn't cutting it anymore in my band. It doesn't have enough headroom, our drummer is loud, and we're going in a heavier direction so I'm gonna be engaging my Rusty Box way more. The problem is, I'm a student so a.) I don't have a car (so no head + cabs), and b.) I don't have a lot of cash. What's a good combo amp that suits my needs?

Side question: I found an Ashdown Studio 210 for $600 on Reverb, is that a good deal?

Thanks y'all!

I have a Carvin MB15 which is the same as your combo except it has one 15 instead of two 10s. When I got a Carvin 115MBE 1x15 extension cabinet for it, I was amazed at how much more headroom I had even though (according to their specs) I only added 50 more watts (200 to 250) with the four ohm speaker load of the two 15s. Maybe an inexpensive 1x15 cab would do the trick for you.

 

[Lobster11]

You can't have small and loud and cheap. Pick two.

 

[agedhorse]

I saw lately some 410 cabs from Peavy, Hartke, Ampeg and even GK that were dirty cheap and some heads from Peavy, Ampeg, Carvin, Fender and Randal that were very affordable. Some of these amps just need a contact cleaner shot in their pots and they are good to go.

If buying used, be sure there are no problems or they become your problems.

Spraying "contact cleaner" (miracle cure-all spray) into pots, especially if done improperly, is a quick way to ruin an otherwise repairable amp. I am seeing a lot if this type of damage lately, resulting in a messy, expensive repair.

If a $300 amp needs a new set of pots plus a clean-up of the mess created by the spray, the repair can end up costing more than the amp is worth.

I'm also seeing this type of amp condition from customers buying used at Guitar Center and especially on eBay. Buyer beware, the world is full of hacked up repairs by hack techs and YouTube educated hobbiests.

 

[Gervais Cote]

If buying used, be sure there are no problems or they become your problems.

Spraying "contact cleaner" (miracle cure-all spray) into pots, especially if done improperly, is a quick way to ruin an otherwise repairable amp. I am seeing a lot if this type of damage lately, resulting in a messy, expensive repair.

If a $300 amp needs a new set of pots plus a clean-up of the mess created by the spray, the repair can end up costing more than the amp is worth.

I'm also seeing this type of amp condition from customers buying used at Guitar Center and especially on eBay. Buyer beware, the world is full of hacked up repairs by hack techs and YouTube educated hobbiests.

Yep ! The right contact cleaner has to be used in right amount and amp must be tried before buying.