No. Bugera is a Music Group brand. Behringer is also a Music Group brand. Different brands under the parent company. TC Electronics & Midas are other brands under the parent company.
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Best Powerful Budget Head?
- Thread starter leemon46
- Start date
Correct. I still call the whole group Behringer but you're right, they've changed the structure years ago.
No one has mentioned the Carvin B1500 yet. It will run at 8 or 4 ohms, and is 2 ohm stable at a whopping 1900 watts! Endless cab choices.. Built like a tank. Just picked one up for $285.00A Boutique Snob tries the Carvin B1500
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TC Electronics BQ500. 500w under $250. I have heads that are over $1k, but this little amp doesn't disappoint.
It's no mystical tone machine, but the 4 band EQ is useful, and the Thrust compression/eq is OK in small doses. I think this amp is pretty much the watt/dollar value king.
It's no mystical tone machine, but the 4 band EQ is useful, and the Thrust compression/eq is OK in small doses. I think this amp is pretty much the watt/dollar value king.
To say that bugera and behringer are "different" companies is not really accurate for our purposes. To call behringer "part" of music group is not really accurate. Basically it's all behringer, and at some point they added "music group" as an umbrella label for the other companies they acquired. There may be some amount of separation, but to call them "different" is not really accurate. A bugera is just a behringer that's been relabeled with their more MI oriented "brand". Now, you might be able to say TCE is still a "separate" company, but even that is suspect, as pretty much all the recent TC products are actually behringer "designs" that have been repackaged to appeal to TCE's existing customer base. So people who would never in a million years buy a behringer overdrive or something, might buy a TCE, especially if they don't know or understand the connection.
Anyway, saying "what's a powerful head on a budget" and then not saying how much power you have or what budget you have is not going to yield very helpful responses, as evidenced by people mentioning brand new semi-boutique amps that cost 800 bucks even after you mentioned you currently have a $50 peavey from before the flood. We also need to know what cab or cabs you have.
I will say, the best values in the sub $500 range are basically stuff like older SWR, GK, Trace, and Hartke. Since it weighs more than 7 ounces, it's no longer "cool", which means it's super cheap for what it is, with SWR and Trace getting the biggest markdowns compared to their inherent quality. Trace didn't really make many/any "high power" amps back in the day, but they're generally regarded as being conservatively rated. SWR had amps ranging from 180w way up to 900w with various options in between.
Anyway, if you're going from a 150w head, even just going to 300-500w should make a sizeable difference assuming your cab/s can handle it. 150 is not very much for bass and you run out of steam quickly. It also depends on your cab and how efficient it is. a 150w head with a 100 db cab is basically the same as a 600w head with a 90 db cab. If you had a 600w head and a 100 db cab you would really be moving.
Anyway, saying "what's a powerful head on a budget" and then not saying how much power you have or what budget you have is not going to yield very helpful responses, as evidenced by people mentioning brand new semi-boutique amps that cost 800 bucks even after you mentioned you currently have a $50 peavey from before the flood. We also need to know what cab or cabs you have.
I will say, the best values in the sub $500 range are basically stuff like older SWR, GK, Trace, and Hartke. Since it weighs more than 7 ounces, it's no longer "cool", which means it's super cheap for what it is, with SWR and Trace getting the biggest markdowns compared to their inherent quality. Trace didn't really make many/any "high power" amps back in the day, but they're generally regarded as being conservatively rated. SWR had amps ranging from 180w way up to 900w with various options in between.
Anyway, if you're going from a 150w head, even just going to 300-500w should make a sizeable difference assuming your cab/s can handle it. 150 is not very much for bass and you run out of steam quickly. It also depends on your cab and how efficient it is. a 150w head with a 100 db cab is basically the same as a 600w head with a 90 db cab. If you had a 600w head and a 100 db cab you would really be moving.
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
Lots of people here gigging Fender Rumbles on a regular basis (before Covid). I bought one to have a cheap backup, and I've used it without incident, and like it.
That's a steal for one of the best amp heads ever built.
Turnaround
Commercial User
This is a popular misinterpretation. I knew the mice. The answer is "two for tea"not "for-ty two". You have to understand rodent syntax to get it right - rather like Yoda.
I have an swr working man 210. 150-200$ and they’re loud, full-range hi-fi, and have plenty of low end.
OK. TC has a 500W (labeled) that's below $250. So is that helpful? They make a few heads that are really low cost to features. I think of the Trace Elf but that's fewer Watts and more cost. But they sound really good. And I wouldn't rule out used right now.
I replaced a Rumble 500v2 head with a VT500 amp.
One of the best things I have done to really improve my sound.
My Hartke cabs really sound amazing now.
Certainly worth a look.
That's a fat ugly Elf. The suggestion was Trace/Peavey build a 500w Elf and call it the Gnome. That's stuffed now.
If you want the good advice ask the good question.
You still haven't deigned to advise a budget or what cab you are using with your Mk4.
Your 150w amp could be all you need or nearly all your cab can handle and all the amp suggestions would be good for is blowing it up, if even you could afford one.
Get with the programme.
GK 700Rbii - Found easily for $400, and sometimes for $350. Used, obviously. This is my gigging rig, and I now find myself playing regionally and will never need anything more powerful or better sounding.
Hartke LH 500 and 1000 -- these are sleepers and can be found used.
The Peavey Mark whatever stuff has been recommended, and is always the go-to bargain used gear. Peavey is loud and proud. A little heavy but reliable pro gear.
Hartke LH 500 and 1000 -- these are sleepers and can be found used.
The Peavey Mark whatever stuff has been recommended, and is always the go-to bargain used gear. Peavey is loud and proud. A little heavy but reliable pro gear.
[This invalid link has been removed] Can't get any more budget [power wise] than this.
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