• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Best Value Amps and Cabs

#22
I'd argue that anything that doesn't break within a couple months and works without too much hassle is a great value!
Seriously though, if you go into a music store and you test all kinds of budget amps, you might be suprised at how good they all sound. We live in a time where affordable stuff can be really amazing. I'd just go with one of the classics. Either you get something like a Fender Rumble combo, or Ampeg rocket bass. Maybe you can get your hands on a used Ampeg BA combo. Those things are great.
If you're shopping for a new amp / cab, especially in the lower price segments, you should really consider what kind of features you need. A smaller EQ section can be remedeed easily with an EQ pedal or something similar. But adding a headphone out to an amp might be quite difficult and not worth the hassle for example!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Starburst, DJ Bebop and CallMeAl
#25
In my experience you tend to get what you pay for with bass amps. You can find excellent basses for cheap but amps... not so much.

If buying used is an option you could look at vintage tube amps from "uncool" brands. For example, late 60s/early 70s Carlsbro tube amps are extremely underrated and can be found relatively cheap. Their 100TC (100w) tube amp is easily as good as a Marshall Super Bass from the same era but can be found considerably cheaper. There are lots of other "uncool" vintage brands out there too. Tube PA heads from the 60s/70s can also be bargain, even from some of the "cool" brands. They're usually a LOT cheaper than the corresponding guitar/bass-specific models and often have more power/wattage too. Just make sure they've got a hi-Z input (and they often do).

Whether a vintage 100w tube amp is what you're looking for is a different matter of course... They're huge, heavy and may not offer enough clean headroom at the volumes many players want these days. A vintage 200w tube amp will probably have enough clean headroom for most players but would also be even bigger/heavier.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MVE and DJ Bebop
#28
The best value is going to be from a manufacturer who stands behind your buy for years. They have the parts and experts to take care of a potential problem for new or in a few years down the road.

You want the manufacturers that have the longest and high coverage warranties. And if you ever need to get warranty service, they need to have actual listed service centers with easy access to you. They need to have easy access to communicate to them through email or better the phone.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MrAB4003 and DJ Bebop
#29
I find better-quality used pieces to be the best value. I recently picked up a Mesa Subway D800 (base model) for $550. That's almost half price ($950 new) and it's in perfect condition. I didn't get the bag but I saved a ton.

I buy almost everything used. Also recently nabbed a late model MIM Player Precision for $450+$100 shipping. They're $850 shipped new. It has one ding on the bottom edge but otherwise like new.

Buying used allows you to choose higher-end pieces at mid- to low-end prices. Now who wants to sell me a barefaced 210 half off?? :woot:
 
  • Like
Reactions: squish, DJ Bebop and jnewmark
#31
CochinoBass said:
The best bag for the buck cabs and amps are 10-20+ year old stuff that was pro level when new. It will sound better than almost everything today except todays pro gear, but it will be heavy. Weight is the only disadvantage, especially with cabs.
Click to expand...

For example, the David Eden 4 ohm D410XLT in excellent, low milage condition I bought for $300.

IMG-5873.jpg





It cost me $1,000 for this entire amp head and cabinet combo, used. The head was still under warranty when I bought it.

IMG-5648.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: smogg, MVE, Marko 1 and 4 others
#32
My first suggestion would be used gear. My main gigging amps and cabs were all bought used but in great condition and for a fraction of what they cost new - including Barefaced cabinets and Mesa and Gallien-Krueger amps (the now discontinued MB series heads are great bang for the buck amps).

For new cabinets, I'd say give Fender Rumble cabinets serious consideration. I've never owned any Rumble components myself, but I played through a few Rumble combos at open mics and I was quite impressed with them. Also consider Hartke HyDrive cabinets. I have a pair of HyDrive HD210s that I bought as backup cabinets and I've started using them at home and I've taken them to a couple of basement jams and have liked them more than I expected to. My band has some outdoor festivals coming up this summer and I intend to use them to see how they handle that kind of situation where I'll need to turn them up loud.

For a new amps, I'd consider Hartke, Peavey, and Fender

But again, if you're looking for best value, used gear in good condition is hard to beat.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: DJ Bebop
#33
FunkHead said:
Hartke Amps & Avatar Cabs.
Click to expand...
Is this still true of Avatar cabs? I bought a 2x10 from them back when they were just getting started, and (very happily) still use it today. (Years later I bought a matching used one of the same vintage to use together.) It was certainly a great bang-for-the-buck deal back then -- that's exactly why I bought it -- but I'm curious whether this is still true today. I'm not questioning your judgement -- just wondering whether over the years the bang/buck ratio might have changed.
 
#34
If you want something to start with that's none fuss, rumble 500 is solid imo, to get full 500 watts though you need an extension cab but it's still super loud on it's imo. There's also the 800 now but I think it's the same deal with the cab. GL YMMV

Also there's so much to choose from it can be overwhelming take your time, no cab/combo has to be your only if you don't dig it. Enjoy the fun of finding and exploring there's tons I mean tons of stuff, brands I never even heard I see and hear everyday on TB.
 
#35
For new gear, my recommendation would be GK MB series, Mesa, and Ampeg first, then Peavey and Fender Rumble if you need to save money.

I second the suggestion to buy used gear, that's what I've done most of the time (only three brand new amps in 40 years, well over a dozen used one). That gets you into higher end stuff like Bergantino, Aguilar, Epifani, etc.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DJ Bebop
#37
Lobster11 said:
Is this still true of Avatar cabs? I bought a 2x10 from them back when they were just getting started, and (very happily) still use it today. (Years later I bought a matching used one of the same vintage to use together.) It was certainly a great bang-for-the-buck deal back then -- that's exactly why I bought it -- but I'm curious whether this is still true today. I'm not questioning your judgement -- just wondering whether over the years the bang/buck ratio might have changed.
Click to expand...
I haven't checked in a while but they had a pretty nice 2x12 with 6" mid for $790. You could probably double that with many other builders. I trust Avatar to last a decade or so.
 
  • Like
Reactions: shoot-r, Blues Bass 2, DJ Bebop and 1 other person
#40
A few people are plugging the Fender Rumble. Here in New Zealand (where everything costs too much) a Fender Rumble 500 210 combo is $1500. I think it's a solid choice, but if you're looking in that price range I'd also consider the Ampeg Rocket Bass 210 500, which (again, here in NZ) is $100 cheaper.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MrAB4003 and DJ Bebop

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back