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best versatile combo?

bigthemat

bigthemat

Jan 25, 2008
1,298
1,814
41
Salt Lake City
#1
hey all,

I haven't really worried or thought too much about my amp. I have always focused on getting better and not necessarily tweaking my equipment.

Then i had to join this forum.... rrg. hehe.

anyway, my amp is kind of kicking the bucket as it is, so time to upgrade. I have an old crate something or other that I bought of a neighbor a couple years back when I started playing. It has been okay, but it likes to annoy me. Sometimes it will make this really loud feedbacky hum noise. I was adjusting the eq and it made huge cracking noises, yeah. It kind of sucks.

So I am looking for something good, yet portable and versatile. I live in a tiny apartment and my crate barely fits, let alone all my other crap. My main gig is playing with a jazz combo type group, although we do a lot of other styles. But my guitard friend is supposed to be calling me about his rock band.

So, yeah, I am looking for something versatile. Also don't have too much cash to spend.

thanks for helpin. I am kind of new to good set ups and what not. And I have read too many names to know where to start
 
#2
I have had a few nice combo amps and some monster setups. The best combo I have ever played is the Fender Bassman Right now I have a 250/210. I love it. It has good casters and is built like a tank. I played through a Fender Rumble 100 that was pretty amazing as well and not as pricey as the Bassman. You may also want to consider the GK Half stack that is going for a song in most of the online catalog houses. I had an GK 800rb head that was very good with either GK cabs or Ampeg cabs.
 
#6
Well, I have tried just about every combo out there in my search for the "perfect" combo (Lightweight + sound) and finally settled on the MarkBass 1X12 Combo. IMO, the best "bang for your buck" today.

I play an Ampeg rig for shows but couldn't justify carting that monster around for anything else, so, this seems to be a happy medium.

Be advised, though, they ARE NOT cheap.......

Good Luck to you!
 
#7
Why has no one suggest an Ashdown Electric Blue??? they are the best amps i've ever played, (except the other more powerful ashdowns which match it, just depends on the size you're looking for). I infact don't own an Electric Blue or Mag or Evo cos i cnt afford a new amp at all, and my Peavey Tmax dus the job, but the tone of the ashdowns is amazing, theyre cheap, and theyre not 2 big to slug about, tho i wudnt want to stap one to my back for a treck, lol. but an electric blue is the perfect choice, and there sumit like £189 dunno wat that wud b in dollers or how much they are in dollers probs about $189. but they are amazing!!!
 
#10
Fender Bassman 150. 39lbs. I use it with EUB(lots of low end!), fretless and fretted.
The tweeter has a pad which is nice. This thing is nice and warm. And cheap!
I play with a couple of loud drummers and it does keep up but barely. Great for jazz gigs which is mostly what I use it for. The 250 should handle anything volume wise besides a rock band with two geetards.
 
#11
I really love my bassman 150 as I prefer 12's but, you may find the 250 with 210's a little more flexible for your needs. I was able to A/B the bassman line against several nice combos (SWR, GK, PEAVEY, AMPEG, etc.) in its' price range and to my ears the bassman has it goin' on.
As always, I recommend set your budget first then try as may amps as you can with YOUR bass and trust your ears. have fun with it.
 
#12
mello_bedwetter said:
Has anyone tried the Ashdown Mag C210T-300 or the Ashdown Mag C410T-300? I haven't seen one at a store to try an Ashdown. I use an Ampeg BA-115 now, would either of the Ashdown amps be considered an upgrade other than the obvious 300 watts?
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IMHO, yes. I would consider either ashdown rig an upgrade from the BA-115 IF you like the ashdown tone better than the Ampeg sound.
 
#14
jsingles said:
i recommend the fender bassman.. i used to have an ampeg ba115HP, it wasnt bad but the bassman is a better deal and I think it sounds better.
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The Bassman 250/210? I've been reading about it too. I have to find the Bassman and Ashdown somewhere so I can try them. I'm curious how the 2x10's sound compared to the 1x15's. The basses I use are the Geddy and also a MIM Jazz. The music I play is mainly country, country rock, and classic rock, with some blues like Stevie Ray Vaughan. I looked for a Bassman 250/210 at GC but they were out of them and I don't know if they carry Ashdown.
 

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