The most popular brands chosen reminds me, oh yeah this is an American based site. 
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BUYING A BASS AMP
- Thread starter funkybassist2001
- Start date
I have played through (either owned or back-lined) Ampeg, GK, SWR, Mesa, TecAmp, Fender, Hartke, and Peavey...they all sound amazing in their own right. I landed on a Mesa BB750 and traditional Mesa 610, and its works great for what I'm playing/style. It all comes down to you...what you like, and what your budget is...
if you cant tell from reading on here...buy used so if it doesn't work out, you can recoup/swap for something else that may be more your "speed"...plus you can get something a little more "high end" for your budget. Take your bass, and if you have/use effects, to a store, or all the stores near you and try everything they have...take some notes, and see what works...FOR YOU.
if you cant tell from reading on here...buy used so if it doesn't work out, you can recoup/swap for something else that may be more your "speed"...plus you can get something a little more "high end" for your budget. Take your bass, and if you have/use effects, to a store, or all the stores near you and try everything they have...take some notes, and see what works...FOR YOU.
Variety is the spice of life, try anything and everything that you can. But if you'd like my opinion, you can't go wrong with an Ashdown. I tried one recently and was floored with how awesome it sounded. I'm converting as soon as funds allow.
Try as many things as possible and dont cheap out unlike I did because Im regretting me being cheap right now big time, and make sure something is 100% what you want and do research on them
Depends too on what type of music you play, what sound you're looking for. You will get some different recommendations based on that.
Aguilar Tone Hammer is the best sounding box on the market. No contest.
A lot of players (or at least some of the vocal ones) have strong opinions on which brands are the 'best'. Unless you have a particularly narrow (or focused) tone goal, you will find that the amp is not nearly so critical to your sound as playing technique - there is really no substitute. That said, most of the amp brands mentioned can be EQ'ed to provide a wide range of tones. You do need to ensure that the amp can produce a sound level that is adequate for your needs. It's a highly competitive market, so models in a given price range are likely to be pretty close performance wise. Decide on the features you really need. Don't fall for the highest power rating, the biggest speaker (driver) or a modeling amp that promises to simulate the sound of a full tube amp into a legendary 810 cab, all through the included 8 inch speaker - it won't happen. Do make sure you get at least one mid control (if not an upper and lower mid) - it's more important than bass and treble. Also, watch out for small cubic combos with just enough baffle area to mount the included driver(s). Speakers need a fair amount of enclosure volume to produce deep bass with reasonable efficiency.
What you are saying is true, there is no best brand, I say just use the gear that will get you close to your tone goal, then work from there with technique. For instance a person playing metal may not want a P bass with flats with Ampeg, a classic rock or country bassist may not want to start out with a hifi amp/cabinet and try to EQ it down. There is a plethora of amp/ cab combo's to get your tone, choose what works the best to achieve your tone. Whatever tone you are looking for someone on TB also may have that tone so express what tone you are looking for.
I'm a huge fan of SWR and Eden. But more than anything I would recommend developing your technique. You can have the best amp in the world, but if you don't know how to play it will sound like the worst. Learn and try out everything you can get your hands on. Eventually you will find something that suits you.
If you get a chance, check out EBS. I have an HD 350 and it's done a great job with everything I've thrown at it. Enjoy your choice, whatever it turns out to be!
I voted "other". That other is Aguilar... Seriously though, try out everything you can with BOTH of your basses. You'll find the one that fits your tonal goals and budget.
I've been trying out a lot of amps lately and all I can tell you is that you really have to try each one to know what works for you personally. Honestly, all of the amps I try within a certain level seem to be the same in terms of how great they sound but they all have a different character. The controls are also all different and use different Hz settings for the EQs so the tone variability can be quite different and it's just a matter of what you need to get out of your bass. You might also have to consider the inputs and outputs depending on how you plan on wiring the thing up. I think most modern amps have everything you'd need (DI, effects loop, tuner out, etc.) but if you have a special requirement that might limit options. Reliability is another factor but again most modern amps have that covered. Just be sure to look out for the odd QC issue. Although I haven't had any issues with mine personally, I bought my Ampeg PF-500 before reading about some early issues with them. Again, no problems but I might have gone with another model if I had done my research first. It stills sounds rad and I'm glad I bought it. The biggest issues you might have are weight, size and figuring out what power rating you want for the cabs you want to use.
I'd also recommend looking at the used market. I was able to get a Genz Benz GBE1200 and a matching 6x10 cabinet for under $1k with very little wear on them. That's a steal in my book based on everything I've read about them. The amp sounds phenomenal and finally scratches my tube itch. I've also had the chance to listen to an Eden WT-550 which sounded too pure to be real. I'm hoping to get into a Markbass LMII and Aguilar TH-500 soon as well. I hear absolutely nothing but good things about both. The point is that you have plenty of options. Use your ears and think about what you really want and go for it.
I'd also recommend looking at the used market. I was able to get a Genz Benz GBE1200 and a matching 6x10 cabinet for under $1k with very little wear on them. That's a steal in my book based on everything I've read about them. The amp sounds phenomenal and finally scratches my tube itch. I've also had the chance to listen to an Eden WT-550 which sounded too pure to be real. I'm hoping to get into a Markbass LMII and Aguilar TH-500 soon as well. I hear absolutely nothing but good things about both. The point is that you have plenty of options. Use your ears and think about what you really want and go for it.
Try everything you can. Once you narrow it down to a brand or family look to get 500 watts or more if budget allows. Buy used if at all possible. And don't underestimate how nice a quality class d head can be.
You may be surprised to find they all mostly do the same job. If it's your first major amp it's not going to matter what you get because there's a lot of feeling out of the amp to do before you know what it's capable of.
In the end, no matter how much research you do there's no substitute for sitting in front of a speaker with a band around you.
In the end, no matter how much research you do there's no substitute for sitting in front of a speaker with a band around you.
What I'm trying to look for is attack and aggression but when needed that sort of R&B tone I really like.
I'm hoping to get a 4x10 cab, I really like the Hartke Hydrive 4x10 cabs, but I've never had a chance to play one of them. Do you have any experience with Hartke?
Thank you, I don't really have the money for a Mesa yet. But I have my eye on a Hartke 4x10 can though.
That sounds really cool, it reminds me how Victor Wooten chose Hartke. He took a whole year to decide what amp he should get with Antony Wellington before he settled on Hartke.
