Buying Bass Amp for my Son

[fgarry]

My son plays bass in a hardcore band that is loud and has a loud drummer.

he wants a half stack. Looking at the Acoustic B200H and B410 Stack or the Peavey 450 head with th 410 cab.

My son thinks the acoustic might not be loud enough.

Trying to figure out which is the best buy.

 

[eyeballkid]

yeah.. i dont think the acoustic would be loud enough... just my 2 cents.

 

[dogbass]

I think you've hit on a couple of economical yet solid choices. Reviews seem to be pretty positive about Acoustic's stuff (I've played them in GC and have been impressed with tone); Peavey has a well earned reputation for solid equipment, reasonably priced for everyday players.

I'd go with the Peavey rig simply because a 200w solid state amp is probably not going to cut it in a loud rock band situation.

 

[Hollywars]

Your son is almost definitely correct. The more headroom, the better. If he can get a 1x18 or 1x15 cab to go along with it it could be useful, but since the whole band is downtuning it might not be really necessary to augment the already heavy bass.

 

[Taxt]

Go with the Peavy. Enough volume for his band and he may find some nice tones in it

 

[Rick Auricchio]

Also get him a set of earplugs, or he'll be deaf by the time he reaches your age.

 

[carlos840]

Also get him a set of earplugs, or he'll be deaf by the time he reaches your age.

+10

Got some custom molded -15db earplugs a few months after i started playing (6years ago) and now im so happy i did, most of the people i play with are half def! Its expensive but i still have them , just changed the filters a few months ago and they are still great

 

[eddievanbassman]

Go on craigslist and find a deal

 

[seamonkey]

Skip the acoustic - house brand for GC.
Get - Peavey or Carvin, Genz Benz, ... pro brands.
And earplugs

 

[hrgiger]

Ok now that all of the non-metal, non-hardcore, quiet, 2-finger-women-dancing-bass guys have chimed in about earplugs, trolling this thread, I just have to have my say:

Get the Peavey! You'll be glad you did!

 

[kenstee]

Don't be dismissive of Acoustic just because they currently have an exclusivity deal with GC, etc. Ultimately, its all about the sound and the Acoustics do very well on this dimension. You will find quite a few brand name slaves/snobs on this board.

The Acoustic B600H 600W Bass Amp Head looks pretty sweet and gets some nice reviews to boot.

 

[Arranger]

Also get him a set of earplugs, or he'll be deaf by the time he reaches your age.

In all honesty, if volume is the only issue, your son is in for a world of hurt. Chasing volume instead of tone will only cause him permanent hearing damage. It can be devastating.

Consider getting him a high quality rig that has a clear tone that can cut through the mix, instead of trying to overpower it. He'll sound better, his equipment will last longer and he won't be tempted to turn it up too loud just to be heard. Bass volume is insidious and will destroy his hearing and anyone else unfortunate enough to stick around it for very long. If you're buying, his ears are young enough and fresh enough that they deserve protection.

Tinnitus can spawn suicidal tendencies.

 

[hrgiger]

Tinnitus can spawn suicidal tendencies.

C'mon man, he said his son is in a hardcore band that is loud, I'm sure they already are playing some ST, I mean one of the best hardcore bands ever!

Link Removed

 

[traynorbassmate]

Molded ear plugs with -15db filters...best purchase of my life. ~$175 when all was said and done...worth every penny. You know whats worse than tinnitus? two dissonant tone tinnitus.

I agree with arranger...volume is one thing but is not everything and definitely not guaranteed to solve the problem. I don't have a world of experience with amps, but from my first hand experience in maturing as a bass player, a 200-300W tube head such as a SVT-CL would be good a good choice for todays younger player. Power, but clear tone which cuts through a rock band with ease. Ya, its a one trick pony...the tone stack kinda sucks but it'll do the job and he'll be happy.

 

[rbonner]

Was this thread about earplugs? I think not. Go start your own earplug threads somewhere else. Keep the threads on topic or don't post; It's as simple as that.
BOB

 

[JimmyM]

Ya, its a one trick pony...the tone stack kinda sucks but it'll do the job

where do people come up with this nonsense? even more, why would you recommend the cl if it's a one trick pony with a sucky tone stack? neither is the least bit true, but why would you recommend it if you think that?

 

[Arranger]

Was this thread about earplugs? I think not. Go start your own earplug threads somewhere else. Keep the threads on topic or don't post; It's as simple as that.
BOB

You're right and I didn't mean to redirect. The original poster joined this forum to ask his one question and I was concerned that his experience might be somewhat limited. His kid deserves some professional advice.

With that said-
The quality of the tone can often overcome the quantity and it may take the lad many hard years to learn that fact on his own. Isn't it better if he gets the facts straight from the start?

 

[OxJohnson]

C'mon man, he said his son is in a hardcore band that is loud, I'm sure they already are playing some ST, I mean one of the best hardcore bands ever!

I love you man...

Ox.

 

[OxJohnson]

Was this thread about earplugs? I think not.
BOB

I love you too...

Ox.

 

[OxJohnson]

To keep on topic PEAVEY FTW!

I gig a Peavey 700 all the time and it is rock solid.

Ox.