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Buying first amp.

D

DevilTheory

Jan 6, 2009
34
0
38
Illinois
#1
I'm at the point where I think need a new bass amp. I've been using a small practice one for awhile, but I want something bigger.

I know next to nothing about amps, but I've been reading up on some stuff, basics etc.

I'm pretty sure I want a head and separate cabinet... and I was looking at 4x10's, because I'd only be gigging at bars and stuff best case scenario, so I won't need anything bigger, but I don't want to waste money on something smaller. I can always turn down, but if I need to go louder, I'm screwed, heh.

Anyway, advice? I've heard a lot of great things about Ampegs, and the Marshall guitar amp I have sounds great, so I was thinking of looking there also. But I'm open to suggestions.
 
#2
Hello, welcome.

You might want to be a little more specific about the music you play and your specific circumstance before soliciting opinions, otherwise people will just unhelpfully list the amp and cabinets they play and tell you to purchase one immediately. That being said, what type of music do you play? is your band loud (read: do YOU have to be loud on stage to hear yourself)? do you have PA support? etc..
 
#3
Ah, sorry. I play mostly rock, and alternative. A little reggae/ska. I've only played seriously for like 7 months, so. I'm not in a band, I just jam with some friends and learn covers at the moment. None of us have a PA (And again, I'm super new to bass let alone amps and PA's). I've never played on stage, I am basically just getting something preemptively while I have the money, heh.
 
#7
That's a good budget; you should be able to find some good stuff in that range. I'd check out Ampeg, Mesa, and Ashdown because that's what I have experience with and they each work very well in that style of music. A 410 is a good "high likelihood of success" cabinet: punchy and good for rock. If you find you need more low end you can add a 15.
 
#10
Go with a Markbass LMII head and an Avatar 210 cab.
IMO, it's all you will need. I've played a ton of clubs, bars, outdoor and indoor throughout L.A. since 2004.

I went from Ampeg SVT Classic, Aguilar DB750 and Thunderfunk 550B all with Schroeder 410 and Avatar B212 (for two years)...to the LMII with a Avatar 210. I didn't think it would be enough but it's plenty.

No need for much else. If you play a huge outdoor event, you'll likely go through the house PA anyway.

I'm a Markbass believer so far. I bought the Limited Edition head from Guitar Center for $560 and the Avatar for $348. So much less than all my other gear...it's ridiculous.

-Chris
 
#12
For 1200 you can get a LMII and an Epifani PS410 4 ohm and you would set for any volume gig. Not to big not to small. I used to play a big Ampeg rig for ages. Went to the EPI and LMII. It has tone for days and gets as loud or louder.
 
#13
DevilTheory said:
Any specific reasons why?
Click to expand...

LOUD Tech (the "people" with the Ampeg name right now) have had serious quality, service and now parts supplier troubles of late. A lot of stores can't even get new product and are dumping them from their stock and no longer carrying? LOUD's stock became basicly worthless and they withdrew from the stock market.
Sound like a brand you want to buy?
 
#14
Thank you for the Ampeg info :).

I've been looking at the Avatar cabs a lot, and I can't seem to find anyone that has anything bad to say about them, especially for the cost. On to next question: I'm reading a lot about different speaker configurations, and I still don't know what would sound the best. So far I'm under the impression a 4x10 is good, but 2 2x10's or just one 2x10 would sound better? Or maybe a 2x12. Any advice?

Thanks for all the helpful input so far, everyone.
 
#15
Hey guys...I also hadn't bought an amp in years. I have a 212 xlt 4 ohm eden cabinet and i recently bought the nemesis rs 700...a good amp but not for me.

I need an amp that can run safely @ 2 ohms...sounds great and can at least do 500 watts up to 800 watts @ the 2 ohm load.

I have a few thoughts but would like to see what you recommend...Fxi I haven't ruled out the eden wt550.
 
#17
keep it simple ... to be frank with you, and not meant to sound condescending .. you do not know what you like, or even need at this point ... and if you like it now, I can almost guarantee that your tastes will change after you have been playing a while ... BUY USED .. get the best USED 2-300 watt head you can find for about the same price, and pick up a USED Avatar 410 and call it good ... you will be able to cover anything that comes up for the next couple years, and when something you REALLY like comes along you can sell what you have for just about what you have into it ... like money in the bank ... and, you might just luck out and find what you bought for 5-600 bucks this go round, just might be what you stick with ... JMHO
 
#18
tjh said:
keep it simple ... to be frank with you, and not meant to sound condescending .. you do not know what you like, or even need at this point ... and if you like it now, I can almost guarantee that your tastes will change after you have been playing a while ... BUY USED .. get the best USED 2-300 watt head you can find for about the same price, and pick up a USED Avatar 410 and call it good ... you will be able to cover anything that comes up for the next couple years, and when something you REALLY like comes along you can sell what you have for just about what you have into it ... like money in the bank ... and, you might just luck out and find what you bought for 5-600 bucks this go round, just might be what you stick with ... JMHO
Click to expand...

You're right of course, and I'm not offended. Unfortunately, where I live, used is probably not an option. I really don't trust ebay or online much, either. It's not like the Avatar's are very expensive to begin with though.
 
#19
Ptizzy said:
Hey guys...I also hadn't bought an amp in years. I have a 212 xlt 4 ohm eden cabinet and i recently bought the nemesis rs 700...a good amp but not for me.

I need an amp that can run safely @ 2 ohms...sounds great and can at least do 500 watts up to 800 watts @ the 2 ohm load.

I have a few thoughts but would like to see what you recommend...Fxi I haven't ruled out the eden wt550.
Click to expand...

Just an FYI incase you havent looked ... there is a Carvin B1500 in the classifieds currently ... will do all you ask and more, very simple head (I have a B800) and you cant beat the dollar/watt value ... JMHO
 
#20
DevilTheory said:
You're right of course, and I'm not offended. Unfortunately, where I live, used is probably not an option. I really don't trust ebay or online much, either. It's not like the Avatar's are very expensive to begin with though.
Click to expand...

you dont need ebay ... watch on here ... I have had many deallings with several reputable people on here, and wouldnt hesitate to do so again ... if anyone takes advantage of you from here, their credibility wont last long, and if you buy main name easy resale stuff, there will be a lot of info around on its reliability factor ... I just checked the classifieds for the heck of it, and although there isnt much that currently hits what I would call 'easy resale' there jumping out at me, I did find enough that if I HAD to put a package together tonite, I could do it for about 500 bucks and it would serve me very well for quite some time ... and I think I could get almost if not all of it back down the road ... ask around, and read the feedback for people youare dealing with on here ... JMHO
 

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