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Buying First Amp

K

Kamael83

Dec 7, 2011
140
2
Cork City, Ireland
#1
Hello All!
I have newbie question...it is actually soo newbie that i`m afraid to post it :)

I bought start pack of Squire affinity J-Bass some time ago...with 10W combo...I`m playing on this for some time ...and i`m starting to think about slowely upgrading things...Surely I should upgrade everything ...but I want to upgrade my amp first....I would like to buy something that I will be able to practice at home with (headphones for sure) and it would be perfect if that amp / combo woul be able to handle some small gigs (pubs) and rehersals...
Reason for this is: at the moment i don`t play in any band but I want to start looking for one...obviously you can`t show up for rehersal with 10 W fender combo :P
So my question is: Is it possible to get 100 - 300 or even 500w combo (lets say Orange) that will be able to do both things? handle small gigs and home practice with headphones? I`m totally new to this and simply I have no idea if it`s possible to plug in headphones to 300w combo without blowing them up haha :) please dear TBr`s explain this to me.
Thanks for all comments.
 
#2
the real quick answer is that you can play any amp as quietly as you want. my 500 W amp doesn't have a headphone jack, but i just turn the volume down when i'm at home.

if you're real set on a headphone option, i'm sure you could find an amp with a headphone out.

also, this wasn't you main question, but i'd recommend getting at least 300 W. 500 W or more would be even better, but i think most folks on here would agree that you need at least 300 W. (most folks, not all, etc. some would say you need 1000W :) ) if you just get a 100 W amp, you'll need to upgrade again before you know it.
 
#3
And lots of speakerage. You're not going to make it with a single 10" or 12" speaker. Even two 10" speakers is pushing it for live performances (although lots of folks around here manage it, they must play in pretty quiet ensembles.) I say at least get a 15" or a pair of 12"s or even four 10"s.

It won't matter how many watts you have if you're trying to jam it all into a single 10" speaker. This isn't six-string guitar. Those guys get a combo amp no bigger than a small suitcase and can reach earsplitting levels of volume. We bass players cannot. We need big speaker cabs (in addition to a lot more watts) to match them.

I for one spent far too much time as a young player suffering from not having enough amp to keep up with rock drummers and guitar players. You get really tired of not being heard.
 
#4
Thanks :)
Yeah I was thinking about going Orange Combo with 500W Terror in it...someone on TB adviced getting MESA walkabout scout...after i checked how it sounds i fell in love but it`s a bit too expensive for a guy like me (talking about bass playing experience not wallet)...Spending 1500 $ on amp for a guy who plays on bass for about a year ...is a bit mad decision I think..although I would love to have it haha :P
Now next question would be: what Amps or combos would you recommend (headphone jack would be a must in my case)...
 
#5
You may want to include the amp's weight as a consideration too. Some combos don't have a jack for an input but have RCA style plugs. I thot a 1/8 " jack, headphone jack, light weight, and 15" speaker were important.
 
#7
ok for instance will Orange TBC500 Terror Bass Combo 2 x 12" 500 Watts do any good? I was told they are powerful (ive heard Terror Bass 500 amp with my bass) and it was shaking the whole music shop (although I don`t know what cab was going with it)...
In terms of tonality I will have to experiment...but I would like to have some basic knowledge about what I`m looking for...In Ireland bassists are expecially neglected by music shops...for any serious shopping I will have to go to UK anyway :/
 
#8
scottfeldstein said:
Look at Peavey and maybe GK combos. Lots of combo amps have headphone outs. many also have Auxiliary inputs, too, so you can plug your iPod into it and jam along to your favorite music--all in your headphones.
Click to expand...

That`s exactly what I`m looking for...This is great way for practice for me...At the moment I have my PC speakers plugged through AUX into my combo and headphones in combo and i can jam all night long without being a pain for familly and neighbours :P Expaecially that I finish my work at 2 am and then I`m starting practice haha :P Option no headphones in this case would get me into prison fast :P
 
#10
It actually doesn`t have to be combo...as far as I know price isn`t that much different between combos and amp + cab sets.. EG Orange Terror Bass amp alone costs 491£ and Orange Combo with the same Amp costs 848£....Surely I can get good Cab and add it to Orange AMp and still stay in the same price range...But then again question stays: what would you recommend? doesn`t have to be Orange...I keep talking about it only because I looked at it for a while :P Remember that Headphone + aux is one of the factors :) what would you recommend ? :) I know it is difficult to answer that kind of question...Just give me brand names, models I can go through (if you have any experiences that would be great) ps. checked peavey combos...they seem small unless on their website they forgot to put all stuff they have :) or for EU they make things smaller :P
 
#11
I just checked GK MB 212 combo price 583£...it has everything i need :) I will have to find some way to test it :)
But also on the same website they offer :
Gallien-Krueger MB Fusion 115 MBE 400 Bass Stack

What do you think about this one? In terms of AMp this one looks better ...i think....cab is 115 though...i suppose it would be enough for a start....I can always change it later or add something to it ...what do you think?
PS one of best questions: what GK sounds like?
 
#13
GK usually sounds very modern to me "out of the box." You can't expect to turn it on and sound exactly like, say, Old Black Sabbath or The Who. Think Duran Duran. Not sure if that helps. At least the GK Fusion has a tube preamp stage, so I think you're supposed to be able to get a little grit out of that. I don't have any personal experience with it. I have the MB 500 GK head. In any case, any amp can be made to sound like almost anything with the use of effect pedals. Other people's opinions may differ, your mileage may vary.

I'd definitely go separate head/cab if you can afford to do so.
 
#14
Kamael83 said:
what GK sounds like?
Click to expand...

famous for a midrange-forward growly solid state sound, think Flea from Red Hot Chili Peppers. Though you can get other sounds from it, it's not tube-like at all unless of course as KSandvik recommends going w/the Fusion combo. Can't go wrong either MB or the Fusion versions, but then I'm biased as I use mostly GK amps :D

Edit: ScottF makes a good point on the sound and yeah, people will run things like a VT bass pedal into GKs if they're looking for a more rounded older school vibe.
 
#17
You already have a practice amp that you play with headphones to your heart's content, just get another amp for the big stuff and don't worry about headphone jacks on your next setup. Your practice amp isn't that big and can go on top of the new rig when not in use so it'll take up the same footprint in your place or you can get away with leaving the new rig at a practice spot. Just my opinion on the matter.
 
#18
If you're not stuck for cash keep the 10W combo setup for practice at home. Then you can leave your rig at practice place (if you know it won't be borrowed).

Again, if you're not stuck for cash, buy the nice rig you like the sound of, no shame in that. You'll save on multiple upgrades anyway.

I'm one of the gig with a 210 guys, it's not quiet enough for no earplugs but it's not too loud. Protect your hearing at all costs. Tinnitus sucks on donkey parts.
 
#19
Martin89 said:
You already have a practice amp that you play with headphones to your heart's content, just get another amp for the big stuff and don't worry about headphone jacks on your next setup. Your practice amp isn't that big and can go on top of the new rig when not in use so it'll take up the same footprint in your place or you can get away with leaving the new rig at a practice spot. Just my opinion on the matter.
Click to expand...

This.

Also, i would agree with those that recommend getting separate amp + cab instead of combo if possible. the nice part of this is that you can upgrade or switch out pieces without starting back at square one.

one more thing - i would recommend buying used (i've had great luck with the TB classifieds). you can't try it out, but you get much more amp for much less money.
 
#20
Gallien-Krueger MB Fusion 115 MBE 400 Bass Stack

I`m keeping close eye on this one...
Listened (on you tube only for now) to GK combo and Fusion 500 amp and I really like the sound of it...plus I agree on bigger felexibillity of amp + cab over combo option.,..

Thanks for all advices!! You all gave me some grounds I can start from now :)
 

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