Hello! So I am going to buy a Esp Ltd F-104 in a couple of weeks and I also need to get a amp but I have no idea what to buy so can someone help me get one? I am a beginner and going to play metal. The max I am willing to pay is $100 unless it is a bit more and worth it.
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Buying my first amp
- Thread starter diogometalhead
- Start date
Roland GR 88
Commercial User
Peavey, Ampeg and Acoustic have models around $100.00 new. They are meant for practice mostly and won't sound too good cranked up. If you can stretch the budget to 150 you'll find older Ampegs, Peaveys and Fenders that will be good practice amps and keep up with a drummer or guitarist too. Peaveys should be at the top of the list as they aren't expensive new, last forever and there are lots out there. Good luck, welcome aboard and let us know how you do.
Are you just learning to play? If so, just about anything that works and has a speaker will do. Maybe even just a headphone amp. With a budget like $100 you are going to be hard-pressed to find much that will do with other musicians involved. Shopping used from Craigslist or the local rag may turn up an old Peavey or GK combo with enough power to sneak by. It seems like the logical choice to get something so you're ready to go when the time comes to get into a group, but IMO you'd be better served to just stick it out with the very bare minimum (and work on the playing first) and save up until it's time. I'd bet you can find something very close to you for $20 that will work just fine until then.
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I cannot see anyone playing Metal with a 25W amp and an eight inch speaker. for practice in a bedroom yes but it will not cut it with other folks playing along.
That amp is fine, and gets some love around here. But; I still think you can do just as well shopping used, and spending like $15-$20 on any old 15 watt guitar combo. Just respect the speaker and don't turn it up high. Even at 25 watts, just about any drummer will totally bury you. Even a 10 watt guitar amp could cover you up quite easily. I think most folks would agree that getting the chops is way more important for you right now. You might even be alright getting an interface for your smartphone and doing it through earbuds for a while.
The amp you've linked to is an excellent little practice amp, but worthless for anything else . . . unless you can plug it into a PA.
If all you want is something to hear yourself in your bedroom, that Ampeg is perfect. If you want something that you can also rehearse with, then you need to spend a lot more money, or shop very carefully and spend a little more on something used. You probably want something over 100w even for practice with a metal band, with over 200 being better. Bass frequencies take a lot more power for the same perceived volume than guitar frequencies.
If all you want is something to hear yourself in your bedroom, that Ampeg is perfect. If you want something that you can also rehearse with, then you need to spend a lot more money, or shop very carefully and spend a little more on something used. You probably want something over 100w even for practice with a metal band, with over 200 being better. Bass frequencies take a lot more power for the same perceived volume than guitar frequencies.
Guitar Center, in Danbury has:
(1)Zoom 505 fx pedal (yeah, it's for guitar, but it has headphone output) for $29 (item #109835759). This can get you started woodshedding.
(2) Behringer Ultrabass BX1800 (IIRC that would mean 180 watt) combo amp for $149. (item #109888535). It's no Rolls Royce, but it could get you started towards something that would handle a group.
There's also this:
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It is a bit above your budget, but is another example of a starting point for playing with others, and the price is undoubtedly negotiable.
That's just a few minutes of searching, so there's bound to be more stuff in your backyard. I still think just getting a little practice amp is the best way to go, but it isn't my call
Good luck, and welcome to the bass world.
(1)Zoom 505 fx pedal (yeah, it's for guitar, but it has headphone output) for $29 (item #109835759). This can get you started woodshedding.
(2) Behringer Ultrabass BX1800 (IIRC that would mean 180 watt) combo amp for $149. (item #109888535). It's no Rolls Royce, but it could get you started towards something that would handle a group.
There's also this:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
It is a bit above your budget, but is another example of a starting point for playing with others, and the price is undoubtedly negotiable.
That's just a few minutes of searching, so there's bound to be more stuff in your backyard. I still think just getting a little practice amp is the best way to go, but it isn't my call
Good luck, and welcome to the bass world.
OP, unless you are in a burning hurry, read a lot here first.
If in a burning hurry, then caveat emptor.
After reading, BUY USED.
Read the TB classifieds to see what is "main stream."
Right now, a lot of Genz gear is up for sale.. problems or the future of Genz... who knows.
$100 won't pay for a parking ticket in a big city.
Don't expect $100 to buy anything other than a micro practice amp, or something with Big Problems.
I see a lot of Gallien-Krueger (GK) used gear in Craigs List.
Consider their Backline series of amps and cabs.
These are Hecho in China, but is quality design and equipment.
In your place, I would look for a Backline amp, and 2x10 BLX Backline cab.
If in a burning hurry, then caveat emptor.
After reading, BUY USED.
Read the TB classifieds to see what is "main stream."
Right now, a lot of Genz gear is up for sale.. problems or the future of Genz... who knows.
$100 won't pay for a parking ticket in a big city.
Don't expect $100 to buy anything other than a micro practice amp, or something with Big Problems.
I see a lot of Gallien-Krueger (GK) used gear in Craigs List.
Consider their Backline series of amps and cabs.
These are Hecho in China, but is quality design and equipment.
In your place, I would look for a Backline amp, and 2x10 BLX Backline cab.
Get whatever small practice amp to learn how to play properly. Behringer, Ashdown, Peavey, whatever... anything with a speaker will work fine. In the $100 range they're all basically the same. You'll end up keeping it, I still have my small practice amp.
When you get more serious about playing and you actually join a band with a drummer you'll then make the arrangements to buy whatever amp you feel is best for you at the time.
When you get more serious about playing and you actually join a band with a drummer you'll then make the arrangements to buy whatever amp you feel is best for you at the time.
