buying my first stack, any advice?

[noobymcgee5000]

so, here's how it goes. I've been playing bass for about 3 years just as something to do and play around with but I'm getting out of high school next year and i want to actually get serious about playing music. being a student and only working part time in a kitchen as a cook, my budget Isn't the greatest. But, where there's a will there's a way and i want to buy my first stack amp that has some real jam-ability. bang for the buck is what I'm looking for, good quality, smaller name that i could order from a store in my town in Canada. There arent many bass players around here and this is where i think i could really get what i need!

 

[dukeisdog]

I'll ask what everybody that see's this is going to ask.

"price range"

 

[Bassgrinder77]

Sure. When you get it, stack it.

 

[uethanian]

ask yourself if you really need it. if you're getting 'serious' about playing bass -which to me implies playing gigs- you may or may not need a huge setup. like my current teacher who does clubs, events, bands, recording sessions, jazz gigs on upright, all he uses is a single 15" combo. and even then, most of the time he doesn't use the thing, he just plugs into the house. i'm not saying you shouldn't have a stack, because it's great to be able to pump out a lot of volume when you need to (outdoor shows, jam sessions). that's just my $.02, i don't know enough about your specific situation to say more.

 

[RickenBoogie]

Here's what to do. Figure what you can afford, then scour your local shops, ads, etc, looking for used gear. When you find something you can afford, come back here and see what TB has to say about it. Ultimately, it's YOU that has to be happy with the rig, so keep that in mind, too, and have fun looking.

 

[uglyrumor]

Being in Canada, don't discount the home team...Yorkville...the first amp I played through that made me smile...

 

[ga_edwards]

Also keep in mind if you get a big stack (ie a couple of 4x10s) you have to move thing, cart it up dark fire escapes and in multiple (sometimes raining) trips back and forth to the car.

What size venues are you looking at playing too? Often you can be too big for the venue. A smaller combo/mini stack turned up will often sound better than a large stack turned down because it's too loud for the room.