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Can anyone recommend a cheap practice head?

clubdude

clubdude

The Ten Man
Aug 15, 2008
298
3
Greenville, North Carolina
#1
I've got a 115w combo that stays at the bands practice site.
My two stage cabs stay in the band trailer.
I have a 2x10 cab in my home studio.

So, I've been keeping my LH1000 head with me, dragging it around from gigs to my home studio. It's a tad heavy in a ATA case to lug around, so I've been searching for an el cheapo practice head. Don't really care if it's only 60watts and solid state. Just something to put out a sound while I'm working up new stuff.

Even the Behringer 180w ones are going for $150, used. If I can find it, I want one even cheaper than that. Not being a tight-wad, but just prioritizing music money to spend. Just bought a PA, and now about to get a Line 6 M9 or M13, so this purchase would be just for convenience sake.

Thanks in advance.
CD
 
#2
In the same boat, hate lugging big amps for small amp jobs. It's hard to find something cheaper, but possible. Look for older Peavey heads. Mark series. I ended up buying an Acoustic B20 combo. 20 watts into a 12" speaker. Sounds good, I even jammed with it at a gig (DI into the PA). $85 new at a wicked Guitar Center sale.
 
#3
Y'know, +1 for that ^

Lately, I've been really digging the tone I've been getting from my LDS2 playing through a 15w crate guitar combo. Bass is zeroed, of course, but it's plucky and fun. A small combo might bring out a new style in you, never know.
 
#5
Find one of those old Peavey Mark amps. They pop up on my local CL all the time for $150 or less. Not lightweight, but your options at sub $180 are not going to be feather weight powerhouse amps.

-Mike
 
#7
As far as cheap enough practice heads go I got a hartke 2500 for £85 on ebay, it's been dropped out the back of a car, knocked off a cab by a drunk guitarist and allsorts and it just keeps on going, definately a very worthwhile investment
 
#8
I'll go cheaper than this.

Look for an old school mixer head.. the power amp section commonly is the same as a Mark series.

You then have 4 inputs for drum machines, ipods etc..

I've bought them in the $25 range.. had bassists rave about sound then find out it was a craigslist mixeramp.

====

I'm ditto on the recording deck or amplug for practice.. do your PR a favor... less space used at home always works.
 
#9
MNAirHead said:
I'll go cheaper than this.

Look for an old school mixer head.. the power amp section commonly is the same as a Mark series.

You then have 4 inputs for drum machines, ipods etc..

I've bought them in the $25 range.. had bassists rave about sound then find out it was a craigslist mixeramp.

====

I'm ditto on the recording deck or amplug for practice.. do your PR a favor... less space used at home always works.
Click to expand...

Like it a lot, I'll be looking into that one for sure, seems so simple when pointed out
 
#10
Good replies, guys. Thanks.

For clarification of my usage. This head would never leave my home studio. I have a Hartke 210XL cab (200w). I also have a Yamaha MG12/4 mixer+Digitech DSP16, with two 300 RMS powered PA speakers. I use headphones all the time, so with my PA speakers off, I can just use the mixer and headphones. I'd rather not use the PA speakers with bass. They're for vocals.

My guitar player is the other main vocalist (besides me). Just the two of us get together in my studio to work out parts, both vocally and instrumentally, without the rest of the band. So, when he comes over, I need a head for my 2x10. By myself, I can get by with phones. Since my mixer is not powered, I can't use it for bass, except for earphones. I know I could use my PA powered speakers, but they are brand new, and only have one 12" speaker + horn (each).

Like I said, it's not a dead necessity, but a matter of convenience. Then I will have a rig for stage, one at the band practice hall, and one in my studio. I'll look into a used Peavey, and I hadn't thought about it, but it wouldn't have to be a bass head, I guess.

Thanks again.
CD
 
#13
Keep your eyes peeled on musiciansfriend or guitarcenter sites for the Acoutstic B200h on a "refurb" sale.
I picked mine up with full "as new" warranty, shipped to Canuckistan, for about $225 USD.
Sounds like exactly what you need.
They pop as a refurb sale every month or two
 
#16
Superfly gone, so I'll keep checking your suggestions. I'd love to have a Hartke 2500, but haven't been able to locate one that wasn't new or almost new. Even the 1400 would work.

I see the Backline 600's a lot, too, so I'll keep my eye out for them. The Acoustic b200 would be cool, too. I want something relatively small for the studio. Anything 100+ watts will do, and I don't care about bells and whistles, scratches, or age, so long as it's in good working condition.

Thanks to everyone.
CD
 
#19
Hartke made a 140W (4 ohms) / 80W (8 ohms) model a few years ago, Model 1400:

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These are super-portable, lightweight, and perform well. I have one that is really easy to bring as a back-up. If you can find a used one, it's perfect for practice and small gigs. There's one on Ebay now, but he wants $160 for it. Should be a $100 amp.
 

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