Cheap backup head - thoughts?

[Adam Bomb]

Granted, I only just bought my first real rig, and I have suffered from major GAS for years now. But a backup head seems like a good idea. Let's say I have a $200 or so budget.

Looks like for cheap watts my only choice is the Behringer 450W:

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No real rush. Wait for it to go on sale, haggle one of those little punks into letting me have it for two out the door. I'd hate to buy any real gear at Guitar Center, but it would only be a backup.

I have two 8-ohm 500W cabs. (Avatars!) I hesitate to buy used b/c the one thing I will need in a backup is reliability.

Again, I am specifically looking for a *cheep* head. We gig as much as we want, but getting gigs is easy when you don't get paid. My gear may never, ever pay for itself. I just don't want to have to not play a show because some tiny microscopic thing fried, or got shook loose on the drive to the show.

Nobody tell my wife I'm thinking about another head.

--Bomb

 

[hbarcat]

Best cheap back up head = Hartke 3500 ($150 used).

One of these used is more reliable than a totally cheapo new unit by any of the low budget companies.

 

[swollen303]

Adam Bomb, you have PM

 

[Jazzman]

If you look for a bit, you can scare up a used GK 400RB for around $200. That would be my vote.

 

[sedan_dad]

Or a old Peavey.
Friggen tanks.

 

[jtc_hunter]

my backup, and it fits in my bass case next to my strap. Not too heavy either.

 

[Pilgrim]

I have the Behringer 4500 and it's a good amp. Others in a recent thread also commented that they had experienced very good service with the 4500 head. Early models may have had a hum problem, but the fix for that is easy and is documented in reviews on Harmony-Central.com. Mine has no hum problem, nor have I heard of such a problem with recent models.

The Behringer haters won't like it, but IMO this is one of the best bang for the buck heads you can buy. It's my gigging head and works like a charm.

 

[georgestrings]

Peavey Mark VI, or IV - in that order of preference... although a good quality DI box is my usual "backup amp"...



- georgestrings

 

[ljazz]

If you look for a bit, you can scare up a used GK 400RB for around $200. That would be my vote.

The perfect backup..... or save another 100 bucks and get a BL600 new.

Ljazz

 

[fdeck]

I vote for BL600 too, and they are showing up on the used market for around $225.

 

[Mr. Black]

I have the Behringer 4500 and it's a good amp. Others in a recent thread also commented that they had experienced very good service with the 4500 head. Early models may have had a hum problem, but the fix for that is easy and is documented in reviews on Harmony-Central.com. Mine has no hum problem, nor have I heard of such a problem with recent models.

The Behringer haters won't like it, but IMO this is one of the best bang for the buck heads you can buy. It's my gigging head and works like a charm.

+1.....

Handles drops & spilt beer well ......

I've had mine for three years & no problems. I'm getting ready to upgrade but I'm not getting rid of this head, for sure.

 

[Philbiker]

That's a servicable backup, but you can find an older used Peavey for less which will likely be a better amp.

 

[will33]

Any used amp that still works and isn't too big and heavy to carry with you. Used Peavey's are plentiful and cheap as are the hartkes if you can find one that still works and the 400rb which is a dependable, nice sounding amp.

 

[mellowgerman]

I have the Behringer 4500 and it's a good amp. Others in a recent thread also commented that they had experienced very good service with the 4500 head. Early models may have had a hum problem, but the fix for that is easy and is documented in reviews on Harmony-Central.com. Mine has no hum problem, nor have I heard of such a problem with recent models.

The Behringer haters won't like it, but IMO this is one of the best bang for the buck heads you can buy. It's my gigging head and works like a charm.

+1 i owned one for about a year. it was really nice for the money. only sold it to fund gas for some higher end amplification, but what i understand is that you just want a good backup amp. so go for it

 

[~ignited~wings~]

+1 on the GK 440rb, mine served me well, never had a problem with it.

 

[CHILDISHGAMBINO]

+ 1 or whatever to old Peaveys

http://cgi.ebay.com/Peavey-Mark-III...ryZ64397QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[nubs]

IMO the best cheap backup would be a GK backline 600

 

[collicsws6z28]

I would always look used first....

 

[boonerstreet]

+ 1 or whatever to old Peaveys

http://cgi.ebay.com/Peavey-Mark-III...ryZ64397QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

That's a terrible price. I bought a mark IV off of craigslist for $130 and two weeks later saw one for $75.

 

[CHILDISHGAMBINO]

That's a terrible price. I bought a mark IV off of craigslist for $130 and two weeks later saw one for $75.

I was the first one that I saw that had a buy it now and it was in his price range so I threw up the link. Just an example. There was a few others that looked like they would go a lot cheaper.