Find a used Rumble 500 I bought one in great shape for 300 bucks
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Combo Amp Opinions
- Thread starter NotSoGoodatBass
- Start date
i vote buy a head and separate cab. a 2x10 and maybe later 1x15 (add on later) can go far
I would shoot for something with more than 100 watts for bass. I also agree that the used market is a good place to go with a limited budget. Get more out your money.
Used Ampeg RB210. Probably 450, just eat Kraft mac and cheese for a week to make up the difference in price. Fender combos sound choked to me. The heads were nice but the cabs are just too small (sorry guys)
MB 115
The original MB combo line with the silver grill. These have the updated MB electronics, but the older/original cabinet, speakers. wood etc. Sounds very similar/almost identical to the newer versions. Brand new off the line, we just found the untouched cabinets in storage. *1-Year Warranty
gallien-krueger.myshopify.com
Thanks for all the info you have given me. The biggest takeaways I feel a lot of you have touched on is to see what sounds good to my ear, search the used market (Brings up another question below) and go over not under on output watts.
Where do you all get used gear? I look online at GC or gear exchange or even eBay and it seems like prices are pretty high. Maybe it's like everything else, you've got to hit it at the right time or it's gone.
Where do you all get used gear? I look online at GC or gear exchange or even eBay and it seems like prices are pretty high. Maybe it's like everything else, you've got to hit it at the right time or it's gone.
This would suit you well. I believe only 200W when run as a combo, but this one will either drive and external (unpowered) cab to get you the full 500W, or you can chain out the XLR to a GK (powered) cab which would get you either +200W (112MBP) or +500W (212MBP).
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I have the slightly larger MB212ii, which is a combo that runs full 500W into a 2x12 driver configuration. Not everyone likes the GK sound, but you should give one a test spin if you can.
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I have the slightly larger MB212ii, which is a combo that runs full 500W into a 2x12 driver configuration. Not everyone likes the GK sound, but you should give one a test spin if you can.
OP: get on FB marketplace and poke around for combos with at least 1x15” or 2x10” speakers. You’ll get a lot of value for your 300-400 bucks.
The rumbles aren’t everyone’s cup of tea (mine included) but they’re cheap, plentifully available, and punch above their weight class as far as volume. They also hold value reasonably well so if you pick one up used you can unload it for what you paid.
All of the above is true of the Ampeg combos, and they do sound a bit better to me, but they seem to come up somewhat less frequently. I would stay away from the Orange stuff. It’s okay but often more expensive than comparable offerings from other companies, and IMO a little quiet for its wattage ratings.
The rumbles aren’t everyone’s cup of tea (mine included) but they’re cheap, plentifully available, and punch above their weight class as far as volume. They also hold value reasonably well so if you pick one up used you can unload it for what you paid.
All of the above is true of the Ampeg combos, and they do sound a bit better to me, but they seem to come up somewhat less frequently. I would stay away from the Orange stuff. It’s okay but often more expensive than comparable offerings from other companies, and IMO a little quiet for its wattage ratings.
I think this is an important point. You want a rig that can expand.
A +1 to getting a separate amp+cab, even more flexible.
TB classifieds is my preference
I found these in TB classified for a total of $375 so it is theoretcially within budget
For sale Ampeg Portaflex 500 (PF500)
Killer little class D bass head!
- bassJapan (+21 /0 /-0)
- Updated
- Views: 635
- Comments: 1
- Category: For Sale: Amps, Preamps, and Cabinets
- ampeg pf500
$275.00
6 watching
For sale SWR WorkingPro 15 Bass Cab
In Great Condition
- WannaJazz (+91 /0 /-0)
- Updated
- Views: 683
- Reaction score: 1
- Comments: 6
- Category: For Sale: Amps, Preamps, and Cabinets
$100.00
3 watching
But realistically you'll want to search locally, as shipping adds a premium
especially for older , heavier gear.
So Anyway, are you young and strong enough to lift an old Peavey? 
They're usually quite available and reasonably priced on the used market.
I've used a Hartke Kickback 12 (500W/12") for gigs and kept up with a drummer. It covered all of my gigs, indoor and outdoor. I'm sure it can cover a basement or garage and the 'kick-back' lets you hear it a lot better.
Congrats on finding some folks to play with. That's an essential part of the bass journey.
They're usually quite available and reasonably priced on the used market.I've used a Hartke Kickback 12 (500W/12") for gigs and kept up with a drummer. It covered all of my gigs, indoor and outdoor. I'm sure it can cover a basement or garage and the 'kick-back' lets you hear it a lot better.
Congrats on finding some folks to play with. That's an essential part of the bass journey.
GC does go high. You want to search Craigslist, FB Marketplace, OfferUp ... depends on your location.
That being said: after struggling through several unsatisfactory used/affordable bass amps (mostly GK 1x15's), I bit the bullet and bought a Markbass Players combo. 250w and a 1x15. Light weight, bombproof, always loud enough. These run almost twice your projected budget BUT I sometimes see them used under 500 -- despite the listings on reverb:
https://reverb.com/p/markbass-cmd-jb-players-school-250-watt-1x15-bass-combo#price-guide
Reverb may or may not be your friend (ignore that odd report of 50 in the graph), but patience and persistence do turn up good deals on the used market.
If going GK (you won’t be disappointed!), GK somehow still has both the 15 combo (link above) and if you want power that’ll work wherever forever, the 2x10 that @Queue mentioned as NIB demo stock is still available:
MB 210
The original MB combo line with the silver grill. These have the updated MB electronics, but the older/original cabinet, speakers. wood etc. Sounds very similar/almost identical to the newer versions. Brand new off the line, we just found the untouched cabinets in storage. *1-Year Warranty
gallien-krueger.myshopify.com
I cast my vote for Orange, and I stand by that for me (auditioned against Markbass and Ampeg offerings, very similar price and output). Nevertheless, if I were buying a combo now that I wanted to last a long tme (and maybe I do 
) it would be the Genzler Magellan 350 bracketed to their 2x10 cab. Can add another 2 x 8 Ohm extension cabs if you need it (2.67 Ohm stable) and the preamp is great (daily user of the Pre-DI pedal). Signifcantly more expensive, but you won’t grow out of it, and aftermaket service (+ direct input here from @Jeff Genzler and @agedhorse, the designer/builders) is priceless.
I might have talked myself into it once I’ve recovered from the recent computer/interface purchase.
Edit: sorry the cab designation may have been misleading; it’s “10-2”, which is a single 10” main driver, with their 4 x 2.5” array, if I have that correct. Not sure what the “2” refers to.
) it would be the Genzler Magellan 350 bracketed to their 2x10 cab. Can add another 2 x 8 Ohm extension cabs if you need it (2.67 Ohm stable) and the preamp is great (daily user of the Pre-DI pedal). Signifcantly more expensive, but you won’t grow out of it, and aftermaket service (+ direct input here from @Jeff Genzler and @agedhorse, the designer/builders) is priceless.I might have talked myself into it once I’ve recovered from the recent computer/interface purchase.
Edit: sorry the cab designation may have been misleading; it’s “10-2”, which is a single 10” main driver, with their 4 x 2.5” array, if I have that correct. Not sure what the “2” refers to.
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I recently had the opportunity to try out the Crush 50 at a local music store. I quite liked the tone of the amp. The OD circuit is well done and the blend knob is quite helpful for tweaking clean/dirt. I found the Crush 50 to be pretty complementary to my Rumble 100, though the Rumble's Vintage button does a decent job of giving a thicker tone, mid-bass boost, slight compression, and rolled off treble.I cast my vote for Orange, and I stand by that for me (auditioned against Markbass and Ampeg offerings, very similar price and output). Nevertheless, if I were buying a combo now that I wanted to last a long tme (and maybe I do
I might have talked myself into it once I’ve recovered from the recent computer/interface purchase.
Edit: sorry the cab designation may have been misleading; it’s “10-2”, which is a single 10” main driver, with their 4 x 2.5” array, if I have that correct. Not sure what the “2” refers to.
I am mulling getting a Crush 100 as a second amp for my studio. I am hoping Orange comes out with the Crush 100 in Glenn Hughes' Deep Purple color.
Couldn't agree more with Timmah on buying used. Lots of sweet older rigs to be had out there for pennies on the dollar. Here's a pic of mine I put together for 400$. Happy hunting
Might as well throw my hat in the ring. If I was looking for something. And was limited to less pricey options. I would look for something with the highest efficiency speakers I could get. If the Speaker/s are around 99 dB @ 1w @1M (3.3feet). You can get away with less amp power required & still be ok outdoors. Like 200 w rms Provided they sound OK. Its often overlooked. but if the speakers are just 6 dB less efficient it equals 4 times the power for the same max SPL
Not to mention the thermal stress on those poor speakers. Its often overlooked. But makes one hell of a difference to cost power and even reliability As less thermal stress. From having to pump in mega watts. Pays off In more ways than one.Also obviously larger speakers like 15's just move more air. But the upper response tends to roll off quicker.
Not to mention the thermal stress on those poor speakers. Its often overlooked. But makes one hell of a difference to cost power and even reliability As less thermal stress. From having to pump in mega watts. Pays off In more ways than one.Also obviously larger speakers like 15's just move more air. But the upper response tends to roll off quicker.
I watch our local Craigslist for gear and reverb for local deals, but it’s also worth checking out local guitar shops. You might be surprised, you can sometimes find great deals sitting in the corner of the sales floor, or a good lead on what you’re looking for. Musicians like to help each other find and sell gear, so it’s worth getting familiar with your local shops.
Just wanted to say thanks to everyone who commented. I searched all over looking for used equipment, was feeling defeated and my wife said look on the local FB marketplace. I found a Rumble200 that had been used for about 10 hours and was sitting in a home studio collecting dust. Picked it up with the cover for $325 and really glad I did.
