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First big amp - advice

E

Evolmonster

Dec 1, 2008
143
0
#1
Hiya guys

I am about to buy my first gigging amp. I've got around £500 to spend. I play in a rock/soul/blues band, and usually go through the PA for extra sound at bigger venues.

I am not bothered if I get a combo or a head/cab.
The problem is, there are no good guitar shops anywhere near me, and the ones that are near only have little 15w practise amps, or naff behringer combo's. So its not a case of trying the amp and falling in love.
What I need is peoples opnions so I can buy online and try it when it arrives.

I have been looking at the following :
Hughes + Kettner Basskick 300 combo
Ashdown Mag 300

Hartke 3500 head
Gallien Krueger GK 700RB -II head
HARTKE LH1000 / LH500 head
Hartke HA2500

I am new to bass amps, so I dont need too many features. Just something to start with.
i'll probably save up for a bigger, more expensive ampeg rig in a few years when I get a bit better at playing.

Any help would be great.
Just remember what it was like when you started bass and felt a bit lost! I need help!

Cheers guys
DB
 
#2
personally i used the MAG 300 with 4x10 cab as my first big gigging amp, never had any problems with it sounds good enough and it was reliable, pretty cheap as well i think i paid like £560 or something for the head and cab. i still use the head as a back up now.
 
#8
Doesn't matter if you're a beginner or intermediate, when it comes to buying gear and you're short on cash, go used! So much more bang for the buck. I got an EBS HD350 for half the price it sells new by going used, 600 Euros instead of 1200! And the bugger is built like a ****en tank so it looked and sounded as good as new when I got it! :)
 
#9
RickenBoogie said:
Look for used gear. I'd suggest a head/cab. The GK 700RB II plus a nice 4x10 is all you'll really need. See if you can find that.
Click to expand...


I agree.
Or, since you mentioned Ampeg, you could look for an Ampeg combo. I have an Ampeg B-100R which is fantastic for the kind of music you're playing. And it sounds louder than the specs suggest (maybe because the speaker is 4 ohms, not 8).

http://www.ampeg.com/products/diamondbluebass/b100r/index.html

Both the 700RBII and the B-100R are solid state amps, but you *can* get nice, fat bottom end out them (especially the Ampeg).

Look for used ones.
Good luck!
 
#10
RickenBoogie said:
Look for used gear. I'd suggest a head/cab. The GK 700RB II plus a nice 4x10 is all you'll really need. See if you can find that.
Click to expand...


I agree.
Or, since you mentioned Ampeg, you could look for an Ampeg combo. I have an Ampeg B-100R which is fantastic for the kind of music you're playing. And it sounds louder than the specs suggest (maybe because the speaker is 4 ohms, not 8).

http://www.ampeg.com/products/diamondbluebass/b100r/index.html

Both the 700RBII and the B-100R are solid state amps, but you *can* get nice fat bottom end out them (especially the Ampeg). One thing: the Ampeg has only a 1/4" out, not an XLR out, so you'd need a direct box to send the signal to a PA. But that shouldn't stop you. This one is perfectly fine and doesn't cost much:

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Whirlwind-IMP-2-Standard-Direct-Box?sku=184302

Or, of course, a DI box will be provided by the sound person.

Look for used amps.
Good luck!
 
#11
Ok. I've checked on ebay for some used combos and heads.
This is what i've found. All are within my price range, so if anyone sees anything that is awesome, tell me!

Mark Bass Little Mark 2 II Head 450 Watt
Eden Nemesis EN400
PEAVEY FIREBASS 700
HIWATT B-300HD
ASHDOWN EVO 2 head
NEW AMPEG 450 WATT SVT3 BASS HEAD
Hartke Bass Rig - 350w Head - 4x10 & 1x15 Cab VX Series - Cheap deal at £300!
SWR WorkingPro 400 Head
Gallien Krueger GK 800RB Head

Opnions please!
Cheers guys
DB
 
#12
you really can't go wrong with a Little Mark II! great sound, plenty powerful. i own one :)

have used a peavey Firebass 700 - it is BIG and LOUD but the sound was nothing special (to my ears). it also weighs a metric tonne.

haven't ever really enjoyed playing though Hartke rigs, personally.

don't have experience with the rest but GK stuff has a good rep.
 
#13
I got to say, buying bass gear was one huge disadvantage when I lived in the UK. I remember London's Denmark Street was the only place where you could find decent gear for sale. Of course, it was pricey as hell. The Brits would get so screwed where a $700 Fender would cost 700 quid. I think Peavey might serve you well for the price. A lot of my British peers would roll with Peavey.
 
#14
Evolmonster said:
Ok. I've checked on ebay for some used combos and heads.
This is what i've found. All are within my price range, so if anyone sees anything that is awesome, tell me!

Mark Bass Little Mark 2 II Head 450 Watt
Eden Nemesis EN400
PEAVEY FIREBASS 700
HIWATT B-300HD
ASHDOWN EVO 2 head
NEW AMPEG 450 WATT SVT3 BASS HEAD
Hartke Bass Rig - 350w Head - 4x10 & 1x15 Cab VX Series - Cheap deal at £300!
SWR WorkingPro 400 Head
Gallien Krueger GK 800RB Head

Opnions please!
Cheers guys
DB
Click to expand...

Out of that list, I'd go for:
Mark Bass Little Mark 2 II Head 450 Watt
PEAVEY FIREBASS 700
NEW AMPEG 450 WATT SVT3 BASS HEAD
Gallien Krueger GK 800RB Head

I've played Mark Bass amps only at stores, but they seem nice, and people around here generally love them.
Peavey gear is very reliable and a good deal.
I own an SVT3 and love it-- great tube preamp tone.
I've also owned a GK 800RB and loved that. Super reliable, loud, easy to use, not too heavy, etc., etc.

For *me*, Nemesis is too mushy/boomy, SWR is kind of "blah" (too clean), Hartke is just okay (it seems like all the rehearsal studios in New York City have them, and I can't see why), and I have no experience with Ashdown or Hi Watt.
 
#15
That GK 800rb and Peavey Firebass are awesome.
The GK has great tone, The peavey has good tone but great headroom, power and reliability. Combine either of those with the cabs of your choice and you wont really ever need to upgrade your amp.
 
#16
You have some good choices there. Ideally, you should plug into all you can, and get an idea of what you like. If you can't, it's a crapshoot. But, from the list, my choices would be: SVT 3Pro, Peavey Firebass, or the GK 800 RB. Remember, you'd still need a good cab.
 
#18
GearHeadBassMan said:
+1 on the firebass and GK. both are bullet proof amps that have been proven reliable over the years. the svt gets grief for being too quiet.

I would say the LM would top that list for me, just because of the portability factor, plus it's tone is highly regarded on TB.
Click to expand...

About the SVT3 being too quiet...
A lot of people don't know how to overcome that: by simply goosing the graphic EQ level.
 

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